►
Description
Regular Meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners' from January 16, 2018. To view the agenda, or future meeting agendas, you can visit buncombecounty.org/commissioners.
A
A
A
Are
there
any
items
on
the
agenda,
the
outcome
of
which
would
have
a
direct,
substantial
and
readily
identifiable
financial
impact
for
any
board?
Member
also.
Does
any
board
member
have
a
financial
interest
in
any
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
Commission
at
this
meeting.
A
Are
there
any
questions,
or
would
someone
like
to
make
a
motion
to
approve
the
consent
agenda
and
to
follow
the
remainder
of
the
agenda
as
published
all
right,
we've
got
a
motion
in
a
second
all
in
favor.
Please
say
aye
all
opposed
all
right.
Thank
you.
Next
item
on
the
agenda
is
a
good
news
report
on
the
festival
of
lights
and
I
believe
Josh
O'connor
and
some
of
his
staff
are
here
to
tell
us
about
the
event
this
year
and
to
to
give
us
an
update
thanks
for
being
with
us,
I.
B
Believe
max
is
gonna
pull
up
some
some
sides
for
us,
but
it's
a
pleasure
to
be
here
tonight.
For
me,
it's
a
pleasure
to
be
here
and
get
to
present
you
some
positive
news
over
which
I
have
very
little
responsibility
for
it,
but
it's
just
crew
behind
me
as
well
as
some
folks
that
could
not
be
here
tonight,
put
a
lot
of
work
into.
B
So
we
just
wanted
to
give
you
all
a
quick
wrap-up
of
the
festival
of
lights
and
what
we
did
I,
don't
like
Julian
this
year,
the
festival
of
lights
starts
off
with
a
walk
through
the
first
day
in
December
each
year.
We
did
that
December
first
and
this
year
we
had
the
luck
of
it
following
off.
Falling
on
a
weekend
ran
the
actual
show
December
2nd
through
the
23rd,
and
this
is
our
17th
year
of
operation
for
the
show.
For
the
last
couple
of
years
we've
been
seeing
declining
attendance.
We
had
a
lot
of
competition.
B
That's
just
me
showing
off
my
kids,
sorry
so
this
year,
through
our
walkthrough
show
we
had
11
109
attendees,
that's
about
double
what
we've
had.
In
years
past,
we
had
over
5000
cars
through
the
gate
throughout
the
duration
of
the
show,
and
that
resulted
in
$50,000
worth
of
ticket
sales.
The
nice
part
about
the
festival
of
lights.
Is
we
take
20%
of
that
that
money
we
put
it
into
the
Buncombe
County
Special
Olympics,
and
help
fund
that
program
which,
from
a
staff
perspective,
lowers
the
amount
of
fundraising
that
we
have
to
do
throughout
the
year.
B
So
we're
very
relieved.
It's
a
got
to
have
gotten
such
a
high
number
and
then
the
other
proceeds
we
get
from
the
show
go
directly
back
into
the
show
so
that
we
can
expand
it
and
make
it
an
attraction
that
people
want
to
return
to
year
after
year
and
I've
asked
last
David
blent
the
the
supervisor
out
at
Lake
Julian's
to
come
up
and
and
just
explain
a
little
bit
about
what
goes
into
the
show
and
when
they
start
preparing
for
that
I.
C
Just
want
to
start
by
saying,
thank
you
very
much
for
the
recognition.
We
do
put
a
lot
of
hard
work
into
this
and
take
a
lot
of
pride
in
it.
This
being
year,
17
we've
kind
of
perfected
it
almost
each
year.
We
we
learn
new
things
easier
ways
to
do
things,
just
to
simplify
the
whole
process
and
I
just
want
to
thank
my
staff,
who
are
here
with
me
today.
There
are
a
huge
part
of
this.
C
They
work
very
hard
and
they
take
as
much
pride
in
it
as
I
do
and
we're
all
very
proud
of
what
we
accomplished.
We
we
work
on
this,
the
preparation
for
this
about
three
weeks
worth
of
putting
the
decorations
up
and
that's
myself
along
with
with
the
staff,
and
then
we
have
the
grounds
maintenance
department
comes
out
and
helps
us
for
several
days,
because
some
of
our
displays
are,
if
you've
been
to
the
show,
are
extremely
large
and
we
need
as
much
manpower
as
we
can
get
to
get
some
of
them
standing.
C
E
I
got
a
comment
before
you
go:
I
got
to
go
through
the
walkthrough
with
with
kids
and
grandkids,
and
it
was
a
blast
1100
people
that
night
s'mores
y'all
haven't
been.
They
have
s'mores.
That's
a
that's
a
reason.
Enough
of
reason
to
go,
but
the
lights
are
fan,
lights
are
fantastic
and
it's
just
clean
atmosphere
and
fun
for
the
for
the
entire
family
and
I
highly
recommend
it.
So
that's
your
commercial
for
next
year,
but
I
also
want
to
thank
you
guys
in
and
think
buncombe
county
grounds.
E
A
F
Mr.
chairman,
commissioners,
good
evening,
anyone
who's
bought
and
sold
property
knows
that
when
you
sell
property
as
a
seller,
irresponsible
to
pay
excise
tax,
five
dollars
per
thousand
dollars
a
one
dollar
per
$500
in
value
which
goes
to
the
Register
of
Deeds
office
and
it
gets
distributed
through
finance.
We
have
two
situations
here
that
popped
up
within
the
last
six
months:
one
from
the
law
firm
of
Ronald,
E
Snead.
Mr.
F
steed
is
here
tonight
and
if
they're
in
case
there's
any
questions,
but
his
firm
filed
a
deed
at
the
registered
Deeds
office
and
there's
also
that
part
of
the
reason
this
mistake
occurred.
I
think
is
that
we
have
automated
recording.
Now
you
don't
have
to
go
there
and
clock
it
in
in
person,
so
apparently
on
December
7th.
They
clocked
in
through
the
automated
system
in
deed
and
paid
the
$450
tax.
F
The
next
morning
of
someone
in
the
office
click
the
button
again
recorded
and
paid
to
four
and
$50
again
so
clearly
that
it
only
need
to
pay
the
four
to
$50
excise
tax
once
the
recording
fees,
26
or
so
dollars.
That's
their
problem,
but
the
four
and
$50
would
be
within
this
board's
discretion
to
allow
them
to
have
that
refund.
And
if
there's
any
other
questions,
I'd
be
glad
to
try
to
answer
that.
A
These
are
listed
as
public
hearings.
Do
we
need
to
open
them
up
for
public
comment
on
each
one?
Yes,
sir
great
all
right,
let's
go
ahead
and
I'd
like
to
open
a
public
hearing
on
the
excise
tax,
overpayment
refund
related
to
best
and
best
PL
LC
at
511.
Are
there
any
members
of
the
public
who
would
like
to
comment
just.
F
A
E
A
Right
motion
and
second
are
made
any
comments.
All
in
favor
of
the
excise
tax
overpayment
refund
to
Ronald
Snead,
please
say:
aye
I
any
opposed
all
right,
I'd
like
to
open
a
public
hearing
at
five
twelve
on
the
proposed
overpayment
refund
to
best
and
best
are
there
any
members
of
the
public
who
would
like
to
comment
on
this
proposed
refund?
A
F
In
this
situation,
from
best
and
best
its
eight
hundred
and
twenty
eight
dollar
request,
and
apparently
they
had
recorded
the
deed
in
Buncombe
County,
and
then
someone
who'd
gone
down
the
mountain
to
Rutherford
County
and
clocked
it
in
there.
So
they
have
they
discovered
that
mistake,
and
then
they
went
down
the
mountain
so
now
they're
requesting
the
refund
from
Buncombe
County.
So
they
did
also
supply
a
part
of
the
agenda
packet
is
the
corrected
recording
from
Rutherford
County,
showing
the
correct
excise
tax
there.
Okay.
A
A
I
Reforms
to
ensure
that
every
tax
dollar
is
spent
appropriately
and
that
the
county
focuses
on
its
singular
mission
to
serve
our
community.
The
full
Board
of
commissions
has
worked
to
get.
Commissioners
has
worked
together
to
develop
the
action
steps
outlined
here,
building
upon
the
reforms
that
have
been
implemented
since
July
1st
2017.
I
These
additional
steps
read
as
follows:
number
one
if
it
is
determined
that
public
funds
have
been
used
for
illegal
or
unethical
purposes,
the
Board
of
Commissioners
instruct
the
county
manager
to
continue
efforts
to
recover
funds
as
legally
permissible
number
two.
The
Board
of
Commissioners
shall
provide
a
performance
review
of
all
appointed
staff.
