We were able to receive a good majority of votes cast in the Democratic Party primary and will now face my General Election opponent in the November 6, 2012 election. I appreciate your support of the message and direction our County Commission has been moving. I hope to continue supporting our core services of:
EDUCATION. Proper funding is critical in view of the budget cuts from other entities. We must make sure our students get the best education possible so they can fill good paying jobs of the future. Our teachers must be properly compensated for the key role they have in educating our children.
EMERGENCY SERVICES/LAW ENFORCEMENT. We have to provide the first line responders with proper equipment, training, and compensation. The new Public Safety training center located at the old landfill will help us train these employees in house with the skills they need to do their jobs.
HUMAN SERVICES. In these tough economic times, we must maintain the safety net for those in dire financial status. We must also try and provide an affordable housing option for residents who want to buy homes in our community.
JOB CREATION. While notable successes on new businesses and job opportunities have developed thanks to strategic economic incentives, we have to work even harder to continue finding new jobs for everyone who wants to work in Buncombe County.
I believe that we can achieve these goals by continuing to watch our budget and work hard to get more with less. I hope you can support me in my fall campaign to make this happen.
-David
Fiscal 2013 Budget In the Spotlight
At their May 15, 2012 meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners heard County Manager Wanda Greene’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year, which begins on July 1. It avoids any property tax increases or major cuts and proposes a roughly 1 percent increase in spending over last year. The board will hold a public hearing on the proposal at its next regularly scheduled meeting on June 5. (David gives his thoughts on the budget here.)
Commissioners also voted unanimously to pass a non–binding pledge to loan Mountain Housing Opportunities up to $2 million to fund Eagle Market Place, a proposed development near the corner of Eagle and South Market streets in downtown Asheville. The $12 million development would include the renovation of several neglected historic buildings and the construction of 60-70 affordable rental apartments, as well as retail, commercial and office space. Officials with Mountain Housing Opportunities said the promise from the commissioners would help the project have a better chance of coming to fruition by increasing the chances of securing housing tax credits through a program of the N.C. Housing Finance Agency.
In other business, the board instructed county staff to study a request from Waste Pro to allow it to raise garbage pickup rates, and it unanimously endorsed a 5–year County Sustainability Plan.
Continue reading to watch David’s video recap of the May 15 meeting. Read more…
Chairman Gantt comments at the May 1 Commission meeting (Mountain Xpress)
At their May 1, 2012 meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners heard a report on the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s secondary roads construction program. According to the presentation, DOT is planning to spend nearly $2.2 million on improvements to various roads in Buncombe County. The largest single project is $210,000 worth of shoulder widening, drainage upgrades and sight distance improvements planned for a 10 mile stretch of Old Fort and Chestnut Hill roads in Fairview.
In other business, Commissioners approved two rezoning requests from property owners and passed a resolution that empowers county staff to negotiate financial contracts for several already-approved capital projects.
In addition, Bill Eaker of the Land of Sky Regional Council was presented with the Buncombe Environmental Leadership Award and Sherriff Van Duncan presented several of his deputies with Medals of Honor for outstanding service to the community.
Energizing Buncombe County- With Trash
This Generator at the Buncombe County Landfill Converts Methane Gas into Electricity (Photo by Max Cooper)
During their April 3, 2012 meeting, the Board of Commissioners was updated on Buncombe County’s innovative landfill gas-to-energy project, which taps methane gas produced by decomposing trash and uses it to generate electricity.
The project began in 2010 with the installation of additional gas collection wells at the landfill and the new generator began producing electricity at full capacity this month. It is expected to produce 1.4 megawatts of electricity for the next several years, enough to power about 1,100 homes annually. The energy is sold through NC GreenPower.
In other business, a new campaign to prevent child abuse was introduced by Health and Human Services Department staff, and the commission also heard a presentation about the Robotics program at 4H.
Go to the next page for David’s video recap of the April 3rd meeting. Read more…
Initial Steps Taken to Build Two New Schools; Land Conservation Advisory Board Reports Progress
Asheville City Schools officials express their appreciation for the Commission's consideration of replacing two aging facilities
At its March 20, 2012 meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners took the initial action needed to build two new schools in the city of Asheville, voting 5–0 to borrow $2 million from the School Capital Commission Fund to pay for studies and architectural plans. If built, the new buildings would replace the aging structures that currently house Asheville Middle School and Isaac Dickson Elementary with a total cost of at least $60 million, according to estimates. County officials will develop a plan to pay back the initial $2 million loan from the School Capital Commission Fund (whose funding source is lottery and state sales tax revenue) and pay for construction of the new schools.
