Avery County adopts $41.8 million 2025–26 budget, approves $22.5 million surge for disaster recovery

The Avery County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to adopt a $41.8 million budget for fiscal year 2025–26 and approved a $22.5 million increase to disaster‑recovery spending to complete work from Tropical Storm Helene.

County Manager Phillip Barrier Jr. told the board the proposed budget is balanced on a total property valuation of $6.455 billion and keeps the general fund tax rate at 33.5 cents per $100 of valuation and the countywide fire tax at 6.5 cents — a combined rate of 40 cents. The proposed ordinance shows total General Fund appropriations of $41,812,807 and a fund balance appropriation of $3,894,000 to help close a budget gap attributed in part to storm recovery and inflation.

Barrier said the budget continues funding priorities established by the county, noting education is budgeted locally at $7,918,236 (including a $950,000 high‑school debt payment) and that public safety increases include a jail body scanner, seven new computers and six vehicles. The administration projected overall expenses to rise about 5.43% from the prior year.

During the public hearing Dr. Beth Pendley, Avery County School Superintendent, thanked the board "for their support and collaboration" and said she looked forward to working with the commissioners and the Board of Education.

Commissioner Wood Hall Young Jr. said he "did not like the budget but it is what we have," while Chair Tim Phillips praised staff work and Vice‑Chair Dennis Aldridge urged confidence in maintaining the county's fund balance through recovery.

Disaster recovery: Southern Disaster Recovery and DebrisTech Randy Thompson of Southern Disaster Recovery briefed commissioners on recovery progress, reporting roughly 97% completion of right‑of‑way work and about 70% completion of waterways work, and requested an additional Not‑to‑Exceed (NTE) amount of $22,500,000 to raise the contract cap to $51,649,012 to finish right‑of‑way, waterways, PPDR and SMART work. Thompson said about 80% of outgoing recovery dollars are returning to the county through local contractors.

Commissioner Dennis Aldridge acknowledged the size of the NTE but said the amount would be reimbursed through FEMA processes while noting Avery County could not self‑fund the full total. The board approved the additional $22.5 million NTE for SDR by unanimous vote.

The board also approved an extension for DebrisTech’s monitoring services to midnight May 24, 2025 to allow debris removal and monitoring to conclude.

Property, leases and reappraisal The commissioners approved purchase of the property on Wes Brewer Road known as the Old Radio Station and authorized the county manager to execute closing documents. The board later adopted a budget amendment to appropriate $610,000 for the property acquisition.

To help residents displaced by Helene, commissioners adopted a resolution leasing four county‑owned campers to Volunteer Avery County & Community Services, Inc., from June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026 for $1.00 to be used as temporary housing.

The board adopted a resolution delaying the county’s four‑year general reappraisal schedule: instead of conducting a reappraisal as of Jan. 1, 2026, the county will reappraise as of Jan. 1, 2027 (a one‑time three‑year cycle), citing the storm’s impacts on property values.

Budget amendments and other finance items Finance Officer Caleb Hogan presented two budget amendments adopted by unanimous vote: a $610,000 amendment for the Wes Brewer Road property and a $450,000 amendment to fund school close‑out and summer expenses requested by the Board of Education.

Appointments, minutes and consent items The board filled a WAMY Committee seat by appointing Cathy Ayers and appointed Cody Hoilman to the Avery County Planning Board following a signed ranked ballot process. The board approved the May tax collections report ($104,101.73), approved minutes from April 14 and May 5, and adopted consent items including agreements with the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council county plan, and a State Mutual Aid Agreement.

Votes at a glance - Appoint Cathy Ayers to WAMY Committee — motion by Wood Hall Young, Jr.; second Dennis Aldridge; outcome: approved (4–0; Junior Benfield absent). - Appoint Cody Hoilman to Planning Board — motion by Dennis Aldridge; second Robert Burleson; outcome: approved (4–0; Junior Benfield absent). - Open public hearing on FY2025/26 budget — motion by Wood Hall Young, Jr.; second Dennis Aldridge; outcome: approved (4–0). - Adopt FY2025/26 Budget Ordinance (total appropriations $41,812,807) — motion by Wood Hall Young, Jr.; second Robert Burleson; outcome: approved (4–0). - Approve additional NTE $22,500,000 for Southern Disaster Recovery (new total NTE $51,649,012) — motion by Dennis Aldridge; second Robert Burleson; outcome: approved (4–0). - Approve DebrisTech monitoring extension to May 24, 2025 — motion by Dennis Aldridge; second Robert Burleson; outcome: approved (4–0). - Approve purchase of Wes Brewer Road property (Old Radio Station) and authorize manager to sign closing documents — motion by Wood Hall Young, Jr.; second Dennis Aldridge; outcome: approved (4–0). - Adopt resolution to lease campers to Volunteer Avery County & Community Services, Inc. (June 1, 2025–May 31, 2026, consideration $1.00) — motion by Dennis Aldridge; second Robert Burleson; outcome: approved (4–0). - Adopt resolution delaying general reappraisal from Jan. 1, 2026 to Jan. 1, 2027 — motion by Wood Hall Young, Jr.; second Robert Burleson; outcome: approved (4–0). - Adopt resolution declaring surplus property and authorizing sale process — motion by Dennis Aldridge; second Wood Hall Young, Jr.; outcome: approved (4–0). - Adopt budget amendment $610,000 (property acquisition) — motion by Wood Hall Young, Jr.; second Robert Burleson; outcome: approved (4–0). - Adopt budget amendment $450,000 (Avery County Schools) — motion by Wood Hall Young, Jr.; second Robert Burleson; outcome: approved (4–0).

What’s next The budget and the stated motions take effect as presented; the board did not schedule additional votes on these items during the special meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.