►
Description
This is a recording of the special meeting of the Board of Commissioners', Feb. 5, 2019
A
So
we
need
to
we
need
to.
We
need
to
have
two
different
motions.
The
first
is
to
make
the
appointment,
and
the
second
will
be
to
approve
the
contract
for
the
manager
position
and
to
authorize
the
chair
to
also
sign
it.
So
so
why
don't?
We
do
those
two
things
and
then
I
think
we'll
probably
all
want
to
say
a
few
things
about
the
new,
the
new
Buncombe
County
manager.
So.
B
A
A
A
C
C
Get
it
over
with
first
and
then
you
I
won't
have
to
worry
about
what
I'm
going
to
say
at
the
end,
because
I'll
say
the
same
thing
at
the
first
I
say
at
the
end.
Frankly,
I
was
a
little
bit
concerned
when
I
saw
the
special
notice
they
said
you
were
going
to
number
one
vote
on
the
county
commander
number
two
vote
on
the
contract.
C
What
you
all
are
doing
today
is
not
going
to
impact,
in
my
opinion,
of
that
individual,
but
I
think
you
have
given
that
County
manager
a
bad
foot
to
start
on,
because
I
heard
a
comment
on
the
radio
up
here
today
that
wasn't
that
the
same
commissioners
that
had
three
people
that
already
know
who
it's
going
to
be
that
was
made
on
the
radio,
so
I
think
you
need
to
recognize
that
fact
and
realize
what
I
said.
I
say
with
sincerity.
Thank
you
very
much.
All.
A
D
D
Make
sure
everyone
can
hear
this
was
a
long
thought-out
process
of
50-something
commish
applicants
correct
and
narrowed
down
to
ten
had
a
lot
of
great
ones
that
had
come
in
I
hope.
We've
made
the
right
decision,
we
don't
know
we
will
see
but
I'm
very
happy
with
the
decision
of
the
two
that
was
a
finalist
that
got
in
there.
D
The
only
concern
that
I
have
and
I'd
like
to
have
it
stated
record
that
it
was
a
tie
for
the
top
three
second
third
and
we
was
unable
to
bring
the
third
one
back
in
because
of
a
split
decision.
So
I
just
want
to
make
that
public
I
think
we've
done
very
good
at
what
we
had
of
the
two,
but
personally
I
wished.
We
could
have
brought
in
the
third
one,
but
throughout
it
we
lost
the
vote
and
only
got
two
back
in
I.
D
Think
we
owed
it
to
the
county
to
bring
in
experience
knowledge
and
to
take
off
from
where
we've
left
there's
a
big,
very
big
decision
we
had
to
make
and
the
last
time
we
brought
in
a
county
manager.
They
was
the
same
concerned
as
we
a
couple
had
this
time,
that
we
reacted
without
less
than
everything
and
I
did
not
want
to
make
that
mistake
again.
It
is
why
I
asked
for
the
third
one
and
we
did
not
get
it,
but
with
what
we
got
I
will
support
100%.
E
This
was
an
issue
when
you
have
a
time,
basically
in
a
ball
game
or
anything
else,
you
have
to
play
until
the
game's
over.
We
had
a
tie.
We
didn't
play
until
the
game
was
over
and
everal
I
respect
and
I'm
gonna
be
a
hundred
percent
behind
you
her
when
she
came
before
us
very
smart.
Lady
asked
us
good
questions.
You
know,
but
it
goes
back.
The
same
thing
we've
gone
through
this.
This
is
number
three
for
me.
E
You
know
and
well
for
because
we
got
George
over
here,
so
I
want
to
make
sure
that
we
do
it
right
for
the
county,
not
just
for
us,
you
know,
but
the
one
thing
I
have
to
say.
If
we
don't
get
back
to
where
we
were
or
out
back
as
a
Borden,
not
a
4-3,
not
a
three
to
four.
We
have
to
get
back
to
where
we
look
at
things
in
a
different
form.
Am
I
happy
that
you
know
I
went
through
some
issues
and
miss
April
and
another
person.
