[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6666613,"mediaKeyId","2322960-bb04866bf30387b4fc0d7f17e4d8a6e9","parentId",2322960,"title","Board approves High Country COG to administer Golden Leaf shell‑building grant; county seeks regional housing solutions","audioSeconds",1290,"startMs",1924000,"endMs",3214000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322960-bb04866bf30387b4fc0d7f17e4d8a6e9&start=1924&end=3214","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322960-bb04866bf30387b4fc0d7f17e4d8a6e9/thumbnail_1924000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6666613/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Board-approves-High-Country-COG-to-administer-Golden-Leaf-shellbuilding-grant-county-seeks-regional-housing-solutions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666613-ade8df7e2b12595f309cbd452005811d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170750&Signature=ERbeq1C-ySpXpPBKSDxkTN7~90xmBFKA4xR8FbJQEiAHpb4jSlPFulg48dDsWEv021ZcJXL~AJ6OJTttQ78ArxUuxC7ABkWTMVBiQ~uH5QvUI4XJX7EZx7R90glTphHm8JPXwr0QI~N1bazCairKBvI~Z3i4Bz-a4CQLjg84mKXDEls3pwapZojpffxrzzXQ6jWKktj~ea87laiDmlaFRcHhC16xiOsKrfCLAfzB2L8qWQEkvg50N6llpQiiNNpXLcIChjtSH2Ak9O-1c5VRCIhdnqZ6O2ipBHPfbsgtPdFSNNuvN8FSyMvIbnhDU3cMNFz4kwNsXn8Ae5hT3luvqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ashe County","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","Ash County commissioners on Feb. 17 approved a contract with the High Country Council of Governments (COG) to administer the Golden Leaf grant that will fund construction of a shell building in the county industrial park. The board was told administration fees will be paid from grant funds, not county general funds.

County staff said mass grading of two upper lots at the industrial park was largely completed before recent storms and that contractors will return in spring to finish stabilization work. The shell building grant — intended to create a ready-to-occupy industrial shell building to attract businesses — will fund design and construction; the COG will handle grant administration, reimbursement requests, quarterly reporting and closeout responsibilities.

Adam (county staff) told commissioners the shell building will be constructed on the rear lot of the industrial park (the exact lot identifiers were not specified in the transcript) and that the county will put the site out to bid in the coming weeks. He said bidders and final costs will determine whether the board proceeds in full; if bids exceed the county’s projections the board will have an opportunity to reassess before committing additional county funds.

Separately, staff updated the board on other housing programs. The county’s Brock program, funded at about $10,000 in the budget, has addressed urgent home repairs such as plumbing and foundation issues; staff said around $4,600 of that allocation has been spent and funds remain to assist two to three additional homes this fiscal year. The county also closed a CDBG neighborhood-revitalization program last fall that replaced three homes, including at least one with foundation work and associated well/septic fixes.

Adam and Tracy said they will attend a UNC School of Government program, described in the transcript as the Carolina Cross a Hundred Initiative \"Our State, Our Homes,\" intended to build local capacity and explore housing strategies. Staff said state CDBG funds that will flow to North Carolina may include resources for urgent housing repair and that regional efforts with the COG aim to pursue those opportunities.

Action: Commissioners voted to approve the High Country COG administration contract for the Golden Leaf shell-building grant; the transcript records the motion, second and an affirmative vote but does not include a roll-call tally.

Ending: Staff said if the project bids significantly exceed estimates the board would have the opportunity to reassess next steps before committing additional local resources.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ashe County - County Commission on 2025-02-17 9:00 AM - Feb 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board authorized the High Country Council of Governments to administer a Golden Leaf grant for a shell building at the county industrial park and received updates on local housing repair programs and regional housing capacity-building efforts.","taxTitle","Ashe County, North Carolina","taxId",45072,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666618,"Ash County amends solid-waste decal policy; allows one replacement per household in two-year cycle",976,2200000,3176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322960-bb04866bf30387b4fc0d7f17e4d8a6e9&start=2200&end=3176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322960-bb04866bf30387b4fc0d7f17e4d8a6e9/thumbnail_2200000.jpg","/articles/6666618/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Ash-County-amends-solid-waste-decal-policy-allows-one-replacement-per-household-in-two-year-cycle","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666618-d6cf62e73034090a23ef4971aa5f8b9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170750&Signature=CBaAYB4a5v7fK-bFNj6jC25-Y5SxwspmbhSNlPMOmuovl8BEGs~z54-fmWwAoxkYBsxGYFw4r1lqJjXN4B554lBi8kpXF-O2MiW7V9qCG36rtHHdxudxaGtxBLY2TfTmNP264BtUlBcbo0C1bMOd8Y-4xL7jqIw4Gg0auvc6yp4qGwnGCmAlpw40dK34zDL4OU8i4PAyBU6T-P-O1nidwSxjZy7JOBP-UAb~gUwDL3WSxQQbqsBqoSOTU8xTxxOufG56hQwLwymZVmP~V2w3AeLA~aq5B90I4TeG7rEF82fN71A973drLGmEq13r5dZx4pgbr-1uhdkSEy46Wc~lhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ash County commissioners on Feb. 17 approved revised rules for the county solid-waste decal program, including a requirement that decals be visible to attendants when entering disposal sites and a policy allowing one replacement decal per household during the two-year validity period with proof of vehicle transaction.