Currently,
that
would
be
the
county
manager,
the
chief
financial
officer,
the
county
clerk
and
the
currently
vacant
position
of
the
board
of
commissioners
attorney
in
July
of
each
year.
I
The
chief
financial
officer
will
provide
public
budget
to
actual
reports
at
the
first
Board
of
Commissioners
meeting
of
each
month
and
I
believe.
Actually,
there
should
have
been
an
edit
to
that
that
the
budget
director
would
also
present
updated
budget
I'm.
Sorry
that
the
budget
director
would
present
the
budget
actual
reports
at
the
first
meeting
of
each
month
and
the
chief
financial
officer
would
report
financial
updates
at
that
meeting.
So
it's
correct
that's
how
this
should
read
yes
and
number
four.
On
a
quarterly
basis.
I
D
Have
something
to
say
we
all
sat
down
and
talked
about
this
three
of
the
things
on
here
has
already
been
basically
in.
If
we,
the
financial
director,
comes
forward,
mr.
stone,
the
county
manager
is
already
already
in
the
process
of
trying
to
recover
funds
from
the
screen
in
the
process
of
things.
That's
happened
and
I
look
at
it
as
the
financial
director.
He
can
come
each
month
or
he
can
come
each
quarter,
but
I
can
look
at
the
the
fact
of
number
four
or
the
audit
person
that
internal
auditor
that's
looking
at
things.
D
She
don't
need
to
come,
but
ever
I
wouldn't
say
every
quarter,
because
that
there's
things
that
she'll
be
looking
at
that'll
come
before
Mandy
or
miss
stone,
county
manager,
stone
and
I-
don't
really
get
where
we're
going
here,
because
this
is
just
something
that
was
put
together
and
putting
the
paper
and
then
the
far
is
instructing
through
these
things.
We've
never
had
dense
trucks,
she's
brought
to
us
and
said:
let's
just
go
with
it.
You
know
this
is
what
I'd
like
to
do,
because
she's
done
that
for
seven
minutes
far
as
evaluating
there
ever
aid.
J
G
D
Because
we
don't
even
have
any
things
to
go
through
the
valuation
with
them,
we
don't
have
a
plan
yet
so
you
know
her
and
Cathy
Hughes
I
can
give
age
denied,
because
they've
worked
very
hard
to
to
get
to
this
point.
Tim's
worked
hard,
I,
just
don't
have
to
evaluate
at
the
present
time,
but
this
we
talked
about.
I
did
talk
to
you,
jasmine
and
I
said
this
is
for
later
on
and
we'd
have
to
look
at
it.
I
didn't
know
and
it
was
going
to
be
putting
paper
and
brought
forward.
H
Me
on,
but
you
want
to
meet
it
focus
on
I
think,
as
we
moved
into
a
period
where
additional
informations
come
forward,
I
feel
like
the
board,
has
been
clear
in
their
direction
and
from
a
SAP
perspective
perspective.
The
more
direction
and
the
more
clarity
is
a
positive
thing.
You
know
I
think
every
one
of
you
and
every
one
of
us
are
relentlessly
focused
on
these
issues
every
day,
so
I
certainly
appreciate
and
respect
any
additional
direction
from
the
board
or
reinforcing
direction.
H
You've
already
given
I
think,
as
has
already
been
mentioned,
we
we
did
receive
these
and
begin
moving
forward
on
these.
The
internal
auditors,
before
you
once
I,
have
asked
the
clerk
to
make
sure
that
she's
scheduled
on
a
quarterly
basis.
We've
talked
about
adding
both
the
financial
update
and
the
budget
to
actuals
under
the
county
managers
report
once
a
month
to
get
that
and
I
think
Miss
Hughes
is
working
on
on
a
standing
schedule.
H
I
think
it
fits
well
with
what
you
all
have
directed
us
about
increased
transparency
and
ease
of
access
to
citizens
to
information,
so
for
some
of
them
they'll
go
to
the
web
and
find
what
they
want
for
some
of
them.
They
may
rely
on
these
reports
and
its
public
meetings.
So
you
know
from
a
staff
perspective.
We
welcome
any
direction
we'll
do
all
we
can
to
comply
with
with
them.
I
feel,
like
I,
have
had
a
strong
sense
of
the
issues
that
are
important
to
this
board
and
I.
G
And
when
it
comes
to
number
four,
the
Audit
Committee
since
we've
restructured
the
Audit
Committee
now,
and
we
have
two
commissioners
on
the
Audit
Committee
we
set
out
the.
Maybe
we
didn't
make
that
clear
enough.
We
set
up
an
intern
one
of
the
subcommittee's
of
their
Audit.
Committee
is
made
up
of
me
and
Robert,
the
two
commissioners,
the
chair
of
their
audit
committee
and
Terry,
and
we
meet
monthly,
not
quarterly,
and
that
pretty
much
should
keep
us
in
the
loop
as
to
you
know,
whatever
is
going
on
there
yeah.
E
So
is
my
understanding
tonight
that
part
of
this,
as
well
as
County
manager,
are
given
us
a
report
and
explanation
on
some
of
the
things,
so
the
good
things
that's
been
going
on
and
some
of
the
challenging
things
that
we've
tried
to
to
overcome
and
I.
Thank
you
for
that
and
one
of
the
one
of
the
focuses
as
we
look
at
the
revenue
that
we've
received
and
we
look
at
at
the
audited
results
of
the
expenses
that
are
coming
in
and
what
it
takes
to
sustain
the
county
and
do
our
strategic
priorities.
E
I
think
you
know
one
of
the
things
that
we
should
look
at
in
the
2018
budget.
In
order
to
return
money
back
to
the
taxpayer,
you
know
would
be
a
one
cent
reduction
in
in
our
rate,
I
would
like
to
see
the
border.
You
know
agree
to
give
you
instruction
to
look
at
that
and
returning
that
back
in
the
28
1818
budget,
I.
M
J
J
J
I
was
like
you
know:
Commissioner
Belcher
is
always
talking
about
having
a
watchdog
and
I
think
we
need
to
explore
every
option
so
that
we
can
give
the
greatest
transparency
to
the
public,
so
that
the
public
is
not
surprised
by
some
of
the
things
that
have
been
allowed
to
happen
and
to
me.
If
we're
talking
about
transparency
and
responsibility
to
the
public,
we
need
to
fast
forward
into
policies
that
prevent
what
happened
before
from
ever
happening
again
and
I.
Think
with
creative
minds
and
knowing
what
we
want
to
do.
We
can
do
all
those
things.
I
I
want
to
express
mr.
my
appreciation
for
the
spirit
in
which
you
hear
these
instructions.
They
certainly
do
build
upon
many
internal
conversations
that
have
happened
and
part
of
the
intent
and
in
doing
this
in
a
public
meeting,
is
to
make
sure
the
community
has
access
to
that
same
level
of
understanding
of
the
new
approaches
to
oversight
that
this
board,
our
Commission
just
put
in
order
commissioners
is
putting
into
place.
I
So
that's
certainly
the
spirit
in
which
we've
had
dialogue
for
months
about
this
and
the
spirit
in
which
these
specific
for
action
items
were
crystallized
out
of
those
conversations.
So
thank
you
for
your
responsiveness
and
we
certainly
understand
how
important
that
two-way
communication
is
in
in
doing
this
work.
So
thank
you.
Thank
you.
E
You
know,
in
addition
to
you
know
the
suggestion
on
the
in
the
direction
on
the
1%
reduction.
I
do
agree
that
one
sent
Thank,
You
Commissioner
fryer
the
one
cent
reduction
in
the
property
tax
rate,
which
I
do
believe
is
sustainable
and
doable.
You
know
the
watchdog
gatekeeper
function,
yes,
is
something
I
do
think
we
should.
We
should
look
at
as
far
as
structure
in
if
and
it
can
cut
it.
E
It
goes
across
the
board,
it's
used
in
the
private
sector
and
finance
departments,
and
it
would,
it
would
make
a
difference
in
in
in
Buncombe
counties,
not
necessarily
the
transparency,
but
if
you,
if
something
does
not
fall
exactly
within
policy
and
a
gatekeeper
or
watchdog
function,
immediately
kicks
it
out.
Well,
as
a
p-card
or
whatever
it
is
could
be,
it
could
be
a
you
know,
and
it
could
be
anything
it
could
be
an
experienced
dinner.
It
could
be
a
p-card.
E
It
could
be
the
fact
that
we've
approved
a
you
know
something
for
1.2
million
dollars
and
it
comes
in
at
one
point
two
five,
you
know,
but
it's
something
that
we
should
look
at.
