Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Updates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Municipal leaders report FEMA frustrations, budget planning and local events at LGCCA meeting
Summary
Mayors and municipal officials reported on FEMA recovery, budgeting and local events: Laurel Park criticized FEMA's response, Flat Rock reported $130,000 in FEMA funds for park cleanup, Fletcher updated its CIP and Mills River described UDO and town improvements.
Local municipal leaders used the Jan. 20 Local Government Committee for Cooperative Action meeting to report brief updates on recovery, budgets and community events.
Mayor Barbara Volk (City of Hendersonville) said city staff held a planning retreat and City Council will hold a retreat in March. She noted a transportation general obligation bond will appear on the March primary ballot and reminded committee members the city cannot lobby for or against the ballot item. Volk also promoted a small‑float 'T‑Rex' parade on Feb. 7 and Hendo EarthFest scheduled for April 18.
Vice Mayor Matt Toner (Village of Flat Rock) said the village has received roughly $130,000 from FEMA for park cleanup after Hurricane Helene and that erosion work on King Creek remains an ongoing issue. He reported a successful village food drive that collected more than 500 pounds of food for Interfaith Assistance Ministry and said landscaping planning is under way with Equinox.
Mayor Preston Blakely (Town of Fletcher) said Fletcher updated its five‑year capital improvement plan (2026–31) and has begun the budget season. Council Member Keith Reed added that the police department is fully staffed for the first time in a long time.
Mayor Shanon Gonce (Town of Mills River) said passage of a local enabling bill allowed the town to finish its unified development ordinance work; she said the town is focused on preserving rural character and is actively seeking public input. Council Member Sandra Goode reported the town hall and library were repainted and recarpeted.
Mayor J. Carey O'Cain (Town of Laurel Park) expressed sharp frustration with FEMA's response and appeals process, saying the federal response funding was insufficient and that the administrative hurdles were onerous. "That's BS! Our problem is 60 billion and 138 million dollars does not touch it, and I am frustrated as hell," O'Cain said. Laurel Park plans a special FEMA meeting on Feb. 5 and the town manager continues weekly calls with FEMA staff.
County Manager John Mitchell (Henderson County) reported that county revenue indicators such as property and sales tax are strong, the Board will review midyear expenditures, debris removal remains a challenge and the county has an unsatisfactory state contract for debris work; he said the county is working with legislators to secure more equipment. Mitchell also noted the Ecusta Trail has been open for about six months and the Hickory Nut Gorge Recovery Plan is being reviewed.
The committee noted its next regular meeting will be April 21, 2026, hosted by the Village of Flat Rock. The meeting adjourned at 4:04 p.m.
