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From YouTube: Board of Commissioners' Regular Meeting (May 18, 2021)
Description
Regular Meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners for May 18, 2021. To view the meeting agenda, previous meetings, or future meeting agendas, please visit buncombecounty.org/commissioners
A
B
B
B
Thank
you
all
again
for
being
with
us
this
evening,
I'd
like
to
ask
if
anyone
has
a
cell
phone
with
them
to
please
put
it
on
mute
or
to
turn
it
off,
and
also
I
wanted
to
announce
that
we
have
parking
validation
and
bus
passes
available
for
any
members
of
the
public
who
are
attending
the
commission
meeting
today,
you
can
have
your
parking
or
transit
passes,
validated
by
one
of
the
sheriff's
officers
who
is
with
us
this
evening,
it's
valid
for
today.
Only
let
me
read
the
ethics
reminder
to
the
board.
B
Is
there
any
item
on
the
agenda,
the
outcome
of
which
will
have
a
direct,
substantial
and
readily
identifiable
financial
impact
for
any
board?
Member?
Does
any
board
member
have
a
financial
interest
in
any
public
contract
coming
before
the
board
today,
there
being
none
all
board.
Members
have
a
duty
and
obligation
to
vote
on
any
matters
voted
on
by
the
board.
At
this
meeting
tonight,
commissioners,
we
now
come
to
the.
B
All
in
favor,
please
say
aye
any
opposed
all
right.
We
now
come
to
public
comment
and
we
have
several
members
who
are
going
to
share
their
comments
virtually
and
then
we
have
and
then
we'll
also
take
public
comment
from
folks
who
have
signed
up
at
the
meeting
and
are
we
doing
the
virtual
comments?
First,
we're
doing
in
person.
First.
B
B
Paper
on
my
desk
all
right
and
thank
you
all
for
everyone-
who's
taken
time
to
speak
to
the
board
this
evening.
You'll
have
three
minutes
to
address
the
board.
The
board
won't
respond
to
any
comments.
This
is
our
chance
to
listen
to
the
public
and
you'll
get
one
light
when
you
have
30
seconds
left
and
then
a
green
light.
When
your
time
is
up
and
please
respect
our
time
limits,
we
want
to
give
every
person
who's
here
an
equal
amount
of
time
to
address
the
board.
The
first
person
who
has
signed
up
is
carl
solsby.
E
Okay,
my
name
is
carl
solsby.
I
live
at
82,
west
oakview
road,
I'm
alastair's
general
contractor
I'll
hold
an
unlimited
classification
building
license
as
a
general
contractor,
I'm
here
tonight,
because
this
evening,
because
I
want
to
discuss
the
permitting
processes
and
the
changes
that
have
come
about
since
the
process
has
been
started
in
planning
and
zoning.
I
currently
have
a
project
underway,
which
is
I'm
a
small
builder.
I
build
on
a
small
scale.
I
purchased
a
piece
of
land
on
sand
hill
road,
I'm
building
six
houses
out
there.
I
started
in
2019.
E
There
are
a
lot
of
inconsistencies
of
things
that
have
happened
through
planning
and
zoning
that
caused
some
a
great
deal
of
confusion,
and
I'm
not
here
to
to
point
the
finger
I'm
here,
because
I
want
to
find
a
solution,
because
I
do
this
for
a
living
and
because
I
make
a
living
at
that
there's
three
things.
I
heard
a
man
say
one
time
and
he
worked
at
the
block
company
and
he
said
he
talked
to
a
builder
and
the
guy.
He
told
the
guy.
He
says
the
things
we
do.
E
He
says
the
three
things
we
look
at
that
we
have
to
consider
is
price
quality
and
service,
and
he
says
now
I'm
going
to
give
you
two
of
them
and
you
pick
them.
He
says
I
just
want
one,
but
I've
got
to
have
one,
and
so
I
kind
of
felt
like
that
was
a
reasonable
compromise,
and
so
here
today
I've
been
out
four
weeks
trying
to
get
a
building
permit
to
start
a
house
that
was
identified
in
a
minor
subdivision
application
on.
E
I
think
it
was
around
december
of
2019
and
it
may
have
been
early
2020
in
january,
but
it's
been
over
18
months,
and
so
the
process
went
from
the
time
that
I
first
applied
until
now
had
there's
been
a
transition
from
who
is
heading
up
the
process
and
at
the
onset
the
process
took
me.
I
could
go
to
the
inspections
and
permits
and
I
could
submit
my
application
and
within
three
maybe
three
and
a
half
days.
E
I
could
pick
up
the
permits
and
start
working.
I've
been
working
for
four
weeks,
four
weeks
to
try
and
begin
the
second
phase
of
an
application
that
I
originally
submitted
in
january.
Of
2020
and
that
same
application,
I
had
to
resubmit
because
it
was
in
two
phases
and
I
needed
to
watch
my
time
here.
So
what
I'm
going
to
ask
is,
I
would
ask
the
commissioners
and
my
wife,
as
I
walked
away
from
the
house.
E
She
said
that
doesn't
look
like
three
minutes
that
looks
like
three
hours,
and
so
you
know
I've
always
had
to
think
outside
the
box.
As
a
general
contractor
and
a
builder,
I
spent
20
25
years
in
the
masonry
business
prior
to
that,
and
so
you
got
to
think
outside
the
box
to
get
ahead
of
the
curve,
and
so
what
I
would
ask
you
is
for
an
opportunity
to
sit
down
with
the
commissioners
and
those
that
are
involved
in
this
to
seek
an
answer
to
solution
to
these
problems.
Mr.
B
E
F
The
first
concept
of
the
critical
race
theory
is:
there's
no
absolute
truth.
No
absolute
truth
that
gets
rid
of
god.
That
gets
rid
of
everything
that
a
lot
of
us
have
been
taught.
It
shows
only
competitive
narratives
and
it
says
the
lived
experiences
are
more
than
facts,
so
facts
don't
count.
So
what
they've
done
with
the
coronavirus
has
said?
We've
got
these
facts
that
don't
count
right.
It
has
to
be
competing
ideas.
F
Secondly,
individuals
are
either
an
oppressor
or
a
victim
you're,
predetermined
by
immutable
characteristics
such
as
race,
to
follow
in
either
category
culturally
is
defined
by
groups
exercising
power
over
each
other.
That's
not
what
culture
is
folks.
Culture
is
your
community
how
you
were
raised
every
one
of
you
up.
There
was
raised
differently.
F
F
F
Now
this
proposal
ruled,
if
it's
not
rejected
by
this
board,
will
end
up
being
taught
in
your
schools
and
if
you
look
at
the
leadership
in
asheville
and
the
leadership
in
this
room,
I
do
not
see
any
systemic
racism.
Do
you
and
I
think
you
all
know
what
I
mean
and
I've
got
58
seconds,
so
I
will
hope
I
have
time
to
do
this.
F
If
you
think
I'm
racist,
I
suggest
you
come
and
look
at
this.