I've
mentioned
it
before,
and
it's
not
anything
that
is.
It
should
be
something
as
my
suggestion,
but
it's
just
a
part
of
the
private
sector,
and
it
is
a
it
is
a
is
a
good.
E
It
is
a
good
policy
for
us
to
explore
it
I,
like
the
conversations
we're
having
this
evening,
they're
open
in
front
of
the
public,
you're
hearing
everything,
discussions
and
direction
and
I
think
that's
I,
think
that's
good
policy
and
we
we
need
to
do
more
of
it.
So
thank
you
for
having
the
opportunity
to
be
able
to
have
this
dialogue
this
evening.
I
appreciate
it.
You
know,
as.
G
We
grow
and
as
we
look
at
it,
I'll
tell
you
coming
in
new.
You
know
with
a
new
set
of
eyes.
It
might
be
time
for
us
to
look
overall
at
the
whole
whole
financial
process
and
how
we're
set
up,
because
you
know
we
are
almost
a
half
a
billion
dollar
operation.
Now,
and
you
know
the
way
we
were
running
it
and
we've
been
running.
It
I'm
not
sure
that
growth
pains
problem
with
the
catching
up
with
us
and
that's
one
of
the
reasons,
but
some
of
the
problems
would
have
to.
G
But
I
really
think
it's
time
for
us
to
you
know:
I,
don't
want
to
step
on
anybody's
toes
but
I
know.
Sometimes
we
get
uncomfortable
when
we
have
conversations
like
this,
but
we've
got
to
do
what's
right
for
the
taxpayers
and
the
people
who
we
represent
and
I
think
it's
time
for
us
to
take
a
good
look
at
our
financial
commissioner's
on
financial
structure,
how
we
set
up
and
to
make
sure
we're
where
we
need
to
be
in
2018
and
going
for
well.
J
So
going
forward
I
look
forward
to
greater
transparency,
not
just
with
the
public
but
on
us
too,
and
I
think
the
first
Commission
meeting
I
went
to
I
was
instructed
not
to
training
not
to
micromanage
the
county
manager.
Well,
that
has
burned
all
of
us,
so
I
think
we're
all
ready
to
run
from
that
strategy.
I.
K
Want
to
follow
up
on
Commissioner
Belcher
on
the
1
cent
drop
in
the
taxes.
I
also
feel
like
it's
feasible
to
do
it,
and
we
have
several
other
commissioners
that
have
brought
this
forward
a
couple
months
ago
in
there.
I
think.
That
is
something
we
really
need
to
look
at
when
you
think
one
cent,
that's
not
much
three
point:
six
million
dollars
is
what
we're
looking
at,
and
a
couple
of
other
commissioners
have
brought
this
up
before
this
was
brought
up
yesterday,
so
I
just
want.
Everyone
know
that
I
would
support
it.
G
It's
fine
to
give
that
back
to
me,
but
don't
come
back
to
me
year
after
in
the
next
two
years
and
say:
wait
a
minute:
I
cut
it
services
we're
giving
it's
gonna
cost
more
I
think
we
need
to
look
ahead
to
make
sure
that
what
we're
doing
is
right
now,
I
agree
when
you
look
at
our
fund
balance
of
we
have
what
15%
the
fund
balance
and
we're
caring.
What
is
it
now
to
him?
Our
fund
balance
dollars
dollars,
yeah
and
percentage-wise.
N
N
J
D
It
let's
back
up
to
where
we
were
started
out
here.
Everything
that's
been
brought
forward.
Mr.
stone
brought
it
to
us
originally.
So
it's
not
this.
It
give
us
an
idea
of
where
to
go
and
that's
what
we
all
need,
but,
but
if,
when
you
bring
when
she
brings
something
and
says
this
is
what
I'd
like
to
try
to
do,
then,
then
we
put
it
down
on
a
piece
of
paper.
Basically
what
she's
done.
The
credit
is
due
to
her
and
the
staff.
The
credit
does
not
do
to
us.
D
Miss
orange
in
here
Tim's
already
spoke
to
us
taking
care
of
the
areas
that
you
know
far
as
this
lawsuit
far
as
the
people
trying
to
get
the
people's
money
back,
I,
don't
know
exactly
what
we're
doing,
because
that
that
was
brought
to
us
through
the
staff
to
miss
stone
and
her
staff
and
the
only
thing
as
I
said
I'm,
giving
her
a
for
what
she
did
know
given
a
for.
You
know
what
the
staff
has
done,
but
we
don't
even
have
a
plan
yet
put
out
there.
D
G
Thing
to
I'd
like
to
make
clear
here
when
I
talk
about
restructuring
the
finances
you
know
I'll
deploy
what
we
do
I
in
no
way
mean
that
we
don't
have
when
I
look
at
Diane
and
her
staff
Tim
and
his
SEP.
We
have
excellent
people,
I
mean
what
they're
doing
and
they're
doing
a
good
job
of
guiding
us
through
this
process.
D
E
Just
got
to
follow
up
comment:
I
want
to
I
want
to
agree
with
Commissioner
Whitesides
comment
regarding
making
sure
that
that
that
one
cent
reduction
in
property
tax
is
sustainable,
I
mean
we
need
to.
We
need
to
make
sure
that,
but
his
point
about
the
the
fund
balance
as
well
as
Commissioner
frost,
you
know,
is
and
I
know
you're
looking
at
this.
So
this
is
not.
This
is
just
direction
from
us
to
to
to
consider
that,
so
the
sizable
amount
that's
in
the
fund
balance.
E
H
Feel
like
that,
this
board
has
made
a
substantial
commitment
to
additional
time
and
involvement
and
engagement,
and
that
shows
in
the
work
sessions
and
it
shows
in
the
regular
discussion
and
dialogue
and
direction.
That's
offered
I
think
for
all
of
us.
We
move
forward
understanding
that
this
isn't
a
one-time
reform.
This
is
about
strengthening
our
organization,
staying
abreast
of
environmental
changes
and
making
sure
we're
continually
evolving
and
addressing
new
risk
to
the
organization
and
I
think
that's
our
focus
and
that
focus
of
the
board
is
we've
all
learned.
H
You
know
reaching
a
place
of
stability
and
accepting
we're
where
we
need
to
be
just
isn't
real.
It's
just
not
a
reality
for
an
organization.
That's
large
in
this
complex
that
delivers
such
critical
services
here
at
for
more
undertaken
is
a
ongoing
commitment
by
the
staff
and
by
the
board
and
I've
sensed
that
from
the
board
and
I've
sensed
it
from
staff.
M
A
Other
any
other
comments
from
commissioners
at
this
time.
Just
you
know
the
one
one
comment
I
would
just
add
and
which
is
that
I
am
I
really
I
mean
I
agree
with
every
I
agree
with
all
of
these
priorities,
not
priorities,
but
I
agree
with
all
of
these
recommendations
and
one
that
didn't
get
mentioned
so
I'll
just
speak
to
is
I
really
do
think
it's
important
for
us
to
put
in
place
the
the
annual
review
processes.
With
this.
You
know
the
county
manager
in
our
department
heads.
A
You
know
this
is
a
big
organization
with
thousands
of
employees.
It's
their
job
to
run
this
organization
on
a
day
to
day
basis.
There's
just
a
few
employees
that
report
directly
to
the
board
of
commissioners,
so
I
think
part
of
the
Commission
doing
its
job
is
to
have
a
good,
healthy
standard
process
for
regularly
communicating
with
and
reviewing
our
staff.
So
I
think
that's
important
and
I'm
glad
that
we're
putting
that
in
place
so
I
support
all
of
this,
but
I
think
that's
part
of
it
and
it
doesn't
have
to
be
a
you
know.
A
J
D
I
agree
with
the
chairman
on
that
particular
issue,
but
the
other
issues
were
already
brought
forward.
That
issue
there.
We'd
all
talked
about
anyway,
because
they
hadn't
been
done
so
I'll
agree
with
that
one
and
it's
like
I,
said
I
still
give
them
an
a
up
to
this
point,
because
we've
all
had
a
tough
time
and
but
I,
you
know,
I
hope
it's
just
an
issue
thing.
Not
a
vote
is
oh.
Do.
K
A
So
we
kind
of
asked
that
question,
because
I
wasn't
totally
clear
on
that.
I
I
mean
if
someone
anybody
here
can
make
a
motion,
but
my
sense
is
that
this
was
kind
of
to
spark
a
conversation
and
to
have
some
dialogue
dialogue
around
these
issues,
not
to
take
a
formal
vote
tonight.
