In a strategic move to manage prolonged storm recovery efforts, Buncombe County has greenlit the creation of a specialized Helene Recovery Office. The county’s Board of Commissioners passed the decision unanimously on Tuesday, intending to manage hurricane recovery projects over a five-year timeline.
The newly established office will operate with six staff members, including a lead recovery officer, three project managers, and two financial administrators. Their mandate includes executing the county’s Helene Recovery Plan, focusing on projects like landslide remediation, park redevelopment, and infrastructure enhancements.
Jeremiah LeRoy, Buncombe’s sustainability officer, highlighted the need for additional support during a briefing before the vote. Current staff members have been managing these tasks but require more resources to navigate the complexities of contracts and funding. The recovery plan includes 114 projects with funding prospects from FEMA, North Carolina Emergency Management, insurance firms, and nonprofits.
While the budgetary impact remains uncertain, the commissioners okayed a $14 million budget amendment covering salaries and benefits for the office. However, these expenses aren’t itemized separately from other Helene-related projects within the document.
No job postings for the five new roles were available as of Tuesday. However, a job listing for the lead recovery officer—approved in June alongside the fiscal year 2026 budget—indicates a salary range of approximately $87,000 to $136,000 based on experience. Buncombe spokesperson Lillian Govus confirmed the position has been filled.
LeRoy expressed the county’s intention to fund the new roles through grants, which often allow administrative costs. However, the funding scenario remains fluid, with many grant applications pending outcomes.
“It’s important to note that there are still a lot of unknowns,” stated LeRoy. “Ultimately, the county may end up incurring some cost for these positions, but the work is critical and it needs to happen.”
Commissioner Terri Wells inquired about contingency plans should grants fall through, particularly as the county faces budget constraints due to reduced tax revenues following Helene.
In response, County Manager Avril Pinder noted, “The backup plan will be in the future,” adding that should any issues arise, the county would act as a financial backstop.
Govus reported that the lead recovery officer will commence in November, with plans to complete staffing by year-end.
Other Developments
- David Sweat, Buncombe’s director of health and human services, cautioned that nutrition benefit programs like SNAP and WIC could face disruptions due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, these programs might lose support by the end of October if Congress fails to resolve the shutdown. “This [shutdown] seems a little different than some of the rest in the past, so at this point, we don’t really know what the impacts will be,” Sweat informed the board.
- Greg Phillips and Gabriel Quesinberry were reappointed to three-year terms on the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment, with Mark Diaz replacing Katherine Morosani. New alternate members include David Barley, William Belt, Wesley Greene, and Carol McCrory. This body addresses key county development issues like zoning and special use permits.
- The board approved a road closure on Charlotte Highway for the Fairview Holiday Parade on Dec. 13. Organizer Cory Wall explained that the event, initially held at A.C. Reynolds High School, aims to unite the community in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
- Ellis Matheson, the county’s public health director, advised residents to consider vaccinations against COVID-19, flu, and RSV to prevent another severe flu season, which last year resulted in 19 flu-associated deaths in Buncombe.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners convenes every first and third Tuesday at 200 College St., Room 326, in Asheville, starting at 5 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 4. Watch the full recording and review the agenda of the Oct. 21 meeting.
