# Regular meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on June 17, 2025

**Body:** Buncombe County Government — Buncombe County Board of Commissioners
**Date:** June 17, 2025 5:00 PM EDT (2025-06-17T17:00:00-04:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752

## Summary

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held its Regular Meeting on June 17, 2025, focusing primarily on updates regarding recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, as well as administrative appointments and budgetary matters. The meeting included briefings on debris removal progress, housing assistance programs, and the development of a comprehensive recovery plan. Additionally, the Board addressed public health initiatives, including the opening of the Southside Healing Space, and concluded with several votes on personnel, development partnerships, and financial agreements.

Significant discussion centered on the status of debris removal and housing support. Commissioners received updates indicating that right-of-way debris removal is complete, with approximately 1.5 million cubic yards removed, and waterway removal is 95% complete. The private property debris removal program, extended to August 1, has cleaned 3,985 of 5,292 application sites. Regarding housing, 50 of 74 FEMA temporary manufactured homes are currently occupied, with residents having the option to purchase them. The Board also reviewed the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program, which assists income-qualified households with repairs, and noted that 107 demolition permit packets are under review by FEMA and the State Historic Preservation Office. Community input gathered through the "Envision Buncombe" survey highlighted priorities for infrastructure, public safety, and economic revitalization, which will inform a draft recovery plan expected in the fall.

The Board took several formal actions during the meeting. They unanimously approved the appointment of Curt Euler as County Attorney and authorized negotiations with Urban Atlantic for the Ferry Road Community Development project. An administrative agreement with the Tourism Development Authority regarding occupancy tax revenue was approved by a vote of 6-1, with Commissioner Sloan voting no. The Board also unanimously approved several budget amendments related to debt service, accounting compliance, and state cashflow loans. Furthermore, multiple appointments were confirmed via roll call vote for various boards and committees, including the Asheville Buncombe Tech Community College Board of Trustees, the HHS board, the Library Advisory Board, the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, and the Woodfin Water District Board of Trustees, where Hannah Rice was appointed.

Regarding public health and community resources, the Board received updates on the Fatal Overdose Response Team and the Southside Healing Space, a peer support living space in the Brown’s Temple CME community. The Southside Healing Space is scheduled to open on June 24, providing resources for individuals seeking support for substance use and mental health issues. The Board discussed the importance of rebuilding more resiliently and acknowledged the significant impact of Hurricane Helene on the county. No specific public comments from members of the general public were recorded in the meeting summaries, though residents were encouraged to report debris concerns via county websites or phone lines.

Following the meeting, staff are tasked with continuing to work with FEMA and state partners to address remaining debris removal challenges and processing demolition permit applications. The Board will review a draft Helene Recovery Plan in the fall, incorporating community feedback, with a final vote expected in November 2025. The County State of Emergency is scheduled to be deactivated on June 30, 2025, aligning with the state’s termination date. No other specific follow-up actions were explicitly agreed to by individual members during this session beyond the standard staff responsibilities outlined in the briefing.

## Agenda

- [Minutes of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners’ Special Meeting of June 17, 2025](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4452)
- [Minutes of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners’ Briefing Meeting of June 17, 2025](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4453)
- [Helene Update](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4454)
- [Southside Healing Space](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4455)
- [Helene Recovery Plan Update](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4456)
- [Closed Session](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4457)
- [Consent Agenda](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4458)
- [Public Comment](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4459)
- [Consideration of the Ferry Road Memorandum of Understanding with Urban Atlantic](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4460)
- [Consideration of the Tourism Development Authority Administrative Agreement](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4461)
- [Appointment of County Attorney](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4462)
- [State Disaster Cashflow Loan - Round 2](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4463)
- [Consideration of the updated Investment Policy](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4464)
- [Budget Amendments for year-end Accounting Compliance](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4465)
- [Budget Amendments for Debt Activity](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4466)
- [Budget Amendment to Pay Woodfin PDF Debt Service](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4467)
- [Board Appointments](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752/item/4468)

## Votes

- Authorize the County Manager to execute the administrative agreement with the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. — Passed, 6-1
- Approve budget amendments as presented. — Passed, 7-0
- Board Appointments — Passed, 7-0
- To consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body to preserve the attorneyclient privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged to receive legal advice regarding Executive Orders 14151, 14173, and 14287. There will be no formal action taken at this time. — Passed, 6-0
- Consent — Passed, 7-0
- Approve the Investment Policy as presented. — Passed, 7-0
- Appoint Curt Euler as County Attorney. — Passed, 7-0
- Accept State Cashflow Loan Round 2 funding in an amount not to exceed $10 million and to approve the resolution authorizing the County Manager to execute necessary documents related to the loan agreement. — Passed, 7-0
- Approve budget amendments as presented. — Passed, 7-0
- Approve budget amendment as presented. — Passed, 7-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoUtijrGBk0
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/322/segments
- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P0fg2rhdqk
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/400/segments

## Documents

- [agenda_2025-06-17.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752?document=4019)
- [agenda_2025-06-17.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752?document=3989)
- [agenda_packet_2025-06-17.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752?document=3990)
- [agenda_packet_2025-06-17.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752?document=4020)
- [minutes_2025-06-17.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/752?document=3991)

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P0fg2rhdqk)
- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoUtijrGBk0)