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Avery County commissioners unanimously approve appointments, property MOU and multiple budget amendments
Summary
At its July 7 meeting the Avery County Board of Commissioners approved the consolidation appointment of a Tax Administrator, adopted an MOU to convey land for an EMS station, reappointed board members and passed a series of budget amendments tied to hurricane recovery and grant rollovers; all recorded votes were unanimous (3-0).
The Avery County Board of Commissioners met July 7 in Newland and unanimously approved a slate of appointments, a memorandum of understanding with the local school board and multiple budget amendments to support recovery and county programs.
The Board adopted a resolution to consolidate the offices of Tax Collector and Tax Assessor into a single four‑year Tax Administrator position and reappointed Andrea Turbyfill to that consolidated role, effective July 1, 2025. The motion to adopt the resolution was made by Wood Hall Young, Jr. and seconded by Junior Benfield and passed 3–0.
The Board also approved a memorandum of understanding with the Avery County Board of Education to convey a 1.24‑acre surplus portion of Riverside Elementary School to the county for use as an EMS station; the motion passed unanimously.
On personnel and boards, the commissioners reappointed Cody Smith to the Avery County Planning Board and appointed Paul Harris to the High Country Workforce Development Board after waiving a review policy because Harris had previously served a term. Josh Smith was designated to call the initial organizational meeting for the Toe River Valley Regional Library.
Finance Officer Caleb Hogan presented and the Board approved multiple budget amendments, each adopted by motion and unanimous vote (3–0). Key items included:
• $375,000 appropriated to a FEMA tracking line for Hurricane Helene recovery expenses. • Rollovers and grants for opioid-settlement planning and implementation (Dogwood Health Trust), $225,985.55. • Carryforward for an ordered Sheriff tactical vehicle (BearCat) of $395,196 to the current fiscal year. • Rollovers to complete the EMS base at Green Valley, $85,368.38. • D.A.R.E. program rollover, $31,497.08; State drug‑fund carryforward, $7,071.15; dispatch tower repairs, $39,080; library glass replacement, $23,000; Building & Grounds gate replacement, $22,533.14; Dogwood digital opportunities grant rollover, $17,336.36; and an NCDMVA veterans grant rollover of $18,288.97. • Acceptance of an NCDEQ recycling compactor grant of $24,000 with a required county match of $6,000 (amendment recorded as $30,000).
The Board approved the Tax Collections monthly report and several routine consent items, including transportation contracts with a number of vendors. The meeting concluded with approval of minutes from April–May 2025 and adjournment at 7:02 p.m.
All recorded motions and budget amendments were approved unanimously by the three attending commissioners (Dennis Aldridge, Junior Benfield and Wood Hall Young, Jr.). The Board set its next regular meeting for Aug. 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Avery Community Center.
