Commissioners approve first project funding from open space bonds, get update on crime and more

Press release from Buncombe County:

The Board of Commissioners is moving forward with a project aimed at drawing outdoor enthusiasts to Woodfin. During their meeting on Oct. 17, Commissioners approved allocating dollars for the first Open Space Bond project since the bond was  approved by voters last year and also approved accepting funding from the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and the Federal Highway Administration. In all, Commissioners approved $18,896,251 for the Woodfin Greenway and Blueway project, which includes the Silverway and Riverside parks, a whitewater wave, and more.

The breakdown of the funding is as follows:

• Close the $2,250,000 Woodfin Greenway – TDA Grant project and create three separate projects (Silverline Park, Whitewater Wave, Riverside Park) for which the County serves as the fiscal agent for the Town of Woodfin with the TDA.
• Accept $5,890,000 in TDA Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF) grant awards for the Whitewater Wave and Riverside Park projects.
• Accept $11,733,001 in Federal Highway Administration Surface Transportation Block grant awards into the Woodfin Greenway project.
• Establish the Woodfin Greenway as an Open Space/Greenway General Obligation Bond project and commit $1,273,250 to the project in the Housing/Open Space Bond Projects Fund to fully fund the 20% County match required for accepting Federal Highway Administration Surface Transportation Block grant dollars committed to the project.

 

The newly approved funding will add $13,866,251 to the Woodfin Greenway project, resulting in a total project budget of $16,326,251. In addition, the move creates a $650,000 Silverline Park project, a $2,565,497 Whitewater Wave project, and a $4,064,503 Riverside Park project, which are all funded by the TDA with the County committing $23,606,251 toward all projects connected to the Woodfin Greenway and Blueway. You can see the budget ordinance here.

Marvin Collins Awards 

The Planning Department’s work on creating, gathering public input, and ultimately finalizing theComprehensive Plan 2043 has earned it a prestigious Marvin Collins Award from the state’s chapter of the American Planning Association. And the work the Communications and Public Engagement (CAPE) team did around gathering meaningful public engagement leading up to the plan’s approval earned an additional Marvin Collins Award. Specifically, the awards are for:

• Best overall plan through the advancement of the science and art of planning.
• Public engagement through recognizing the exceptional efforts that support meaningful engagement and creating a greater awareness of planning-related issues within a community.
• The 20-year plan focused on relationships between land uses, infrastructure, and other vital community services and amenities.

While gathering public feedback, there were more than 200 input sessions. You can learn more about the Comprehensive Plan 2043 here.

Board of Equalization and Review update 

Commissioners received a brief update from the Board of Equalization and Review. The Board decides matters about property appeals concerning appraised value, taxability, present-use value, exemptions, and other issues. The work scope includes:

• Hearing and deciding timely filed appeals.
• Examining and reviewing tax listings for the current year.
• Assuring any changes are made under the provisions of statutes.
• Notifying taxpayers of any decisions rendered by the Board.
• Assuring taxpayers receive due process according to statutes.

For 2022, the Board heard 36 appeals and will begin work on 2023 pending appeals starting Oct. 18. You can view the entire presentation here, and you can watch Board of Equalization and Review meetings here.

Sheriff’s update

The Buncombe County Sheriff is reporting that crime has been on the decline for four years, according to statistics excluding the City of Asheville. During a presentation to Commissioners, Sheriff Quentin Miller provided statistics showing a decline in theft, assaults, drugs, and breaking and entering. The Sheriff also noted that from 2020-2023 his team has brought charges against all 17 homicides during that time. In regard to helping lower overall crime statistics, the Sheriff’s Office prioritizes the following crime-reduction strategies:

• Targeting high-level crime
• Targeting repeat offenders
• Dismantling theft rings
• Using the MAT drug treatment program at jail
• Utilizing the real-time intelligence center

You can view the Sheriff’s entire presentation here.

School consolidation feasibility study

The state legislature has tasked the County with facilitating a feasibility study looking at the possibility of merging the Asheville City and Buncombe County school systems. The Board approved issuing a request for proposals to find a firm to conduct a study that will include:

• Academic analysis including student enrollment and educational outcomes.
• Operational analysis including governance, personnel, facilities, food service, and more.
• Financial analysis and review of fiscal effects.
• Community impacts.
  Overall findings.

The goal is to approve a vendor by March 2024 and have a report ready to present to the General Assembly no later than February 2025. You can view the entire presentation here.

Budget amendment for stream restoration grants

Commissioners approved accepting two grants totaling $3,758,500 that will be used for the Stream Restoration Project. One grant is a state ARPA appropriation of $2,750,000 and the other a state grant worth $1,008,500, which will help with a project to realign and restore Dillingham Creek to protect against erosion and provide more resiliency to surrounding areas during storms. You can view the budget ordinance here.

Budget amendment for vehicles

Commissioners approved a budget carry forward for vehicles that were purchased in the previous fiscal year but due to delays, they were not delivered before the end of the fiscal year. The total amounts to be carried forward by fund are:

• $679,605 for the general fund
• $42,875 for the solid waste general fund

You can see the budget amendment here.