I
was
an
elite
member
of
the
foundation
of
the
frederick
douglass
foundation
in
washington,
d.c,
and
I
gave
dr
timothy
johnson
almost
ten
thousand
dollars
in
three
years
to
get
that
organization
started
and
if
you've
never
read
frederick
douglass
and
his
quotes,
I
suggest
you
read
them
because
he
begged
lincoln.
F
Now,
I'm
going
to
use
a
term
that
was
acceptable
that
time
he
said
if
the
negro
succeeds,
let
him
succeed
on
his
own.
If
he
fails,
let
him
fail
on
his
own.
That's
the
words
out
of
the
mouth
of
frederick
douglass
and
by
a
lot
of
people
in
asheville
that
wanted
to
tear
down
the
defense
monument
getting
it
torn
down.
B
G
B
B
H
Good
evening,
commissioners,
my
name
is
rachel
bliss
and
I
live
downtown
asheville.
I,
as
well
am
opposed
to
the
five
million
dollar
proposal
to
fund
a
build,
a
20,
000
square
foot
building
for
a
b
tech.
I
have
nothing
against
a
b
tech.
I've
taken
classes
through
them
and
I
am
so
appreciative
of
the
good
rates
that
they
charge
and
the
good
teachers
that
they
have.
H
But
I
am
against
this
proposal.
That's
10,
I
mean
that's.
5
million
dollars,
add
that
to
the
27
million
and
all
together
so
far,
we're
giving
32
million
dollars
to
pratt
whitney
and
raytheon.
Raytheon
is
the
second
largest
arms
dealer
in
the
united
states,
what
they,
what
they
need
they
can
buy
on
their
own.
H
That's
also
10
times
more
than
you
provide
for
aging
services,
10
times
more
than
ag
profitability
and
sustainability
10
times
more
than
conservation,
easements
30
times
more
than
the
blue
horizons
project,
and
it's
about
as
much
as
what
you're
funding
for
mountain
mobility.
At
this
time,
it's
even
two
and
a
half
times
more
than
what
the
county
is
providing
for
affordable
housing.
H
It
seems
like
we're
immersed
in
a
banality
of
evil,
asheville
and
buncombe
county
are
the
only
areas
in
the
state
or
in
the
world
with
those
names
we
deserve
better.
We
deserve
leadership
that
will
show
the
world
that
we
are
peaceful
area,
and
I
appreciate
your
time
today
and
I
really
hope
you
can
reconsider
what
you
plan
to
do.
Thank
you.
I
Hello,
my
name
is
victoria,
I'm
from
south
asheville
commissioners.
Every
day
when
I
wake
up,
I
am
engulfed
with
anxiety
over
the
state
of
the
world,
climate
change,
ongoing
genocide,
the
housing
crisis
and
the
list
goes
on
each
day.
I
ask
myself
what
I
can
do
to
make
this
world
a
better
place,
and
I
set
out
just
to
do
that.
I'm
involved
in
over
five
organizations
that
I
volunteer
with
full-time
because
there
are
so
many
areas
of
our
world
that
need
advocacy,
especially
here
in
western
north
carolina.
I
Lately,
I've
been
seeing
a
lot
of
news
from
around
the
world,
showing
children
being
arrested,
bombed
and
losing
their
entire
families
in
one
fell
swoop.
I
am
seeing
people
all
over
the
world
struggle
for
liberation
from
oppression
and
my
hearts
are
with
them,
which
is
why
I'm
here
today
I
cannot
be
in
gaza,
palestine,
bolivia
or
any
of
the
other
countries
that
are
suffering
from
western
imperialism.
I
I
I
have
told
you
before
the
statistics
of
pratt
whitney
and
of
the
wars
that
we
find
in
the
middle
east,
so
I
won't
waste
my
breath
repeating
myself.
What
I
will
say
is
that
your
inaction
is
why
democracy
is
failing,
because,
as
we
all
know,
what
makes
democracy
work
is
the
people's
engagement
with
our
elected
officials
and
when
you
consistently
ignore
the
voices
of
the
people
that
you
are
sworn
to
represent.
You
are
spitting
in
the
face
of
democracy.
I
It
is
my
hope
that
your
children
grow
up
and
become
radicals
like
me.
Who
then
turn
and
ask
you
why
you
did
absolutely
nothing
to
address
climate
change
and
to
stop
the
endless
wars
and
mass
genocide
that
plagues
our
planet,
because,
as
I've
said
before,
the
military-industrial
complex
is
one
of
the
leading
causes
of
climate
change
pollution,
needless
death
and
the
over-inflated
military
budget,
which
keeps
people
in
america
from
having
the
things
that
truly
keep
us
safe
like
housing,
health
care,
union
jobs
and
clean
air
and
water?
I
And
on
top
of
this,
since
I
still
have
a
moment,
the
county
is
said
to
do
a
massive
tax
hike
using
the
pandemic
as
an
excuse,
your
assessors
have
way
overpriced
homes
in
black
communities,
particularly
south
side
and
burton
street.
Knowing
that
many
people
there
don't
have
lawyers
or
money
to
challenge
it.
The
result,
combined
with
the
city's
tax
hike,
will
be
a
major
hike
in
property
tax
bills
that
disproportionately
hits
black
communities.
I
K
Hi
grant
millen
long
time
buncombe
resident,
and
I
just
wanted
to
say
that
as
a
honorably
discharged
veteran
just
calling
what
the
military
does,
what
government
does
evil
and
this
the
genocide
machine
or
what
have
you
because
pratt
and
whitney
exists
and
they're
moving?
They
landed
here
in
buncombe
and
you're
going
to
incentivize
job
creation.
K
K
I
just
wanted
to
say
the
safety
and
justice
challenge
the
macarthur
safety
challenge
I
wanted
to
know
more
about
who
is
getting
which
non-profit
local
non-profits
are
getting
monies
from,
that
3.5
million
from
the
macarthur
safety
and
justice
challenge
grants
to
components
to
grant
components,
and
it's
an
accomplishment.
There's
a
big
number
there
too,
about
diverting
people
from
from
the
buncombe
county
jail,
and
we
should
know
what
that
number
is.
K
The
web
page
is
informative
and
I
looked
at
the
budget
expenditures
there,
but
more
focus
needs
to
be
is
needed,
I'm
applying
for
the
safety
and
justice
community
engagement,
work
group
I
was
part
of
the
city
of
asheville
community
engagement
academy
and
that
went
fairly
well
in
the
safety
and
justice
challenge.
There's
a
component
about
persons
with
disabilities
and
I
will
bring
that
up
later.
You
don't
mention
persons
with
develop
disabilities,
but
we
should,
because
that's
a
bottleneck
actually
in
that
component.
K
J
L
Evening,
my
name
is
james
fulton
I
live
in
arden.
I'd
always
assume
that
when
we
elect
public
officials
that
we
can
expect
that
they
will
represent
the
interests
and
values
of
the
citizenry
while
administering
the
levers
of
government.
However,
you
are
not
representing
many
of
my
values
and
instead
seem
determined
to
do
whatever
socialist
and
ultra-liberal
activists
want
done.
