Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Disaster Recovery Debris topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Avery County commissioners approve archaeological monitoring contract, grant, audit and resolutions; private-debris removal continues
Summary
The board approved multiple agenda items including a not-to-exceed archaeological monitoring contract ($19,000), a $25,000 park repair grant from the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation, an audit contract not to exceed $41,500, a temporary register of deeds position funding, and a resolution supporting North Carolina Senate Bill 248.
At its meeting (date not specified), the Avery County Board of Commissioners approved several administrative and recovery-related items, including a contract for archaeological monitoring tied to debris-removal work and a resolution supporting state legislation on adopted birth records.
Archaeological monitoring and debris removal
The board voted to approve an archaeological monitoring contract with a not-to-exceed amount of $19,000. County staff explained that FEMA and the state environmental/historic-review office (EHP/SHPO) determine which debris sites require an archaeological monitor prior to work; staff said the monitoring cost could be roughly $3,000 per day in a worst-case scenario and that staff currently identify five sites that may require monitoring. The county recorded a procedural recusal for Commissioner Benfield from discussion on related property matters; the contract approval then passed by voice vote.
Private-property debris removal
Staff reported 299 sign-ups in Avery County for private-property debris removal, with 94 packets submitted for approval and contractor notice-to-proceed processing. The board gave consensus to continue the private-property and commercial debris-removal effort; staff said demolition would be a separate, later step.
Grants and finance
The board accepted a $25,000 grant from the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation to repair Schultz Circle Park following storm damage and approved the associated budget amendment. The board also authorized Blackburn, Childers and Stegall to perform the county audit for the year ending June 30, 2025, at a price not to exceed $41,500; staff said the audit will begin in May with a reporting deadline no later than Dec. 31, 2025.
Personnel and finance items
Because of an upcoming retirement in the Register of Deeds office, the board approved a temporary full-time position and a budget amendment to provide roughly $6,616 for salary and associated FICA to allow training of a new hire before August 1; the transcript shows the amount requested and that the motion carried.
Other approvals
The board adopted a proclamation naming April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and approved a resolution (Resolution 11-20-25) supporting North Carolina Senate Bill 248, which would authorize registered-deeds offices to issue birth records for adopted individuals at the local level. The board approved routine financial collections, releases and reported sales figures during the meeting.
Ending: Staff said they will continue to process debris-removal packets, pursue grant funding, and return with contract and budget details as work proceeds.
