[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6554245,"mediaKeyId","5028813-3f068b823395addb31951633de25a1f4","parentId",5028813,"title","Buncombe elections board adopts resolution honoring Karen Brinson Bell","audioSeconds",71,"startMs",1717000,"endMs",1788000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028813-3f068b823395addb31951633de25a1f4&start=1717&end=1788","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028813-3f068b823395addb31951633de25a1f4/thumbnail_1717000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6554245/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Buncombe-elections-board-adopts-resolution-honoring-Karen-Brinson-Bell","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554245-37f7b20a247ebf686f4104ca1656ceb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161919&Signature=HFIjIY2lHfnscwAB4ntiJCbQ1EsMGNYb5xWF4LY8sSA~flTmTgePDWTU-y84GQrE7fNqjj2IkYNYkfUt6vyTuQ0zR7rAwiXVsP-tqKLHRshCJpo3eqkY2XSpk-xpNROELiYXGn7-NwdYOdOl4M3DD9PebAWaJx088dj4P5PQ-aij4-SwvA9npytLLvWJpDaE8L2LbVbFaRGMcOsKTsNb04cQmeUMo7aKD537RMuutaI9qr5rhPAt~h-NSsyxMRklFr6FAy~bfKNuMP4DqV8lYXVN87JXqJ-wg7Cj44FBzqxWHf6MHS61BwVa0td6i2yXPzwttUbptwVTdmnPdcqMcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Buncombe County, NC","date","2025-06-18T08:29:30Z","article","The Buncombe County Board of Elections unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing Karen Brinson Bell for her service as executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

A resolution circulated at the meeting described Bell’s service as executive director from May 2019 to May 2025 and cited her prior experience as a county elections director and as a district election technician. The resolution thanked Bell for ‘‘strong leadership, good humor, and valued support’’ and noted she led state elections operations through hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic. Board members moved to adopt the resolution and asked the executive director to transmit it to Bell.

The motion to adopt the resolution passed by voice vote with the chair noting, ‘‘The motion passes 5 0.’’ Director Duncan said she had invited Bell to attend but Bell could not be present and that staff would make sure Bell receives the resolution.

Ending: The board observed staff and outgoing board members, and staff presented tokens of appreciation to the board for work during the hurricane response; no further action on the resolution was required.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Elections Meeting: June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Buncombe County Board of Elections unanimously adopted a resolution thanking Karen Brinson Bell for her service as executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections; the resolution was adopted 5–0 and will be forwarded to Bell.","taxTitle","Buncombe County, North Carolina","taxId",3914,"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},6554251,"Buncombe elections board discusses outside counsel retention, agrees to delay formal retention until new board seated",1745,936000,2681000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028813-3f068b823395addb31951633de25a1f4&start=936&end=2681","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028813-3f068b823395addb31951633de25a1f4/thumbnail_936000.jpg","/articles/6554251/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Buncombe-elections-board-discusses-outside-counsel-retention-agrees-to-delay-formal-retention-until-new-board-seated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554251-9ebdd3ef87599fba3419b3705e83fd95/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161919&Signature=J8kp59VAjdZZDwExhP9ahoyWGnk5iZjXORxsqnm9ICADVEHSNVbDu8zCgvXq2m53E7LL6MInvrgIDhx~1f548SuizCTey5NC2xIta0aUzB0DyqFU3P17AkYJz1X7XZ4zbSsEJvf17pAQgLqtUVvZzJY-bYwx5Aw69N~Qa70FTic8UufEvHN2dBRQdfziu0Vt76OFFg-wdM2uHbEvydVK3YwxDX2fYIospc8a8RUpJ0707jK96lh-gwgNtQUe7rETbfK5qWIeW5KpLolfeXuaI5NEEecQvVuYEzla7UyvrNf4XL4lHrkX4mD9aWEieJXedBNXe4UD~TflQ3JVTtP2Bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members discussed plans to retain outside legal counsel to review a draft municipal billing agreement and related materials. The board did not sign a retention agreement at the meeting and agreed to wait until the new board is seated in July before executing a contract.

Steve Aceto, a board member, recommended having an independent firm review the draft agreement to avoid an appearance that the county attorney or county government is ‘‘putting their thumb on the scale’’ when the agreement would involve funds moving from municipalities to Buncombe County. Director Duncan said she had spoken to Colin Shive of Therrington Smith about reviewing the draft and that Shive had offered to provide a written review and expected to handle the work without regular travel to Buncombe County.

Duncan said she told Shive it makes sense to wait until the new board is in place before signing a retention agreement so new members would not feel ‘‘painted into a corner.’’ Shive told staff the work would likely be handled remotely and that his firm did not anticipate litigation; the expected hourly rate mentioned in discussion was $285, and the firm would revisit terms if litigation became likely.

