Regular meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on December 2, 2024

Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Meeting Recap – December 2, 2024

On December 2, 2024, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting, marking a significant transition with the swearing-in of newly elected officials and addressing critical county matters. The meeting, open to the public, focused on recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene, administrative updates, and budget considerations.

A central focus of the meeting was the official transition of leadership within the Board. Following a formal ceremony, Amanda Edwards was unanimously elected as Chair of the Buncombe County Commission, succeeding Brownie Newman. Martin Moore was also unanimously selected as Vice-Chair. The ceremony marked the inauguration of Jennifer Horton (District 1), Terry Wells (District 2), and Parker Sloan (District 3) to their respective commissioner roles.

Beyond the leadership changes, the Board addressed several key items impacting Buncombe County residents. A review of existing bonds for county officials and employees concluded that no adjustments were necessary, with a four-year bond renewal approved for Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger. The Board also formally approved the 2025 meeting schedule, maintaining regular meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. A special meeting is scheduled for December 17th at 5:00 PM, preceded by a briefing at 3:00 PM led by County Manager Pender, to potentially address year-end business.

The Board unanimously approved two budget amendments aimed at bolstering essential services. A $500,000 grant from the Office of Violence Against Women will fund contracted positions at the Family Justice Center, supporting critical services for victims of domestic violence. Additionally, a $400,000 PACT Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice will expand mental health services and provide vehicles for the Sheriff's co-responder program, enhancing support for individuals experiencing mental health crises. Finally, the Board interviewed and appointed members to the Board of Equalization & Review: Phil Blake, Dr. Glenda Weinert, Katarina Lager, Randall Barnett, and Preston Edwards, with Commissioner Sloan specifically noting the importance of including an appraiser on the board.

Notably, there were no public comments or testimony during the designated period. The Board acknowledged the ongoing recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene, emphasizing their commitment to restoring and improving Buncombe County.

This meeting demonstrated the Board’s focus on both immediate needs, such as grant funding for vital social services and recovery from recent weather events, and long-term planning through the approval of the 2025 meeting schedule. Residents can expect further updates on Tropical Storm Helene recovery efforts and potential year-end business to be discussed at the December 17th meeting. The newly appointed members of the Board of Equalization & Review will soon begin their duties, contributing to fair property assessments for all Buncombe County residents.