ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville City Council on Tuesday will consider adopting a $3.9 million budget amendment to fund the first round of recovery projects following last year’s devastation from Tropical Storm Helene.

The amendment, totaling $3,894,000, would be added to the city’s General Capital Projects Fund and covered by reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The funds would support 23 small permanent projects identified by city staff, aimed at repairing infrastructure and city-owned property damaged in the storm.

Tropical Storm Helene struck Asheville in late September 2024, causing widespread damage to homes, businesses and public facilities. On Sept. 28, FEMA issued a major disaster declaration for North Carolina, unlocking federal assistance for affected communities.

According to city officials, the 23 projects carry an estimated price tag of $3.54 million, with an added contingency of $354,000 to bring the total funding request to nearly $3.9 million.

City staff emphasized that adopting the budget amendment promptly is necessary to comply with state statutes governing pre-audit and budget authorizations before expenses are incurred.

Officials also noted that this amendment represents only the first phase of Helene recovery work. Additional budget requests are expected in the coming months as more projects are identified.

Tropical Storm Helene small project list:

  • Swann Greenway — $750,000
  • Riverbend Park — $150,000
  • Reed Creek Greenway, Glenns Creek Greenway — $100,000
  • Riverside Cemetery — $300,000
  • Peach Knob, Upper White Fawn Radio Tower, Lower White Fawn Radio Tower — $125,000
  • Montford Park — $25,000
  • WNC Nature Center damage — $75,000
  • Anne Patton Joyce — $25,000
  • 8 River Arts Place — $825,000
  • West Asheville Park — $25,000
  • Dr. Wesley Grant — $5,000
  • Masters Park — $25,000
  • Aston Park Tennis Center, Maintenance Building, Thomas Wolfe Storage Building — $120,000
  • Magnolia Park — $25,000
  • Sunset Park — $25,000
  • Aston Park Tennis, Roger Farmer Park, Kenilworth Park, Montford Tempie Avery, 60 Eagle St Parking, Malvern Hills, Weaver Park — $240,000
  • FS 12 — $75,000
  • Montford Center — $75,000
  • Richmond Hill Park — $25,000
  • City Hall, FS11, FS 2 — $475,000
  • Meadow Park — $25,000

The city’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-26 has been posted here and will be presented at the council meeting set for 5 p.m. Tuesday. There will be an opportunity for public comment on the proposed budget at the City Council meeting on May 27 — either in person, by email or by telephone. City Council meetings are livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel.

Other items on the agenda include:

  • A. Approval of the combined minutes of the agenda briefing worksession held on April 3, 2025, and the formal meeting held on April 8, 2024.
  • B. Resolution ratifying an emergency contract with Campbell Inc. for the Mills River Water Treatment Plant Emergency Response for Tropical Storm Helene.
  • C. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the supplemental contract /change order for Professional Services Contract with GHD Engineering for the Task Order 8 – DeBruhl Water Treatment Plant Chemical Bulk Storage Project.
  • D. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to use the sole source procurement method for the listed products in the bid specifications for the City’s camera system for security.
  • E. Resolution authorizing amendments to the Mountain Community Capital Fund and Technical Assistance Program allocation of Services and Duties agreement.
  • F. Resolution ratifying a license agreement with Transform LeaseCo, LLC, for the purposes of temporary construction laydown and staging area at 1001 Patton Avenue (formerly KMart property) for water lines, equipment, and materials for City Water Department repair projects, parking of City vehicles, and for other City emergency uses and entered into on an emergency basis in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene.
  • G. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an amendment to the existing interlocal agreement with Buncombe County to provide $135,074.80 in additional rental assistance to low-to-moderate income City of Asheville residents via the County’s Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant program.
  • H. Resolution appointing Deputy Finance Officers for the City of Asheville.
  • I. 1. Resolution establishing a special revenue fund for opioid settlement funds.  Budget amendment, in the amount of $828,929.56, transferring existing opioid settlement funds into the new fund.
  • J. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an extension of the tax collection agreement with Buncombe County.
  • K. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute the FEMA Community Disaster Loan (CDL) Loan Agreement and Promissory Note.
  • L. Resolution authorizing the procurement of Paratech rescue equipment for the Asheville Fire Department from sole source vendor Safe Industries.
  • M. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a long term lease with Dewine Seeds – Silver Dollar Baseball LLC for the use of McCormick Field.
  • N. Resolution authorizing the acceptance of Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority grant funding and authorizing the City Manager to execute any documents necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  • O. Resolution correcting the License Fee amount on the previously approved License Agreement with Highland Brewing Company for emergency temporary public access to the Gashes Creek Neighborhood.
  • P. Resolution authorizing the City Attorney to enter into a contract for one-year with Blanchard, Miller, Lewis & Isley P.A. for government relation services, with two additional one-year optional renewal periods.
  • Q. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute up to two one-year contract renewal options with Sullivan Soft Wash to provide continued pressure washing services in City-owned parking garages.
  • R. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with the Town of Black Mountain for funding support for Route 170 for Fiscal Year 2026.
  • S. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Buncombe County for Americans with Disabilities Act Paratransit Services for Fiscal Year 2026.
  • T. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend the existing Transit Operations and Maintenance Contract between the City of Asheville and RATPDev USA to extend the contract for one year and to add funds for Fiscal Year 2026.
  • U. Resolution accepting a rescission of Section 5307 Urban Federal Transit Grant Funds from Buncombe County and include the funds in the Fiscal Year 2025 Transit Operations Fund.
  • V. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign an agreement with Buncombe County Health & Human Services for Riverside Cemetery staff to continue receiving unclaimed cremated remains for interment.
  • W. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Enpira to provide carbon emissions tracking services.
  • X. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend the existing contract with Atlantic Emergency Solutions for Heavy Truck Repair and Service to supplement Fleet Maintenance capacity.
  • Y. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with HBA Worldwide LLC d/b/a GenX Security Systems for the project known as Debris Site Solar Security Trailers.
  • Z. Budget amendment, in the amount of $3,894,000 in the City’s General Capital Projects Fund, funded with Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements.
  • AA. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with J. Bartholomew Construction, LLC, for the 29 Haywood Roof Replacement project; and further authorizing the City Manager to execute any change orders that may arise during the project up to the contingency amount.
  • BB. Monthly municipal property tax refunds or releases per N.C. Gen. Stat. sec. 105-381.

Public hearing

City officials have also scheduled a public hearing on proposed financing for McCormick Field improvements.

There is a resolution authorizing the city manager or finance director to pursue and negotiate on behalf of the city debt financing associated with the $35 million 2025 Limited Obligation Bonds for McCormick Field improvements.