Avery County commissioners approve rollovers, grants, appointments and property transfer

The Avery County Board of Commissioners on July 7 approved a series of budget amendments and grants, reappointed and named several county representatives, accepted a school property transfer for emergency services use and approved subdivision final plat and routine monthly collections.

The board approved budget rollovers and new grant appropriations to move funds into the 2025–26 fiscal year for recovery and capital projects, including: $375,000 for hurricane-recovery tracking (FEMA-related), a $395,196 rollover for a Sheriff's Bearcat tactical vehicle, $225,985.55 carried forward from a Dogwood Health Trust grant for opioid-related planning, $39,080 for tower repair capital outlay, $31,497.08 for Dare program funds, $29,676.50 from lottery proceeds for Avery County High School repairs, $85,368.38 for EMS building improvements at Green Valley, $24,000 from an NCDEQ recycling compactor grant (with a $6,000 county match), $17,336.36 from a Dogwood Health Trust digital opportunities grant, and $18,288.97 for veterans services equipment and marketing. Budget action requests were presented by the finance officer and adopted by motion.

The board also approved a memorandum of understanding with the Avery County Board of Education to transfer 1.24 acres of the former Riverside School property to the county for a proposed Riverside EMS space, 911 backup center and a sheriff's satellite office. The Board of Education had signed the deed prior to commissioners' action.

On personnel and appointments, the board adopted a resolution appointing Andrea Turbotil as Avery County Tax Administrator. The board voted to reappoint Paul Harris as the county representative to the High Country Workforce Development Board and to appoint Covey Smith to the Avery County Planning Board (reappointment/applicant review steps were noted in the packet). The board designated Josh Smith to call and advertise the initial organizational meeting of the new Toe River Valley Regional Library board per the regional library contract. The board approved the final plat for 1911 Cranberry Phase 3B, Lots 162 through 168 and approved the monthly collections report as presented.

Most votes were taken by voice with motions and seconds recorded in the meeting minutes; specific roll-call tallies with member-by-member votes were not included in the public transcript.

The consent portion of the agenda, including contract items with Avery Transportation and several minutes approvals, was approved by consensus. The board set its next regular meeting for August 4, 2025 at 6 p.m.

Votes at a glance (motions as recorded in meeting): - Appoint Andrea Turbotil as tax administrator — motion to approve resolution; outcome: approved. - Appoint Covey Smith to Avery County Planning Board — motion and second; outcome: approved. - Reappoint Paul Harris to High Country Workforce Development Board — motion and second; outcome: approved. - Final approval: 1911 Cranberry Phase 3B, Lots 162–168 — motion and second; outcome: approved. - Accept MOU / transfer of 1.24 acres from Board of Education for EMS/911/sheriff space — motion approved. - Designate Josh Smith to call/advertise initial organizational meeting for Toe River Valley Regional Library — motion approved. - Approve monthly collections report ($63,088.16 reported collections for the period presented) — motion approved. - Budget amendments/grant rollovers (selected items) — motions approved (see body for list of major appropriations/rollovers).

The meeting record shows the board acted by motion and voice vote on the listed items; where individual roll-call votes were not included in the transcript, the minutes record ‘‘all in favor, aye’’ or similar voice votes.

Ending: The board concluded with informational items and reminders about local recovery resources and upcoming community events; the next regular meeting was set for Aug. 4, 2025 at 6 p.m.