Leslee Kulba
County: FY2019-2020 Budget Fared Well
Buncombe County fared well, at least through June 30, through the economic shutdown. Revenues were $379.6 million, or 0.24% more than was budgeted.
Commissioners Addressing Full Plate of Crises
At their last work session, the Buncombe County Commissioners heard several reports about the extraordinary actions the county is taking in response to these extraordinary times.
Support Needed for Low-Income Internet Schooling
The most substantial portion of Asheville City Manager Debra Campbell’s update on the 30-60-90 plan, soon to be renamed, pertained to the creation of PODS, which stands for Positive Opportunities to Develop Success.
Council’s Staff Weak on Ideas for Managing Future Hotels
Members of Asheville City Council convened via Zoom to hear staff’s plans for dealing with hotel proliferation.
Buncombe county government reviews current shutdown statistics
The Buncombe County Commissioners’ last briefing began mildly, with an update from Health Director Stacie Saunders on local COVID-19 statistics.
“Defund the Police” is not about money says Council members
Three months after the un-extended deadline, members of Asheville City Council approved a $134.7 million budget with another $65 million for enterprise funds like water and transit.
Asheville votes to defund its law enforcement
The City of Asheville issued a statement from Mayor Esther Manheimer reaffirming the city’s firm support for free speech and the right to protest peacefully for any reason, but more particularly for historically disadvantaged communities.
Council exonerated in internal probe; public asks ‘what’s the point?’
Asheville City Council originally wanted to contract for an independent review of police action during the local protests undertaken in George Floyd’s name, but they were dissuaded by the $80,000 price tag. So, they settled for the attorney’s review and a separate after-action report to be completed by the Asheville Police Department.
Council extends hotel moratorium for five months more
Asheville City Council approved a five-month extension to its hotel moratorium, previously set to expire September 24.
Proposed tree canopy ordinance would make cutting a tree a major task
Recently, Asheville City Council heard a presentation on the proposed tree canopy ordinance, intended to preserve the city’s mature trees, to keep the town beautiful for tourists and residents, and to combat climate change through, among other things, making the city less of an urban heat sink and reducing stormwater runoff.