So
if
that's
I
think
it's
been
a
good
discussion
and
we
don't
have
to
all
agree
on
every
single
detail
of
this
to
kind
of
talk
about
the
direction
we're
going
in
and
some
of
these
specific
plans
that
we
want.
A
We
want
to
make
some
progress
on
this
year,
so,
if
everyone's
comfortable
with
that
I
think
we
can
just
leave
it
there
for
now,
all
right
all
right.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
Miss
stone!
Thank
you,
Commission
all
right.
The
next
item
on
the
agenda
is
presentation
on
the
FY
17
audit
and
Tim
flora,
and
the
audit
team
is
here
to
present
that
to
us
this
evening.
For
tonight.
G
A
G
Commissioners
and
people
in
attendance,
let
me
read
to
you
what
we
have
staff
and
all
this
is
from
the
Audit
Committee.
It's
dated
January
18th
I
mean
January,
9th
2018,
dear
Commissioner,
Neumann
and
commissioners.
The
firm
of
Gould
Killian
CPA
group
presented
financial
statements
for
fiscal
year,
ending
June
30th
2017
to
the
Audit
Committee
on
December
12
2017.
G
The
auditors
issued
an
unmodified
report
indicating
that
financial
statements
were
fairly
presented,
based
on
generally
accepted
accounting
principles,
although
often
a
routine
matter
to
the
general
public.
An
unmodified
opinion
on
the
county's
financial
statements
is
very
important
and
gives
testimony
to
the
competency
in
hard
work
of
CFO
10
Tim
floor
and
the
staff
who
worked
under
his
supervision.
G
Google
Killian
CPA
group
did
not
identify
any
material
weaknesses
in
internal
control
over
physical,
over
financial
reporting
or
compliance
with
major
federal
or
state
programs,
while
performing
work
related
to
physical
year
in
630
17.
The
order
the
Audit
Committee
understands
that
guk
cpa
group
is
limited
in
their
scope
of
commenting
on
material
weaknesses
to
those
that
apply
to
financial
reporting
with
major
federal
or
state
programs.
G
However,
given
the
audit
committees
broader
private
purview
over
internal
control,
the
committee
wishes
to
comment
on
internal
control.
More
specifically,
the
most
effective
internal
controls
over
county
assets
become
much
less
so
in
an
environment
that
affords
senior
management
extremely
broad
powers
over
financial
resources
and
personnel.
In
addition,
the
effectiveness
of
the
internal
audit
function
in
prior
years
was
limited,
given
the
internal
order
to
report
it
to
senior
management
for
all
practical
purposes.
G
From
this
broader
perspective,
the
Audit
Committee
believes
that
internal
controls
were
weak
during
physical
year
in
630,
17
and
likely
in
preceding
physical
years,
in
which
those
conditions
were
the
wrote
the
rule.
The
audit
committee
appreciates
the
recent
steps
taken
by
the
commissioners
to
address
those
weaknesses
and
their
continued
resolved
toward
transparency
and
a
more
effective
environment
for
the
internal
audit
function
and
it
signed
sincerely
Larry
B
Harris,
chair
Audit
Committee
for
Buncombe
County
I'd,
also
like
to
add
here
some
of
the
the
audit
committee
reports.
G
Recent
changes
that
elevate
the
audit
process
as
it
should
be,
and
let
me
just
read
the
bullets
here,
because
I
want
these
to
make
sure
they
go
in
the
record.
Both
sheets
first
strengthens
the
Charter
and
I
love
you,
and
these
all
have
been
done.
We
strengthen
the
membership
of
the
county
audit
committee
and
we
did
that
by
moving
in
line
with
all
counties
on
most
counties
in
North
Carolina,
where
we
have
had
one
Commission
on
audit
committee.
N
You
can
get
the
presentation
up:
I
guess
Thanks,
chairman
Newman
vice
chair
fryer
and
commissioners.
I
am
here
tonight,
along
with
our
external
auditors,
from
gold,
kyun
CPA
group
to
present
the
results
of
the
of
our
fiscal
year.
2017
financial
audit
I
will
speak
first,
followed
by
Ed
Towson,
a
principal
and
president
of
gol
Killian.
We
welcome
your
questions
at
following
our
presentation.
N
The
audit
opinion
letter,
the
audited
financial
statements
and
other
relevant
financial
information
is
relayed
through
our
comprehensive
annual
financial
report.
This
report
is
an
incredible
in-depth
source
of
information
about
Buncombe
County,
our
financial
condition
and
where
County
dollars
have
been
used.
This
report
is
produced
in
accordance
with
generally
accepted
accounting
principles
and
federal
and
state
requirements.
It
provides
a
transparent
snapshot
of
our
financial
position
for
our
constituents
for
those
less
interested
in
a
deep
dive.
N
The
statistical
section
in
the
back
of
the
report
is
a
great
reference
for
historical
information,
comparing
where
we
are
today
versus
the
past
ten
years.
The
full
report
is
available
to
view
and
download
on
our
website.
Under
normal
circumstances,
I
would
highlight
our
unmodified
opinion
and
speak
about
how
our
financial
position
is
sound
and
stable,
which
it
is
I
would
also
spend
time
thanking
my
staff
and
the
orders
for
their
work,
which
I
also
still
want
to
do.
N
However,
it
is
well
known
there
is
currently
an
investigation
of
our
former
county
manager,
and
the
nature
of
this
investigation
is
related
to
potential
fraud.
There
has
been
much
speculation,
both
internally
and
externally,
surrounding
this
investigation.
That
is
why
tonight
I
believe
I
must
address
these
concerns.
N
So
how
can
we
have
an
unmodified
opinion
commonly
refer
to
as
a
clean
audit?
Under
these
circumstances,
how
can
I
also
say
we
are
in
good
financial
position,
considering
the
information
published
by
the
media
and,
finally,
how
can
those
things
be
true,
and
yet
we
still
have
an
investigation.
We
are
in
an
unusual
situation,
and
these
are
just
some
of
the
basic
questions
raised.
I
would
like
to
review
these
briefly
to
share
my
thoughts
on
these
questions.
N
Let's
start
with,
how
can
we
have
a
clean
audit,
the
scope
of
the
audit,
what
we
hired
our
external
auditors
to
do
was
to
audit
the
accuracy
of
our
financial
statements.
These
are
accurate
and
have
always
been
accurate
to
the
best
of
our
knowledge.
The
auditor
does
not
make
a
determination
of
whether
fraud
has
occurred,
whether
there
have
been
unreasonable
misstatements
in
the
financial
statements,
there
are
none,
that's
all
a
clean
audit
means,
and
while
a
single
tax
dollar
used
wrongly,
is
a
material
event
and
a
betrayal
of
public
trust.
N
How
can
we
be
in
good
financial
position?
Many
actions
by
the
county
manager
have
been
questioned.
These
fall
largely
into
two
categories,
those
that
were
inappropriate
and
those
that
were
technically
under
her
granted
authority,
but
are
questionable
due
to
the
other
factors,
the
dollar
value
of
the
first
category,
those
that
are
inappropriate
as
far
as
I
am
currently
aware,
are
not
large
enough
to
affect
County
operations
and
we
remain
in
a
stable
financial
position.
N
Despite
these
events,
all
other
questioned
events
as
discovered
through
our
internal
reviews
happen
through
budgeted
expenditures
and
also
do
not
affect
our
financial
position
in
any
new
ways.
Finally,
there
have
been
unsubstantiated
reports
of
funds
missing
or
unaccounted
for.
There
is
no
money
missing.
Every
dollar
in
our
financial
system
is
accounted
for
in
these
statements
we
present
to
you
tonight
and
finally,
how
did
something
like
this
happen
in
the
first
place?
This
is
the
easiest
question
to
answer.
We
are
not
perfect,
we
are
human.
Our
system
is
obviously
not
perfect.
N
Our
system
was
obviously
not
perfect
in
the
past,
and
although
it
is
improved,
it
is
still
not
perfect.
Today,
even
with
the
Fortin
changes,
the
board
and
the
current
county
manager
have
made
before
we
had
protocols
in
place
to
prevent
and
detect
wrongdoing.
However,
we
let
someone
in
power
in
position
take
advantage
of
those
systems.
We
also
operate
it
in
an
environment
where
discovering
these
exploits
was
made
difficult
and
making
changes
to
any
other
weaknesses.
Incredibly
hard,
I.
N
Want
to
recap,
County
finances
role
in
these
events
to
hopefully
help
answer
any
remaining
questions
under
the
limitations
imposed
due
to
the
ongoing
investigation.
Here's
a
very
summarized
timeline
of
events,
starting
in
the
fall
of
2016.
