# Regular meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on February 4, 2025

**Body:** Buncombe County Government — Buncombe County Board of Commissioners
**Date:** February 4, 2025 5:00 PM EST (2025-02-04T17:00:00-05:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581

## Summary

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on February 4, 2025, focusing on financial updates, disaster recovery funding, and environmental protections. The session began with administrative announcements regarding parking validation and a reminder of ethical duties. The Board approved a consent agenda, which included minor adjustments to a letter responding to the Prismatics school consolidation study. This letter was edited to clarify that the proposed consolidation would not likely lead to improved student outcomes.

During public comment, several residents addressed the Board on distinct issues. David Nutter of Connect Buncombe advocated for a review of land use planning, codes, and ordinances to address flood hazards in light of climate change and the impacts of Hurricane Helene, suggesting improvements to density regulations and riparian buffers. Peter Thorworth raised concerns regarding noise pollution from engine braking by large trucks on New Leicester Highway, requesting consideration of a ban similar to one in Lake Lure. Additionally, Josh Kelly of Mountain True spoke in favor of listing the Eastern Hellbender salamander under the Endangered Species Act, highlighting the species' importance to local waterways and the population decline caused by Hurricane Helene.

The Board received a financial update from Finance Director Melissa Moore, who reported that the County is 53.2% through its fiscal year. Revenue stands at $263.4 million, a 4.2% decrease from the prior year, with sales tax down 3% due in part to the timing of Hurricane Helene. Expenditures are up 3% to $213.3 million, with salaries and benefits increasing by 6.7%. The Solid Waste Fund performed well with revenue up 23.8%, and capital projects, such as the Fleet and General Services Complex, are 44% complete.

In new business, the Board unanimously approved a resolution supporting the federal Endangered Species Act listing for the Eastern Hellbender. They also approved a budget amendment to receive $2.166 million in state disaster recovery funds, which will initially restore essential public health services, including school nursing and animal shelter operations. Furthermore, the Board approved a rescission of federal transit funds with conditions related to the New Leicester Highway extension, Route 170 improvements, and a study of transit route adjustments in South Asheville. Don Johnson Bavatsky was reappointed to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. The Board also approved an updated Memorandum of Understanding with the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization and various tax-related resolutions, including the advertising of delinquent tax liens and a waiver for an occupancy tax penalty.

The Board entered a closed session to receive legal advice from their attorney regarding Executive Order 14159, noting that no formal action would be taken following this session. The next briefing and regular Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for February 18, with the briefing at 3 p.m. and the regular meeting at 5 p.m. in the Commission Chambers.

## Agenda

- [Commissioners' Briefing](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12276)
- [Public Service Property Tax Refund Request](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12277)
- [Helene Update](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12278)
- [Call To Order](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12279)
- [Discussion / Adjustment / Approval To Follow Agenda](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12280)
- [Consent Agenda](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12281)
- [Approval of the January 21 combined Briefing and Regular meeting minutes](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12282)
- [Approval of the December 2024 Tax Collection Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12283)
- [Resolution Ordering the Advertising of Delinquent Real Estate Property Tax Liens](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12284)
- [Approval of Occupancy Tax Penalty Waiver for Douglas Brown](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12285)
- [Resolution to approve the updated French Broad Metropolitan Memorandum of Understanding](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12286)
- [Resolution Authorizing the Designation of Signature Authority for Section 5310 Funding Agreements](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12287)
- [Budget Amendment to move available Conservation Easement Fund to Conservation Easement Administration](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12288)
- [Approval of the School Consolidation Study Letter to the NC General Assembly](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12289)
- [Public Comment](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12290)
- [Good News](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12291)
- [Presentations](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12292)
- [Fiscal Year 2025 Quarter 2 Financial Update](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12293)
- [Public Hearings](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12294)
- [County Manager's Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12295)
- [Old Business](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12296)
- [New Business](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12297)
- [Resolution in Support of the Eastern Hellbender’s Endangered Listing](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12298)
- [Budget Amendment for NC Hurricane Disaster Recovery Fund Award for Public Health](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12299)
- [FTA Section 5307 Funding Recission – FY2026](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12300)
- [Board Appointments](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12301)
- [Announcements](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12302)
- [Closed Session / Open Session](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12303)
- [Adjournment](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581/item/12304)

