Avery County approves $109.26 million project ordinance for Hurricane Helene debris removal; commissioner recuses

The Avery County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 adopted a Project Ordinance authorizing $109,263,671 in appropriations for debris removal and disposal tied to damage from Hurricane Helene.

The ordinance allocates $14,535,300 for right-of-way (ROW) work, $1,739,400 for rights-of-entry/paid private debris removal (ROE/PPDR), and $92,988,971 for waterways cleanup. The board set the project life from Oct. 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027, and authorized the county manager and finance officer to execute disbursement schedules and accounting reports related to the project.

The motion to adopt the ordinance was made by Robert Burleson and seconded by Dennis Aldridge. Commissioner Junior Benfield recused himself from voting on the measure; the ordinance was approved by those voting (4-0). Chair Tim Phillips presided over the meeting at the Avery Community Center.

Commissioners discussed the fiscal and operational constraints that accompany a disaster-scale cleanup. Commissioner Dennis Aldridge emphasized statutory limits and the board’s responsibility to protect county funds, saying the board has a “fiduciary responsibility to guard the county’s money and not place the county in a position that some of these funds could be rescinded.” That concern framed board members’ caution about how funds are appropriated and reported.

County staff said the project will be funded from a fund-balance appropriation and will include accounting and reporting consistent with NCGS §159-13.2. The resolution gives county officials authority to prepare and submit any necessary reports to state and federal partners as they implement the project.

Next steps include executing the project accounting, coordinating with state and federal debris-removal partners, and beginning contracts and disbursements under the ordinance. No additional votes on contract awards were recorded at this meeting.