The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners did not take any official action on the proposed budget during its meeting on Tuesday, June 6. But discussions revealed that a revenue-neutral property tax rate is not likely to happen.
Tag: Brownie Newman
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County nonprofit funding at odds with resolution guidelines
As commissioners considering funding projects with community grants, Xpress looks at the performance contracts used to monitor the process and finds commissioners aren’t adhering to suggested guidelines.
County Manager Greene offers letter of resignation
Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene will retire from her position on July 1. She cites “times are changing and interests have shifted” as one reason why she is stepping down.
Efficiency bulb
Asheville, NC
Schools may be key to property tax relief
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a nearly five-hour budget workshop May 16, a forum dedicated to presentations and requests from county departments. However, talks also showed a possible path toward nudging closer to a revenue-neutral property tax rate. A taxing issue County Manager Wanda Greene’s proposed budget for next fiscal year is $419,289,728, […]
Commissioners debate Duke solar farm: ‘smug’ or smart
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners had a rare splitting of party lines as a partnership with Duke Energy caused a riff among Democrats.
Commissioners approve economic incentive, bemoan zoning
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved an economic incentive package and struggled with a rezoning request that highlighted zoning’s gray areas.
Records requests shed light on city, county travel reimbursements
In honor of this year’s Sunshine Week Xpress looked at publicly subsidized travel by elected officials and employees of Buncombe County and the city of Asheville.
20 recent overdose deaths sparks $750K commitment from Buncombe
No funding has officially been approved, but commissioners presented a united front in committing to a three-pronged approach to curbing opioid use. The effort will include community paramedics, residential treatment for new mothers and a media blitz focused on prevention.
Commissioners move to create new sustainability office, solar farm; A-B Tech spending freeze remains
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a variety of sustainability measures while continued talks about the current spending freeze on capital projects at A-B Tech was put on hold at the school’s request.
Sustainability issues, A-B Tech funding headline Board of Commissioners meeting
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has a full agenda when it meets on Tuesday, March 7. Items included continued talks about funding A-B Tech capital projects, a rezoning request, a proposed solar farm in Woodfin and more.
Commissioners unanimously agree to support prison diversion, community investment programs
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners gave unanimous approval to a number of projects, including investing in at-risk communities and pool renovations for Warren Wilson College, during its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
‘Come back with answers,’ commissioners tell A-B Tech president, unanimously agree to continue spending moratorium
Commissioners unanimously requested that A-B Tech’s president return for a second round of questioning while also agreeing to continue a moratorium on the community college’s capital funding projects.
Commissioners ask staff to look at property tax breaks; talk teachers, infrastructure, more at retreat
Goals and priorities emerged when the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held its retreat on Friday, Feb. 17. Among priorities are continuing to increase teacher pay while looking at expanding access to preschool across the county.
Drugs, teacher pay, budget, preschool and more: County Commissioners to talk priorities during retreat
On the heels of a joint meeting with Asheville City Council, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold its annual retreat on Friday, Feb. 17. The meeting, while official, does not have any action items on the docket. But commissioners will discuss policy issues they would like to prioritize in the upcoming years. Commission […]
Whitesides questions commission, Fryar sees window for criticism at county-city meeting
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners and Asheville City Council held their first joint meeting in more than one year on Tuesday, Feb. 7. While it was mostly presentations and information updates, Commissioners Al Whitesides and Mike Fryar used the time to question the African-American Heritage Commission and energy efficiency, respectively.
County, city to hold joint meeting to discuss partnerships, goals
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.
Annual State of Downtown event focuses on investment, opportunity
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.
Cure for pain: Preventing opioid-related deaths
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 […]
Heat pumps drive rapid growth in WNC’s peak electricity demand
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.
Commissioners hear opioid report, vote along party lines on rezoning requests
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…