Avery County commissioners approve appointments, subdivision plat, emergency plan and routine budget actions

The Avery County Board of Commissioners during its May 6 regular session took a series of routine and governance actions, including several unanimous votes to appoint citizens to boards, approve a subdivision final plat, adopt the county emergency operations plan, and accept multiple budget amendments and financial reports.

Appointments: Commissioners appointed Cheryl Buchanan, Jason Grindstaff and Mike Lacey to the Avery County Planning Board and named David Robbins to the High Country Workforce Development Board. The motions to appoint were moved by Commissioner Wood Hall Young Jr. with seconds and unanimous approval (5–0).

Land use: The board approved the final plat for Phase 1 of the 50-lot subdivision '1911 at Cranberry' (formerly Cranberry Creek Estates) after a presentation by Derek Buchanan, approving the final plat by motion and unanimous vote.

Emergency preparedness: Emergency Management Director Paul Buchanan described the 2024 Avery County Emergency Operations Plan as an all-hazards, operations-oriented framework developed with a contractor engaged by the High Country Council of Governments and aligned with FEMA recommendations; the board adopted the plan 5–0.

Finance and administrative items: Tax Administrator Andrea Turbyfill reported April tax collections of $213,128.29 and a collections rate of 98.47%; the board approved the collections report, monthly releases totaling $27.00 and a refund of $73.50 related to a parcel combination overpayment. The board also approved multiple budget amendments presented by Finance Officer Caleb Hogan, including recognizing the county as fiscal agent for 4-H with a $17,100 amendment; an EMS insurance reimbursement of $3,371.77; a $13,786 insurance reimbursement for damage to a radio tower for Central Dispatch; and a $15,385.50 amendment to move Agricultural Extension funds under county control.

Public comment and community updates: During public comment James Heaton voiced concerns about school curriculum and said he plans to circulate a petition; Kevin Holden of the Newland Veterans of Foreign Wars announced the county Memorial Day ceremony for May 27, 2024. County Manager Phillip Barrier Jr. updated the board on broadband grant reporting and the CAB grant RFP deadline, landfill closure engineering activity, and community-center paving and lighting plans.

Procedural items: County Attorney Michaelle Poore reported no items requiring board action; the board approved minutes from February through April 2024, adopted consensus line-item transfers and scheduled a budget workshop for May 7, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

Votes at a glance: planning-board appointments (5–0), High Country Workforce Board appointment (5–0), approval of '1911 at Cranberry' final plat (5–0), adoption of Avery County 2024 Emergency Operations Plan (5–0), multiple budget amendments including the Avery High School kitchen appropriation (each 5–0), adoption of Avery CARES sale resolution (5–0).