Board of Commissioners Briefing

Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Meeting Recap – September 1, 2026

On September 1, 2026, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting, addressing a broad range of issues impacting residents and the county’s future. The meeting covered significant developments in workforce development, healthcare benefits, disaster recovery efforts, and various committee updates. This recap provides a clear overview of the key discussions, decisions, and next steps for citizens to understand.

A major highlight was the celebration of a significant win for Buncombe County: approval of a $30 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant for the Western North Carolina Futures Factory. This 70,000-square-foot advanced workforce training facility, a collaborative effort between Buncombe County (construction manager), AB Tech Community College (lead applicant and operator), and Land of Sky, will be a crucial investment in the region’s workforce. Construction is slated to begin soon and continue for approximately 24 months, with the entire project expected to take around 36 months. The County Manager will now formally accept the grant and work towards finalizing supporting agreements, while exploring options for construction oversight.

The Board also tackled a complex topic: changes to the county’s health insurance benefits for 2027. Driven by a shift in Blue Cross Blue Shield’s partnership, the Board is preparing to vote on adjustments that will impact employees. A notable change involves how weight management uses of GLP-1 medications (like those used to manage diabetes) will be handled. While prescriptions for diabetes will remain on the standard plan, weight management uses will transition to a prescription savings card program with a $100 copay. The county anticipates this change will save approximately $556,000 annually. Additionally, the county is switching pharmacy benefit managers from Prime Therapeutics to CVS/Employers Health, which will result in an expected 7-20% increase in employee premiums depending on health risk assessment compliance. Residents should stay informed about open enrollment to understand these changes and available options.

Disaster recovery was another significant focus of the meeting, particularly regarding funding opportunities through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. The Board unanimously approved two applications: one for $11.2 million to restore County Parks and improve flood mitigation, and another for $13 million to support road construction enabling an affordable housing development on Ferry Road. The Board also discussed the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), emphasizing its voluntary nature for residents affected by flooding and landslides. The county is actively supporting the state-led program, which handles property identification and acquisitions; currently 53 properties in Buckingham County are under review.

Throughout the meeting, residents had opportunities to share their concerns and perspectives. Thomas Schieber voiced worries about rising property appraisals and advocated for reduced government spending, while Jeff Fager requested assistance coordinating with NCDOT to address culvert problems contributing to flooding in Swananoa. Gino Perez, representing Better Together Transportation, highlighted the critical shortage of drivers for Mountain Mobility and proposed a quarter-cent transit referendum to fund those positions. These comments underscored the community’s ongoing concerns and desire for solutions.

Looking Ahead: The Board has several key action items moving forward, including finalizing agreements related to the Futures Factory grant and voting on the health insurance transition. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about these developments, particularly regarding open enrollment for health benefits and potential opportunities to support Mountain Mobility through a transit referendum. For those impacted by flooding, understanding the voluntary nature of the HMGP program and available assistance is crucial. Detailed information and the full transcript can be obtained from the Buncombe County Clerk’s Office.