Board members discussed transparency and attorney‑client privilege. One member asked how the public would be informed if two board members met with counsel in advance of a meeting; other members and counsel recommended using written reviews and bringing any substantive lawyer‑facilitated discussions into a noticed public meeting or an executive session when the law allows for attorney‑client communications. Director Duncan said the office has a $20,000 contingency line for legal counsel in its budget and that staff can move funds among line items if necessary while the board determines an annual legal‑services budget.

Ending: The board agreed not to execute a retention agreement before the July board changeover; staff will return with documentation and a proposed budget approach for legal services after further review and outreach.","Board members debated hiring outside counsel for municipal-agreement review and agreed to wait until the incoming board is seated to finalize a retention; staff noted a $20,000 contingency line and said the proposed outside counsel expects to work remotely with an hourly rate discussed.",{"_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},6554255,"Buncombe elections office outlines municipal billing model, training and polling-site reviews",521,259000,780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028813-3f068b823395addb31951633de25a1f4&start=259&end=780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028813-3f068b823395addb31951633de25a1f4/thumbnail_259000.jpg","/articles/6554255/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Buncombe-elections-office-outlines-municipal-billing-model-training-and-polling-site-reviews","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554255-9f7e0d979d65731aab99cedd61c4e12b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161919&Signature=H2mYMlEBlF8g1C49dMPOAOXEzmAuq5RF4ycpt~AFnGL2om8x-8uunFEArsGY3beY9INhecXxXGxTwJtIKbdkTLmCJ1sll9h1JvpbQJ4atuS~OJDT6tMMiXIx8f7bjqFXGLi0omCiobPEBOyv1tsqKAQrT21FWT~NjY4PXn8kOS7-uvsd-M6~4ygxRl7x5P3sy-9UuBFj4Ngs9ArN09ZyDxIw8~qNz3PRkLssBTumxdRpFkLlUZnV2S06rRSfkuPAkAQjeX7ZtKzZmBkgWaF2SfGNqAQlmVNyN8Iasx9FQ-CXPQvbadc0CCvs1IxYvT3fg~rzibMhqWxmzK2kdSNIqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director Duncan told the Buncombe County Board of Elections that the office is ‘‘starting to get active again’’ and reviewed a schedule of upcoming events, training and operational tasks.

Duncan announced that county offices will be closed for the Juneteenth holiday on June 19 and that staff will attend the Intergovernmental Organizations Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 20 to present on elections and emergency management operations after Hurricane Helene. She also reminded the board about treasurer training at 35 Woodfin on June 26 and said municipal candidate filing for Woodfin Water and Sewer and other municipal filings will run July 7 (8 a.m.) through July 18 (noon) because the usual July 4 filing date falls on a holiday.

Duncan said board orientation is scheduled for July 8 and the swearing-in and selection of the new board secretary will occur at noon July 22 at the Buncombe County Courthouse. She noted that State Board of Elections conference attendance is a required training for board members and that the office plans two meetings in August (Aug. 5 and Aug. 19) to begin early-voting planning and poll-worker appointments.

On operational readiness, Duncan told the board the county’s budget for election services was approved and that the elections office was not required to make further reductions. The office is completing ADA accessibility surveys at all 80 polling locations plus early-voting sites; Duncan said roughly three-quarters of those surveys are finished and that staff prioritized reviewing sites to be used in the upcoming municipal election cycle.

Duncan described a multi-year project the office has worked on to update intergovernmental agreements with municipalities and to create a new, data-driven billing model. She said the draft agreement uses actual cost data from the past four years to produce earlier and more accurate estimates for municipalities. Under the proposed approach, odd-year municipal elections would be billed 100% to the municipality because they are the only elections in odd years; costs in even years would be split according to the model. Duncan said a draft agreement is in the county legal review process and will be brought back to the board for public discussion; she also said the office will consult directly with municipalities and invite them to meetings so changes are not a surprise.

Board members asked about outreach to municipalities and the timing of implementing any new billing. Duncan said she would not recommend implementing new billing immediately for the City of Asheville and suggested waiting until fiscal year 2027 so municipalities that already set their budgets would have time to incorporate the change.

No formal vote or other binding action on the municipal agreement was taken at the meeting; Duncan said staff will return with the draft agreement after legal review and with a public outreach plan for municipalities.

Ending: The board scheduled its next meeting for July 22 at noon at the Buncombe County Courthouse; Duncan said the 35 Woodfin conference room is not ready for the foreseeable future, so meetings will remain at the current location.","At a regular meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Elections received office updates from the elections director about holiday closures, training, municipal filing dates, ADA site surveys, and a proposed updated agreement and billing model for municipalities; the board did not take formal action on the proposed municipal agreement at the meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Buncombe elections board adopts resolution honoring Karen Brinson Bell

Buncombe elections board discusses outside counsel retention, agrees to delay formal retention until new board seated

Buncombe elections office outlines municipal billing model, training and polling-site reviews