E
I
didn't
make
it
to
the
second
round,
but
the
second
round
was
not
a
second
round
without
the
third
person
and
but
I
will
be
about
100
percent
forward
in
that,
because
she's
had
a
lot
of
experience
as
she
being
a
county
manager.
You
know,
but
is
she
very
closed
and
understands
serious
from
what
she
brought
to
me
and
I
saw
in
the
chamber
I'm
very
comfortable
with
herself?
That's
that's
what
I
have
to
say
on
this
issue.
A
You
know,
sir,
you
put
your
time.
This
is
not
this
is
this
is
not
time
from
our
public
on
it.
It's
you're
out
of
order
and
I'll
ask
you
to
leave
if
you
continue.
Okay,
any
other
any
other
comments
from
commissioners.
Yes,
sir
I
will
not
throw
your
eye
on
ously.
Do
you
not
know
the
answer
to
that?
It
is
I.
Think
we
just
does
anybody
from
our
media
crew
know
that
so
I
don't
know.
B
Yeah
I'm,
going
to
I'm
going
to
comment,
yeah
I've
sent
through
a
lot
of
interviews
and
in
my
time
since
a
long
long
time
and
I
will
say
that
mr.
Pinner
stood
out
throughout
the
entire
process.
For
me,
the
way
she
handles
herself
publicly
the
way
she
handled
herself
under
pressure,
the
sincerity
with
with
with
which
the
questions
were
answered,
the
the
thought
process
in
answering
those
questions
and
the
depth
of
her
knowledge
was
impressive
to
me
and
I
and
I.
B
Also
like
the
the
fact
of
gaining
the
knowledge
of
New
Hanover
County,
a
New
Hanover
County
has
a
lot
to
offer
I
believe
to
Buncombe
County
as
far
as
some
of
their
processes
in
county
government,
so
I'm
excited
about
her
opportunity.
I'm
excited
about
her
being
here
and
I.
B
Just
put
you
to
bunch
of
pressure
which
I
know
you're,
okay
with
right
and-
and
she
looked
back
at
me
just
then
and
smiled
and
if
she-
and
if
you
encounter
her,
that's
what
she's
going
to
do
at
the
same
time,
she's
a
mama
and
and
I
think
she
behind
that
smile
is
some
strength
of
purpose
and
I.
Think
she
can
show
it
and
I,
don't
I,
don't
I,
don't
think
you'll
you'll.
Let
me
down-
or
anybody
in
this
room
with
the
knowledge
that
you
have.
Will
there
be
a
learning
curve?
B
Absolutely
anybody
that
steps
in
a
seat.
I
can't
imagine
the
learning,
but
I'm
excited
about
the
choice
that
we
get
to
make
tonight
and
it
is
a
choice
as,
as
commissioner
Presley
said
this
started
with
you
know
it
was
mind
boggling
in
the
amount
that
we
had,
but
then,
when
it
got
down
to
ten
it
got
very
serious
and-
and
we
we
all
dug
in
one
on
every
one
of
them
and
but
I'm
pleased
to
cast
my
vote
tonight
for
her.
F
You
know
for
me,
after
spending
40
years
of
reviewing
applications
and
looking
at
hiring
people,
the
one
thing
that
really
stuck
out
to
me
this
time.
I
didn't
want
to
make
the
same
mistake
that
we
made
before
with
Wanda's
retirement,
and
that
was
we
were
thinking
more
I,
think
about
settling
down.
You
know
keeping
everything
under
control,
then
we
were
about
really
qualifications
and
looking
at
what
we
were,
who
really
needed
going
forward.
But
this
time
I
know
personally,
I
took
the
time.
F
We
can't
be
just
concerned
on
doing
the
job
and
staying
where
we
are.
We
need
somebody
with
the
vision
to
look
ahead
and
to
care
us
where
we
need
to
be,
and
this
is
what
she
brings
at
all
candidates-
bring
that
to
the
table.
You
know
you
get
some
who,
when
they
look
at
Asheville,
this
is
the
last
stop.
They
want
to
come
here
to
retire
and
I've
gotten
caught
in
that
trap.
