With the general election six months away, Xpress asked each candidate about campaign strategy and lessons from the trail thus far.
County considers raising taxes to balance budget
Less than two weeks before County Manager Avril Pinder must present a balanced budget to commissioners on Tuesday, May 21, the county has a $13.9 million funding gap in its projected operating budget, without considering requested increases for schools.
County reviews preliminary plans for former Asheville Primary School
For the last year, officials with both Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County have debated what to do with the centrally located, ACS-owned facility on the corner of Haywood Road and Interstate 240. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners got a plan update at its May 7 briefing meeting.
Three years after county, city discrimination ordinances, no complaint has led to finding, penalty
Both the city and county ordinances make it illegal for employers and business owners to discriminate based on any “difference in treatment based on race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability.”
County continues negotiations with new trash hauler
Commissioners will consider a new seven-year contract with global waste management company FCC Environmental Solutions, which — if ultimately approved at a meeting later in May — will be the county’s first new hauler since WastePro was hired in 2009.
Sustaining community: A conversation with Asheville City Council member Kim Roney
“There are lots of things we can’t do, but are we doing what we can?” asks Council member Kim Roney, who is up for reelection this year.
Sustaining community: A conversation with Asheville City Council candidate Kevan Frazier
“We often study an issue as if we are the first city to consider it. More often we are the last,” says Kevan Frazier, who is one of six candidates vying for three open seats on Asheville City Council.
BID public hearing draws crowd despite scheduling kerfuffle
The BID proposal requires two votes from Council, The first is slated for Tuesday, May 14, and the second on Tuesday, June 11. If approved, the governance structure of the BID will be established at a later date.
County budget picture slowly comes into focus
County expenditures are expected to grow by more than $8 million next year, to $444.9 million, said Buncombe County Budget Director John Hudson.
Sustaining community: A conversation with Asheville City Council member Sage Turner
“There are layers of government in Asheville that can make our management and maintenance understandably confusing and frustrating,” says Council member Sage Turner, who is up for reelection this year.
Reparations commission discusses accountability as deadline nears
As a deadline nears for the Community Reparations Commission, pressure mounts for the group to finalize its recommendations for how the City of Asheville and Buncombe County governments can make amends to their Black residents.
Planning board defers voting on county’s short-term rental ordinance
“Based on what we have heard from the community … I firmly believe that the best path forward will be to broaden the scope of our discussions to include those issues surrounding STRs,” board Chair Nancy Waldrop said during the April 22 meeting.
Council moves BID public hearing to larger venue
A public hearing on another controversial topic — rezoning for a large development at 767 New Haw Creek Road — has been postponed until Tuesday, June 11.
Woodfin Town Council shoots down de-annexation request
Council members voted 6-0 on April 16 to oppose the request, which bubbled up after the town implemented a stormwater fee last summer to comply with the state-issued permit it was in danger of violating.
Sustaining community: A conversation with Asheville City Council candidate Tod Leaven
“There are a host of things the city and county could do to help small businesses thrive, but for a start the city and county can simply do their jobs,” says Tod Leaven, who is one of six candidates vying for three open seats on Asheville City Council.
County trash rates could increase with new provider
If the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approves a contract next month with global waste management company FCC Environmental Services, whose U.S. headquarters is in Texas, residents will see an almost $5 a month increase on their trash bills next year.
Sustaining community: A conversation with Asheville City Council candidate Roberto ‘Bo’ Hess
“A common misconception about Asheville City Council is that members are distant from everyday community concerns. In truth, Council members are community members too, deeply invested in Asheville’s well-being,” says Roberto “Bo” Hess, who is one of six candidates vying for three open seats on Asheville City Council.
What would BID safety ambassadors bring to downtown?
Safety and hospitality ambassadors for a downtown Asheville business improvement district would be perceived as a welcome addition by some — additional “eyes and ears” on the street. But others aren’t sure that such a program is a priority.
Sustaining community: A conversation with Asheville City Council candidate Charles “CJ” Domingo
“We need to reach across the gaps between neighborhoods, across industries and between social groups to talk to folks older and younger than ourselves and ask what they can teach us,” says Charles “CJ” Domingo, who is one of six candidates vying for three open seats on Asheville City Council.
Web of Mission Health litigation grows. Buncombe seeks to join attorney general’s case against HCA.
Buncombe County’s proposal, filed April 3, is just the latest development in the web of litigation that HCA faces over its management of Mission Health, which operates hospitals and other health care services in several Western North Carolina counties.
Sustaining community: A conversation with local candidate Terri Wells
Commissioner Terri Wells is seeking reelection in 2024, representing the newly drawn District 2.