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Avery County commissioners adopt veterans resolution, approve grants, budgets and PIO contract
Summary
At its Nov. meeting in Newland, the Avery County Board of Commissioners adopted an "Operation Green Light" veterans resolution, approved multiple grant and budget amendments (including a $125,000 Carolina Hurricanes Foundation grant), accepted a contracted public information officer and approved several routine land-use and finance items.
The Avery County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 1 in Newland adopted a resolution supporting "Operation Green Light for Veterans," approved several grants and budget amendments, and agreed to contract a temporary public information officer.
An item presented by an unidentified commissioner urged the board to declare Nov. 4 through Veterans Day (Nov. 11) a time to salute veterans and encouraged citizens and businesses to display a green light in honor of veterans. The board moved, seconded and adopted the Operation Green Light resolution by voice vote.
Finance staff reported several budget actions. "The Avery County Department of Parks and Recreation has received $125,000 grant from the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation for the Little League ball fields to repair the damage from Hurricane Helene," a county finance presenter said; the board approved accepting the grant and authorized a budget amendment to debit capital outlay $125,000 and credit Friends of Parkland Recreation revenue $125,000. The board also approved moving previously awarded funds and other budget amendments for schools and social-services programs, including a $150,000 state roofing allocation for Riverside Elementary School and the release and pass-through of lottery funds for school repairs.
The board approved a contract to retain Sea Gardener Media and Promotions as a contracted public information officer for the remainder of the fiscal year, with a budget amendment to debit maintenance contracts for $13,500 and credit the fund balance appropriated for that amount. In presenting the contract need, the county manager said "the day of Facebook, Instagram getting information out has changed in our world" and that a contracted PIO would keep social media and county web platforms updated.
Land-use and other routine business included approval of the final plat for the Reserve at 1911 and a motion to appoint Chad Morgan to the Parks and Recreation board. The Avery County Fire Commission item was introduced and the board said it will vote on the applicant, Tracy McCampett, at next month's meeting. The board also approved October tax collections (amount read in the transcript as "$1,000,004.66 $9.54 57¢") and approved the Oct. 6, 2025 minutes.
Several social-services items were approved: staff moved $5,777.88 in remaining special adoption-incentive funds (FY 24-25) into the current budget year and moved $24,592.55 in disaster funds into the current fiscal year. All budget and grant items presented in the transcript were approved by voice vote as read.
The meeting concluded after scheduling the next meeting for Dec. 1 at 6:00 p.m. and adjourning by voice vote. The Fire Commission appointment will return for a vote next month.
Votes at a glance: Operation Green Light resolution — adopted (voice vote); Final plat, Reserve at 1911 — approved (voice vote); Appointment, Chad Morgan to Parks & Recreation — approved (voice vote); Carolina Hurricanes Foundation grant, $125,000 — accepted and budget amendment approved (voice vote); PIO contract with Sea Gardener Media and Promotions — approved (voice vote); Riverside Elementary roof pass-through, $150,000 — approved (voice vote); Move adoption-incentive funds $5,777.88 — approved (voice vote); Move disaster funds $24,592.55 — approved (voice vote); October collections (amount as read in transcript) — accepted (voice vote); Minutes (Oct. 6, 2025) — approved (voice vote).