County staff described modest changes to prior practice: decals may be kept in the glove box or another location so long as they are visible when the vehicle arrives at the facility, and small businesses that generate minimal waste may seek decals from the tax office with supporting business documentation. A retail resale model used in some other counties — where stickers are sold through private retailers with small commissions and periodic audits — was discussed and rejected because commissioners and staff said it would add administrative burdens.

Staff also explained the schedule for decals: the current orange decals remain valid through Aug. 1, 2025; the next set will be issued starting July 1, 2025 and will be valid through Aug. 1, 2027. Commissioners added a motion permitting one replacement decal per household during the two-year decal term if the household can provide proof of a vehicle transaction (for example, title or registration showing the trade-in/new vehicle), to address cases where a decal is inadvertently left on a traded vehicle or otherwise cannot be recovered.

The board voted to adopt the staff-recommended revisions along with the replacement provision. The motion carried; the transcript records the motion and a second and an affirmative vote but does not provide a roll-call tally.

Ending: Staff said the new decals will be bright green for visibility and that the county will provide an overlap period so residents can obtain replacements before the orange decals expire Aug. 1, 2025.","The board approved revisions to the county's solid-waste decal policy, clarifying visibility requirements, small-business access and adding a one-replacement allowance per household per two-year decal cycle with proof of vehicle transaction.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666621,"Commissioners approve debris-contract amendments pending FEMA approval; Army Corps work set to begin",290,3452000,3742000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322960-bb04866bf30387b4fc0d7f17e4d8a6e9&start=3452&end=3742","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322960-bb04866bf30387b4fc0d7f17e4d8a6e9/thumbnail_3452000.jpg","/articles/6666621/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-approve-debris-contract-amendments-pending-FEMA-approval-Army-Corps-work-set-to-begin","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666621-edb9fe46debf4325c6263c5757141051/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170750&Signature=iprQ-XOADCHVuQCKO~hakrOqvYpmN3KEKXVwiNcgui-lAM2iHTnbIEW6eQmtoYKvC5f7Yw~FinuLMqssyN0kFJn187PLQHHnF6b9iX1zUoQ~M~h2VAhrk-TnykTCsvp9GJsxZUqtJY0o34rIAoB1zHBuEbvhbszBmK4-wZCQ2lAtAK~BkFg5fMpbxH4vX27oST027E3n1B0dbmiScBx06-Ramh49z95AhUI5R1mIVroIvE7cEM-i9MDtSblYrIrmpknjO2amsG8pFbxTPTXkqVTkbmbSHY73uRAq9n6cjSv-IQtW~zkhRU7ahEXGX1fGzEiomPelY~a22qKGPxZsog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ash County commissioners on Feb. 17 approved amendments to state debris-removal contracts for public-right-of-way work, contingent on FEMA confirming that the increased unit rates are reimbursable.

County staff and Patty (county staff member) told the board the state has modified unit prices to reflect increased debris volume across the region and that the state believes the new rates fall within FEMA‑reimbursable guidelines. The board’s motion to approve the amendments was made contingent on explicit FEMA confirmation of reimbursement.

Patty updated commissioners on Army Corps of Engineers activity in county waterways. She said the county submitted 664 points for evaluation; about 314 of those points had been approved and the remainder were deemed ineligible. County staff plan to write appeals for ineligible sites rather than accept a blanket appeal; Patty said each appeal would need to be prepared individually and that the work would be \"extremely labor intensive.\"

\"The actual work ... should start in 2 to 3 weeks,\" Patty said, noting contractors were expected to stage equipment and begin work on approved waterways soon.

Commissioners were also briefed on state-level discussions about private-bridge funding. Patty said the county has a meeting scheduled with the state Office of State Budget and Management to discuss grant funding that may be available for private bridges; she said agriculture-related bridges are currently excluded from that program.

Separately, Commissioner Mark raised concerns about a backlog of FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) cases. He said he and other board members found about 700 applicants had not received action on their FEMA applications. Board members urged residents with \"pending\" status to visit Family Central to have their files checked; officials said visiting in person had triggered follow-up in several recent cases.

Family Central staff were also publicized as holding three dates for residents to apply for personal debris removal from private property (debris removal appointments listed on the transcript as Feb. 23, 24 and 25). The transcript records county staff asking residents to bring identification, a county tax bill, a utility bill from the time of the hurricane, homeowner’s insurance and, for house removal, a deed to the property.

