After its last marathon session on Aug. 7, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has a relatively light agenda planned for its Aug. 21 meeting.
Under consideration is a comprehensive personnel ordinance that changes the amount of longevity pay employees receive. The measure was initially approved Aug. 7 by a 4–1 vote, but due to procedural rules, the ordinance must pass a second vote on Aug. 22 to gain approval; no amendments will be allowed.
Commissioner Holly Jones cast the lone vote against the ordinance Aug. 7 after unsuccessfully trying to add a ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The commissioners discussed her proposed amendment in a closed session that several prominent observers subsequently charged might have violated N.C. public meeting laws. However, a draft of minutes from the session, which are the only documentation of what happened, are vague. Commissioners will consider approving that draft of minutes on Aug 21; it’s listed on the consent agenda, which usually passes unanimously with little or no discussion.
In other business, the commissioners will consider a report on a new Health and Human Services program in the Pisgah View Apartment complex. They’ll also consider authorizing up to $32.8 million in bonds. The refinancing move is meant to take advantage of lower interest rates and doesn’t involve a property-tax increase.
The board will meet at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 21, in the commissioners’ chambers, located at 30 Valley St. A short pre-meeting review of the agenda will begin at 4:15 p.m.
I want to urge the Commission to reconsider the Jones Amendment and to please extend discrimination protections to our LGBT county employees. It will happen one day and I’d be proud to vote for it and do what is right..right now.