# City Council Worksession on Policy, Finance and Infrastructure (In-Person) (Oct 28, 2025)

**Body:** City of Asheville — City Council Worksession on Policy, Finance and Infrastructure
**Date:** October 28, 2025 3:00 PM EDT (2025-10-28T15:00:00-04:00)
**Location:** 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801, USA - City Hall - Council Chamber

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2891

## Summary

The City of Asheville City Council Worksession on Policy, Finance and Infrastructure met on October 28, 2025, to review the city’s financial status, recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene, and appointments to various advisory boards. The session served as a forum for information sharing and discussion, with formal actions on most agenda items deferred to a future business meeting.

**Key Decisions**
The only formal vote recorded during the session was the approval of the minutes from the August 26, 2025 meeting. Maggie Ullman moved to approve the minutes, and Kim Roney seconded the motion. The vote passed unanimously with a tally of 6-0. No other formal votes were taken; the council reviewed board appointment recommendations but did not finalize them, noting that formal action will occur at a later business meeting.

**Financial and Recovery Updates**
Staff provided updates on the city’s fiscal health and ongoing recovery efforts. Becky Ogles, Assistant Finance Director, presented an update on the Fiscal Year 2025 audit, noting that a delay is expected due to delayed guidance from the federal government regarding single audit procedures. The audit results are scheduled for presentation on December 9. Lindsey Spangler, Budget & Performance Manager, reported that the General Fund is expected to be on target for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2026, though a potential $1.7 million use of fund balance is estimated for the end of the year. She noted that parking fund revenues are slightly below target due to construction and tourism recovery, while police spending is expected to increase. Staff reassured the council that cash flow is currently stable, supported by obligated $23.2 million in state funding for water projects.

**Council Priorities and Infrastructure Recovery**
The session included a review of the City Council’s long-term recovery priorities, which focus on resilience, infrastructure improvements, environmental sustainability, and economic recovery. Staff analyzed recommendations from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) assessment, categorizing projects under housing, people, infrastructure, environment, and economy. A more detailed version of the long-term recovery plan will be presented to the City Council later. Additionally, the council reviewed the work plan for the Infrastructure Recovery Board, one of four temporary boards established to support recovery efforts until June 30, 2027. The board will focus on rebuilding damaged infrastructure with an emphasis on long-term resilience, water systems, and flood management. A mandatory orientation for all recovery boards is scheduled for November 4.

**Board and Commission Appointments**
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing applicants for various advisory boards and commissions. The council discussed recommendations for the Urban Forestry Commission, African American Heritage Commission, Ashe-Buncombe Riverfront Commission, Downtown Commission, Human Relations Commission, Neighborhood Advisory Committee, Audit Committee, Housing Authority, Board of Adjustment, Design Review Committee, Soil Erosion and Stormwater Control Board, and Sustainability Advisory Committee. Due to a lack of applicants or qualified candidates, the council agreed to re-advertise vacancies for the Neighborhood Advisory Committee, Audit Committee, Housing Authority, and one seat on the Board of Adjustment. For the Soil Erosion and Stormwater Control Board, the council accepted the staff recommendation to cease advertising and appointments, effectively putting the board on hold. Council members indicated support for specific candidates for the Sustainability Advisory Committee and other boards, but final appointments are pending the formal business meeting.

**Community Input and Member Concerns**
No direct public comments were recorded in the transcript. However, a council member shared feedback from community advocates regarding the debris removal process, noting positive assessments of the plans being implemented by the Water Department. Another council member expressed concerns about businesses feeling "stuck in red tape" and questioned whether the FAST team was effectively supporting their recovery.

**Follow-ups**
Staff agreed to several follow-up actions during the session. Becky Ogles will continue working on the Fiscal Year 2025 audit, with a presentation scheduled for December 9. Lindsey Spangler will provide further details regarding the parking fund revenue shortfall. Staff will develop and share a job description for the Development Liaison position and will address concerns regarding the FAST team's responsiveness to explore ways to improve support for businesses. The Clerk’s office will re-advertise vacancies on the Housing Authority, Audit Committee, Neighborhood Advisory Committee, and Board of Adjustment. Council members are to review candidate lists for the African American Heritage Commission and Human Relations Commission prior to the formal vote.

## Agenda

- [Approval of Minutes (August 26, 2025)](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2891/item/13150)
- [Finance Quarterly Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2891/item/13151)
- [City Council Priorities Quarterly Update](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2891/item/13152)
- [Review of Infrastructure Recovery Board Work Plan](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2891/item/13153)
- [Board Appointments](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2891/item/13154)

## Votes

- Approval of Minutes (August 26, 2025) Maggie Ullman moved to approve the August (3:03 p.m.) 26, 2025, minutes. The motion was seconded by Kim Roney and passed unanimously (3-0). — Passed, 6-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWV8YsS8-SA
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1955/segments

## Documents

- [minutes_2025-10-28.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2891?document=13177)
- [5 - Infrastructure Recovery Board Work Plan - PFI October 28, 2025.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2891?document=9408)
- [_1 - Policy, Finance, & Infrastructure Agenda October 28, 2025.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2891?document=9407)
- [2 - PFI Action Minutes August 26,  2025.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2891?document=9415)
- [3 - 2025.10.28 Q1 Report to PFI Committee (1).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2891?document=9413)
- [4 - 10_28_25 Council Priorities PFI Update.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2891?document=9410)
- [agenda_2025-10-28.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2891?document=9406)
- [3a - FY26 Q1 Report.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2891?document=9412)
- [6 - 10_28_2025_APPOINTMENTS_For PFI.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2891?document=9409)

## Sources

- [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/city-council-worksession-on-policy-finance-and-infrastructure-oct-28-2025/)