City Council Worksession on Policy, Finance and Infrastructure (In-Person) (Aug 26, 2025)

City Council Works Hard on Recovery, Grant Funding, and Tourism at August 26th Meeting

On August 26, 2025, the Asheville City Council held a comprehensive worksession focused on three key areas: recovering from the recent storm, securing and distributing federal grant funding for recovery efforts, and making appointments to the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Board. This session provided a detailed look at ongoing projects and future plans impacting Asheville residents.

A Focus on Storm Recovery & Federal Funding: A significant portion of the meeting centered around the city's ongoing recovery from Tropical Storm Helene. Staff provided updates on three major funding sources: FEMA Public Assistance, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), and the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR). The city has submitted a request for approximately $400 million in FEMA Public Assistance funds, diligently documenting damage to support reimbursement. The HMGP program faces an October 31st deadline, prompting Council members to strongly advocate for extending this deadline and proactively reaching out to property owners. A major milestone was announced regarding the CDBG-DR grant: the city now has full authority from HUD to begin rolling out programs, with Elma King hired as Program Manager and recruitment underway for three additional team members to manage the $225 million grant within a 66-day timeframe. Residents can expect more detailed financial tracking updates and a map of properties affected by the HMGP (while respecting privacy) on the AshevilleRecovers.org website, demonstrating the city's commitment to transparency and accountability in managing these funds.

Planning for a Resilient Future: The Long-Term Recovery Plan: Council engaged in a robust discussion regarding the development of Asheville’s Long-Term Recovery Plan, which incorporates extensive community feedback from surveys and advisory panels. The plan prioritizes four key areas: Infrastructure & Environment, People, Economy, and Housing. The final draft will be presented to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on September 16, 2025, with a public comment period concluding October 31st. This plan represents a forward-thinking approach to rebuilding and enhancing the city’s resilience, ensuring that recovery efforts are aligned with community needs.

TDA Board Appointments & Other Business: The Council also discussed appointments to the Buncombe County TDA Board, with a notable debate regarding residency requirements for one candidate. While no formal vote was taken at the worksession, the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority board development committee recommended Amy Kelly for appointment. The Council approved minutes from a previous meeting (June 10th) without objection, and staff was assigned several action items including providing financial tracking updates, developing a strategic implementation plan for the CDBG-DR grant, and presenting the Long-Term Recovery Plan draft for public comment.

What's Next & Why It Matters: The upcoming weeks will be critical as the city works to maximize federal funding opportunities and finalize its Long-Term Recovery Plan. Residents can expect ongoing updates on the AshevilleRecovers.org website and are encouraged to participate in the public comment period for the Recovery Plan, which will shape the future of Asheville’s recovery and resilience. The City Council will vote on TDA board appointments and other consent agenda items at their next meeting, further solidifying key decisions impacting the community. This work session demonstrated a strong commitment from the Council to address immediate recovery needs while simultaneously planning for a more resilient and equitable future for all Asheville residents.