As the deadline approaches for a contract between Mission Health and BlueCross and BlueShield of North Carolina to expire, Buncombe County commissioners are urging the two organizations to get a deal done.
Tag: Buncombe County
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Let’s get personnel: How Buncombe County employee salaries compare to state averages
Xpress takes a look at Buncombe County employee pay, benefits and retention in comparison to the rest of North Carolina.
BOA unanimously denies group home permit amid concerns
The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment unanimously denied a project asking for second conditional use permit. The project has raised concerns among many in the Ridgecrest community and is likely to still move forward with its original permit.
Commissioners get peek at debt transparency project, unpack budget process
Buncombe County commissioners heard a presentation about a new tool aimed at giving the public more insight on finances and talked about tweaking the budget talks in the future.
Asheville Art Talk: Photographer Elia Lehman looks to spread empathy with latest exhibit
‘Streets of Ashe,’ is a series of portraits by photographer Elia Lehman. Starting Friday, July 14, the work will be on display at Pink Dog Creative.
Debate over Asheville’s Confederate memorials continues
With the recent removal of Confederate monuments in New Orleans and other Southern cities capturing national headlines, local residents, historians and scholars once again turns their eyes to Asheville’s Confederate landmarks and what they symbolize to our community.
County pledges $4.2M to Lee Walker Heights, aims for 100% renewable energy
Buncombe County will pledge $4.2 million toward the redevelopment of Lee Walker Heights and consider trying to completely run on renewable energy by 2027.
Property tax rate up, nonprofit funding down as Buncombe commissioners close out budget
Taxes are going up as the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners signed off on a budget that includes a 2.6-cent property tax hike while lowering funding for some area nonprofits.
Board of Adjustment approves vacation complex, 17-home subdivision
The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment approved all the projects on its agenda during its meeting on Wednesday, June 15. A proposed 221-unit apartment complex on Overlook Road was also officially postponed to next month’s meeting.
Frustration mounts over proposed South Asheville development, construction in general
A conditional use permit hearing for a South Asheville apartment development originally set for next week has been pushed until July at the request of the developer.
Attorney General Josh Stein discusses opioid crisis in WNC
State Attorney General Josh Stein visited Asheville on June 6 to discuss the region’s efforts to combat the far-reaching effects of the opioid crisis. While not alone among North Carolina counties in dealing with drug abuse, overdoses and drug-related deaths, Buncombe County’s problem is significant, local representatives and Stein said.
Sales tax, solar farm deal change course; development frustrations arise
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners heard development frustrations from Ridgecrest and South Asheville residents ahead of approving measures to shift a sales tax and backtrack on a deal with Duke Energy.
County manager, commissioner chair: revenue-neutral tax rate unlikely
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.
Solar farm redo, sales tax diversion and budget on deck for commissioners
Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget, consider diverting the A-B Tech sales tax fund and discuss backing out of a deal with Duke Energy to conduct a solar farm feasibility study.
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.
Asheville and Buncombe County pay tribute to fallen veterans and emergency responders
Despite gray skies and sporadic rain showers, a crowd of more than 200 gathered in Pack Square Park on May 29 to pay tribute to fallen veterans and local emergency responders. Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Chair Brownie Newman and representatives from different branches of the military, as well as local police and fire departments, presented a wreath to honor the fallen.
Despite progress, concerns about the I-26 Connector persist
When the DOT finally decided on a design for Section B of the Connector project in 2015, many stakeholders thought they saw light at the end of a very long tunnel. Other residents, however, see serious flaws in Alternative 4B, questioning whether the project’s long-term benefits will justify the sacrifices their neighborhoods must make to see it completed.
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.
Tuesday History: Scoping out Asheville’s prospects in 1869
Take a look at Asheville’s people, population, climate, institutions, churches, wine making, factories, rent and faith in 1869.