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Votes at a glance: budget amendments, grants and appointments approved July 21
Summary
At its July 21 meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved multiple budget amendments (STRAP streambank projects, a $12,036,686 school capital project ordinance, a $282,104 DHHS grant for community paramedicine, and $2.5M BCS lottery repaving), several board appointments and reappointments, and observed a moment of silence for recent community deaths.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a package of budget amendments, grant acceptances and appointments at its July 21 meeting.
Key votes and authorizations:
• STRAP streamflow rehabilitation (STRAP): Staff reported Buncombe County secured approval for just over $800,000 in STRAP-funded projects focused on stream-bank stabilization and debris removal (five projects, primarily Flat Creek in Fairview and Dillingham Watershed in Barnardsville). The board approved the budget amendment to accept STRAP funds.
• School Capital Fund project ordinance: Staff presented a project ordinance totaling $12,036,686 for a slate of Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools projects (bringing the total recommended school-capital program to roughly $42 million when combined with prior approvals of $28 million and $2 million). Commissioners discussed fund balance modeling and approved the project ordinance.
• DHHS rural health transformation grant: The board accepted $282,104 from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to expand community paramedicine services (funding for additional contracted staff and continuing education); the motion passed by voice vote.
• BCS lottery repaving projects: Commissioners accepted five lottery-funded repaving projects totaling $2,500,000 as previously approved by state Department of Public Instruction.
• Board appointments and reappointments: The board confirmed multiple appointments and reappointments by voice vote, including reappointments and new appointees such as Megan Austin (reappointment), Ben Colvin (Economic Development Coalition appointment), Dexter Hazel (Tourism Development Authority), Artie Miller (Library Advisory Board reappointment) and Mike Sewell (Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee). A commissioner recused himself from an early childhood education appointment because a listed nominee was his spouse.
At the meeting’s close commissioners noted staff changes at the Department of Health and Human Services (retirement of Philip Harden and interim director Kimberly Fullerton), observed a moment of silence for three recent deaths in the county, and adjourned. Staff will follow up with standard reporting and ordinance codification as required.
