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Avery County approves multiple budget amendments and authorizes audit contract
Summary
The board approved budget amendments including $496,564.94 in state HVAC funds for Newell Elementary, $28,695.57 insurance reimbursement to the sheriff’s office, a $30,000 lawsuit settlement appropriation, and authorized an audit contract not to exceed $38,500.
Avery County’s finance officer, identified in the meeting as "Mister Cato," presented a series of budget amendments the board approved by voice votes.
Key actions approved included transferring $496,564.94 in state funds for Newell Elementary HVAC upgrades to county capital outlay for schools; adding $2,800 to juvenile mentoring with no county match; accepting a $28,695.57 insurance reimbursement for sheriff’s office equipment damaged in flood events; and moving $637.50 back to the E-911 fund to cover an ineligible expense. The board also approved $37,269.99 to replace the county’s diesel and gasoline pumps, accepted a $15,000 hazardous materials emergency preparedness grant, and appropriated $30,000 for a settlement in Thurston v. Avery County (transcript references filing and settlement). Finally, the board authorized the chair to sign a contract with Thompson Price, Scott Adams & Co., PA to audit county financial statements for fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, at a cost not to exceed $38,500.
Most of these motions were approved by voice vote; the transcript does not show a roll-call tally for votes. The finance officer said the audit report will be issued no later than Dec. 31, 2026. Several items noted pending clarifications (for example, exact FEMA numbers for some buildings were still being worked on).