I
only
recently
began
attending
these
meetings
after
coming
to
believe
that
your
agenda
is
not
merely
left-leaning
but
is
instead
fairly
radical
in
its
focus
and
execution.
L
I'm
here
to
begin
raising
my
voice
against
the
lack
of
accountability
and
fiscal
responsibility
that
I
fear
is
overtaking
county
government.
I
would
love
for
you
to
prove
me
wrong,
because
I
have
my
own
full-time
job
to
do.
I
and
others
have
asked
about
what
evidence
was
gathered
to
demonstrate
a
need
for
the
ndo
that
you
shoved
through
this
committee
last
month,
just
in
time
for
gay
pride
month
and
juneteenth.
L
L
This
evening,
buncombe
county
manager
has
requested
guidance
from
the
commissioners
on
a
letter
of
support
for
a
refugee
resettlement
program.
I'm
not
opposed
to
the
idea
of
resettling
refugees
here,
however,
there
are
some
obvious
questions
that
should
be
asked
in
my
opinion,
before
we
jump
into
a
new
or
continuing
commitment.
L
M
Sorry
hi,
my
name
is
joe
scott,
I'm
from
black
mountain.
I
just
my
name
is
jill
scott
from
black
mountain.
I
just
wanted
to
express
the
commissioners
thanks
for
letting
me
speak,
I'm
here
to
speak
on
behalf
or
you
know,
to
tell
you
how
a
wonderful
asset,
the
black
mountain
library
is
to
the
community.
M
One
of
the
main
reasons
is
that
is
a
walk
to
or
bike
to
destination,
and
I
would
hope
in
your
future
plans
that
you
renovate
rather
than
relocate
the
library.
It
really
is
a
wonderful
place.
It
serves
the
community
of
black
mountain
and
the
citizens
of
black
mountain.
So
well,
and
you
don't
have
to
get
in
your
car
to
go.
M
J
D
D
The
27
million
dollar
tax
rebate
must
have
seemed
an
easy
decision,
for
you
had
to
do
it
or
they
wouldn't
come,
and
we
need
them
to
come
because
you
know
they
promise
jobs.
Jobs
mean
money.
Jobs
are
the
currency
that
you
bank,
on
for
approval
and
for
looking
the
other
way
away
from
climate
change
away
from
war
emergencies
away
from
polluting
our
own
water.
D
D
D
J
N
Thank
you
and
good
evening,
commissioners.
Thank
you
for
providing
this
opportunity
for
comment.
I
am
a
resident
of
swannanoa
and
I'm
a
lifetime
educator
and
as
a
lifetime
educator
in
pub
in
the
public
sphere.
I
and
I
am
a
strong
supporter
of
public
support
of
education,
but
and
I'm
actually
a
supporter
of
universities
like
av
tech,
but
I'm
here
to
express
my
opposition
to
giving
an
additional
additional
money
to
support
the
pratt
and
whitney
factory
that
is
coming
here.
N
As
a
previous
caller
or
a
previous
commenter
said
pratt
and
whitney
doesn't
need
our
money
pratt
and
whitney
annually.
Their
revenue
is
14
and
a
half
billion
dollars,
and
in
the
last
two
years
they
have
received
almost
10
billion
dollars
in
defense
contracts
from
the
federal
government,
which
is
our
tax
money
as
well.
N
So
federal
money
comes
to
pratt
and
whitney
state
money's
coming
to
pratt
and
whitney
county
money's
coming
to
pratt
and
whitney
and
foundation
money's
coming
to
pratt
whitney
for
them
to
build
the
plant.
And
now
you
want
to
put
aside
five
abil
five
million
more
dollars
to
support
the
the
building
of
the
facility
for
a
b
tech,
and
I
wonder
what
pratt
and
whitney's
giving
us.
I
certainly
know
that
jobs,
jobs,
jobs,
is
what
this
the
deal
is
about.
N
It
seems
like
they
aren't
giving
the
community
anything
except
the
800,
potentially
800
jobs
and,
of
course,
the
coattail
industries
that
they
might
bring,
but
I'm
tired
of
corporations
asking
for
handouts
and
not
really
being
partners
in
the
community
to
give
give
back
to
us.
So
thank
you
very
much
for
your
time.
O
So
I'm
excited
to
be
chosen
for
this
incredible
opportunity
with
the
hunt
institute
and
I
hope,
to
learn
best
practices
and
new
approaches
for
shaping
effective
public
education
policy
that
meets
individual
and
community
needs
and
looking
forward
to
sharing
more
of
that
with
you
all.
As
I
proceed
beginning
in
july.
M
B
All
right
avril
were
there
any
other
items
to
share
under
good
news.
Okay,
all
right!
Next,
we
come
to.
We
have
several
presentations
and
the
first
is
going
to
be
an
update
from
the
greater
asheville
regional
airport
authority
and
sharing
their
annual
report
and
lou
blyweis.
The
director
of
the
asheville
airport
is
here
with
us
to
share
it.
Thank
you
for
being
with
us
good
to
see
you.
P
P
Unfortunately,
that
was
down
56
point
or
56
percent
seats
in
the
market
again
because
of
covert
were
down
total
of
624
426,
which
was
down.
40
percent
operations
from
an
airline
side
were
16
856,
which
is
down
31,
and
our
general
aviation
and
military
was
at
41
348,
which
was
down
18
construction
on
the
airport.
P
P
We
did
commission
our
runway
after
a
lengthy
delay
and
that
was
commissioned
on
november
5th.
The
project
should
wrap
up
by
us
converting
the
temporary
runway
back
to
a
permanent
taxiway,
and
that
should
be
done
by
mid-summer
and
then,
of
course,
we
purchased
the
broadmoor
golf
course
in
august,
at
a
price
of
2.75
million
dollars.
Last
big
project,
that's
underway,
is
our
terminal
project.
We
started
that
last
year
we
had
numerous
public
hearings
and
or
public
meetings
to
get
input.
P
We
had
over
4
000
solicitations
from
the
general
public
on
what
western
north
carolina
means
to
us
and
to
you,
and
we
have
been
able
to
incorporate
that
into
our
design.
We
have
completed
the
conceptual
design
of
that
terminal,
building
working
on
schematic
and
interior
design.
Now
we
hope
to
start
ancillary
construction.
This
fall
with
the
terminal
construction
actually
taking
place
next
summer.
P
Lastly,
on
a
funding
and
a
construction
process,
we
have
received
close
to
28
million
dollars
in
different
in
in
the
three
different
cares
act,
funding
that
has
helped
us
with
projects
and
operations.
Throughout
this
pandemic,
the
only
one
community
project
or
outreach
that
we
were
able
to
do
last
year
was
in
january,
and
that
was
our
wings
for
autism
program.
Unfortunately,
everything
else
because
of
covert
was
put
on
hold
from
a
financial
standpoint.
P
Our
operating
revenue
for
the
year
was
9.6
million
dollars.
Our
operating
expenses
were
9.2
million
dollars.
