The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners met on May 5 to recognize community services, approve several budget ordinances, adopt a resolution regarding healthcare engagement, and receive informational presentations.
The Board issued proclamations for National Nurses Week from May 6-12, Hurricane Preparedness Week from May 3-9, and Wildfire Preparedness Month in May. These proclamations highlight the importance of public health nurses and encourage residents to prepare for emergencies by signing up for BC Alerts, making emergency plans, and building supply kits.
Commissioners heard an annual update from the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment about its work on development ordinance variances and special use permits. The Trust for Public Land presented a feasibility study on voter-approved funding options for land conservation and affordable housing; no action was taken following this presentation.
During the meeting, County Manager Avril Pinder presented the recommended budget for fiscal year 2027. In new business, commissioners approved revisions to the Farmland Preservation Ordinance to comply with state statutes. They also accepted a $3.5 million grant from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service to support construction and demolition waste diversion projects in line with county strategic goals.
The Board approved several other budget amendments: $7.2 million was added to the Health, Employment, Property & Casualty Fund due to higher-than-projected claims; $533,079 was transferred for debt service obligations related to the Woodfin Project Development Financing; fourteen Special Projects Fund projects were closed out totaling $5.3 million with $206,000 reallocated toward conservation easements; an additional $1.5 million will be repurposed next year for economic development incentives and sustainability initiatives.
Commissioners adopted a resolution urging HCA leadership “to come to Western North Carolina and meet with elected officials, healthcare advocates, and other community leaders,” calling on HCA CEO Sam Hazen “to be accountable for HCA’s decisions at Mission Health” as well as participate in transparent dialogue aimed at long-term improvements throughout Mission Hospital and Mission Health system.
Academic readiness remains an ongoing concern within Buncombe County school districts: among seniors taking ACT tests during the 2022-23 school year, approximately 28% were considered college-ready in science while about 41% met reading benchmarks according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. For juniors tested that same year in those subjects readiness rates were slightly higher—30% in science and over 43% in reading according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 19.
