Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee Meeting | September 23, 2026

Meeting Overview The Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee convened on September 23, 2026, to address administrative updates, funding allocations, and operational timelines for Buncombe County’s aging services. The meeting noted significant personnel changes, including the resignation of committee member Dan and the upcoming departure of staff member Billy, whose last day is October 16. The committee also reviewed the status of supplemental aging fund invoicing and discussed the impact of state-level funding reductions on the county’s Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) allocation.

Key Decisions and Votes The committee approved the agenda and previous meeting minutes by motion and second, with no objections. Two substantive motions passed unanimously: first, to maintain the FY28 Aging Services application format from the previous year, with the exception of adjusting the open and close dates; and second, to update the scoring tool’s budget question to include "No" and "Yes" options, replacing the previous "Agree/Disagree" language to clarify applicant expectations. Additionally, the committee agreed to schedule a meeting for November 4 at 3:30 PM to replace the October session, accommodating staff absences.

Discussion Highlights A significant portion of the discussion focused on financial accountability and state funding adjustments. Staff reported that Buncombe County faces an $11,000 reduction in its HCCBG allocation, part of a $400,000 statewide cut resulting from unspent state funds. The Chair emphasized the fiduciary responsibility to ensure providers utilize supplemental aging funds, noting that unlike standard block grants, these funds cannot be reallocated at the end of the fiscal year. The Chair stated, "The message needs to get out to the providers that unlike block grants, supplemental aging funds need to be utilized or lost," highlighting the need to demonstrate fund utilization to the county to potentially restore allocations. Staff clarified that providers such as Blue Ridge Pride and Amberlight had not submitted invoices, prompting a discussion about sending draft letters to urge them to evaluate their programs or transfer funds.

Regarding the upcoming grant cycle, the committee debated the application timeline to align with a county budget deadline of April 7. A committee member argued that opening applications on January 4 and closing them on February 5 provides sufficient time, stating, "30 days to me is plenty." The committee also reviewed the 2026–2030 Age-Friendly Buncombe Action Plan, commending its focused goals of keeping older adults "safe, well, and engaged."

Community Input and Personnel Changes While no specific public commenters spoke during a designated public comment period, the meeting featured significant internal commentary regarding personnel transitions. Committee members thanked Dan for his resignation, describing him as a "champion" and a "winner." Similarly, members expressed gratitude for staff member Billy, calling her a "rock star" and acknowledging the "big shoes" she leaves behind. One committee member noted concerns about meeting continuity due to staff absences, stating, "I don't ever know when I'm going to be called into something... I just want you to count on me in case something... I got called into a state meeting today."

Follow-ups and Next Steps Several action items were assigned to staff and committee members. Staff member Billy agreed to draft and send an email to providers reiterating that supplemental aging funds must be utilized or lost and that invoices must be submitted promptly. Committee members were asked to nominate a replacement for Dan. Staff members Allison and Billy will book the room for the November 4 meeting, which is available after 1:00 PM. Additionally, staff will determine a replacement for Billy’s note-taking duties, as current members may not have the capacity to rotate the role. Final funding numbers for the HCCBG reduction are pending official paperwork, and the committee will proceed with the grant application timeline as adjusted.