So
even
during
covent
and
a
downturn
that
I
mentioned
with
our
passengers,
we
were
able
to
make
a
four
hundred
thousand
dollar
net
revenue
profit,
and
that
was
the
lowest
in
the
history
of
the
airport
that
I
have
been
there
in
the
past
thirteen
years.
B
B
B
All
right,
commissioners:
next
up,
we
are
going
to
have
a
proclamation
recognizing
foster
care
month
and
commissioner
jasmine
beach.
Ferrara
is
going
to
read
the
proclamation,
and
I
think
we
have
a
couple
of
folks
from
health
and
human
services
who
are
here
to
receive
it
and
maybe
share
a
few
words
as
well.
Q
A
R
R
Laura
hartschern
is
a
foster
mom
who
has
a
home
for
teenagers,
which
is
a
difficult
task
and
just
like
a
baby
teens
need
the
security
of
knowing
that
someone
is
there
for
them,
no
matter
the
circumstances
and
to
celebrate
their
achievements.
Laura
is
one
of
the
few
foster
parents
who
takes
on
the
challenge
of
fostering
young
adults,
and
she
does
so
with
an
open
and
cheerful
heart.
When
asked
why
laura
loves
fostering
teens,
she
says
the
transition
to
adulthood
is
greatly
impacted
by
how
our
toolbox
becomes
as
teenagers.
R
R
Miss
sarita
holloway
has
been
a
foster
parent
for
buncombe
county
since
2008.
for
13
years,
she's
responded
to
buncombe
county's,
most
hurt
and
traumatized
teen
she's,
a
single
mother
who
has
handled
some
of
the
most
difficult
teen
behaviors
with
ease,
even
though
she
worked
a
full-time
job
in
the
healthcare
field.
She
welcomed
as
many
as
four
teams
at
a
time
into
her
home.
Sarita's
philosophy
in
fostering
is
to
treat
teens
with
respect,
and
she
in
turn
inspires
them
to
give
the
same
respect.
She
has
a
firm
no-nonsense
parenting
style.
R
She
is
loving
enough
to
embrace
them
when
they
are
hurting
but
provide
strict
guidance
and
discipline
when
needed.
Sarita
has
also
inspired
her
grown
son
anthony
to
become
a
single
foster,
dad
also
licensed
with
our
agency.
Her
daughter
ariel
works
in
partnership
with
her
as
a
support
to
the
teens
in
her
home,
and
she
has
truly
spurred
a
legacy
of
fostering
within
her
own
family
for
generations
to
come.
R
Nicole,
montgomery
has
been
licensed
with
our
agency
for
the
last
10
years.
During
that
time,
she's
adopted
a
child
and
provided
respite
care
and
long-term
placement
for
many
children.
Nicole,
does
a
great
job
of
working
with
birth
families
and
has
successfully
helped
six
children
transition
back
to
their
birth
families
or
to
live
with
other
family
members.
Nicole,
is
very
nurturing
and
always
has
a
positive
attitude
and
is
a
true
asset
to
our
organization,
ashley
and
brian
moore.
R
This
family
fostered
an
infant
child
for
two
years
and
helped
her
reunify
with
her
parents.
They
have
the
ideal
qualities
for
fostering
children,
reliability
and
understanding
of
trauma
and
developmental
needs.
Knowing
the
importance
of
co-parenting
with
birth
parents,
strong
communication
skills,
good
boundaries
and
resilience
buncombe
county
dhhs
is
honored
to
have
them
be
part
of
our
fostering
community,
miss
jenny
white
for
two
years:
jenny
and
her
mother
belinda,
provided
a
stable
and
loving
home
for
a
gifted
and
talented
little
girl.
R
The
two
worked
together
to
give
her
family
experiences
and
attention
she
so
craved
and
found
great
joy
in
completing
craft
projects
and
puzzles
together,
as
well
as
trying
their
hand
at
new
and
exciting
recipes.
They
collectively
collectively
cultivated
her
many
natural
talents
and
abilities
and
devoted
even
more
time
and
attention
to
building
her
self-confidence
and
positive
sense
of
self
jenny,
fiercely
advocated
for
her
needs,
ensuring
that
she
received
the
best
education
and
extracurricular
opportunities,
the
best
services
and,
finally,
the
best
forever
family
possible.
R
Her
successes
were
also
jenny's
successes
and
jenny
would
beam
with
pride
when
she
shared
even
the
smallest
update
with
the
team,
though
it
is
sad
to
see
her
leave
their
home.
Jenny
and
belinda
have
experienced
immeasurable
joy
in
watching
the
relationship
between
their
foster
daughter
and
her
pre-adoptive
family
blossom
and
grow
strong
licensed
families
such
as
jenny,
with
supports,
like
her
mom,
are
an
asset
to
buncombe
county
and
the
community
as
a
whole.
We
are
honored
to
know
them
and
work
alongside
them
in
the
vein
of
fostering
communities
and
maybe
a
few
days
late.
B
B
B
B
T
T
I
am
happy
to
report
that,
under
your
leadership,
we
implemented
early
intervention
strategies
that
prove
effective
in
our
response
to
the
virus,
along
with
federal
and
state
and
federal
and
state
aid.
Our
economy
was
not
as
severely
impacted
as
we
projected
our
sales
taxes
have
rebounded
and
our
property
tax
collection
rate
was
higher
than
anticipated.
T
T
T
T
In
honoring
our
commitment
to
transparency,
we
held
work
sessions
or
briefings
each
month
as
we
developed
and
explored
in
depth
every
aspect
of
this
recommended
spending
plan.
The
public
hearing
on
the
recommended
budget
is
scheduled
for
june
1st.
This
is
join
your
regular
border
commissioners
meeting.
T
The
strategic
plan
has
four
community
focus
areas
and
three
foundational
areas,
and
these
areas
continue
to
guide
our
work
and
has
been
our
focus
as
we
developed
and
prepared
the
fiscal
year.
2022
budget
departments
additionally
began
to
align
their
work
to
advance
the
goals
of
the
strategic
plan
by
developing
departmental
goals
that
support
the
focus
areas
of
the
plan.
T
As
stated,
staff
has
worked
to
focus
our
efforts
on
further
the
goals
and
initiatives
of
the
strategic
plan.
The
graph
provides
a
breakdown
as
to
how
the
general
fund
budget
is
represented
across
the
community
focus
areas,
as
well
as
the
foundational
areas,
residents,
well-being
and
educated,
capable
communities
make
up.
T
This
represents
2.8
percent
growth
for
a
b
tech
and
three
percent
growth
for
both
asheville
city
and
buncombe
city
schools,
buncombe,
county
schools,
our
early
childhood
education
and
development
funding
is
recommended
at
3.75
million
dollars,
and
this
includes
a
two
percent
growth
that
is
required
by
the
enabling
resolution
in
our
environment
and
steward
energy
storage
at
focus
area.
I'm
recommending
1.3
million
dollars
for
alternatively
fuel
vehicles.
