Buncombe County shatters midterm early voting records with 79,938 ballots cast! Learn where and when to vote before Election Day on Nov 3.

Director David Sweatt told the board the state has provided no guardrails or guidance for counties considering AI (voice agents and other vendor solutions) in DSS operations and suggested the county advocate for state‑level guidance before adopting such tools.

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The Buncombe County Board of Elections reported high early turnout—nearly 63,400 ballots as of the prior day—and outlined the final early-voting and absentee processing schedule, including the Oct. 31 early-voting cutoff and the Nov. 3 7:30 p.m. absentee receipt deadline.

Director David Sweatt flagged an Oct. 8 NC DHHS press release announcing the state's first flu death this season and encouraged residents to discuss and obtain COVID, flu and RSV vaccinations as appropriate.

Director David Sweatt told the Buncombe County HHS board that North Carolina's payment‑error rate was 6.9% through May (down from 7.67% a year earlier) and remains above the 6% threshold that could trigger federal financial penalties; state sampling might lower the rate but is unlikely to move it under 6% without major improvements.

A door‑to‑door CASPER survey of about 200 households, presented to the Buncombe County HHS board, found behavioral‑health strains (about 35% reporting depressive symptoms), 21% distrust of tap water, and preparedness gaps—findings the county will use to guide recovery planning.

Buncombe Deputies Discover Two Deceased After Early Shooting - Read the latest News news from Greater Asheville.

Continuum of Care staff said the Right At Home homelessness-prevention initiative will bring at least $6,000,000 to serve at least 1,000 households over three years; City of Asheville will manage the initiative and Homeward Bound, ABCCM and other providers were named for first-year service allocations.

County staff presented a pedestrian plan focused on safety after recent pedestrian fatalities, identifying 10 priority projects (including Smoky Park Highway and US 70), recommending a mix of sidewalks and multiuse paths, and emphasizing alignment with NCDOT Complete Streets and MPO prioritization to access federal funding.

Planning staff told commissioners the Swannanoa small area plan was developed after significant storm impacts from Helene, received over 1,800 engagement responses, and proposes ordinance changes (river-corridor land-use type, hazard-focused text amendments) and a sidewalk/bike priority map; near-term implementation actions tie to countywide text amendments and Planning Board/Commission adoption hearings in mid-November.

Continuum of Care staff told commissioners a June HUD NOFO and broader funding-structure changes are likely to reduce local permanent supportive housing capacity by roughly 25%; staff said they are working with Homeward Bound to prevent clients from losing housing.

Election staff told the board that early voting turnout for the midterm election is the highest in recent midterms and that the board reviewed 616 absentee ballots during the Oct. 20 absentee meeting, approving two pending ballots after staff checks.

After public comment and internal discussion about local budget impacts and school funding, the board unanimously adopted a resolution opposing proposed North Carolina constitutional amendments that commissioners said could limit property tax authority and shift costs to local governments.

The board unanimously accepted a $480,000 North Carolina Commerce building reuse grant and approved an economic development agreement with Appalachian Mountain Health to renovate a Swannanoa facility, a project tied to a $2.5 million construction scope and creation of 48 full-time jobs.

Staff reported submitting NCDA/ADFP grant applications including a $2 million AGZ renewal request to match $2 million in bond funds; recent appraisals mean some projects will require bond-only funding.

The board approved eight easement applications including one new EVAD, one EVAD renewal and six new VADs. Staff said the state has begun reviewing several AJZ/AGZ projects and members voted to accept the current slate of applicants.

The group offers Spanish webpages, staff who speak Spanish, interpreters at events and referrals to legal services; Ben said some programs require parents to have legal U.S. status while other services and referrals are available regardless of status.

Buncombe County staff briefed the Planning Board on the Swannanoa Small Area and Resilience Plan, reviewing engagement, proposed land‑use changes and a near‑term implementation timeline; no formal action was taken because the board lacked a quorum.

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Buncombe County -- October 15, 2026: Early voting begins Thursday across Buncombe County, giving residents an opportunity to cast their ballots at any of 13 locations ahead of the Nov. 3 general elec...

In a Spanish-language interview, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office communications coordinator said state law requires the jail's system to notify immigration after someone is booked, and clarified the sheriff's office is not conducting street-level ICE operations.

Staff reviewed the standardized program evaluation protocol (STEP) and members, including service providers, raised concerns that the scoring favors certain program types and may disadvantage restorative justice and mentoring programs despite local effectiveness.