Buncombe County Health and Human Services Board Meeting

Buncombe County Health and Human Services Board Meeting Recap: July 25, 2025

The Buncombe County Health and Human Services Board convened on July 25, 2025, for its monthly meeting. The session focused on the annual review of board operating procedures, updates on public health policies, a comprehensive report on the Harm Reduction Program, and an analysis of the impacts of recent federal legislation on county services.

Key Decisions The board took two formal votes during the meeting. First, the board approved the agenda as presented, with the motion moving by Board Member Jennifer Horton and passing 9-0. Second, the board approved the minutes from the June 2025 meeting, which included a correction noting that Board Member Martha Salyers left the June meeting early and that Phillip Hardin presented her committee update. This motion, moved by Martha Salyers, also passed 9-0.

Operating Procedures and Public Health Policies Director David Sweat presented the HHS Board Operating Procedures for review, noting that these documents must be reviewed and updated annually to maintain accreditation. The board was asked to review the current draft, which is available digitally, and consider potential amendments before the August meeting, when a vote on the revisions will occur. Similarly, Public Health Director Ellis Matheson presented nine public health policies for review. Board members were tasked with providing feedback on these policies to staff by the next meeting. The revisions primarily involve adding legal guidance wording for clarity.

Harm Reduction Program Update Mitchell Albers, Harm Reduction Program Manager, presented an update on the program, which has been rebranded from the Syringe Service Program to the Harm Reduction Program to reduce stigma. Key highlights included a 138% increase in participant visits compared to the previous fiscal year and a shift toward a more diverse participant population. The program secured two new contracts: one for a peer support case manager and another for outreach and education within the Hispanic community. Albers also addressed the concerning rise of xylazine and other adulterants in the drug supply, emphasizing the need for increased naloxone availability. The report noted that 4,584 naloxone kits were distributed and 474 community overdose reversals were reported by participants.

Federal Legislation Impact Phillip Hardin, Economic Services Director, discussed the impact of the 2025 Federal Budget Reconciliation Bill on Buncombe County. He highlighted significant changes to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Medicaid. For SNAP, work requirements are expanding to ages 18–64, and the county estimates that approximately 1,800 adults may lose benefits. Administrative cost sharing for the county is estimated at $2.47 million. Regarding Medicaid, new work requirements mandate 80+ hours of work per month for ages 19–64, potentially affecting approximately 6,270 residents in Buncombe County. Hardin stressed the need for proactive advocacy efforts at both state and local levels to address these changes.

Director’s Report and Next Steps In the Director’s Report, David Sweat noted that the federal bill has been signed into law and that counties need to contact the General Assembly to advocate for the state to cover the funding shortfall. He also reported that the state is currently analyzing CASPER survey data, with complete findings to be presented to the board at a later time. Additionally, SW Path NC training for social work staff is scheduled to go live on August 11.

Board members were asked to submit comments on a proposed federal rule restricting access to taxpayer-funded programs for undocumented immigrants by July 29. No formal public comments were recorded during the meeting. The board unanimously voted to adjourn at 1:52 p.m.