T
This
represents
74
percent
of
the
vehicles
eligible
for
replacement
this
year
and
750
000
for
conservation
easements,
equating
to
19
easements
for
next
year
in
our
resident
well-being
focus
area,
I'm
recommending
the
continuation
of
the
community
very
medicine
program.
The
grant
that
funded
this
pilot
phase
of
this
program
ends
in
december.
T
I'm
recommending
241
thousand
dollars
in
investment
needed
to
fund
this
program
through
the
remain
of
the
fiscal
year
in
the
vibrant
economy
focus
area.
We
continue
our
commitment
to
economic
development
at
4.5
million
and
our
support
of
affordable
housing
at
2.3
million
dollars
in
the
foundational
focus
areas
of
equity,
operational
excellence
and
resources.
T
T
I'm
recommending
an
equity
office
position
to
ensure
the
successful
pursuit
of
our
equity
oriented
goals,
one
position
as
an
election
training
specialist
for
emergency
services,
one
new
training
officer,
one
new
fire
marshal
and
the
four
community
paramedics
positioned
that
are
continued.
When
the
grant
expires
in
december,
these
positions
will
become
effective
january
of
2022.
T
one
finance
accounting
position,
one
internal
auditor
in
legal
and
risk
one,
administrative
support
position:
nine,
part-time
library,
assistance
positions
in
planning,
one
code
enforcement
officer
and
one
community
development
analyst
to
support,
affordable
housing.
This
position
will
be
effective
january
of
2022
for
pre-trial
release.
One
full
time
and
two
part-time
screener
positions:
these
are
continuation
positions
when
the
safety
and
justice
challenge
grant
that
are
funding
these
positions
expire
in
january
of
2022,
and
the
last
position
in
the
general
fund
is
in
a
tax
office
as
an
assessment
clerk
in
solid
waste.
T
T
The
general
fund
comparison
for
2022,
recommended
to
fy
2221
amended,
shows
a
5
growth
in
revenues
and
a
3
percent
growth
in
expenditures
and
a
corresponding
reduction
in
our
in
the
appropriated
fund
balance
for
2021
year.
Rent
projected
fund
balance
minimum
of
the
50
15
is
50.1
million
dollars.
With
a
2022
appropriated
fund
balance
of
8.9
million.
T
T
T
T
I
am
recommending
7.3
million
for
av
tech,
which
is
2.8
increase
over
fy21,
and
this
is
their
full
request
for
k-12
schools.
I'm
recommended
a
total
of
84.9
million
at
the
average
daily
membership
share.
This
provides
13.1
million
to
asheville
city
schools
and
71.9
million
to
buncombe
county
schools.
T
T
Two
of
those
amounts
we
know,
and
there
are
their
retirement
and
health
insurance
increases
and
two
depends
on
the
state
budget.
This
recommended
amount
covers
the
known
expenses,
that
of
retirement
and
health
care.
After
the
state
sets
the
amount
of
salaries
we
can
revisit
those
other
two
items
at
that
time.
B
A
A
T
Capital
projects
and
I.t
projects,
we
had
a
capital
review
team
that
made
recommendations
that
reviewed
every
project
was
that
was
provided
for
for
my
departments
and
in
the
general
fund.
I'm
recommending
the
following
projects:
these
are
the
debt
funded
projects
first
and
then
I
will
talk
about
paygo.
T
This
was
recommended
by
the
facility
study
and
this
will
be
covered
from
existing
debt
and
excess
2015
debt
proceeds,
the
recommended
peso
projects
for
capital
and
information
technologies,
total
4.175
million
and
they're
outlined
here.
I
will
point
out
that
we
will
continue
our
vehicle
replacement
for
the
emergency
services
and
the
sheriff's
office.
T
As
is
required
for
the
budget
cycle
following
a
tax
reappraisal
year,
the
revenue
neutral
tax
rate
is
calculated
for
the
county
property
tax
rate,
as
well
as
each
of
the
taxing
districts
under
the
county.
Scope
of
the
responsibility
rates
are
listed
here
of
these
districts.
Nine
are
recommended
at
revenue,
neutral
and
12
are
recommended
above
revenue
neutral
range.
In
point
from
point,
seven
of
a
cent
to
two
point:
three
2.39.
T
T
B
U
U
U
U
U
The
zoning
includes
neighborhood
service
on
three
of
the
parcels
and
r1
on
one
parcel
with
adjacent
districts,
including
r1
and
commercial
service.
Zoning.
This
application
seeks
to
rezone
all
four
of
the
parcels
to
cs
commercial
service
staff
does
not
have
concerns
about
spot.
Zoning.
Excuse
me,
as
a
result
of
the
adjacent
commercial
service
district
to
the
west
and
the
inclusion
of
multiple
parcels
in
the
request
and
the
intent
of
commercial
service,
zoning
is
to
provide
locations
for
clustered
commercial
development
in
areas
with
access
to
major
traffic
arteries
and
where
public,
water
and
sewer
are
expected.
U
U
So
this
rezoning
request
meets
the
goals
of
the
land
use
plan
and
of
the
strategic
plan
as
it's
located
along
a
major
transportation
corridor
is
in
close
proximity
to
public
infrastructure
and
is
outside
of
sensitive
environmental
areas.
Staff
recommends
approval
of
the
application
to
rezone
the
properties.
U
B
U
B
W
I
W
Well,
I
am
here
comes
here:
we
go
okay,
my
name
is
bob
ost,
I'm
with
the
law
firm
of
mcguire
wooden
visit
here
in
town
and
I'm
I
I'm
here
representing
the
applicant
kane
investment
group.
Tim
kaine
is
not
here
in
person.
He
is
watching
the
meeting
and
he's
available
by
cell
phone
if
we
need
him
to
answer
any
questions,
but
I
hope
that
I
can
answer
the
questions
that
you
have.
I
want
to
share.
I
want
to
thank
shannon
the
planning
staff
for
their
analysis
and
presentation.
W
W
W
But
if,
unless
it's
rezoned,
mr
kane
is
faced
with
the
with
the
prospect
of
not
being
able
to
upgrade
this
facility,
and
so
one
of
the
reasons
for
this
request
is
to
eliminate
this
non-conformity
and
allow
for
investment
in
the
allow
for
investment.
The
current
use,
improve
it,
and
another
reason
for
the
rezoning
request
is
to
make
it
consistent
with
other
zoning
in
the
area
which,
as
you
saw
from
the
display
of
the
zoning
map
is
is,
is,
is
a
lot
of
it's.
W
W
These
are
on
the
on.
The
left.
Here
is
a
photograph
looking
east
toward
asheville,
and
you
see
there
the
the
the
undeveloped
lots
to
the
east
of
this
facility
and
and
the
first
one
belongs
to
judith,
sharp
or
judith
mcelrath,
and
the
next
one
down
belongs
to
the
cochrane
family
on
the
on.
The
right
here
is
the
is
the
is.
The
lumber
yard
is
really
a
logging
operation,
that
is,
that
is
directly
adjacent
to
the
property
on
the
west.