There
were
some
peculiar
decisions
and
directions
provided
by
the
former
county
manager
that
came
across
as
odd.
Nothing
concrete
mind
you
just
things
that
made
me
scratch
my
head
and
wonder.
What's
going
on
in
the
spring
of
2017,
there
were
some
questionable
actions
by
the
county
manager
that
raised
some
red
flags
for
finance
staff.
N
Not
much
detail
can
be
can
be
provided
at
this
time,
but
these
actions
led
to
an
increased
level
of
scrutiny
regarding
specific
financial
events,
it
is
likely
you
the
board,
and
the
public
are
unaware
of
these
actions,
because
ultimately,
they
were
prevented
from
occurring
because
of
our
internal
controls
over
a
four-day
period
in
June,
2017
finance
noticed
a
series
of
irregularities
tied
to
the
former
county
manager.
Again
our
internal
controls
caught
these
events.
N
However,
in
these
circumstances,
the
controls
were
detective
in
nature,
meaning
the
events
had
already
occurred,
but
were
discovered
through
routine
analysis
and
review.
Some
irregularities
were
quickly
deemed
inappropriately,
and
an
internal
review
was
begun
because
of
the
nature
of
events
and
circumstances.
Our
internal
auditor
and
human
resources
director
were
immediately
notified
and
consulted
the
weekend
following
these
discoveries.
Irregular
discoveries
irregularities
were
documented
and
delivered
the
following
Monday
to
our
senior
attorney
for
his
advice
and
counsel.
N
Based
on
this,
it
was
determined
that
a
potential
breach
had
occurred
while
the
senior
attorney
immediately
notified
the
proper
legal
authorities,
finance,
HR
NIT,
began
the
process
of
restricting
county
manager.
Access
to
our
systems,
as
well
as
the
administration
building
the
county
manager
was
informed
of
the
county
manager,
was
informed
of
the
restrictions
placed
upon
her.
We
collectively
meeting
finance,
IT
internal
audit,
Human,
Resources,
legal
and
Budget
began
the
process
of
locking
down
information
to
prefer
to
preserve
evidence.
N
These
events
occurred
the
last
two
weeks
of
June.
As
an
organization
we
were
transitioning
to
a
new
county
manager,
many
were
notified
and
there
was
much
activity.
However,
I
want
to
speak
specific
to
events
of
Finance,
as
outlined
in
this
timeline
in
July,
as
the
new
county
manager
assumed
her
position.
We
also
just
ended
our
fiscal
year
and
began
a
new
budget
cycle
during
this
timeframe.
We
also
broadened
our
internal
review
to
determine
the
financial
impact
of
the
identified
events
and
worked
with
authorities
as
they
began
their
investigation.
N
In
July,
we
notified
our
external
auditors,
Gould
Killian
CPA
group,
who
had
already
started
work
on
the
year-end
audit
of
the
internal
review
findings
and
external
investigation.
We
provided
them
with
the
most
up-to-date
information
we
had
shortly
thereafter.
We
also
contacted
our
state
oversight
agency,
the
local
government
Commission,
who
in
turn
notified
the
State
Treasurer
and
the
state
auditor.
A
public
trust,
had
been
broken.
N
During
the
sixth,
during
the
months
of
August,
through
October,
we
worked
with
Gould
Killian
to
determine
what
impact
the
events
surrounding
the
investigation
had
on
the
financial
statements
and
the
county's
financial
condition.
Earlier
I
mentioned
two
types
of
events
we
examined
that
resulted
in
the
investigation,
questionable
actions
and
those
that
were
clearly
inappropriate.
The
authorities
continued
their
investigation
and
I
will
leave
it
to
them
to
determine
the
legality.
However,
let
me
speak
to
the
financial
impact
again.
N
Any
misuse
of
taxpayer
dollars
is
a
material
event
and
a
betrayal
of
public
trust
that
cannot
be
emphasized
enough
and
that
misuse
must
be
dealt
with.
However,
material
has
a
different
meaning
when
speaking
and
financial
statement
presentation
terms,
in
this
case,
material
means
impact
on
the
presentation
of
the
financial
numbers
and
its
accuracy.
The
material
impact
of
the
clearly
inappropriate
activity
as
it
relates
to
the
alleged
misuse
of
gift
cards
and
purchase
card
activity
does
not
fit
affect
the
accuracy
of
the
financial
statements
or
the
county's
financial
condition.
N
There
were
other
things
examined
initially
and
thereafter
that
were,
and
still
are
questionable
in
nature.
Those
continue
to
be
discussed
internally
in
and
in
public.
We
have
looked
at
those
evaluated
them
and
asked
many
questions.
Ultimately,
though,
whether
you
agree
with
it
or
not,
whether
right
or
wrong
again
leaving
that
for
the
authorities
to
decide
these
events
occurred
through
the
budgetary
process,
they
were
budgeted
expenditures
that
have
been
accounted
for
through
normal
operations
and
do
not
affect
our
financial
condition
other
than
that,
as
done
by
any
other
budgeted
activity.
N
But
these
events
speak
loudly
to
our
past
failures
at
transparency
and
accountability.
Things
were
approved,
Authority
was
granted,
it
was
clear.
Messages
got
muddled,
intent
off.
You
skated
as
department
heads
we
let
ourselves
be
put
in
silos,
we
trusted
when
we
should
have
questioned
and
when
we
did
questioned
we
let
ourselves
be
convinced,
and
so
that
leaves
us
where
we
are
today
me
standing
here
just
to
find
what
I
consider
a
successful
audit.
While
the
county
has
a
cloud
over
its
head,
we
have
all
been
let
down.
N
We
have
been
misled,
we
thought
we
were
better
than
this.
We
know
we
are
better
than
this
public
trust
has
been
compromised.
We
cannot
let
these
actions
define
us
nor
interfere
with
the
tremendous
work
otherwise
done
by
county
staff.
We
shall
learn
from
these
mistakes
and
continue
to
work
tirelessly
to
prevent
this
from
occurring
in
the
future.
Good
positive
changes
have
already
been
made
and
we
will
continue
to
make
more.
Your
leadership
has
been
Swift,
the
leadership
of
county
manager,
stone
has
been
strong,
change
was
long
overdue.
O
Good
evening,
I
want
to
start
by
expressing
on
1/2
of
gold
killing
and
our
appreciation
for
the
opportunity
to
perform
the
annual
audit
of
the
county.
We
talked
about
this
internally
to
our
staff.
They
talked
about
it
actually
in
the
engagement
about
what
a
significant
and
important
operation
it
is
to
perform
the
audit.
We
take
very
seriously
our
obligation
to
the
taxpayers.
We
are
mostly
taxpayers
ourselves
in
Buncombe
County,
and
so
we
do
it's
an
obligation.
We
take
very
seriously.
O
We
take
the
trust
of
the
taxpayers
seriously
and
we
want
to
be
sure
that
our
role
in
the
whole
system
is
performed
to
the
best
of
our
abilities.
So
we
we
do.
Thank
you
for
the
opportunity.
It
is
an
honor
to
perform
the
county's
audit
each
year.
We
also
do
thank
the
staff
of
the
finance
department
for
all
of
the
work
they
do
to
enable
us
to
do
our
job.
O
We've
talked
about
materiality
a
little
bit.
Tim
talked
about
materiality,
we
agree
and
in
fact
our
audit
standards
say
we
agree
with
Tim,
and
our
audit
standards
say
that
there
is
no
materiality
when
it
comes
to
fraud.
So
we
believe
that
if
one
dollar
of
taxpayer
money
is
used
inappropriately,
of
course,
if
we
spot
it,
we
will
report
it.
Fraud.
Detection,
though,
is
not
one
of
the
primary
goals
of
a
financial
statement.
Audit.
O
It
is,
in
fact,
the
stated
goal
of
assuring
that
the
financial
statements
are
presented
correctly
in
conformity
with
GAAP
and
that
all
material
transactions
are
properly
reported.
Fraud.
We're
not
happy
about,
and
I
want
to
talk
about
a
couple
of
other
things
related
to
how
that
can
interact
with
the
financial
statement.
Audit,
so
I
want
to
take
one
minute
and
talk
about
the
procedures
that
we
employ
and
part
of
the
in
part
of
the
audit.
So
we
we
do
a
lot
of
different
things.
Obviously
it
wouldn't
make
sense.
O
We'd
be
camped
out
here
all
the
time.
If
we
reviewed
every
single
transaction
that
the
county
incurs.
What
we
do
do
is
we
do
a
combination
of
tests.
We
do
what's
known
as
substantive
tests
where
we
review
every
transaction
in
certain
key
accounts
or
certain
account
balances.
