[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,86,98],{"_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",6677010,"mediaKeyId","2323320-f4142717c6a42466476420989fad0889","parentId",2323320,"title","Commissioners approve High Country COG administration contract for Golden Leaf shell building at industrial park","audioSeconds",270,"startMs",3630000,"endMs",3900000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323320-f4142717c6a42466476420989fad0889&start=3630&end=3900","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323320-f4142717c6a42466476420989fad0889/thumbnail_3630000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6677010/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-approve-High-Country-COG-administration-contract-for-Golden-Leaf-shell-building-at-industrial-park","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677010-ba310ecff9108bcb3470f33a83bce07f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148423&Signature=CL6G29gSa8gwcPsOZ5STROPrAIk86pmRJdpCHFuq8D52jTlEsPwSrQC83Mg9LE-XRkGwOgMIXIthM776G3ZhdIalwhFe9ZVbiLsKdjlmiwzhkLM3TI7MRhuY03CkurlqQeaiIqynIgit0c6XJQDIfrcAtAG9kqy9Gf~OBp75MR3F8Ipz0OwCitaNhlZkdHAMo4n01bUXolbyTSFYlB1xc3P0nFMYgJIlAFPKVexP-jHKH3f7cWFEp2HXpsPSxtCBrs0TfW9tSNNzh7Cg8sdLjyN9t19M5S72OCvqcKPEELV8grWkTuS~gtrIottEjg-lmL2VDjaxKtsLEw2uiAfYGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ashe County","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Ashe County Board of Commissioners approved a contract Feb. 17 with the High Country Council of Governments to administer Golden Leaf grant activities tied to a shell building planned at the county industrial park.

Adam (county staff) told the board that most mass grading on two upper lots was completed before the storm and that a roughly 15,000-square-foot shell building is planned for one of the upper lots. The High Country Council of Governments contract covers grant administration tasks including budgeting, reimbursement requests, quarterly and close-out reports and audits related to the Golden Leaf funding.

Adam said the contract’s administrative funds will come from the Golden Leaf grant rather than county funds. The board moved and seconded approval; the motion carried by voice vote in the meeting transcript (no roll-call tally provided).

Why it matters: The shell building is part of the county’s economic-development strategy for the industrial park. Board members said they will review final bids when construction costs are known and can reassess whether to proceed if bids exceed grant projections.

Ending: Staff said the project will go to bid in March with bids expected in April and the board will have another opportunity to reconsider based on final costs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ashe County - County Commission on 2025-02-17 9:00 AM - Feb 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board approved a contract with the High Country Council of Governments to administer Golden Leaf grant tasks for construction of a roughly 15,000-square-foot shell building at the county industrial park; administration costs will be paid from the grant, not county funds.","taxTitle","Ashe County, North Carolina","taxId",45072,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":44,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6677015,"Board approves state contract amendments for debris removal contingent on FEMA reimbursement review; Army Corps work to begin soon",510,3120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323320-f4142717c6a42466476420989fad0889&start=3120&end=3630","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323320-f4142717c6a42466476420989fad0889/thumbnail_3120000.jpg","/articles/6677015/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Board-approves-state-contract-amendments-for-debris-removal-contingent-on-FEMA-reimbursement-review-Army-Corps-work-to-begin-soon","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677015-e57ae3bfaca65ef95dff076c51a6e67b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148423&Signature=JD1ZpW5GnSVpfpQutHuFpPi4WeOU2hkLQgoYwQUp5ktrXmssEgI106ViZvLwulmAyM8QZ5J5-0WdnFu8M6TXEIH19YY-53elTG8BEcwFd1V15abSk7ftKba2rRfN5iRRVS7QXQBiYx3-RmI1MBClKiNF~oUYx4sIQs5mlBPXO6boi91U1yfCWj3IsJXlruXqLDWJuKBVzXsvKbMDSSqZZZ2EcSjrVz8bLm8Of6oCVom5ioGLv6ZbCsVK~H2Iksd67V5~CXv3iJFtrwK9snLq1N~3UEBOBgVB2lC676p1V~FTlda0fZ8iVgWg9M8LyHxx8327oCqUyNHbeldjBYYlpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ashe County Board of Commissioners voted Feb. 17 to approve amendments to state-managed debris-removal contracts that increase unit prices for certain removal tasks, subject to FEMA confirmation that the increased rates are eligible for federal reimbursement.

Patty (county staff) told the board the state modified unit rates to reflect higher debris volumes across Western North Carolina and that the state has represented those modified rates as consistent with the original scope of work and eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Patty said she has asked the county’s FEMA project development manager to confirm reimbursement eligibility and recommended approval contingent on FEMA’s final determination; the board approved the amendments on that condition.

