Avery County adopts multiple budget amendments, funds school device lease and three sheriff vehicles

At its May 5 meeting the Avery County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of budget amendments affecting multiple departments and programs, adopting each motion by unanimous vote of those present.

Key approved amendments included: - $57,005 to Senior Services (High Country Council of Governments grant) for kitchen equipment and installation. - $25,000 special state allocation for Rental Assistance in the Department of Social Services. - $20,000 Digital Opportunities Grant from Dogwood Health Trust for expanding digital opportunities. - $13,523.02 insurance reimbursements to the Sheriff’s Department for vehicle claims. - $150,000 to purchase three new Sheriff’s vehicles (funded from Fund Balance; board member Wood Hall Young, Jr. said he seconded the motion with the condition that the Sheriff not request additional items next year). - $407,461.20 to fund the first year’s installment payment on a lease for one-to-one devices in Avery County Schools. - $18,288.97 grant from the NCDMVA for the County Veterans Office for equipment, supplies and marketing.

Finance Officer Caleb Hogan presented the items and the board adopted each amendment by motion and second. Commissioners framed the device lease as a county commitment to student technology and commended staff and grant-seeking for the veterans and senior services awards.

What happens next: the county will record these amendments in its fiscal accounts, order the sheriff vehicles as planned, and implement the grant-funded projects and device-lease program per department plans.