W
C
W
Near
the
property
we're
we're
seeking
to
have
rezoned
what
you
see
here
are
photographs
that
were
taken
from
the
residential
area.
Up
behind
this,
the
the
on
the
on
the
left
is
a
is
a
photograph
of
the
back
side
of
the
self
storage
facility,
and
you
can
see
there.
There
is
a
that.
There's
a
grade
separation
and
and
when
and
and
when
this
property
is
redeveloped
because
of
the
differences
in
zoning
there'll
be
there'll,
be
a
required
buffer
between
the
the
residential
property
and
the
commercial
use.
W
W
B
U
B
I'll
take
a
stab
at
it.
Okay,
all
right.
I'm
going
to
make
a
motion
to
approve
the
rezoning
to
commercial
services,
see
the
cs:
zoning
designation,
finding
that
the
request
is
consistent
with
the
county's
comprehensive
land
use
plan,
including
the
fact
that
it
is
reasonably
approximate
to
major
transportation
corridors
prox
its
proximity
to
infrastructure,
including
water
and
sewer
service,
is
outside
of
steep
slope
areas
outside
of
high
elevation
areas,
and
so,
for
those
reasons
I'm
supporting
the
motion
is
there.
B
T
V
How
would
we
continue
to
work
directly
with
the
public
contribute
to
our
new
strategic
goals
and
how
and
where
would
we
even
work
in
the
face
of
the
health
and
social
distancing
difficulties
of
covet
19.?
The
answer
to
these
questions
came
from
the
ingenuity
of
our
hard-working
county
staff.
Our
ability
to
adapt
quickly
to
come
up
with
new
ideas
to
innovate,
our
workflows.
V
Y
2020
was
a
big
year
here
at
election
services.
During
the
largest
election
in
american
history,
we
had
to
learn
to
build
virtual
settings
for
poll
worker
training
and
board
meetings,
create
safe
spaces
for
in-person
voting
and
make
a
major
shift
towards
absentee
voting
everything
we
did.
We
had
to
figure
out
a
new
way
to
do
it
and
I'm
proud
to
say.
Buncombe
county
ran
a
smooth
election
with
no
cobit
outbreaks
code.
Z
19
completely
changed
the
landscape
and
priorities
around
how
information
technology
conducted
its
duties.
Not
only
were
we
continuing
to
provide
our
high
level
of
support
to
the
departments
and
emergency
services
for
the
community,
but
we
had
to
create
new
virtual
environments
for
public
and
interdepartmental
interactions,
facilitate
additional
hardware,
software
and
infrastructure,
while
also
supporting
and
engineering
solutions
for
our
emergency
operations
center
in
person
and
virtually
it's.
AB
During
the
pandemic,
the
recreation
services
team
maintained
essential
daily
roles,
while
volunteering
to
learn
how
to
drive
ambulances
answer
911
calls
distribute
food
and
vaccines
and
work
in
the
county's
emergency
operations
center.
This
year
has
proven
that
providing
safe,
equitable,
accessible
parks
is
essential
for
our
community's
resiliency
wellness
and
prosperity.
AC
AD
Setting
since
we
remained
operating
basically
as
normal
managing
inspections
department
through
the
pandemic
was
a
huge
challenge,
as
you
would
expect,
there
were
a
lot
of
anxieties
on
behalf
of
staff,
so
the
first
thing
we
had
to
do
was
create
a
work
environment
in
which
they
felt
safe
and
their
concerns
were
being
listened
to
and
addressed.
It.
C
Here
at
tax
assessment,
not
only
did
we
have
a
revaluation,
we
had
to
conduct
it
during
covid,
which
brought
a
lot
of
new
issues
and
challenges
for
us
here
in
the
tax
assessment
office.
I
think
we
adapted
well.
We
still
provided
a
high
level
of
service
to
the
community
and
we
had
a
successful
reappraisal.
AF
AG
Last
fiscal
year
has
been
one
like
no
other.
The
only
analogy
I
can
think
of
is
it
was
like
a
major
major
storm,
one
that
we
weathered.
It
did
have
impacts
on
our
community.
In
so
many
ways
it
threatened
the
health
of
our
community.
It
threatened
the
economic
security
of
our
community
and
it
threatened
the
emotional
and
behavioral
well-being
of
our
community.
V
Buncombe
county
is
proud
of
all
of
its
hard-working
staff,
proud
of
the
way
we
were
able
to
continue
providing
our
high
level
of
services
during
difficult,
mentally
and
physically
exhausting
times.
Thank
you
to
the
board
of
commissioners
for
continuing
to
support
this
excellent
workforce,
and
thank
you
for
your
leadership
and
guidance.
This
past
year
here
is
to
2022
buncombe
county.
T
Thanks
max
and
thank
you,
commissioners,
that
was
well
said,
the
staff
did
a
fantastic
job.
It
was
your
leadership
that
really
made
the
difference.
So
thank
you
for
that
and
with
that
video
there's
a
couple
of
items.
This
is
emergency
management
services
appreciation
week.
So
I
do
want
to
take
a
moment,
especially
when
you
saw
what
they
had
helped
us
to
get
through
this
past
year.
Just
to
say
thank
you
for
them
enough
on
our
partners.
T
Secondly,
you
might
remember
that
y'all
agreed
that
starting
june
1st,
we
would
go
to
fully
in
person
public
comments
and
the
virtual
would
go
away.
So
I
just
want
to
remind
you
that
starting
june
first,
the
video,
the
parts
you
heard
on
on
the
over
the
zoom
would
go
away.
It
would
be
all
in
person
and,
lastly,
we
received
interim
guidance
regarding
the
locally
fiscal
recovery
act
and
now
that's
where
until
niagara
would
give
us
an
update
on
where
we
are
with
that.
So
rachel
is
here
to
do
that.
AH
before
I
begin
introduce
myself
for
those
who
might
be
watching
and
don't
know
me,
my
name
is
rachel
nygard
and
I
work
as
the
strategic
partnerships
director
and
the
topic
here
is
coronavirus:
local
fiscal
recovery
funds.
This
is
a
piece
of
the
overall
broader
american
rescue
plan.
Sometimes
we
refer
to
these
funds.
People
refer
to
these
funds
as
american
rescue
plan.
We've
talked
before
about
that
context,
where
the
american
rescue
plan
is
the
1.9
trillion
dollar.
AH
Overall
infusion
of
funds
that
was
signed
into
law
by
the
president
in
march
and
local
fiscal
recovery
funds
are
a
component
of
that.
This
is
the
direct
aid
to
states
and
counties
and
cities
and
towns
all
across
the
country,
65
billion
to
counties
specifically
and
50
million
roughly
to
buncombe
county.
AH
AH
We
also
sorted
those
top
priorities
by
the
strategic
plan,
focus
areas,
reminding
you
that
it
was
an
initial
priority
to
invest
in
projects
that
align
with
the
county's
already
adopted
strategic
plan
focus
areas.
The
highest
category
of
responses
was
in
the
well-being
section
followed
by
economy,
then
education,
then
environment.
