County commissioners and City Council members will meet up to discuss their common goals and projects. The gathering is the first of its kind in more than a year. Intended to showcase synergies between the two governmental entities, the meeting agenda doesn’t include any official action items.
At the Asheville Downtown Association’s annual State of Downtown luncheon, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer and Buncombe County Commission Chair Brownie Newman touted lists of major public projects and initiatives that benefit downtown. Meanwhile, urban planning consultant Joe Minicozzi argued that tax revenue data show more municipal investment in downtown is both warranted and needed.
Buncombe County, like many places across the country, is in the throes of an opioid epidemic, many local sources say. Despite law enforcement efforts and increased awareness of overprescribing, the last few years have seen a dramatic rise in opioid-related overdoses and deaths. Between 2005 and 2014, the county had 110 homicides, according to the […]
Using data provided by Duke Energy, a local task force has shown that much of the growth in WNC’s peak electrical demand is driven by the conversion of existing oil- and propane-fired heating systems to electric heat pumps. Slowing the growth in peak demand is the mission of the task force, which hopes to delay or eliminate the need for one of three new power plants proposed for Duke Energy’s Lake Julian station.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners spent nearly three hours considering zoning requests, getting information about opioid use and tending to other business during its meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 18. Xpress has a recap of the entire agenda…
After waiting for the official results of a recount in December, incumbent Commissioner Mike Fryar was sworn in before county commissioners got their Tuesday, Jan. 3 meeting underway.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners selected a new vice chair, had a heated discussion about a resolution against discrimination and held a closed session about a potential economic development that might bring 500 jobs to the county.
Al Whitesides bested three other candidates for appointment to a two-year term as a District 1 Buncombe County Commissioner. The vacancy was created when Brownie Newman left that post to become chair of the commission.
New members of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners took their oath of office on Monday, Dec. 5. Some commissioners talked about working together but the board’s first vote, concerning appointment of a vice chair, was split down party lines.
The newly constituted Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold its first post-election meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 6. The agenda is relatively light and will be the first helmed by Brownie Newman, who is transitioning from commissioner to chair, and will be the inaugural meeting for Commissioners Jasmine Beach-Ferrara and Robert Pressley. The board will […]
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners said goodbye to three of its members during its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Two newly elected and four current members of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners met the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 15 for an orientation. The group discussed meeting logistics, heard presentations and more.
Xpress will update this page with election results, candidate reactions, pictures and more throughout the evening.
Incumbent David Gantt is not seeking re-election. Democrat Brownie Newman, a current commissioner, is facing Republican Chuck Archerd. Read their thoughts on zoning, HB2, the economy, body camera footage and more.
During its meeting on Nov. 1 the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved putting two art projects on hold, tabled nonprofit funding restructuring and more.
The two candidates for Chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners have loaned their campaigns a combined total of $272,000. Democrat Brownie Newman loaned his campaign $42,000 and Republican Chuck Archerd loaned himself $230,000 according to the candidates’ campaign finance reports.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8, and early voting runs through Nov. 5. Below you will find questionnaires from candidates at the federal, state and local levels. You can also find our federal and state election coverage in the current, Oct. 26, issue and our county election coverage in the upcoming Nov. 3 issue. For […]
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved more than $44 million in funding for Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools. The board also approved a rebate for Waste Pro, the property tax schedule and more…
Buncombe County Commissioners sounded off on education, property tax revaluations and economic incentives during a forum hosted by Asheville Citizen-Times on Thursday, Sept. 22.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved economic incentives, a resolution urging the federal government to designate Big Ivy as wilderness and set a public hearing for the proposed tax schedule during its meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
Candidates for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners laid out their thoughts on issues facing the county during a debate on Thursday, Aug. 25. Topics ranged from property tax rates to affordable housing.
