Buncombe County Community Briefing | June 4, 2025

Buncombe County Community Briefing Recap: June 4, 2025

The Buncombe County Community Briefing on June 4th focused primarily on the ongoing recovery efforts from Tropical Storm Helene and preparations for the upcoming hurricane season. The meeting, attended by County Commissioners, key officials from various agencies (including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Explore Asheville), and community members, provided updates on recovery programs, planning initiatives, and resources available to residents. The briefing aimed to inform citizens about the current state of recovery and empower them with knowledge for future storm preparedness.

A significant portion of the meeting centered on financial matters, culminating in the Board of County Commissioners approving a $433.1 million budget for the upcoming year. This approval includes a 2.9-cent increase in the tax rate (resulting in a total of 54.66 cents per $100 of appraised value). Commissioners are prioritizing the restoration of schools' fiscal year 2025 funding levels, contingent on approval of Article 39 sales tax funds. The County’s Helene Recovery Center, located at 90 Cox Avenue in Asheville, remains open to assist residents Monday-Friday from 8am to 5pm. Staff are also conducting door-to-door surveys through Friday as part of the County’s recovery and resilience planning efforts.

Beyond immediate recovery, discussions highlighted long-term community planning initiatives. Residents with ties to Swannanoa are encouraged to apply for the Swannanoa Small Area & Resiliency Plan Steering Committee, a vital group guiding planning efforts related to housing, transportation, health, recreation, and disaster mitigation. The application deadline is June 20th. Furthermore, the results from the recent "Envision Buncombe" survey, which garnered over 2,600 resident responses regarding their vision for the county’s future, will inform both the 2030 Strategic Plan and the Long-Term Recovery Plan. Findings are expected to be presented to commissioners later this fall.

Several recovery programs and assistance opportunities were detailed, including the North Carolina Disaster Case Management Program (call 844-746-2326 or visit [buncomready.org]), the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (also at [buncomready.org] or call 919-873-5888), and SBA disaster loan programs (deadline June 26th at [sba.gov/disaster]). A program to assist with repairs to private roads and bridges damaged by the storm has a deadline of August 3rd. Updates were also provided from key officials: Bobby Petty with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported significant progress in debris removal, while Vic Isley from Explore Asheville discussed the tourism sector’s recovery efforts following a 26% decrease in lodging sales.

Looking ahead, the Buncombe County Commissioners will hold a series of town halls starting June 26th at North Windy Ridge School, followed by meetings on July 24th and August 7th. These town halls will focus on storm recovery updates and gather community input for the long-term recovery plan. Please note that both the Helene Recovery Center and the One Buncombe Call Center will be closed on June 19th in observance of Juneteenth. Residents can stay informed by visiting buncomready.org, calling the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100, or following Buncombe County Government on Facebook.