Patty also updated the board on Army Corps of Engineers work in county waterways. She said the county submitted 664 points for Corps evaluation; about 314 points were approved and the remainder were deemed ineligible. The county plans to prepare individual appeals for ineligible points. Patty briefed the board that contracted work on approved waterways was expected to start in two to three weeks and that contractors were beginning to stage equipment.

Why it matters: Contract-rate increases without confirmed FEMA reimbursement create short-term financial uncertainty for the county. County staff said the state’s representation is that the rates remain within FEMA-reimbursable bounds but that federal confirmation is pending. The Army Corps mobilization is expected to address some waterway obstructions declared eligible for federal repair.

Ending: The board approved the contract amendments contingent on FEMA reimbursement confirmation and directed staff to pursue appeals for Army Corps-ineligible points the county wishes to contest.","Commissioners approved amendments to state debris-removal contracts that increase unit prices for right-of-way removal, with approval contingent on FEMA confirming reimbursements; the Army Corps of Engineers has approved some waterway work and contractors are expected to mobilize in coming weeks.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6677020,"Ashe County adopts revised solid-waste decal policy; allows one replacement per household every two years",979,1929000,2908000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323320-f4142717c6a42466476420989fad0889&start=1929&end=2908","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323320-f4142717c6a42466476420989fad0889/thumbnail_1929000.jpg","/articles/6677020/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Ashe-County-adopts-revised-solid-waste-decal-policy-allows-one-replacement-per-household-every-two-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677020-c2605cbee51d4c058c16450bc3851219/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148423&Signature=RKK1Qbm0cTYf-ED0lLB6Mvjr7fsVU09vIWcymptuQtTRdEgtKxPTbezm-YCj9cGnfkyriONon4HHOOrQfuVJ90aG2RHp~vUkQ0yXfbrOQEogDB4VrSp0UDhdYY1SFuLiYuVznlwIm0xtyDyKaTDlSfFVK9QGyaYOztWzNPgJf-2SSwpZTaU49u-iZFbqp7GywYerJF07hiPE-w7o1HlHl2g3JE9c3nN4dXi72PPXLm1xJRZd9~ILTmuvk9lpGdpFVEkHCtqmK2-o~Cl~trHFNx0e6p11aioDdkBkWyS6hW~OFC1eX6oGNofByKm~-z60BUrnYeWnggIBxC-GRLuf7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ashe County Board of Commissioners approved revisions to the county solid-waste decal policy Feb. 17 that change issuance dates, add small-business provisions and allow one replacement decal per household per two-year cycle with proof of a vehicle transaction.

County staff presented minor changes intended to reduce administrative burden and improve enforcement at rural convenience sites. Adam (county staff) said the new decals will be a bright green and must be visible to the site attendant when entering a disposal site; residents may keep decals in a glove box provided the decal is visible when entering the site.

The board added policy language for small businesses: small commercial operators may present business documentation to the tax office to request decals rather than receiving them automatically. Staff said the change is to avoid high administrative overhead of a retail resale approach used by another county.

On replacement rules, commissioners agreed to a motion allowing one replacement decal per household during the two-year validity cycle on presentation of proof of vehicle transaction (for example, a new title showing a trade-in). The policy also includes provisions for proof of loss after an accident; staff said accident documentation or insurance records would be accepted.

Other operational details in staff materials: current orange decals were described as valid through Aug. 1, 2025; new decals are to be issued July 1, 2025, and valid through Aug. 1, 2027, creating a one-month overlap to allow residents to obtain new decals.

Why it matters: The policy clarifies how renters and owners should maintain decals, gives a defined remedy for residents who trade or replace vehicles and creates a path for small businesses to obtain decals without requiring the county to run a retail resale program.