F
But
this
time
we
won't
I
feel
and
the
key
is
like
I
said
it
goes
back
to
qualifications
and
I
have
no
reservation
at
all.
In
voting
for
Miss
Pender.
To
be
our
next
county
manager
and
if
we
are
looking
at
qualifications
and
that's
what
we
should
be
doing,
it's
no
comparison
to
the
40
other
applicants
that
we
had
and
I'll
stake.
My
reputation
on
that
and
I
think.
F
G
This
was
one
test
that
I've
taken
very
seriously
as
your
newest
Commissioner
I
can't
tell
you
the
countless
hours
that
I
have
spent
reviewing
the
applications
reviewing
and
re
reviewing
and
mrs.
Pender
clearly
rose
to
the
top
each
and
every
time
I
reviewed
those
mrs.
Pender
is
going
to
be
tasked
with
serving
as
a
nonpartisan
professional
for
Buncombe
County,
who
charts
the
course
for
us
as
we
move
forward
under
her
leadership,
it's
a
new
day
in
Buncombe
County
I,
look
forward
to
mrs.
Pender,
serving
innovatively
professionally
with
transparency
and
integrity.
G
Thank
you
to
each
of
you
for
taking
time
to
be
here
today
for
this
important
vote
and
to
meeting
our
County
manager
after
the
vote.
I
then
ask
each
of
you,
as
our
community
members,
as
our
staff
of
Buncombe
County
and
my
colleagues
here,
to
join
us
in
working
together
with
mrs.
Pender
and
moving
us
forward
together.
Thank
you.
H
I
believe
brownie
will
be
sharing
some
of
miss
benders
ample
qualifications
for
this
position.
So
I
just
want
to
talk
briefly
about
the
process
has
got
us
here
and
then
some
specific
qualities,
miss
Panera,
has
demonstrated
in
her
career
and
through
the
application
process
that
make
me
so
excited
about
tonight's
vote.
I
I
found
the
search
process
to
be
exactly
what
we
described
when
we
voted
to
enter
into
a
national
search
process.
It
cast
a
broad
net.
Geographically,
it
cost
across
cast
a
broad
net
in
terms
of
the
types
of
candidates.
H
Significant
experience
in
some
of
the
policy
areas
that
were
focused
on
including
responding
the
opiate
crisis,
early
child
education
and
affordable
housing
just
make
her
a
really
excellent
fit
for
our
community
and,
as
Amanda
has
said,
I
think
as
others
have
referenced.
You
know
the.
We
must
not
make
the
mistake
of
approaching
any
leader
as
singular,
and
this
really
is
a
community
moment.
H
A
A
F
A
A
She
worked
as
an
accountant
in
the
private
sector
after
that,
in
1995,
until
2006
Avril
Pender
served
as
the
assistant
finance
director
and
Community
Development
Director
for
the
City
of
Jacksonville
North
Carolina,
where
she
worked
to
help
establish
a
community
loan
fund
to
help
start
and
grow
locally
owned
businesses
and
worked
closely
with
the
local
community
colleges
on
local
job
training
programs
and
helped
prepare
the
city's
annual
budgets
in
2006.
She
was
hired
by
New
Hanover
County
to
be
their
finance
director
and
after
six
years
in
that
role,
she
was
promoted
to
assistant
county
manager.
A
Her
responsibilities
included
her
management
responsibilities,
included
the
Community
Justice
Services
property
management
for
the
county,
information
technologies,
finance
tax
budget
and
Human
Resources.
Three
years
later,
she
was
further
promoted
to
the
position
of
deputy
county
manager
for
New
Hanover
County.
A
The
Buncombe
County
Commission
received
applicants
applications
for
many
well
qualified
and
talented
candidates
for
this
position.
We
enjoyed
meeting
many
of
them
and
talking
with
them
about
this
job.
After
a
lot
of
deliberation,
the
commissioners
decided
that
the
right
person
for
this
job
is
Avril
Pender.
In
addition
to
her
experience
and
credentials.
