[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6565579,"mediaKeyId","3217773-e65ee30d56ee67f984655f02c5a3c9ae","parentId",3217773,"title","Ashe County moves to transfer roadside debris program to state amid contractor conduct complaints","audioSeconds",301,"startMs",1611000,"endMs",1912000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217773-e65ee30d56ee67f984655f02c5a3c9ae&start=1611&end=1912","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217773-e65ee30d56ee67f984655f02c5a3c9ae/thumbnail_1611000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6565579/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Ashe-County-moves-to-transfer-roadside-debris-program-to-state-amid-contractor-conduct-complaints","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565579-6cae5d94c9b5b1aa13ef4519235fcb13/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584115&Signature=YE7u2hcEV4ELaUyRBtS0sjOzsg7oDtW3qZNZIf1U3X7KG0825GAL4e5pjXFgbsZuPqqDMz1AdypXvoTzn9Ebr030ctWGu4RLyBQefBoDsHmIbY7Tq3tsIcyZZtyXG2EzTXH1wmjWiqqiRGMX3tVCZWuoQPzXYp18XTXQrGMN2ROpQkCS4FH0Sgm~EdnXsWOBp-KPE80C~GUsWuRHBvs6IJJGPY3mSuk-N-ajBRfWc5dRjfmW-1HraaMvsJTRli~nBnUMmEcSoHPzI9iXE55rcNfNqJ0F4tODcSlTFH9nrvQgY46RW7qnjUiVDkQbGkWj1KZJj7hCoqbtASvnI4F8GQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ashe County","date","2025-05-05T00:00:00Z","article","Ashe County commissioners voted to approve not‑to‑exceed increases for their disaster debris contractors and to request that the state of North Carolina assume administration of the county’s roadside debris removal program, county staff said at the May meeting.

The request followed months of public complaints and county staff reports of contractor noncompliance. Patty (staff member) told the board both SDR and DebrisTech had reached their contract maximums and that finance staff were concerned about county cash flow if the county remained the billing authority. Patty said county staff would “clarify that with the state before we sign those as well.”

Josh Patterson, a representative of SDR, told the board the state‑managed option is being used in other counties to avoid county cash‑flow exposure on high‑cost waterway and public property debris removal. “Typically, it’s for the waterway and PPDR programs that are a lot more costly, and the counties don’t want to have the cash flow problem,” Patterson said. He described the state role as stepping in to “take the on the bench” for the work and its billing.

Commissioners and staff described specific compliance issues reported to county offices: contractors cutting trees that complainants said were off the right of way; piles left uncollected after crews passed (“cherry‑picking”); and trucks operating in curves without adequate flaggers or traffic control. Patterson said DebrisTech and SDR keep GPS and photographic records so that staff can identify which truck handled a specific load. “If we find out that happens, we can pinpoint the truck, the date and take action,” he said.

County staff said the federal/state reimbursement is being tracked and that the work is ultimately eligible for federal and state reimbursement; Patty told the board the overall requested increase in contract caps appears large and is a concern for cash flow. During discussion Patty estimated the increases in the packet amounted to “like, dollars 12,000,000 total” and said the county would ask the state to take over management of the roadside program to reduce county risk.

SDR described enforcement steps: contractors without proper traffic control or documentation are shut down until they can show they meet required standards; contractors who repeatedly deviate can be removed from the project. Patterson also described a retained 10% payment mechanism intended as financial leverage to compel completion of contracted roads and piles before final payment.

The board approved a motion that included the not‑to‑exceed increases and the staff request to transfer roadside debris administration to the state, with staff to review the MOA language before signing. Patty and SDR said county and contractor dashboards will be used to show photographic evidence and GPS points for each debris pile and each load as the state transition proceeds.

County staff said the majority of crews working locally had been cited by residents for good conduct, but a small number of subcontractor incidents prompted the pause and the push for state administration.

No additional local appropriation was proposed at the meeting; staff said they are seeking state management largely to address cash‑flow concerns while federally and state‑reimbursable work continues.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ashe County - County Commission on 2025-05-05 9:00 AM - May 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Ashe County commissioners voted to approve not‑to‑exceed increases for disaster debris contractors and to request that the state assume administration of roadside debris removal after residents and staff reported contractor noncompliance.","taxTitle","Ashe County, North Carolina","taxId",45072,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6565562,"Cooperative Extension to buy truck using unused salary funds; commissioners approve transfer",116,1467000,1583000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217773-e65ee30d56ee67f984655f02c5a3c9ae&start=1467&end=1583","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217773-e65ee30d56ee67f984655f02c5a3c9ae/thumbnail_1467000.jpg","/articles/6565562/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Cooperative-Extension-to-buy-truck-using-unused-salary-funds-commissioners-approve-transfer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565562-7698d6d921f815e2ade2094e203cb9b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584115&Signature=dkm3tHwh5umWzup8Cdeu68fXNtHECJXUBDXd3pG~N0K5rW345~iQNgmu~NzNQjO8qU~-lNYB8y8Hub5m6khjBEtX74G8Ln8rxGDPYFb1P2hPg6dIQCte9VprRO1tbAjDnZWA4wxu0LUG07~c9hirH937FbBLy2pQ0E4cAh28UAZQGkVyz4gSbrAxMGQ0mNznueefh3bB-opqo6AJPQPtm6euTSvPL9JeBekZ~kGPVNFXxSmGZicDmoHzzmmXxc7JkVWJzNHntj8iN8yGMY02dDpdEnoYY4fQr-vyH0tk0wVfT8OEgYZqPJNuol3xm3Li6Q7R~2nuvFVBASb7cKCVBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Cothern, interim director of Ashe County Cooperative Extension, asked the board to approve transferring unused salary funds to purchase a pickup truck and to repair the agricultural center’s doors.

