Avery County commissioners approve debris‑removal project ordinance, accept emergency grants and make several appointments

The Avery County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 adopted a resolution to establish a project ordinance for Hurricane-related debris removal and accepted a package of grants and budget amendments for emergency services and other county programs.

The board voted to adopt a project ordinance to fund debris removal related to Hurricane Helene with stated expenses and anticipated revenue totaling $30,004,800. The resolution was adopted by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were provided in the meeting record.

The board also unanimously approved several grant acceptances and budget amendments presented by county staff: a $2,500 Cabela’s Outdoor Fund grant for 4‑H shooting sports (Agricultural Extension); a $15,000 hazardous materials emergency‑preparedness grant to fund HAZMAT response for a three‑county committee; and an $80,000 Homeland Security grant to purchase two light towers and mobile generators (one for Avery County, a second to be issued to Wilkes County under the grant agreement). The county approved an insurance reimbursement budget amendment of $33,500.33 for a Forest River bathroom trailer.

Other items approved by the board included a resolution authorizing purchase of Apple products for Avery County Schools and a resolution to establish and maintain an account with the North Carolina Capital Management Trust for occupancy tax collections. The board also approved a project to form the special Board of Equalization and Review and accepted a list of candidate applications for consideration.

Appointments: The board approved the appointment of Billy Weitzman to the Avery Airport Authority to fill the seat of Dempsey Clark, who resigned; commissioners also approved Torrey Clarks reappointment to the Northwest Regional Housing Authority for the term presented to the board.

Tax and finance reports presented and approved as routine business included accounting for tourism occupancy-tax receipts (August–December collections of $284,096.69 reported by the tourism authority) and the tax administrators report on damage assessments and outstanding levy figures; the tax administrator reported property‑damage counts of 544 minor damages, 217 major damages, 69 total losses, 59 destroyed properties and 48 land adjustments. Several motions were adopted by voice vote; the meeting record does not include recorded roll‑call vote tallies.

Ending: The actions were adopted as presented; staff will proceed with implementation steps for the debris project ordinance, grant accounts and appointments.