Leslee Kulba
Asheville Council Approves Rate Increases
Asheville City Council approved increases in water and other rates for FY 2021-2022.
Council Discusses Stripes & Homeless
Asheville City Council obsessed over the most equitable way to stripe a ballfield, they behaved mysteriously about board appointments, and they got a lecture on fatal conceit before going into closed session to launch themselves on a trajectory to become the regional lead in solving homelessness.
Citizen Says “County Acts As Charity” at Meeting
John Fulton shared with the Buncombe County Commissioners a diverse viewpoint on why he would rather be a producer contributing to his community than a consumer living off the labor of taxpayers.
County Expects $13-$14M from Opioid Settlement
Buncombe County is working to maximize its allocation of recent $26 billion and $8 billion opioid settlements.
Asheville Budget Falls Short on Reparations
The council is expected to raise the property tax rate to fund aspirational goals like reparations, climate justice, and reimagining the police.
Council Rejects Drug Interdiction Funding
Asheville City Council rejected a grant from the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Attorney Says NDO Meant to Change Behaviors
The Buncombe County Commissioners approved the nondiscriminatory ordinance, which will go into effect July 1. No concessions were made to address concerns about women’s rights to privacy.
Zero-Emission, By Taxpayer or Ratepayer
The Buncombe County Commissioners’ plans to build a 5MW solar plant at the retired Woodfin landfill have been delayed over Public Staff’s negative recommendation. While negotiations continue, the county is looking for a couple more places for solar farms.
Asheville Council Slammed for Removing Homeless Camps
The City of Asheville is in the process of removing encampments on city-owned lands and assisting the displaced in rebuilding their lives, but activists are not pleased.
Shaping Dialogue, Making Headlines
The city announced success in hooking six campers up with tools to get them back on their feet. Six others, who were camping in protest and not out of necessity, refused follow police orders to vacate.