.png)
Commissioners Approve Funding for Downtown Patrols, Recognize Human Trafficking Prevention Work, Adjust Elections Director Salary at January 16 Meeting
Board of Elections Director Compensation Adjustment
In accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-35, the Board of Commissioners voted to approve a salary change inclusive of the 2023 cost of living adjustment for the Director of Elections. This adjustment comes as a request from the Board of Elections.
Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Representatives from the Buncombe County Family Justice Center accepted a proclamation from the Board to recognize Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in an effort to recognize the strength of individuals who have survived human trafficking and to elevate prevention efforts. Locally, the OurVoice Crisis Line can be reached at (828) 255-7576. The National Human Trafficking Hotline can be reached at (888) 373-7888.
Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Receives Funding for Additional Downtown Patrols
The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office received the Board’s support in funding additional pay for weekend patrols in the Downtown Asheville District. While patrol and other normal duties of the Sheriff’s Office will not be impacted by this new initiative, this move creates an additional two-person team specifically for Downtown Asheville patrols on Fridays and Saturdays. The positions will be compensated at an overtime rate of $75 per hour.
Audit Contract Amendment Approved
The Board of Commissioners initially approved a first-year contract with Mauldin & Jenkins on April 4, 2023 to conduct the annual audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. At the January 16 meeting, the Board approved a contract amendment request from the Finance Department to extend the timeframe related to audit process through January 15, 2024, to allow for any additional administrative processes needed to close the audit. This contract amendment does not change the contract amount. This is the second and final audit contract amendment.
Budget Amendment to Accept Funds for Public Health Workforce Development
Commissioners approved a budget amendment to accept multi-year funding from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services beginning in Fiscal Year 2024 for a five-year period ending October 31, 2027 in the amount of $684,061 to train, support, and develop the public health department workforce.
The next regular meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will take place on February 6, 2024. To watch this or any Board of Commissioners meeting, go to www.facebook.com/buncombegov.