## Votes

- Approval of the January 21 combined Briefing and Regular meeting minutes — Passed, 7-0
- Commissioner Whitesides made the motion to approve the proposed education reduction budget amendment. — Passed, 5-2
- Commissioner Ball made a motion to modify budget amendment A, to remove Early Childhood Education Fund from reduction. — Passed, 7-0
- Commissioner Whitesides made the motion to approve the following two budget amendments as presented. — Passed, 7-0
- Commissioner Moore made the motion to accept the grant and to approve the budget amendment. — Passed, 7-0
- Approve collection report on consent agenda. — Passed, 7-0
- Approval of Occupancy Tax penalty waiver, in the amount of $40.48, for Douglas Brown. — Passed, 7-0
- The Board of Commissioners resolve to approve the new French Broad River MPO Memorandum of Understanding. — Passed, 7-0
- Motion to approve resolution authorizing the designation of signature authority with the City of Asheville Department of Transportation for grant years FY 2025 to FY 2029 for federal transportation assistance authorized by 49 USC 5310. — Passed, 7-0
- Motion to approve the resolution to support the Eastern Hellbender’s Endangered Listing. — Passed, 7-0
- Motion to approve budget amendment — Passed, 7-0
- Motion to rescind $864,338 of suballocated FTA Section 5307 annual and JARC funds to support the ART transit system in FY 2026 conditional on the City of Asheville: • Accepting the funds under the expectation that no additional funds will be requested for the continued operation of the New Leicester Highway Extension & Route 170 in FY2026; and • Not seeking any FY26 Section 5310 traditional funds to support eligible services to provide Buncombe County additional opportunities to receive funds; and • Evaluating WE2 Route changes to improve safer connections to Buncombe County's Enka-Candler Trailblazer Route; and • Evaluating increased trip frequency for the S3 and S6 routes serving south Asheville. — Passed, 7-0
- Council Member Sloan moved to adjust the agenda to hold public comment for New Business No. 2 regarding education funding and to limit public comment to two minutes so that everyone would have a chance to speak on this item. — Passed, 7-0
- Commissioner Moore made the motion to approve the resolution to request additional funds from NC Commerce for the CDBG-RHP. — Passed, 7-0
- Commissioner Wells made the motion to approve the amended fiscal year 2024 external audit contract and accept the audit as presented. — Passed, 7-0
- Commissioner Wells made the motion to 1) authorize the County Manager to execute the Interlocal Agreement with City of Asheville for CDBG-DDRF Funds; and 2) Approve the Budget Amendment for CDBG-DDRF Funds. — Passed, 7-0
- That the Buncombe County Tax Collector is hereby ordered to advertise the tax liens by posting a notice of the liens at the Buncombe County Courthouse and by publishing each lien at least one time in one or more newspapers having general circulation in the taxing unit, in conformity with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-369. — Passed, 7-0
- Recommended Motion & Requested Action: Approve budget amendment — Passed, 7-0
- WHEREAS, the Budget Director recommends and the Board now desires to amend the FY2024-2025 Grants Projects outlined below in Exhibit A to the budget, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Commissioners for the County of Buncombe as follows: 1. That the FY2024-2025 amendments listed in Exhibit A below be hereby adopted. 2. That this ordinance shall be effective upon adoption. — Passed, 7-0
- Motion to rescind $864,338 of suballocated FTA Section 5307 annual and JARC funds to support the ART transit system in FY 2026 conditional on the City of Asheville: Accepting the funds under the expectation that no additional funds will be requested for the continued operation of the New Leicester Highway Extension & Route 170 in FY2026, and Not seeking any FY26 Section 5310 traditional funds to support eligible services to provide Buncombe County additional opportunities to receive funds; and Evaluating WE2 Route changes to improve safer connections to Buncombe County's EnkaCandler Trailblazer Route; and Evaluating increased trip frequency for the S3 and S6 routes serving south Asheville. — Passed, 7-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaleL1_BeR4
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1205/segments

## Documents

- [minutes_2025-02-04.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1581?document=4067)

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaleL1_BeR4)