We
confirm
critical
balances
with
outside
third
parties
so
that
we
don't
simply
rely
on
what
the
finance
department
or
anybody
else
is
we
go
to
the
source.
Excuse
me
and
say:
is
this
number
correct?
Is
this
the
right
sales
tax
revenue?
Is
this
whatever-it-is?
O
We
track
those
numbers
down
with
third
parties.
We
review
the
minutes
of
your
meetings
and
their
scintillating
and
we
hang
on
every
word.
We
do
what
we
do
review
the
minutes
of
these
meetings
and
we
review
as
well
budget
resolutions
and
amendments
and
other
board
approved
policies,
primarily
to
see
how
they
intersect
intersect.
What's
actually
happened
in
the
financial
reporting
and
accounting
of
the
transactions
we
also
test
systems
and
so
on
a
sample
basis.
O
So
those
tests
are
reliable
when
there's
a
system
of
internal
control,
Buncombe
County
has
a
strong
system
of
internal
control.
Can
it
be
stronger
and
is
it
appropriate
to
discuss
additional
procedures
or
changes
in
procedures
absolutely,
but
a
strong
system
of
internal
control
is
designed
to
do
two
things.
One
is
it's
designed
to
help
prevent
fraud,
defalcation
and
misstatement,
just
simple
errors
that
could
occur
in
posting
transactions
and
it's
a
system
that
is
designed
to
detect
it
on
the
prevention
side
and
on
the
detection
side.
O
There
are
a
couple
of
key
things
that
we
look
for:
one
is
segregation
of
duties,
another
is
separation
of
certain
kinds
of
transactions,
so
that
there
are
at
least
two
or
more
people
involved,
and
it's
our
understanding
and
it's
not
known
because
the
investigation
is
not
complete,
but
it's
our
understanding
that
in
the
questionable
transactions
involving
the
pea,
cart
there
in
fact
were
two
or
more
people
involved.
Now
it
has,
it
has
kind
of
an
ugly
name
in
accounting.
O
O
There's
so
much
trust
in
an
individual
that
a
person
does
what
they're
instructed
to
do,
and
we
suspect
that
some
of
that
occurred
and
then
sometimes
collusion
can
occur
simply
because
the
person
you
know
has
some
fear
or
other
worry
about
their
job
or
something
that
could
happen
and-
and
so,
when
we
get
to
that
point,
then
there's
a
little
bit
of
a
problem,
which
is
the
system
of
internal
control
on
the
preventive
side
is
undermined.
This
is
often
called
override
of
internal
controls.
O
So
what
is
there
any
way
to
prevent
two
people
working
together
to
override
a
system
of
internal
control,
well,
accounting,
writers
and
professors,
and
so
forth?
Say
there's
really
not
I
mean
you
could
keep
adding
people,
but
it's
possible.
It's
always
possible
that
a
group
of
people
could
override
internal
controls,
but
what's
strong
about
the
county
system
of
internal
control
to
us
is
the
detection
side,
so
there's
a
process
whereby
the
transactions
on
the
p-cards
are
reviewed
in
the
finance
department.
That
process
resulted
in
the
questions
and
then
the
subsequent
procedures
that
Tim
described.
O
So
are
we
happy
that
possibly
a
fraud
occurred?
Absolutely
not.
Are
we
alarmed
that
there's
not
a
functioning
system
of
internal
control
for
Buncombe
County?
What
that's
not
the
case?
We
know
it
did
function.
In
fact,
the
detection
part
of
the
system
of
internal
control
is
what
resulted
in
all
of
the
steps
that
resulted
in
the
spot
we
are
in
now.
I
also
want
to
talk
about
why
we
didn't
report
a
deficiency,
so
I've
just
described
how
system
of
internal
control
works.
We
reliant
we
document
on.
O
We
document
the
system
of
internal
control,
we
rely
on
it
for
certain
tests.
We
do
walkthroughs,
we
tests
certain
aspects
of
the
system.
The
system
itself
is
designed
in
a
way
that
is
reliable
and
therefore
it
is
not
deficient.
Can
it
be
improved
it?
Any
system
can
be
improved,
but
it
was
reliable
and
again
it
did
detect.
It
did
detect
the
problem
now.
One
of
the
recommendations
that
we
have
in
in
this
area,
though,
is
what
could
be
done
with
that
system.
O
You
know
there
was
an
old
saying
there
was
an
old
saying,
I,
think
of
world
war,
two
see
something
say
something
and
now
it
should
be
the
encouragement
for
the
educational
processes,
the
systems
to
allow
people
to
report
and
to
to
supervisors
or
on
the
whistleblower
line
or
any
other
any
other
mechanisms.
So
we
agree
that
that
is
an
important
part
to
strengthening
the
system.
A
I
O
It
would
be
unusual
for
a
normal
financial
audit
to
expand
the
scope
of
internal
controls,
because
there
is
a
certain
matter,
a
certain
amount
of
audit
or
judgment
about
where
to
test,
because
again,
the
whole
system
is
on
a
test
basis,
but
it
certainly
is
possible
to
engage
external
auditors
to
really
examine
and
report
on
a
system
of
internal
control.
Thank.
I
E
E
Multiple
years,
so
no
there
were
some
things
found
and
there
was
some
kind
of
bells
and
whistles
and
things
that
went
off
you
know
in
in
in
the
finance
department.
Can
you
comment
on?
You
know
the
timing
of
that
and
why
some
of
these
things,
maybe
were
we're
not
detected
or
were
maybe
not
in
previous
year's
audits
like
and
I,
must.
E
N
N
You
know,
I
really
think
the
way
I
used
to
do
it
was
sort
of
a
random
number
generator
and
you'd
match
it
to
that
peak
harder
than
you'd
pull
it,
and
then
you
would
just
you
had
awed
it.
Perhaps
just
a
one
month's
worth
of
transactions
to
see
that
everything
was
looked
good
so
and
based
upon
you
know
the
amount
of
resources
we
had.
N
You
know
we
were
limited
to
the
number
of
random
audits
that
we
could
we
could
do,
but
that
would
be
how
how
that
would
how
how
you
may
not
have
caught
a
prior
year.
If
we
find
something,
then
again
you
you
expend
you,
you
expand
your
universe
and
you
you
continue
to
to
pull
that
thread,
but
in
this
situation
in
a
routine
review.
So
then
we
we
pulled
the
thread
so.
J
It's
my
understanding
that
a
HHS
has
uses
P
cards
as
well,
and
this
may
be
a
subject
for
another
night,
but
you
know
from
from
the
information
we
have
so
far.
The
abuse
of
the
P
cards
went
on
for
at
least
three
years.
As
far
as
we
know,
with
large
amounts.
I
guess
I'd
be
interested
to
know
the
difference
of
policy
that
HHS
had
with
P
cards
versus
what
the
county
did
with
P
cards,
because
and
and
I
think
we
need
to
aggressively
look
at
different
policies,
because
random
checks
didn't
serve
us
very
well.
I.
P
Can
speak
to
what
we
did
in
HHS
for
P
cards
and
what
we
still
do
part
of
our
requirements
in
order
to
submit
those
expenses
for
reimbursement
for
state
and
federal
government.
We're
required
to
make
sure
that
we
have
all
those
receipts
and
those
receipts
are
verified
each
month
with
those
P
car
transactions
to
assure
that
they
one
are
eligible
for
reimbursement
according
to
state
and
federal
guidelines,
and
to
that
to
make
sure
that
they
were
legitimate
purchases.
I.
E
Think
you
know
I've
mentioned
before
and
I
keep
saying
the
term
gatekeeper.
But
you
know
a
gatekeeper
policy
is
not
a
random
function
that
we
were
tied
to
before,
based
on
staff.
But
it's
a
it's
specifically
looking
at
every
transaction
and
if
something
pops
up
and
so
again
that's
for
a
future
date.
But
let's
continue
the
discussion
on
it,
but
both
presentations
were
and.
N
G
You
know
what
was
surprising
to
me.
Commissioners
doing
this:
is
it
I
didn't
realize
we
don't
have
a
purchasing
department
and
by
not
having
a
purchasing
department?
We're
slim
sure
it's
cut
out
some
process,
but
we've
been
using
these
P
cards.
Correct
me
if
I'm
wrong,
Tim
to
buy
supplies
yes
and
to
me,
if
we
were
buying
them
in
bulk,
wouldn't
it
be
cheaper,
I
mean
that's
something
I
think
you
know
we
need
to
look
at.
D
Commission
I
think
that
we
do
and
I've
seen
areas
way
back
a
forest
Commissioner
that
I
looked
at,
that
the
P
card
is
good
to
like
has
a
ten
thousand
dollar
limit
to
buy?
