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Buncombe County approves $14,000,012.45 Helene recovery package, creates five grant-funded recovery positions
Summary
County commissioners approved a budget amendment to establish a recovery office, add five grant-funded positions and allocate $14,000,012.45 for landslides, tower and road repairs, and initial park work tied to Hurricane Helene recovery, with FEMA as the principal funding source under review.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a budget amendment on Oct. 22 to add $14,000,012.45 for Hurricane Helene–related recovery projects and to establish a five-person, grant-funded recovery office.
John Hudson, Buncombe County Budget Director, told commissioners the amendment covers landslide remediation, a radio tower, road repairs and park projects including initial work at Owen Park, and requests the establishment of five grant-funded positions — two fiscal analysts and three project managers — to staff a recovery office. "This budget amendment follows up on the item heard of briefing this afternoon requesting an additional $14,000,012.45 dollars for Helene related projects," Hudson said.
Hudson said the county expects FEMA reimbursement to cover most costs and that landslide funding is "fully reimbursable" with an advance of roughly 75% for architecture and engineering once contracts are signed; he added a portion of funds may be available for administration to support salaries. Commissioners were told some projects have been submitted in FEMA's portal as existing projects and that additional grants may be sought to fund full park rebuilds.
Tim (county engineer), who described the landslide remediation process, said the county negotiated with the state and FEMA to begin work on architecture and engineering so designs and estimated remediation strategies can be approved before construction. He identified the Grovemont landslide cluster as among the early projects set to move to design following a request for qualifications and contract negotiations.
Commissioners pressed for timing and details; Hudson said full FEMA reimbursement after a major disaster can take multiple years and that the county will continue to pursue other grants as needed.
Vice Chair Moore moved to approve the budget amendment and establishment of five grant-funded positions; Commissioner Horton seconded. The motion passed with approval from the board.
County staff said the advance of architecture and engineering funds is intended to reduce cash-flow constraints while project scopes and construction costs are developed and approved by FEMA and the state.