One
of
the
other
things
that
stood
out
about
her
is
her
enthusiasm
for
working
for
Buncombe
County
I'd
like
to
read
you
an
excerpt
from
the
letter
that
she
wrote
to
the
Buncombe
County
expressing
why
she
was
interested
in
this
position.
A
She
wrote
for
many
years.
I
have
admired
Buncombe
County
and
the
work
the
staff
have
produced
with
Buncombe
County's
similarities
to
New
Hanover
County.
My
staff
worked
with
bunkin
staff
to
learn
and
replicate
several
of
the
innovative
projects
in
New
Hanover.
Now
the
unfortunate
issues
that
have
occurred
have
tarnished
the
reputation
of
these
good
people.
I
want
to
use
my
financial
and
leadership
skills
that
I
have
honed
in
New
Hanover
County
to
help
rebuild
and
restore
Buncombe
County's
reputation
and
chart
a
new
path
forward.
A
I
am
specifically
interested
in
Buncombe
County,
because
it
gives
me
the
opportunity
to
lead
a
team
that
has
been
innovative
and
a
leader
in
the
state
for
many
years
and
selfishly
I
get
to
live
and
work
in
a
beautiful
and
progressive
community
overall
on
behalf
of
the
Buncombe
County
Commissioners
I
want
to
say,
welcome
to
Buncombe
County,
and
we
know
that
you
are
going
to
be
a
person
to
match
our
mountains.
Congratulations
on
this
position.
A
I
Evening,
chairman
Newman
vice
chairman,
Beach
Farah,
commissioners,
Belcher
Edwards,
friar,
Presley
and
Whiteside.
Thank
you.
It
is
a
privilege
and
an
honor
to
be
selected
to
serve
as
your
County
manager
I.
Thank
you
for
the
opportunity
and
I'm
looking
forward
to
working
with
all
of
you
and
our
staff
to
serve
the
community.
Bumpkin
County
has
a
talented
and
dedicated
team,
and
we
will
continue
to
overcome
any
challenge
that's
put
before
us.
Today
we
begin
anew.
We
will
work
to
rebuild
the
public's
trust.
I
We
will
continue
to
focus
on
delivering
on
our
strategic
priorities
to
make
Buncombe
the
blessed
place
to
work,
live
and
play.
We
will
begin
by
elevating
our
core
values
and
embedding
them
into
everything
that
we
do
at
every
level
of
the
organization
we
will
show
pride
in
our
work
exhibit
care
in
all
that
we
do
respect
others,
value
and
practice
honesty
and
exercise
responsibility.
We
will
serve
the
citizens
of
Buncombe
County,
but
the
exceptional
care
and
service
that
they
want
and
deserve.
I
When
we
do
these
things
consistently
in
every
interaction
internally
and
externally,
we
can
begin
to
regain
the
public's
trust.
My
goal
is
that,
with
every
contact
with
bumpkin
County
from
a
animal-control
to
Z,
zoning
and
everything
in
between
you
will
find
us
responsive
to
your
needs
ethical
in
our
behavior
and
easy
to
do
business
with
again
I.
Thank
you
I'm
very
grateful
for
this
opportunity.
I'm
excited
to
get
started.
A
Yeah
absolutely
so
we
are
gonna,
have
a
reception,
so
everyone
can
have
a
chance
to
meet
our
new
manager.
So
we're
gonna
adjourn
this
special
meeting,
we've
already
taken
care
of
the
two
pieces
of
business
that
we
needed
to
so
we're
gonna
adjourn
the
meeting
and
the
reception
is
in
the
the
room
right
next
door
to
us
here.
So
just
go
out
the
hall
and
hang
a
right.
A
So
please
feel
free
to
take
a
few
minutes
to
introduce
yourself
today
and
and
miss
Pinder
will
be
starting
as
the
new
county
manager
effective
on
March
the
4th
and
will
be
the
presiding
manager
at
our
meeting
on
the
first
meeting
and
March
the
following
day.
So
so
anyway,
please
please
extend
welcomes
and
thank
you
for
being
with
us
today,
and
so
this
meeting
is
adjourned
and
we
look
forward
to
working
with
you
on
this
next
exciting
phase
of
counties
work.
Thank
you.