Ending: The board approved the staff-recommended revisions as amended; the transcript records the motion, a second and an “all in favor” vote but no roll-call tally in the minutes.","The Board approved changes to the county’s landfill decal policy including visibility requirements, a provision for small businesses to request decals, updated effective dates and a one-time replacement policy per household per two-year decal cycle.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6677024,"Ashe County officials report ongoing hurricane recovery needs, ask state to restore NCWorks funding for case management",1096,194000,1290000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323320-f4142717c6a42466476420989fad0889&start=194&end=1290","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323320-f4142717c6a42466476420989fad0889/thumbnail_194000.jpg","/articles/6677024/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Ashe-County-officials-report-ongoing-hurricane-recovery-needs-ask-state-to-restore-NCWorks-funding-for-case-management","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677024-92dd1d662d804243967bde8f16e95158/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148423&Signature=nuU4yb8j77kR-C4zjfl4qcqg5iYoUnrHMoILJIFdD1NF~~ulmwvARobN6M6Ktj7VLAa9lBwCzaA9qU03YcyNj30LQhrV8bxyZXFcFPTL8CcqsK6L68X-Isod-B5kO6NKxkDQwLgZotSEQ2qz7uWZsFWpbcEq-YxbJo5Q2PEi1JxEVV-I01y2x3kXL2fTgvmUnb8QJVUoMHIXekWaHivgkw5XJodKC4EMjscD0AfKvdYNOtCt3Ae~5rof~aiq~mCv0URg7kN6fCbupvINIIooCRsMTdX~N4axLPkAQmnrDGZE2BjbIQhx6WXFhyf3qIHlivgdhas0MCJn7XG-ZHhP1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ashe County leaders told the Board of Commissioners Feb. 17 that recovery from recent storm damage remains active and that state and federal funds are flowing unevenly to affected households.

During public comment, Lou Zeller of Glendale Springs said hundreds of local households were still in need. “As you all know, during [the storm] 77 homes in Ashe County alone were destroyed. People are still hurting and need help,” Zeller told the board, and urged the board to prioritize the most needy as federal block-grant funding is distributed.

Tracy McMillan, director of the county Department of Social Services, gave an operational update and asked the board to use its contacts to restore Ashe County’s access to an NCWorks grant that has been cut. McMillan said the county’s disaster case-management team had transitioned 23 households into alternate housing by December and that donations of campers have grown that number to 42 people living in campers. She said the case-management team has opened 73 active cases and has handled 102 cases to date.

McMillan said NCWorks grant funds that pay case managers run out in March and that a recent state allocation excluded Ashe County. “They decided that three other counties had a higher need than Ashe County, and so NCWorks money is not gonna be coming back into the county,” McMillan said. She asked commissioners to use their connections with the state Department of Commerce to get Ashe County re-included.

McMillan also summarized other recovery resources. She said Samaritan’s Purse has committed to rebuild three homes and Baptist On Mission has committed to rebuild two homes through the county’s case-management system. She provided a financial snapshot for the Ash County Recovery and Restoration nonprofit: a balance of $155,906.99 as of Jan. 31 and an additional $20,000 from a Rotary Club grant; the Home Builders Association is applying for a $60,000 grant to support repairs.

On energy-assistance resources, McMillan pointed commissioners to a state allocation for emergency energy assistance that she said provided Ashe County with $148,186 in one earlier allocation and an additional $300,000 in the energy category. She described the program’s eligibility: survivors of the storm who meet income limits can apply for help with heating bills or related energy costs, including wood, pellets, propane or electricity. McMillan gave the DSS disaster-energy-assistance phone number as 336-846-5719 and asked the board to publicize the program.

Board action: the commissioners approved a classification change in the county personnel roster at McMillan’s request to reclassify a vacant position from its current income-maintenance title to “income maintenance investigator 2” (a title and classification change McMillan said better reflects the program-integrity and investigative duties). The board moved and seconded the reclassification and approved it; the meeting transcript records the motion and an “all in favor” outcome but does not provide a roll-call vote tally.

Why it matters: County staff said case managers are the primary way long-term recovery resources are coordinated with residents and with volunteer organizations; losing grant support could shrink the team that tracks unmet needs, refers residents to donated goods and coordinates rebuilding efforts.

Additional context: Commissioners and staff described ongoing work by the long-term recovery group and subcommittees focused on bridges and culverts, agriculture and small businesses. McMillan said unmet needs reported through case management include infrastructure such as private bridges and culverts, and that volunteers and nonprofits are triaging those requests. FEMA, state and local agencies are also holding outreach events in county locations where residents can apply for individual assistance or have cases reviewed.

Ending: McMillan urged commissioners to help restore NCWorks grant access and to publicize state energy-assistance funds; several commissioners asked staff to continue public outreach so residents can find available resources.

","County leaders and the Department of Social Services updated the Board of Commissioners Feb. 17 on housing losses, open disaster cases, donated temporary housing and state energy-assistance funds; DSS asked the board to press the state to restore NCWorks grant funding that the county was removed from.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve High Country COG administration contract for Golden Leaf shell building at industrial park

Board approves state contract amendments for debris removal contingent on FEMA reimbursement review; Army Corps work to begin soon

Ashe County adopts revised solid-waste decal policy; allows one replacement per household every two years

Ashe County officials report ongoing hurricane recovery needs, ask state to restore NCWorks funding for case management