Ending: The board approved the contract amendments contingent on FEMA confirmation and directed staff to proceed with appeals for Army Corps ineligible sites and to continue outreach so residents can file or check FEMA applications.","The Ash County Board approved amendments to state debris-removal contracts contingent on FEMA approval and received updates on Army Corps waterways work, private-bridge funding talks and FEMA application backlogs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666626,"Ash County approves DSS investigator reclassification as disaster recovery continues",487,633000,1120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322960-bb04866bf30387b4fc0d7f17e4d8a6e9&start=633&end=1120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322960-bb04866bf30387b4fc0d7f17e4d8a6e9/thumbnail_633000.jpg","/articles/6666626/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Ash-County-approves-DSS-investigator-reclassification-as-disaster-recovery-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666626-7c5b8d7b66674bfcc0192a19abfb29b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170750&Signature=fe0G7sIphwSg6LwIVT8NewxyVg1q9UUW~kOF4SfL0ZETEI6HWU~M7xINA-mQo72jyH79Ues2KT0CiR-NvaWcF5Wjl5Kaex9bPVywqfk-ZuauW9DR-gjKnJpG9Hml62ymqpHvrtMj~P4Veh9-EodGlrfOCBdLeeYPxZ-LjS-3vYaVQ0VqhQaX0pf3NkdAhuToKBMZqeMyTm-NN~0Hgh1GUaOFwaA~8PtChBlXK4ZMrmOX9lhBuKnF00n6-er-dA5cjdIO5lvvJF5LuFS4uO09sfJTE84phgYYKBBwCuHaFCfmfMdEEsYdqJY5NIOGzuAlkEt~OdsOOQLy1ksfavrnPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ash County commissioners on Feb. 17 approved reclassifying a vacant Department of Social Services (DSS) position to an Income Maintenance Investigator 2 and heard updates on disaster case management and emergency energy assistance following Hurricane Helene.

The change, made on the recommendation of Tracy McMillan, the county’s DSS director, was intended to align the job title and duties with the Office of State Human Resources’ description for investigator work the department now expects the position to perform. McMillan told the board the position is currently vacant and will be posted once the reclassification is final.

McMillan said disaster case management remains active in the county. She reported that, as of December, 23 households had transitioned into alternate housing such as short-term rentals and campers; at the time of her Feb. 17 remarks she said 42 people were living in donated campers. She said case managers had opened 73 cases and had handled 102 cases in total so far.

\"That's been a tremendous help, to have so many donations of campers,\" McMillan said, attributing some shelter capacity to donated units and to volunteer and nonprofit partners. She told commissioners that Samaritan's Purse had committed to rebuild three homes and Baptist on Mission had committed to rebuild two through the county’s case-management process.

McMillan also described work to strengthen program-integrity (fraud-investigation) capacity in the department. She said the county plans to subcontract some of the investigative tasks — for example, rare stakeouts and activities that require specialized experience — to a private investigator, Robert Newsome, who has worked with child-support enforcement. The reclassification to an investigator title is intended, McMillan said, to more accurately reflect the position’s duties and to help recruit and retain staff for a role that has experienced turnover in recent years.

The director asked commissioners to use their contacts to try to restore NCWorks grant funding that supports disaster case managers. McMillan said NCWorks funds for Ash County were cut and that the grant currently runs out in March; she asked the board to press the state Department of Commerce or NCWorks administrators to include Ash County again so case-management work can continue through the fiscal year.

On funding, McMillan provided a financial update for the Ash County Recovery and Restoration nonprofit, reporting a Jan. 31 balance of $155,906.99 and noting a $20,000 Rotary Club grant and an application from the Home Builders Association for $60,000.

Action: Commissioners voted to reclassify the vacant position to Income Maintenance Investigator 2 and to post and recruit for the role. The board’s motion and vote were recorded as approved; individual roll-call tallies were not provided in the transcript.

The board’s approval means the county will advertise the posted position and proceed with recruitment and training. McMillan said the reclassification will not increase the projected pay for the role beyond what was anticipated; it changes title and the job description to match the expected investigative duties.

Commissioners also discussed turnover in the unit, the training required for the investigative work, and the department’s plans to retain employees in the role. McMillan said the county had had \"3 or 4 people in the last 4 or 5 years\" in that position, with some employees moving to other roles after receiving training.

Looking ahead, McMillan asked the board to help restore NCWorks support and to continue coordinating with nonprofit and volunteer partners who have been providing temporary housing and rebuild assistance.

Ending note: The board approved the reclassification and directed staff to post the vacancy; commissioners also heard ongoing recovery and funding updates related to energy assistance and case management.","The Ash County Board of Commissioners approved reclassifying a vacant Department of Social Services position to an Income Maintenance Investigator 2 and heard updates on disaster case management, energy-assistance allocations and requests to restore NCWorks funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves High Country COG to administer Golden Leaf shell‑building grant; county seeks regional housing solutions

Ash County amends solid-waste decal policy; allows one replacement per household in two-year cycle

Commissioners approve debris-contract amendments pending FEMA approval; Army Corps work set to begin

Ash County approves DSS investigator reclassification as disaster recovery continues