It was a historic year for Buncombe County government, as the first Board of Commissioners to be elected by districts took the reins.

It was a historic year for Buncombe County government, as the first Board of Commissioners to be elected by districts took the reins.
The international debate over climate change came home Dec. 3, as the Buncombe County commissioners butted heads over a proposal to reduce the county’s carbon footprint by 80 percent over time. Now, county staff is trying to figure out how to begin implementing the directive and determine how to measure the progress.
At their Dec. 3 meeting, Buncombe County commissioners will consider a proposed Energy Independence Initiative that would commit the county to achieving an 80 percent reduction in its carbon footprint. Commissioners will also elect a new vice chair to succeed Commissioner Holly Jones, who is finishing up a one-year term in the role.
Earlier this month, Buncombe County officials came together to celebrate the opening of a major new courthouse building in downtown Asheville.
On Nov. 19, Buncombe Commissioners voted to spend $69,000 on a conservation easement to protect 121 acres of land from development on Long Mountain in the Upper Hominy area.
On Nov. 19, Buncombe Commissioners will consider spending $69,000 on a conservation easement to protect 121 acres of land from development on Long Mountain in the Upper Hominey area.
The newly formed Buncombe County Culture and Recreation Authority met for the first time Oct. 29, drafting an ambitious list of goals for the months ahead. The board is charged with governing a powerful new agency that will manage the county’s libraries, parks and recreation facilities.
At their Oct. 15 meeting, Buncombe Commissioners approved $84,000 in economic incentives for Plasticard-Lockteck International. The deal’s been in the works since last spring, when county officials promised the incentive grants to the company if it expanded operations at its Arden headquarters.
At their Oct. 15 meeting, Buncombe Commissioners are set to approve $84,000 in economic incentives for Plasticard-Lockteck International. The deal’s been in the works since last spring, when county officials promised the incentive grants to the company if it expanded operations at its Arden headquarters.
Following contentious Oct. 1 deliberations over who will head a powerful new government entity that will manage Buncombe County’s libraries, parks and recreation facilities, Commissioner Holly Jones expressed “deep concerns about the absence of a District 1 taxpayer voice at the table.”
Buncombe Commissioners appointed four community leaders to help head the powerful new Culture and Recreation Authority, charged with managing the county’s libraries, parks and recreation facilities.
Over the course of tense Oct. 1 deliberations, the board of commissioners named three of its own members and four additional community leaders to oversee a powerful new government entity that will manage the county’s libraries, parks and recreation facilities.
At their Tuesday Oct. 1, meeting, Buncombe Commissioners are set to appoint leaders to a powerful new Culture and Recreation Authority that will manage the county’s libraries, parks and recreation facilities.
Buncombe County Commissioners sought to find a better balance between environmental protection and private property rights Sept. 17, unanimously approving an update to their land use plan.
Commissioners will consider updating Buncombe County’s land use plan when they meet Sept. 17.
Buncombe County Commissioner Mike Fryar announced Sept. 6 that his fight against lung cancer is going well.
When it comes to their own pay, some Buncombe County Commissioners actions — or lack thereof — contradict what they said they’d do during last year’s campaign.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners took a variety of actions Aug. 27. Here are some of the highlights. (Photo by Max Cooper)
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will consider an energy policy update Aug. 27.
Commissioners unanimously voted Aug. 6 to begin transferring management of Buncombe County’s libraries, parks and recreation facilities to a new Culture and Recreation Authority (CRA). Their first move was appointing themselves to serve as the new board — an act that highlights questions over how the new entity will implement its power.
Buncombe Commissioners unanimously approved spending $1.98 million Aug. 6 to buy land for a new school in Enka.