Avery County approves multiple grant budget amendments and a state loan amendment tied to disaster recovery
March 03, 2026 | Drexel, Burke County, North Carolina
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The Avery County Board of Commissioners approved a package of budget amendments and grants and moved forward on a loan-agreement amendment related to disaster recovery at its recent meeting.
Caleb Huddl., the county finance officer, presented seven items the board approved by voice vote or motion. Grants and budget amendments included a $19,674 High Country Council of Governments award for the Department of Senior Services to buy phones, replacement computers and printers; a $1,941.14 volunteer grant to buy a defibrillator for the Avery County Senior Center; a $33,977 additional allocation for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) with no county match; and a $20,245.54 allocation for the crisis intervention program (no county match). The board also approved moving forward $40,859.20 to close out a FY 23–24 cybersecurity grant of $93,000 from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and accepted a $12,000 Ag Extension ABC grant carried forward to the current fiscal year for youth programming.
On a major financial item, Huddl. summarized an amendment to the state cash-flow loan program for disaster assistance that will allow the county to defer loan payments until June 30, 2030. He said Avery County qualifies for the modification because FEMA damages exceed the statutory threshold referenced in the amendment and that signatures from the chair and county staff will be required to submit the amendment to the state.
The finance officer noted potential upside if disaster loans are later forgiven: deferred funds could be placed in interest-bearing accounts until the deferred date. Commissioners discussed hopes some advocates would pursue forgiveness ahead of the 2030 deadline but recorded no guarantee.
The board also reviewed local revenue figures: Tourism Development Authority occupancy-tax receipts for District A exceeded $1,026,822.38 for July through January, with $146,638.30 in the most recent reporting month. The board approved routine minutes and set the next meeting for April 6.
What this means: The amendments allocate federal and state grant funds to county services and advance the county's ability to manage disaster-related cash flow; the loan-amendment timing reduces near-term payment obligations but does not change the underlying loan terms unless state forgiveness occurs.
Caleb Huddl., the county finance officer, presented seven items the board approved by voice vote or motion. Grants and budget amendments included a $19,674 High Country Council of Governments award for the Department of Senior Services to buy phones, replacement computers and printers; a $1,941.14 volunteer grant to buy a defibrillator for the Avery County Senior Center; a $33,977 additional allocation for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) with no county match; and a $20,245.54 allocation for the crisis intervention program (no county match). The board also approved moving forward $40,859.20 to close out a FY 23–24 cybersecurity grant of $93,000 from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and accepted a $12,000 Ag Extension ABC grant carried forward to the current fiscal year for youth programming.
On a major financial item, Huddl. summarized an amendment to the state cash-flow loan program for disaster assistance that will allow the county to defer loan payments until June 30, 2030. He said Avery County qualifies for the modification because FEMA damages exceed the statutory threshold referenced in the amendment and that signatures from the chair and county staff will be required to submit the amendment to the state.
The finance officer noted potential upside if disaster loans are later forgiven: deferred funds could be placed in interest-bearing accounts until the deferred date. Commissioners discussed hopes some advocates would pursue forgiveness ahead of the 2030 deadline but recorded no guarantee.
The board also reviewed local revenue figures: Tourism Development Authority occupancy-tax receipts for District A exceeded $1,026,822.38 for July through January, with $146,638.30 in the most recent reporting month. The board approved routine minutes and set the next meeting for April 6.
What this means: The amendments allocate federal and state grant funds to county services and advance the county's ability to manage disaster-related cash flow; the loan-amendment timing reduces near-term payment obligations but does not change the underlying loan terms unless state forgiveness occurs.
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