Cothern told commissioners the county had located a truck at Modern Chevrolet and obtained a sheriff’s department discount; the planned purchase is a gasoline vehicle to avoid diesel fueling mistakes. He also said the Extension is using a leased state vehicle at higher monthly costs and that the county purchase would be more cost‑effective over time.

A commissioner moved to approve the transfer and purchase; the motion was seconded and the board approved the request. Cothern said the vendor is holding the truck while the county completes the purchase paperwork.","John Cothern, interim director of Cooperative Extension, said the office will transfer unused salary funds to purchase a pickup (gas, with sheriff’s discount) and to repair ag center doors; commissioners approved the request.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6565564,"Parks and Recreation committee wins approval to hire fundraising firm for pool feasibility study",95,1054000,1149000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217773-e65ee30d56ee67f984655f02c5a3c9ae&start=1054&end=1149","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217773-e65ee30d56ee67f984655f02c5a3c9ae/thumbnail_1054000.jpg","/articles/6565564/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Parks-and-Recreation-committee-wins-approval-to-hire-fundraising-firm-for-pool-feasibility-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565564-d808df464cc3794045fef92f32ebbb36/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584115&Signature=NS23N3SuhvOQc1hYxqB-aetBFGO0ZvJZgTRbNVfK-rZgk-r-ulRcYC23c-eFc20qsHfmA1JP0tqBfjPLLgdcBUKJz~1DNHL6OjDwI5G12-RazI9RTeKKx476e64dc4hIz7jfNRnAtrAUwmg775hhYDqMH~ZHfc35NXkV5jmGOHuKuDIm2Rmz8BRqZkDMy~1X6LvCQ0mRulFrBiqzn3T6mgWJdNVd52S8H3E74TWZ2SSWavykAwK2IdVNXqdns6gXhqpJXePn10AeoCYo5WlsXXUvxpJwlfpLM0mPEGeMX8vPRGGW-U1fYGKhIvK0BvGUFFc3ihSjMFEKY~XhBZHNug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Ashe County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee asked the Board of Commissioners to approve a contract to hire a fundraising firm to conduct a feasibility study for a new pool and recreation complex.

Michael Lee, chair of the Parks and Rec Advisory Committee, told the board there is a $100,000 line in the current parks budget and the committee recommended awarding a $75,000 contract to the selected firm after reviewing four proposals and interviewing two finalists. Lee said the contract will fund a feasibility study to determine how much private money the county could raise for the aquatic center project.

Commissioners noted the item was within the current budget and voted to approve the contract. Committee members said the board’s endorsement was unanimous within the advisory committee.

The feasibility study will return estimates of potential private fundraising and inform next steps; the contract and study cost were described by staff as under the existing appropriation and therefore not a request for new money.","The county’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee asked commissioners to approve a $75,000 feasibility contract (funded within the existing budget) to assess fundraising potential for a pool and recreation complex; commissioners approved the contract.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6565569,"DSS recommends approving data‑sharing MOA to prepare for Path NC rollout; highlights Hospitality House housing work",224,815000,1039000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217773-e65ee30d56ee67f984655f02c5a3c9ae&start=815&end=1039","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217773-e65ee30d56ee67f984655f02c5a3c9ae/thumbnail_815000.jpg","/articles/6565569/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/DSS-recommends-approving-datasharing-MOA-to-prepare-for-Path-NC-rollout-highlights-Hospitality-House-housing-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565569-ef6806036c81cef6375e6e40333a3100/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584115&Signature=Cg3aulLYwUgFRklKnopSSjrX4qvOaKcc-077DN0a4-1G~hOY7RKG3CLNnQo7dVtGSsk533z48MzWCYoy7V3BxNwtchv~whK2j~eYntuZeuNLHM9TiUsyaPtfhhvQddT2VZnRT~-5q2HrdOjWreT8OrjtJNCJK9G5MYyckq8Aw9yIOM1PAzcgSMrz1pPbcBOtlAAiW~enbEHTPs9Uf~5~Ft4mXbK5F3Jvpp8XKuLF5rlkuRQZOUMACTLxpkzyUcr3ppk1HZXlIopgHTZFwv5AN3BhpidXBmBOgGRtWARPlpWr7UHD7oxy3ztcVYDk9nb0U5Y8AlMQHypL~XaUKXFrCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tracy, the Ashe County Department of Social Services director, recommended the board approve a data‑sharing memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services so the county can prepare to move to the Path NC child welfare system and supply data for the public dashboard that will go live July 1.

