ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County commissioners approved a nearly $485 million budget for the coming fiscal year Tuesday, while also advancing major recovery projects tied to Tropical Storm Helene and taking a significant step toward establishing a new emergency operations center.
During their June 2 meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners adopted the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, accepted nearly $37 million in federal watershed recovery funding and authorized negotiations to purchase the former JCPenney building at Asheville Mall for emergency operations and county uses.
The adopted FY27 budget totals $484.4 million and includes funding for continued Helene recovery efforts, public safety, education, human services and capital projects. County leaders said the spending plan also accounts for inflationary pressures and ongoing disaster recovery needs.
Commissioners also voted to move forward with public hearings on proposed general obligation bonds that could eventually provide $30 million for parks, greenways, open space conservation and natural resource protection, along with $40 million for affordable housing initiatives and related infrastructure.
The board heard the annual report from the Buncombe County Child Fatality Review Team, presented by Public Health Director Dr. Ellis Matheson. The report highlighted preventable causes of child deaths and recommended improvements in behavioral health services, coordination among agencies and community safety efforts.
Several proclamations were approved during the meeting, including recognition of June 11 as Dr. Suzanne Landis Day in honor of the founder of Project Access. Commissioners also proclaimed June as Gun Violence Prevention and Awareness Month and June 1-7 as NC SAFE Week of Action.
As the county wraps up spending tied to federal pandemic relief funding, commissioners approved using remaining American Rescue Plan Act and Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars to support two ongoing initiatives: community paramedicine and Helene recovery operations.
The funding package includes $32,000 for new radios for the Community Paramedic Collaborative and nearly $3.8 million to cover Helene-related costs that are not eligible for reimbursement through FEMA, insurance or other recovery programs. County officials said those expenses include community navigation services, operations at the Helene Resource Center and floodplain management resources.
One of the board’s most significant actions was authorizing the county manager to negotiate the purchase of the former JCPenney property at 7 S. Tunnel Road.
County leaders have identified the site as a future emergency operations center and multipurpose facility designed to improve coordination during disasters and other emergencies. The proposal stems from recommendations included in the county’s 2021 Comprehensive Facility Study, the Helene Recovery Plan and the county’s Preparedness Action Plan.
No public-facing county services are planned for the site.
Commissioner Drew Ball said the purchase reflects lessons learned from Tropical Storm Helene.
“I really appreciate the continued focus on public safety,” Ball said. “Helene taught us a lot, and the need for a new EOC is a clear lesson learned.”
To help fund the acquisition, commissioners approved a budget amendment that shifts money from two existing capital projects and debt proceeds into the new facility project budget.
The amendment reallocates $500,000 from the 35 Woodfin Renovation for Forward Facing Facility project, $300,000 from the 35 Woodfin 911 Backup Center Renovation project and $245,600 in debt proceeds. The move increases the total project budget to about $5.26 million.
The board also accepted a $36.99 million grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program. The funding will support streambank stabilization, erosion control, infrastructure protection and other recovery work tied to Helene’s impacts.
County officials said private and public property owners may be eligible to apply for assistance if their properties meet program requirements.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold its next regular meeting on June 16.