AH
We
also
had
a
narrative
question
asking
people
what
other
priorities
would
you
like
buncombe
county,
to
consider
in
setting
a
spending
plan
for
these
recovery
funds?
We're
still
analyzing
those
responses?
So
the
image
on
the
screen
is
a
word
cloud,
the
larger
the
word,
the
more
often
the
more
times
that
it
appeared
in
the
responses.
AH
You
might
remember,
we
also
ran
a
employee
survey
which
closed
on
the
same
date
may
14th.
We
asked
our
employees
about
the
challenges
that
they
see
from
their
perspective
in
the
county
workforce,
what
they're
hearing
from
the
people
that
they
serve
and
what
they
think
could
have
the
best
impact
in
helping
buncombe
county
recover.
AH
Often
interim
final
rule,
so
on
the
10th
of
may,
we
had
the
guidance
in
hand
from
the
u.s
treasury.
Anyone
who
wants
to
dig
in
a
website
that
I
recommend
is
neco,
which
is
the
national
association
of
counties,
is
that
right,
nexo's
website
they
have
a
covid19
clearinghouse
and
that
you
can
look
at
the
us.
Treasury's
fact
sheet
frequently
asked
questions
and
this
document,
which
is
called
the
interim
final
rule,
which
is
about
150
pages,
so
we've
had
that
in
hand.
AH
A
week
ago,
yesterday,
since
a
week
ago
yesterday
and
bring
you
some
highlights
here,
one
piece
of
information
that
we
got
is
the
exact
dollar
amount.
That
will
come
our
way.
So
you'll
see
that
reflected
here
on
the
screen.
Fifty
million
seven
hundred
thirty
three
thousand
two
hundred
ninety,
that's
roughly
seventy
five
thousand
dollars
higher
than
the
estimate
we
were
working
with
so
great
news.
AH
AH
We
got
clarification
about
various
components
that
we've
been
waiting
to
hear
in
terms
of,
for
example,
we
talked
before
about
our
administrative
costs
allowable.
We
got
some
answers
on
that.
The
other
very
important
piece
of
information
that
came
out
of
this
guidance
is
the
clarification
on
the
eligible
uses
of
funds
and
a
pretty
exhaustive
list.
Extensive
list
anyway,
of
example,
uses
of
funds,
so
that
begins
on
your
next
slide.
AH
AH
So
we've
got
this
repeated
for
each
of
those
eligible
categories:
negative
economic
impacts.
Before
I
skip
over
replace
public
sector
revenue
loss,
you
heard
the
presentation
from
the
county
manager
about
our
financial
position,
which
is
strong
as
an
overall
county
there's
a
specific
calculation
that
we
now
have
instructions
on
how
to
apply
to
our
sources
of
revenue
to
identify
in
comparison
to
the
baselines.
AH
If
any
revenue
loss
that
we've
experienced
could
be
eligible
so
we're
in
the
process
of
calculating
that
we're
also
in
the
process
of
looking
at
our
own
public
health
responses
and
all
those
other
funding,
streams
and
pots
of
funds
to
see
of
all
the
activities
that
buncombe
county
is
taking
on.
With
direct
response
like
vaccination,
will
our
public
health
funding
some
of
it
also
emanates
from
the
same
federal
law?
Will
that
funding
be
sufficient
enough
to
cover
it?
AH
AH
Looked
at
this
treasury
guidance
we're
currently
in
getting
ready
to
take
further
steps
on
assessing
all
of
those
other
american
rescue
plan
act.
Funding
streams
because
remember
education
or
homelessness
or
business
support
might
be
a
priority
within
our
plan
and
that
it
this
won't
be
the
only
revenue
or
funding
stream
that
could
go
toward
that
community
need.
So
we
want
to
sort
of
have
a
landscape
of
what
other
funding
is
out
there
within
our
local
community.
AH
Buncombe
county
has
a
place
whether
or
not
it's
buncombe
county
is
a
government
entity
and
match
and
align
our
funds.
With
that
we
are
calculating
the
general
revenue
loss.
We
will
bring
forward
amendment
to
appropriate
the
recovery
funds.
You
might
remember
me
saying
last
time
we'll
get
the
first
half
of
the
funds.
AH
The
roughly
25
million
here
shortly
haven't
seen
it
yet,
but
it
should
be
arriving
in
may
so
we
can
appropriate
that
and
then
we
are
moving
as
quickly
as
possible
toward
that
rfp.
That
request
for
proposals
so
that
we
can
allow
our
community
based
organizations
and
our
county
departments
to
submit
projects.
The
rfp
on
the
public
facing
side
would
be
for
organizations
and
then
there
would
be
a
sort
of
a
parallel
budget
request
form
similar
to
what
the
manager
was
describing,
how
capital
projects
get
submitted
and
evaluated.
AH
That
way,
we
can
capture
ideas
from
all
stakeholders,
internal
and
external,
evaluate
those
and
establish
a
spending
plan
if
that
rfp,
if
we
can
have
it
ready
by
the
beginning
of
june,
we're
working
with
cape,
the
communications
and
public
engagement
department
to
have
a
website
and
a
commute
communication
and
engagement
strategy
to
go
with
that
release.
So
we
can
support
groups
and
people
in
their
applications.
AH
B
B
T
Yes,
sir,
I
have
with
me
tonight
jesse.
Is
it
bookerman
he's
here
from
the
westin
regional
he's
the
western
regional
director
for
catholic
charities
and
he's
here?
He
will
present
his
program
and
I
believe
online.
We
also
have
the
person
from
lutheran
lutheran
services
of
the
carolinas
that
she
would
also
talk
a
little
bit
about
her
program,
and
then
we
open
opening
up
for
discussion
so
jesse.
If
you'll
come
to
the
podium.
X
Good
evening
everybody
good
evening,
commissioners,
my
name
is
jesse
bacherman.
I
live
in
east
asheville,
just
off
of
riceville
road,
and,
as
avril
mentioned,
I
am
the
western
region,
director
of
catholic
charities.
I
work
out
of
the
art
of
our
office
in
buncombe
county,
which
is
at
50
orange
street,
just
off
of
240
in
merriman
in
asheville,
which
is
about
two
minutes
away
from
where
we
are
right
now.
X
Catholic
charities
has
a
long
history
of
working
with
refugees
in
buncombe
county.
Since
2003
our
office
has
been
providing
assistance
to
refugees
in
the
form
of
case
management,
transportation,
information
and
referrals,
interpretation
and
translation
and
citizenship.
Preparation
in
2016
catholic
charities
began
resettling
refugees
in
buncombe
county
through
the
remote
placement
program,
which
facilitated
the
reunification
of
families
separated
for
years
we've
resettled
373
refugees.
X
In
the
past
five
years
in
the
asheville
area.
This
month,
catholic
charities
will
submit
an
application
to
transition
our
remote
placement
program
into
a
sub-office
affiliated
with
our
refugee
resettlement
program.
