With the county’s commitment to running all county operations off renewable energy by 2030 still an open question, Buncombe County is poised to take a step this week towards fulfilling that goal.
Tag: Buncombe County
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County terminates Wiseman contracts, preps for additional civil lawsuit
Buncombe County has terminated contracts worth more than $550,000 with two companies associated with Joseph Wiseman Jr., who the county has identified as the contractor who allegedly paid kickbacks to three former county officials.
County to fill top spots through outside search, internal promotions
Even as elected officials and county staff digested word of new indictments of former county employees released less than four hours before the regular meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 7, efforts to select a new county manager continued to move ahead.
Feds bring charges against three former Buncombe officials, including Greene
A federal grand jury returned a bill of indictment on Aug. 7, bringing charges against three former Buncombe County officials: former County Manager Wanda Greene, former County Manager Mandy Stone and former Planning Director and Assistant County Manager Jon Creighton.
Michael Greene enters guilty plea
Michael Greene, a former Buncombe County employee who has been accused of misusing county purchase cards, on July 27 pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit an offense against the United States.
County to get $2M settlement from insurance company used by Greene
Buncombe County is one step closer to recouping the money it claims was misappropriated by former County Manager Wanda Greene and her son, Michael Greene, who served as a county employee until August 2017.
Trash charges on the rise in Buncombe
During their meeting on July 10, commissioners approved an increase in monthly Waste Pro rates and took the first step in their formal search for a new county manager.
County to consider firm for manager search, conduct hearing on Waste Pro rate bump
The next major step in the selection of a new county manager involves deciding whether to hire an executive search firm. That’s an issue commissioners will discuss during their meeting on Tuesday, July 10.
Letter: It takes a village to end homelessness
“The reason for this extraordinary housing retention rate is Homeward Bound doesn’t just put people in homes and forget about them; we provide ongoing support called case management.”
Four county fire departments fall short of requested funding
During their June 19 meeting, Buncombe County commissioners approved a 1-cent increase for the 11 fire districts that requested at least that amount from the county this year. The officials then picked through the requests to identify districts they believed deserved more than the 1-cent baseline.
County lowers property tax rate, approves interim manager
Two pivotal items on the board’s agenda were the approval of the FY 2019 budget and the appointment of an interim county manager after the sudden departure of former manager Mandy Stone.
Buncombe County singles out candidate for interim manager role
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will consider George Wood, who previously served as the county manager for Wayne and Lincoln counties, for the role of interim county manager during its meeting on Tuesday, June 19.
Buncombe County sues Greene, launches search for new manager
After the announcement that county manager Mandy Stone would be retiring effective July 1, Buncombe County is now in need of a new county manager. The government has also filed a lawsuit against former county manager Wanda Greene in an effort to recoup money it claims she misappropriated.
County approves GE incentives, launches new early childhood ed initiatives
Though breaking news about new Wanda Greene indictments made it hard for elected officials and members of the public to focus on anything else, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved $685,000 in incentives for a planned local investment by GE Aviation and announced two new early childhood education initiatives during its meeting on June 5.
County releases more details about alleged Greene insurance scheme
An indictment returned June 5 brings new charges against former Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene and alleges that she used $2.3 million of county money to purchase life insurance policies in her name as well as the names of her son Michael Greene, who worked for the county, and eight other county employees.
Letter: Progress was happening 40 years ago
“A letter in the May 2 edition credited the present district attorney with hiring the first black assistant DA. This is not accurate.”
Commissioners to consider smaller county budget
Tuesday, May 15 will mark the first opportunity for citizens to hear about Buncombe County’s proposed budget for FY 2019.
Fire chiefs ask county for $2.7M increase for retention, other needs
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners heard requests by 12 fire departments on May 8 to increase fire tax rates in their districts. If all the requests are approved, the county will spend an additional $2.7 million on fire service in the upcoming fiscal year.
Primary winners respond to election results
The primary election on May 8 produced a combination of expected and surprising victories. We talk to some of the local winners.
Commissioners require traffic study for sizable residential development projects
The county Board of Commissioners unanimously passed an amendment to the county’s zoning ordinance on Tuesday that will require developers seeking to build 75 or more residential units to also submit a traffic study with their application.
Commissioners to hear update on FY 2018 finances
As part of an ongoing push for transparency in the wake of allegations of fraud against former county manager Wanda Greene, the county Board of Commissioners will hear a presentation Tuesday about the state of the county’s FY 2017-18 finances.