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County lobbyist outlines Helene relief bills and priorities as state budget talks progress
Summary
County lobbyist Whitney Christensen briefed commissioners on two Helene-related relief bills (House Bill 47 and House Bill 1012), describing major allocations for home reconstruction, local government loans/grants, and outstanding gaps such as governor-requested affordable housing funds and teacher-supplement eligibility for Buncombe County.
Whitney Christensen, the county's lobbyist with Wharton Smith, joined the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners by Zoom on May 19 to present a legislative update focused on Helene recovery and other county priorities.
Christensen summarized recent state relief legislation: House Bill 47 (March 2025) included $55 million for local government infrastructure grants and $120 million for home reconstruction and repair; House Bill 1012 (June 2025) added further appropriations including business grants and increased totals for water, sewer and local capital repairs. She said Buncombe County has also been a major recipient of the state'administered local government cash-flow loan program created after the storm.
Christensen noted open items and limitations: a governor-requested $50 million for affordable housing development and $10 million for homeless-stabilization programs were not included in the Helene relief bills; some priorities remain for the next bill cycle. She discussed the county's ongoing advocacy to restore Buncombe County's eligibility for the state teacher salary supplement, explaining that statutory eligibility lines tied to county property valuations have excluded Buncombe in prior years and that staff are working with legislators to correct that.
Commissioners asked about likely priorities in forthcoming relief legislation; Christensen said private bridge and road repair and affordable housing funding are under consideration but total package amounts may change. She emphasized continued engagement with state leaders and that public feedback and local project readiness will matter when the county applies for program funds.
The presentation concluded with a reminder that forgiveness of local government loans and other implementation details remain subject to negotiation with FEMA reimbursement rules and state policymakers.
