Event Recap
Board of Elections Meeting Recap: June 17, 2025
The Buncombe County Board of Elections held its regular meeting on June 17, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. The agenda included the approval of the meeting agenda and the minutes from the May 13, 2025, meeting, both of which were approved without objection. The board also addressed office updates, a resolution recognizing outgoing Executive Director Karen Brinson-Bell, and the retention of outside legal counsel.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on the upcoming municipal election filing period for the Woodfin Water and Sewer district, which is scheduled to run from July 7 to July 18, 2025. The board discussed a project to update agreements with municipalities regarding election services, specifically aiming to clarify billing procedures following Asheville’s switch to even-numbered election years and to address issues arising from the pandemic. To support this effort, the board is working with the County’s Strategy & Innovation department and has developed a model using data from the past four years to provide more accurate cost estimates.
The board formally recognized outgoing Executive Director Karen Brinson-Bell for her years of service, with a resolution passed unanimously by a 5-0 vote. The recognition highlighted her leadership during major events, including Hurricane Dorian, Hurricane Helene, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Director Duncan emphasized the importance of transparency and collaboration with municipalities during the billing process, while Mr. Quinn highlighted the board’s accomplishments in maintaining accessible voting during these challenging periods.
Regarding legal support, the board discussed retaining Tharrington Smith as outside legal counsel to assist with municipal election billing and other matters. The estimated cost for this service is $20,000 from a contingency fund, with the possibility of adjusting the amount in the future. Mr. Sito stressed the need for independent legal advice and suggested involving the City Council in discussions regarding legal advice to ensure fairness and credibility. He also suggested starting meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance to reinforce commitment to upholding laws and regulations.
In terms of follow-up actions, Director Duncan agreed to share the resolution recognizing Karen Brinson-Bell with her. The board stated it will continue working on the municipal election agreement update, seeking input from municipalities and inviting them to future meetings. Additionally, the board will engage with Colin Shive of Tharrington Smith regarding the billing model and will discuss potentially approving a formal agreement for legal services.
The meeting also covered administrative updates, including the confirmation that the budget passed without further reductions to election services. The board reported that approximately 75% of ADA accessibility surveys of voting locations and early voting sites have been completed. Upcoming events noted include a Treasurer Training on June 26, a Board Orientation on July 8, and a Board Appointments and Swearing-in Ceremony on July 22. Regular board meetings are scheduled for August 5 and August 19 to discuss business items and begin early voting plans.