In
charlotte,
I'm
happy
to
talk
about
this
in
more
detail,
but
in
short,
as
a
sub
office,
we
will
have
the
opportunity
and
expectation
to
engage
with
community
stakeholders
like
you
in
a
more
robust
way
and
conduct
long-term
planning
with
over
18
years
of
experience
serving
refugees
in
buncombe
county.
X
We
anticipate
the
majority
of
our
refugee
arrivals,
will
be
family
members,
reuniting
with
their
loved
ones
in
the
buncombe
county
area,
and
we're
excited
to
play
a
role
in
bringing
families
together,
we're
enthusiastic
about
bringing
refugees
to
buncombe
county.
For
so
many
reasons-
and
here
are
just
a
few-
countless
studies
show
refugees
boost
local
economies
through
employment
generally
taking
many
jobs.
X
That
native
born
americans
do
not
seek
a
disproportionate
number
of
refugees,
become
small
business
owners
which
creates
more
jobs
in
the
community
and
refugee
resettlement,
reflects
our
american
values
of
liberty
and
justice
for
all
without
discrimination.
It
respects
the
inherent
dignity
of
every
person
and
it's
the
right
thing
to
do.
Thank
you
for
your
time
tonight.
Thank
you,
miss
pinder,
for
putting
this
issue
on
the
agenda
and
thank
you
supervisors
for
your
service
to
the
community,
and
if
you
have
any
questions
about
refugee
resettlement,
I
am
here
to
answer
those
tonight.
Thanks.
B
T
D
AI
Good
evening,
commissioners,
and
thank
you
for
giving
me
that
opportunity
to
speak,
my
name
is
gudriya
yajich.
I
am
a
director
of
refugee
and
immigrant
services
for
lutheran
services.
Carolinas
lutheran
services.
Carolinas
is
a
faith-based
non-profit
organization
that
provides
an
array
of
services
to
local
communities,
from
skilled
nursing
care,
to
foster
care,
adoption,
mental
health
services,
refugee
resettlement,
support
and
service
to
survivors
of
human
trafficking,
disaster
response
and
residential
care
for
people
with
disabilities
across
north
carolina,
as
well
as
south
carolina
in
north
carolina,
lutheran
services.
AI
Carolinas
has
provided
refugee
resettlement
services
for
over
40
years
since
1979
and
since
2010
we
have
welcomed
1247
newly
arrived
refugees
in
the
triangle
area,
raleigh,
durham
and
chapel
hill,
lutheran
services.
Carolinas
is
a
leader
in
a
refugee
resettlement
and
serves
refugees,
immigrants
and
other
eligible
populations
through
a
variety
of
programs
than
in
collaboration
to
meet
the
needs
of
this
diverse
and
changing
population.
AI
AI
I
would
like
to
ask
the
commissioners
to
support
the
opening
of
lutheran
services
carolina's
refugee
resettlement
program,
which
will
provide
support
to
refugees
as
resettled
as
not
u.s
thai
cases,
without
known
family
or
friends
in
the
united
states,
as
well
as
the
refugees
reunited
with
family
members
who
live
in
buncombe
county.
I
appreciate
your
time
and
support
and
thank
you
very
much.
B
S
B
Further
discussion,
all
in
favor,
please
say
aye
aye
any
opposed
all
right.
Thank
you.
Thank
you
to
everyone
who
shared
information
with
us
to
educate
us
further
about
this
proposed
program.
All
right.
The
next
item
under
new
business,
jennifer
barnett,
our
budget
director,
is
going
to
talk
to
us
about
a
couple
of
different
budget
amendments,
the
first
of
which
is
related
to
project
closures.
AJ
AJ
F
AE
B
AJ
The
request
is
to
establish
the
project
in
that
fund
within
an
amount
not
to
exceed
5
million
dollars
as
the
partnership
for
pratt
and
whitney
and
a
b
tech
to
build
and
operate
an
estimated
20,
000
square
foot,
workforce
training
center,
and
this
ordinance
establishes
the
budget
for
site
improvement,
facility,
design,
facility,
construction
and
ffne.
So
furnishings
fixtures
and
equipment.
D
T
B
B
And
the
other
question
comment,
I
guess
I
would
have
is
that
what
so,
while
the
ramp
up
for
the
hiring
of
the
approximately
800
employees
for
the
pratt
whitney
facility
will
be
the
focus
over
the
next
couple
of
years
as
that
training
process
is
accomplished
and
there's
not
an
ongoing
need
for
such
a
large
number
of
folks,
it
is
abtech's
intent
to
operate.
This
is
an
ongoing
workforce.
Training
program.
For
you
know
many
different
business
sectors
in
buncombe
county
on
an
ongoing
basis
is
that
right.
B
S
AJ
AJ
So
we
would
be
adding
to
this
fund
as
all
special
taxing
districts,
the
asheville
city,
supplemental
tax,
that
we
would
pass
back
through
that
total
estimated
increase
for
21
for
their
supplemental
tax
and
associated
sales
tax
is
16
million,
and
the
final
request
around
compliance
with
the
gasby
84,
is
to
include
in
the
general
fund
specifically
for
the
register
of
deeds
and
then
the
id
bureau.
So
we
collect
concealed
handgun
revenue
and
then
we
collect
electronic
birth
registration
system
fee
revenue
which
we
turn
around
back
to
the
state.
S
AJ
B
D
B
Any
opposed
on
mount
airy
workforce
development
board.
There
is
one
recommendation
nominated
by
the
chamber
of
commerce
to
appoint
steve
newman
I'll,
make
a
motion
to
appoint
steve
newman,
no
relationship
to.
I
don't
have
any
relationship
to
steve
newman
or
bill
newman,
but
both
very
well
qualified
candidates.
B
I
B
B
B
A
couple
of
announcements
on
june
1st
at
3
p.m.
The
county
commissioners
will
hold
their
next
briefing
meeting
at
200
college
street
room
326
in
downtown
asheville
and
then
at
ipm.
On
june
1st,
the
commissioners
will
hold
their
next
regular
meeting
at
200
college
street
room
326
in
downtown
asheville.
We
do
have
a
need
for
a
closed
session.
Mr
free,
could
you
explain?
Yes.
B
B
B
T
B
Sure
and
of
course
there
could
be
things
that
emerge
between
now
and
then
right.
So,
but
let's
kind
of
come
up
with
a
tentative
plan
and
we
can
always.
We
can
always
schedule
an
additional
meeting
if
there's
a
need
all
right,
but
we're
not
going
to
we're
not
going
to
meet
on
the
week
of
july.
4Th
the
first
week
of
july
is
that
agreement
around
that.
AK
B
Okay,
thank
you
very
much,
so
we're
going
to
have
discussion
when
we
return
from
closed
session,
we're
anticipating,
simply
adjourning
we're
not
going
to
take
any
action
on
these
items
tonight
we're
just
going
to
dialogue
with
legal
counsel
about
them.
Is
there
a
motion
to
go
into
closed
session
all
in
favor,
please
say:
aye
hi
any
opposed
all
right,
we're
in
closed
session.