Board Chairman David Gantt told the Asheville Citizen-Times, “I think the feeling of our board is that we have worked hard to get the county schools up to standard and the city schools have started lagging behind. I think whatever board gets elected in November, they’re going to have to come to grips with the problems at these schools,” he said. “We’re going to make sure that all of the students at Buncombe County have decent facilities to go to school in and these schools have gone below a level we would like to see.”
Commissioners also heard a report from members of the Land Conservation Advisory Board. Since 2004, the amount of land that’s protected from development in Buncombe County has grown from roughly 12 percent to about 14 percent, according to the report. The land includes thousands of acres preserved through conservation easements as well as land that’s protected under national forest and watershed designations.
Continue to the next page to watch David’s recap of the March 20 meeting and to hear his thoughts on the importance of the actions taken. Read more…
The 2012 National Legislative Conference
David attended the NACo Legislative Conference sponsored by the National Association of Counties held in Washington, DC March 3rd through 7th. This annual meeting brings over 2,000 elected and appointed county officials from across the country to focus on legislative issues facing county government. Attendees hear from key Administration officials and members of Congress and are offered a myriad of additional educational opportunities addressing current and hot topic issues.
In addition to offering the opportunity for elected officials to meet with their county’s congressional representatives, numerous workshops are presented. David attended sessions on data analytics for public safety, taxation of internet purchases, and green jobs.
Continue to the next page to see David’s summary of the conference. Read more…
Focus on Jobs to Continue, Holding Tax Rate Steady
David and Commissioners Jones, Bailey, Peterson, and Stanley Look Over Their List of Priorities (Photo by Bill Rhodes, Mountain Xpress)
During their half-day retreat January 31, 2012, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners looked back at what they have achieved thus far, and looked forward to their goals for the future. They emphasized their efforts to bring jobs to the area, citing their involvement in the expansions of Arvato Digital Services in Weaverville and Ingles Markets in Black Mountain, plus bringing Linamar to Skyland through the use of incentives. Also highlighted were the implementation of the Parks, Greenways and Recreation Master Plan, building new schools, improvements at the landfill, and consolidating the Health and Social Services departments.
In addition to continuing their focus on jobs, top priorities for the future included work-force training, holding the tax rate steady, farmland preservation, school funding, and continuing public/private partnerships to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Commission Moves to Limit Light Pollution
Artist: David Cohen
At their January 17th meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners passed a new outdoor lighting ordinance designed to minimize light pollution and improve energy efficiency in unincorporated areas of the county. Commissioners amended the original Planning Board ordinance, incorporating stronger measures recommended by the Sierra Club and local environmental groups. The amendments:
1. Expand the ordinance applicability to include all types of new development except single family residential.
2. Restrict all new Dusk-to-Dawn security lights including single family residential.
3. Include a five-year sunset clause for all non-conforming Dusk-to Dawn security lights including single family residential.
4. Require that all non-conforming light fixtures be made compliant at the time of a renovation or replacement.
The Commissioners also approved a pair of grant applications for over $900,000 in state and federal funding that would go to Mountain Mobility transportation system. The grants would require roughly $166,000 in matching local funds. In addition, the Board heard a report by economic services program administrator Tom Rhodes on the county’s poverty prevention and management programs. He emphasized the county’s success working with outside partners such as ABCCM. In other business, a wellness incentive for county employees was approved.
To watch David’s video summary of the January 17 meeting and hear his thoughts on actions taken, Read more…
Commissioners Hear Initial Report on County Employee Compensation
The Buncombe County Commission met on January 10, 2012 in a continuation of the January 3rd session to hear the first report on the compensation package offered to county employees. Presenters were consultant Drake Maynard, county resource manager Lisa Eby, Social Services Director Mandy Stone, with additional comments by county manager Wanda Greene.
The county has budgeted $150,000 this year for a study of workforce compensation. The initial phase covers employees in health and human services. The study thus far has found that pay of health and human services employees in Buncombe County is in line with the salary and benefits of their counterparts in North Carolina’s 10 largest counties and that the county has saved money by raising pay, which reduced turnover rates and cut training costs.
More details are in the coverage from the Mountain Xpress and the Asheville Citizen-Times. Continue to the next page to hear David’s assessment of the meeting and of the reports that the Commission received. Read more…
Commission Votes to Rename Bridge After Fallen Fire Fighter
In their first meeting of 2012, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on January 3rd voted unanimously to request that the North Carolina Board of Transportation dedicate Asheville’s Smoky Park Bridge in Capt. Jeff Bowen’s honor. The move was supported by the Asheville Fire Department and the Buncombe County Fire Fighters Association. A 13-year veteran of the Asheville Fire Department, Bowen died on July 28, 2011 while working to put down a fire on the top floor of the Mission Hospitals building on Biltmore Ave.