You
know
in
the
bulk
form,
and
you
know
they
buy
$8,000
one
day
and
8,000
the
next,
but
it's
basically
legitimate
stuff
a
bag,
and
that's
that's
the
way
that,
from
what
I
understand
that
I've
seen
even
before
it's
Commissioner,
because
I
would.
G
G
N
I
will
say
that
the
p-card
program
is
our
highest
risk
program.
That
is,
that
is
the
program
that
I
am
most
concerned
with.
It
has
the
highest
Kris
I
think
as
far
as
potential
misuse
there
are,
there
are
benefits
to
having
them.
I
mean
there
is
a
flexibility
to
having
them.
I
mean
it
is
nice
for
our
general
services,
folks,
when
they
are
out
on
a
job
to
be
able
to
run
to
lows
and.
N
J
You
know
we
can
say
this.
This
was
a
one-off
horrible
thing
that
happened,
but
you
only
learned
and
I
think
we
need
a
hard
correction
and
maybe
explore
some
different
ways
of
accountability
with
P
cards,
because
those
charges
are
outrageous,
absolutely
mind-boggling,
crazy
and
it
happened
over
a
period
of
three
years
and
we
need
to
find
out
the
system
failures
and
if
we
have
to
change
the
amount
that
can
be
charged
on
one,
two
people
have
to
sign
off
on
it,
but
those
are
mind-boggling.
A
N
F
Q
A
You
have
to
act
all
right.
Thank
you
for
that
clarification.
Are
there
other
questions
or
discussion
on
this
item
at
this
time,
all
right?
Well,
Commissioner,
Whiteside!
Thank
you
for
the
thank
you
for
the
report
from
the
audit
committee
and
to
the
Google
Killian
folks
and
to
our
in
to
Tim
floor.
Thank
you
for
a
very
thorough
presentation.
We
appreciate
this
and.
A
Making
sure
we
are
doing
everything
we
can
to
get
this
right,
both
with
the
formal
audit,
the
internal
auditing
and
any
other
procedures
that
we
need
to
put
in
place
to
make
sure
that
taxpayer
money
is
accounted
for
and
used
in
in
a
responsible
way.
So
thank
you
for
this
this
report
and
we
will
move
on
to
the
next
item
on
the
agenda
now,
which
is
the
two
resolutions
declaring
ambulances
as
surplus
property
for
the
donation
of
those
vehicles
to
Fairview
Fire
District
in
the
Buncombe
County
Rescue
Squad
in
Mike
free
will
present
this
item.
F
Commissioners
eat
the
County
EMS
Department,
recently
upgraded
its
fleet
of
ambulances,
I
think
there's
ten
of
them
I'm,
not
exactly
sure.
At
this
time,
there's
two
surplus
ambulances
in
the
fleet,
with
roughly
150
and
165
miles
on
them,
respectively,
Fairview,
Fire,
Department,
I,
think
I
saw
Jones
back
in
here.
F
They
have
recently
requested
that,
if
they're
the
board
the
terms
that
there's
a
surplus
ambulance
that
they'd
be
very
interested
in
receiving
it
to
supplement
their
I
think
they
have
one
vehicle
and
they
want
to
make
sure
that
keep
a
vehicle
on
in
service
all
the
time.
So,
according
with
with
general
statutes,
the
county
may
transfer
to
nonprofit
organizations
that
carry
out
a
public
purpose
surplus
vehicles
to
continue
to
carry
out
that
public
purpose
and
this
vehicle
is
in
the
fleet.
F
E
A
F
N
K
K
L
Not
necessarily
too
small,
it's
just
an
older.
The
box
is
an
older
unit
than
the
one
from
the
county.
Someone
like
me,
it's
extremely
hard
to
work
in
the
back
of
it
just
due
to
my
height,
so
the
Box
on
the
on
the
county
unit
is
much
larger,
so
it's
a
whole
lot
easier
to
actually
work
out
us.
We
were
using
this
one.
L
We
originally
purchased
it
as
a
backup
unit
and
since
we
purchased
it
as
a
backup
unit,
it's
actually
we've
managed
to
we've
had
like
I,
say
an
increase
in
calls
it
in
our
district,
so
both
of
them
are
staying
on
the
road
on
a
regular
basis.
So
if
one
of
them
goes
down
we're
kind
of
losing,
you
know
a
level
of
care
out
there
and
we're
having
to
wait.
You
know
an
extended
amount
of
time
for
someone
to
get
out
there
with
an
ambulance.
L
K
B
L
Just
trying
to
utilize,
basically
the
the
one
we've
got
now
the
older
one.
We
were
wanting
to
keep
it
and
maintain
it
just
in
case
one
of
the
others
breaks
down
or
needs
to
be
serviced
or
something
that
way
we're
continually
maintaining
two
ambulances
in
service
at
all
times,
because
actually
we
won't
have
enough
equipment
to
keep
all
three
in
service,
because
if
one
breaks
down
we're
gonna
have
to
move
some
of
that
equipment
to
that
third
ambulance.
To
make
sure
we
maintain,
you
know
two
ambulances
in
service
at
all
times
so
well,.
K
F
A
Had
one
so
give
them
one
for
backup,
so
I
see
it
seems
like
a
great
you
know.
Great
use
of
the
vehicle
question
is
I
guess
my
only
question
is:
how
do
we
make
these
decisions
kind
of
going
forward,
because
I
could
see
how
there
could
be?
You
know
different
departments,
you
might
want
a
donation
of
a
vehicle
like
this.
So
how
do
we?
A
F
Certainly,
we've
discussed
this
in
house
at
SLT
and
it's
it's
been
in
the
past.
The
first
come
first
serve
request
basis,
but
we
have
discussed
the
necessity
for
process
and
how
we're
gonna
make
choices
of
this
nature
or
whether
or
not
we
should
just
put
any
surplus
property.
I,
don't
gov
deals.
So
that's
something
that
will
to
work
through.
A
M
You
know
mr.
Hal
Watts
I'd
come
in
where's
the
common
sense
that
you
know
if
you're
taking
these
properties
and
giving
them
to
another
one,
then
what
is
the
process?
Do
you
stop
it?
When
you
get
an
ambulance
with
160
some
thousand
miles
on
it?
Is
it
out
of
commission
because
it's
it's
something
that
the
state
says
you
got
to
get
it
off
of
the
road
and
if
it's
true
that
the
thing
is
still
in
use
and
running,
then
why
don't
the
one
that's
giving
it
away
still
use
it?
M
M
That's
going
to
start
running
up
the
cost
again
because
it's
a
lot
easier
to
probably
buy
a
new
one
and
have
insurance
on
it
and
stuff
like
that,
it's
going
to
maintenance,
he's
gonna
be
less
and
you
heard
they
got
rid
of
the
diesels
and
got
gas
back
because
of
stuff
going
on
with
the
diesel,
so
I'm
I'm
with
mr.
Newman
on
what
is
the
process,
because
I
think
you
could
run
into
a
lot
of
money
here
and
yeah.
M
A
All
right
bring
it
back
to
the
board.
We've
got
a
motion
and
second
any
other
questions.
All
in
favor.
Oh
wait,
I'm,
sorry,
listen!
Let's
just
take
make
sure
we
take
these
one
at
a
time
could
could
could?
Can
we
have
a
motion?
Can
we
redo
this
to
have
a
motion?
First,
on
the
ambulance
to
the
Fairview
Fire
District,
it
was
out
how
you
made
the
motion,
but
for
Fairview.
First,
okay,.
A
K
A
D
Barnesville
call
me
and
asked
how
they
could
buy
an
ambulance
by
not
being
on
deaf,
go
and
I
told
him.
I
did
not
know
so.
I
put
him
in
touch
with
Greg
and
then
they've
got
with
miss
stone
and
they
determined
that
there's
a
possibility,
because
you
did
not
have
a
backup
that
we
would
give
you
an
ambulance.
Now
they
had
one
ambulance
and
it
turbo
went
out.
So
they
borrowed
an
ambulance
from
Scylla
until
they
got
their
ambulance
back.
So
now
they
have
a
ambulance
sitting
in
their
bag
as
a
backup
which
they
don't.
D
They
don't
have
the
product
to
put
on
it
and
that's
where
this
got
started
in
other
ones
were
supposed
to
been
sold,
but
somehow
they
ended
up
sitting
there
and
they
supposed
went
back
on
graphic.
Oh
I,
don't
really
fair
view,
I
understand,
I,
don't
understand,
I
can
rescue
at
all
because
I
don't
know
how
they're
part
of
the
deal.
