At its Tuesday, Oct. 21 meeting, Buncombe County Commissioners approved a budget amendment for several disaster related projects. Moreover, the amendment also created a Helene Recovery Office dedicated to putting the county’s Helene Recovery Plan into action, overseeing disaster contracts, and working with external partners like FEMA.
The office will be led by a recovery officer, managing five grant-funded positions: two fiscal analysts and three project managers. Be on the lookout for job listings on Buncombe County’s website.
The amendment increases the budget by $14,001,245, with project funding primarily sourced through FEMA reimbursement, although full payouts could take years.
Beyond establishment of the office, the money will be allocated for specific projects as follows:
- Landslide remediation - $10,296,428
- Repairs for radio tower roads - $1,324,343
- Owen Park restoration - $1,807,912
- Additional parks projects - $572,562