The board also approved a rezoning request by Norris Max Clubb to allow for commercial development of a 1.27-acre tract located at 1910 US 70 Highway, just west of its intersection with Warren Wilson Road. County planning staff and the Planning Board recommended approving the request, noting in a report that surrounding land is already being used for commercial development.
Taken into consideration during the meeting was a report on the role of substance abuse and mental health problems among the inmate population at the Buncombe County Detention Center and
an “Economic Development Report” from Ben Teague, executive director of the Economic Development Coalition. He said the organization was more organized and working harder than ever before to create jobs in the area.
In addition, the Commission honored Buncombe County Library Director Ed Sheary for being named “Director of the Year” by the North Carolina Public Library Directors Association.
Continue to the next page to hear David’s thoughts on the January 3rd meeting. Read more…
Quarter-Cent Tax to Benefit AB Tech Made Official
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously at their Dec. 6 meeting to levy the quarter-cent sales-tax increase approved by voters to fund capital improvements at A-B Tech.
The sales tax will increase from 6.75 cents on the dollar to 7 cents as a result of commissioners’ action. The resolution levying the tax directs that all proceeds go to building needs at A-B Tech. According to AB Tech President Hank Dunn, the first project will be a 25,000-square-foot building that will offer training for law enforcement officers, firemen and emergency management workers. Work on that should begin by summer at an estimated cost of $5 million and take about a year. Read more…
Buncombe Voters Approve Quarter-Cent Sales Tax to Benefit AB Tech
David celebrates with other supporters of the AB Tech tax referendum after hearing that voters had approved the measure. (Photo by Erin Brethauer, Asheville Citizen-Times)
On Tuesday November 8 2011, Buncombe County voters approved a quarter-cent sales tax increase designed to provide millions of dollars for renovations and new buildings at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Voters approved the referendum by fewer than 500 votes — a 50.74 percent to 49.26 percent margin. More than 33,000 votes were cast, with countywide turnout less than 20 percent.
With the approval by voters, commissioners now must pass a resolution levying the tax and submit that to the state Department of Revenue. The county can begin collecting the tax April 1 of 2012. The one-quarter percent amounts to 2.5 cents on a $10 purchase in Buncombe County or 25 cents on $100.
The tax should generate about $130 million for AB tech over 17 years. About 30 percent of the money is expected to come from visitors to Buncombe County. Read more…
Veterans’ Issues Take Center Stage
The November 1, 2011 meeting of the Buncombe County Commissioners was originally planned to be a hearing of an appeal by Mills Gap Road Associates against the county inspector’s order that the old CTS building be demolished. The appeal was dropped on October 25th, however, so the commission turned to other business.
Kevin Turner, supervisor of Buncombe County Veterans Services, updated the board on the problems facing veterans in the county. He informed commissioners that Buncombe County has one of the highest veteran populations in the state, at over 21,000. Outlining some of the challenges that veterans face, Turner reported that an average of 18 vets commit suicide every day. The rate of suicide among vets is over twice the rate of the rest of the population. Also, 8 percent of the population are veterans, but 20 percent of the homeless population are veterans. Some estimate that up to 35 percent of the 2 million vets who served in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last decade could suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Read more…
County To Lease Enka Sports Fields to Local Non-Profit, Retaining Wall Rules Strengthened
From the 10/18/11 edition of the Asheville Citizen-Times:
A local nonprofit will get control of much of Buncombe County Sports Park in Enka under an agreement approved by the Buncombe County Commission, part of county government’s ongoing move to privatize some services. The county will save about $130,000 a year in maintenance costs by leasing seven fields at the popular park for $1 a year to Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association, according to county parks head Fran Thigpen.
The Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 (Commissioner K. Ray Bailey was absent) to approve in principle a five-year lease that shifts control of the fields and responsibility for their maintenance to Asheville-Buncombe Youth Soccer Association. It is likely to be in place by spring. Some details about access for other users have yet to be worked out. Commissioners David Gantt and Holly Jones said those involved should keep in mind the interests of users not affiliated with ABYSA as they work through those issues. Read more…
Vacation Rentals in Residential Areas OK’d by Commission
At its October 4th meeting, the Buncombe County Commission unanimously approved new rules allowing vacation rental homes throughout the county, including in residential areas. At the public hearing, supporters of the measure said that it would boost the economy and that vacation homes were allowed, without significant trouble, before the county implemented zoning in 2009. Opponents of the measure said it would open up residential neighborhoods to commercial activity.
At the meeting the commission also approved almost half a million in funds for a variety of affordable housing projects from local nonprofits, including home rehabilitation, housing location vouchers, homelessness prevention and work on Mountain Housing Opportunities Glen Rock Depot project. Read more…
