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.
Tag: Robert Pressley
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Suiting up: County files lawsuit against opioid industry
Last month, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved moving forward with litigation against the opioid industry and now it officially has a federal lawsuit against pain pill manufacturers and distributors.
No agenda: Newman stripped of procedural power
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a measure to strip the chair’s ability to shepherd items onto the agenda in favor of solely giving that procedural power to a group of three or more commissioners.
Commissioners sign off on economic incentive changes, more preschool space and opioid lawsuit
Buncombe County commissioners signed off on amending economic development incentives, expanding preschool offerings and moving forward with a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers.
Newman proposals stall as Dems split on renewable energy, county pay cuts
Commissioners voted down a resolution that would have Buncombe County move toward 100 percent renewable energy over the next decade amid concerns over specifics of the plan.
Take the money and run: Greene nets $500K payday over 6 months
Former Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene cashed out on a $500,000 payday for six months of work in 2017 and more than $1.6 million over the past four years.
Commissioners take aim at nepotism, workplace retaliation
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved changes to the county’s personnel ordinance that establishes a whistle blower hotline and providers more detailed language on immediate family members working together.
Buncombe opioid emergency cases rise 173%
The number of opioid-related hospital visits in Buncombe County is up 172 percent from the previous year and commissioners and looking to the courtroom for relief.
Raising questions: Past pay increases present puzzles
As questions swirl around an ongoing FBI probe into former Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene, some top officials are scrutinizing the results of a directive they say was meant to boost the earnings of the county’s lowest-paid employees.
Solar farm moves forward, rezoning stalls out
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners tapped Duke Energy for a solar farm project at the old county landfill and unanimously denied a rezoning request.
DA tech request sparks jail finance concerns
A budget amendment for iPads initiated a conversation about what programs funds from the county’s detention center commissary should go toward.
Commissioners OK early Sunday alcohol sales, punt on medical marijuana
Pre-noon alcohol sales in unincorporated parts of Buncombe County gain approval while pro-cannabis advocates urge commissioners to lean on state lawmakers for medicinal marijuana approval.
Phoning it in: Commissioners negotiate tax rate in private
Xpress takes a look at how Buncombe County commissioners set the tax rate during off-the-record phone calls and in-person meetings.
Unincorporated Sunday alcohol sales on hold; transfer station $1.5M over budget
Commissioners are looking to allow alcohol sales in unincorporated areas of the county. The law allows for restaurants and grocery stores to sell alcohol starting at 10 a.m. but does not allow for state-run ABC stores to open.
Buncombe OD calls on track to eclipse last year
Buncombe County staff presented commissioners with an update on opioid use on Tuesday, Aug. 1. Statistics from Buncombe EMS show some 520 responses to overdoses and poisonings in the first half of this year.
Fix it: Commissioners tell Mission, Blue Cross to end dispute
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.
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.
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.
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.