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Buncombe County funds $750,000 for conservation easements, board told
Summary
County staff reported commissioners approved a budget that funds the advisory board at $750,000 for conservation easement work; board members said the amount will cover current pipeline needs and that open-space bond funds can supplement purchases or transaction costs if necessary.
Ariel, speaking for county staff, told the advisory board that Buncombe County’s commissioners recently approved the county budget and funded the board at $750,000 for conservation-easement work.
"The commissioners funded the full $750,000 for this board and our advisory board to use for conservation easement," Ariel said, adding that the board had returned to its standard funding level after recent cuts. Ariel said the current LCAP cycle contained only one application and that staff expect existing funds to be sufficient for the near term; if multiple large projects come in, Ariel said open-space bond funds could be used to supplement easement purchases or transaction costs.
Board members asked for clarification about how that $750,000 would relate to pipeline projects and whether transaction costs could be covered by bond funds if necessary. Ariel said staff plan a January cycle for additional applications and that bond funds are available for easement acquisitions.
The chair also warned the board that a possible property-tax revaluation could cause Buncombe County to revisit its budget later in the year, which could affect allocations.
No formal vote was recorded on the budget report at this meeting; the board acknowledged the county’s decision and proceeded to project-specific discussion and a scheduled site visit for the Camp Sequoia easement.