Whatever
people
want
to
do
up
here.
That's
fine,
but
I,
don't
I!
D
Don't
get
that
one
because
fire
departments,
we
understand,
there's
six
fire
departments
that
have
ambulances
out
of
the
whole
district
and
so
we're
the
other
ones
haven't
asked
for
anything
and
I.
Think
that
this
right
here,
whatever
we
vote
on
to
give
them
an
ambulance,
this
should
end
the
process,
because.
E
J
Part
of
this
started:
now
we
have
a
policy
I
understand
for
vehicle
replacement
before
it
appeared,
it
was
rather
willy-nilly
and
the
past
manager
was
out
Consulting.
Everybody
bought
all
the
ambulances
in
the
spring.
So
that's
how
we
had
all
new
ambulances.
So
that's
what
created
us
having
the
three
extras?
They.
J
D
H
I
just
said
why
I
would
agree
that
we
need
to
relook
at
the
policy.
It's
not
I
mean
we
have
had
a
process.
One
Greg
Israel,
who
manages
the
fleet,
is
verified.
There's
an
available
surplus,
not
needed
to
support
our
own
fleet
and
to
mr.
V
Hahn,
who
serves
as
our
EMS
director
and
the
inn
is
our
liaison
to
all.
These
departments
has
made
the
recommendation
around
both
of
these
supposed
or
requested
donations,
and
we
would
agree
if
we're
gonna
face
this
again.
As
as
mr.
Frese
said,
we
want
a
written
policy.
E
F
E
E
A
E
K
F
J
D
E
D
We
go
all
right.
No,
since
we're
doing
this
tonight,
you
know
everybody's
talked
to
everybody,
wants
more
ambulances
out
there.
Well,
we've
got
a
company,
that's
walked
in
here
many
times
and
they
supposed
to
have
an
answer.
It's
time
to
give
them
the
answer.
I
want
all
ambulances
put
on
I'll,
be
more
than
happy
to
vote
for
one
for
Buncombe
rescue
but
I
know
another
company.
That's
been
buying
nurse
and
they're
out
there,
an
ambulance
service,
so
I'm
not
worried
about
whatever
another
company
says
it's
time
for
us
to
site.
D
A
Q
I
Q
Q
Traditionally
we
used
to
do
a
lot
of
vehicle
extrication
x'
over
the
years,
we've
kind
of
given
that
over
to
the
fire
departments,
because
it
makes
more
sense
for
them
to
go
since
they're
closer
to
the
community.
Our
purpose
recently
since
I've
been
chief,
is
we
assist
with
wilderness
search-and-rescue.
We
assist
with
providing
the
fire
departments
firefighter
rehabilitation
services,
so
we're
there
to
care
for
the
firefighters
that
are
caring
for
our
community
and
we
also
provide
ambulance
services,
which
is
the
part
that
helps
us.
Allow
our
volunteer
program
to
continue.
Q
That's
what
pays
for
our
volunteers
to
be
trained,
outfitted
equipped
to
do
their
job,
so
our
ambulance
services
that
we
are
requesting
we're
requesting
a
truck
for
a
backup.
Currently,
we
run
two
to
three
trucks
per
day.
We
run
a
contract
with
Mission
Hospital
to
do
convalescent
care
and
we
run
nine
when
one
responds
with
the
county.
We
do
have
a
spare
truck
as
it
is
right
now,
but,
like
all
the
other
fire
departments
in
the
county
were
plagued
with
the
constant
mechanical
failures,
especially
with
these
diesel
exhaust
fluid
emissions.
Q
E
Q
Off
top
of
my
head,
I'm
wanting
to
say
it's
well
over
two
hundred
thousand
miles:
if
not
three
hundred
thousand,
it's
got
some
age
on
it
and
it
is
pretty
much
a
daily
runner.
We
use
it
to
back
up
our
newer
trucks
which
are
constantly
breaking
down,
so
this
would
just
be
another
added
backup
truck
first
allowed
to
assist
with
the
community.
A
H
We
did
address
those
employees
who,
by
job
description,
are
required
to
work
when
the
county's
closed
her,
regardless
of
the
weather,
some
of
those
who
are
in
Health
and
Human
Services,
summon
EMS
of
attention
center
and
in
the
in
law
enforcement
we
did
not
address
General
Services
General
Services
is
a
class
of
employees
who
are
not
required
to
work
when
the
organization's
closed,
but
we
miss
the
point
that
the
we
can't
clear,
sidewalks
or
parking
decks
or
run
ambulances
or
Patrol.
Unless
general
services
comes
in
to
clear.
H
So
you
know
that
your
reforms
are
working
and
working
well.
When
I
made
the
decision
that
I
thought
they
should
be
compensated
given
their
pay
grade
in
class,
and
then
it
was
not
part
of
their
description.
Finance
said:
no.
The
policy
wasn't
clear
enough
in
that
I
say:
yeah
is
exactly
what
we
want
to
see
happen
in
the
new
environment
is
to
say
we
need
to
be
clear
in
all
aspects
of
policy:
I
called
or
spoke
to
each
of
you
or
through
email.
H
J
M
A
That
concludes
our
new
business
I'd
like
to
make
a
couple
of
announcements
on
vacancies
for
County
Commission
Buncombe
County
boards.
We
have
vacancies
on
the
newly
reconstituted
library
board.
There
are
five
vacancies,
one
from
each
Commission
district
and
two
at
large
on
the
historic
resource
Commission.
We
have
two
vacancies
on
the
Asheville
Board
of
adjustments,
one
vacancy
and
the
County
Board
of
Adjustment
two
vacancies
will
now
also
have
our
general
public
comment.
If
you'd
like
to
comment
to
the
board,
your
time
is
three
minutes.
A
If
your
time
expires,
you
can
leave
any
questions
with
your
name
name
address
and
phone
number
with
the
county
manager
board.
Members
are
not
expected
to
comment
on
any
matters
during
public
comment.
This
is
the
public's
opportunity
to
speak
to
us
and
the
board
reserves
the
right
to
deny
public
address
on
topics
that
have
already
been
covered.
Where
there
was
public
comment
earlier
this
evening.
Are
there
any
members
of
the
public
would
like
to
comment.
M
M
We're
talking
about
the
state
law
that
we
have
15%
well,
state
law
says
eight
and
a
half
percent
recommendation
is
not
that
you
have
to
do
it
on
your
fund
balance
and
you
got
seventy
five
million
dollars
a
lot
of
money
now
you're
saying
if
you
reduce
its
eighteen
percent
of
thing,
if
you
go
down
to
fifteen,
you've
got
75
million.
You
got
that
now,
whatever
it
is,
it's
a
lot
of
money.
Okay,
now
talking
about
one
cent
on
the
tax
rate,
three
point:
six
million
dollars.
Oh
you
just
sneezed
in
your
pie.
M
Let
me
tell
you
what,
if
you
want
to
make
an
adjustment?
Let's
do
it
right!
State
law
does
not
give
the
school
systems
of
fund
balance;
they
don't
even
give
it.
You
carry
that
in
your
fund
balance.
Now
we're
doubling
down.
We've
got
Buncombe
County
school
with
eleven
point:
nine
million
as
of
June
30th
of
last
year.
That's
after
unit
very
dunya
budget,
Asheville
City
has
got
eight
point.
Nine,
if
you
add
that
together,
that
is
twenty
point.
Nine
million
dollars.
So
you
divide
that
by
three
point.
M
Six
and
the
tax
rate
should
be
five
point.
Eight
cent
right
now
and
you
add
the
one
cent
that
you
just
talked
about.
We
could
even
bring
it
to
six
point
eight
now,
if
you
don't
believe
my
numbers,
why
do
you
believe
these
auditors
out
here
go?
Look
in
your
audit
book
now
this
don't
make
common
sense
when
you're
wanting
to
do
something
for
the
public,
but
you're
not
really
being
honest
with
the
public
where
the
money
is
and
the
fine
you're
doing
it.
M
A
All
right,
Thank
You
anyone
else
all
right,
I've
got
a
couple
of
announcements
on
January
22nd
at
9:00
a.m.
the
Board
of
Commissioners
will
meet
with
area
college
presidents
and
universally
University
Chancellor's
in
legislative
representatives
to
discuss
pre-k
needs
that
will
be
at
200
College
Street
first
floor
conference,
room
on
January
30th
there'll,
be
an
opioid
town
hall
meeting
at
the
a
BTEC
Mission
Conference
Center
on
the
campus
of
a
BTEC
340
Victoria
Road
from
6:00
to
8:00
p.m.
on
February.
The
6th
at
5:00
p.m.