Tracy told commissioners Path NC is scheduled for an August cohort and that the MOA will allow the county to share data for the Rylands Law dashboard and for staff conversion to the new system—replacing the current systems and avoiding double entry. “It is a computer system that's not perfect, but it is really gonna help in being able to connect with other counties and their child welfare data,” she said.

Tracy also briefed the board on local social service statistics and highlighted Hospitality House, a regional homelessness service provider. She said Hospitality House housed 247 people last year through its permanency and rapid rehousing programs and asked commissioners to consider a county funding request she was carrying on the organization’s behalf. Tracy disclosed she serves on Hospitality House’s board.

Commissioners moved to approve the data‑sharing MOA at Tracy’s recommendation and the motion was seconded and approved during the meeting. Tracy also discussed state‑level bills being considered in the legislature, including one she described as an effort to criminalize camping in public spaces and another proposal to condition Medicaid on work requirements; she cautioned about the potential negative effects of criminalization on access to housing and benefits.

Tracy answered commissioners’ questions about case management counts and a special assistance funding policy that affects how adult services appear in case totals. She estimated Medicaid expansion added roughly 1,500 people locally and said Medicaid brought about $45 million into the county’s health care economy, a figure she asked commissioners to consider when evaluating related state proposals.","The county social services director recommended signing a data‑sharing memorandum of agreement so Ashe County can join the Path NC child welfare system and supply data for the public dashboard; the director also described Hospitality House’s recent housing outcomes and urged commissioners to consider a funding request.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6565575,"Generations asks Ashe County for bridge funding as workforce shortages and costs squeeze services",1600,2828000,4428000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217773-e65ee30d56ee67f984655f02c5a3c9ae&start=2828&end=4428","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217773-e65ee30d56ee67f984655f02c5a3c9ae/thumbnail_2828000.jpg","/articles/6565575/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Generations-asks-Ashe-County-for-bridge-funding-as-workforce-shortages-and-costs-squeeze-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565575-07df4f0cf994986e9fa5d0cd63e1f76a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584115&Signature=dXNRnMy0KhP7fE7f1j~vPko9S14zHCT-wAVCjDUiMsk7XG26lywynJ8ykucQlSjYuhJSFjiF22ET1aN-Yl~SFTfpPdlS2mnvuDUo8IaUHaUHtlLeptFqafWaSZrTYZEWt4W6ORrrdlaDlVL8RZAf~hyTy2z4gAfHggW5GyFo9WsQmoZbcsNk2dENLJ8SJ4iuPvEiCzhoTQljveM~QvpeRx5C9vRWrfoaJdW3EnKnKzp2R9icYjF0rxDvFs-B9i-KIBp1Nrh5PGIvj~r1D2UPa0i13kgGHoxYAFTWaVDbZhmMJVCxbPy3GVXyfYHC8jn-WnMg2Hs3aPM-K3lB6ivD4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Patricia Callaway, executive director of Generations (a local nonprofit providing senior services and a children’s center), told the Ashe County Board of Commissioners the organization faces acute workforce shortages, rising operating costs and an immediate need for a supplemental county allocation to carry it through the rest of the fiscal year.

Callaway described Generations as a major local employer and provider: she said the organization currently employs roughly 120–130 people, operates a 55‑bed assisted living community, serves about 185 midday meals across programs and prepares 352 meals per day for assisted living residents. She told the board staffing shortfalls force reliance on expensive contract staff; the assisted living program hired 50 people in 2024 but had retained only 12 of those hires at year‑end.

“We are really struggling with attracting and retaining a qualified workforce to provide the services that we provide,” Callaway said. She described a decline in in‑home aide staff from about 200 in previous years to “under 30” now and said the organization had reduced Medicaid admissions at the assisted living community because Medicaid reimbursement (which Callaway said was about $1,200 per month in her remarks) did not cover the full cost of providing 24‑hour care.

Callaway asked the county for a supplemental allocation for FY 2024–25 to keep services running and requested that the county appoint a representative to serve on Generations’ strategic planning committee. Commissioners acknowledged the urgency and said county staff were already discussing options with Generations.

Callaway also described efforts to tighten costs and raise private‑pay rates where possible, and said the organization’s foundation raises money principally for capital maintenance. She noted the organization’s intergenerational model and its role in economic stability by providing childcare for employees and volunteers who deliver meals and services.

No formal appropriation was made during the meeting; commissioners and staff said they would continue discussions and explore possible bridge funding and other supports.","Generations' executive director told commissioners the nonprofit is operating in the red, facing staff shortages and rising costs that threaten meals, in‑home and assisted‑living services; she requested a supplemental county allocation for the current fiscal year and a county representative on the organization's strategic planning committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ashe County moves to transfer roadside debris program to state amid contractor conduct complaints

Cooperative Extension to buy truck using unused salary funds; commissioners approve transfer

Parks and Recreation committee wins approval to hire fundraising firm for pool feasibility study

DSS recommends approving data‑sharing MOA to prepare for Path NC rollout; highlights Hospitality House housing work

Generations asks Ashe County for bridge funding as workforce shortages and costs squeeze services