[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6597974,"mediaKeyId","3220605-ebcb67b763acc2b5caafadb5284c5418","parentId",3220605,"title","Commissioners hear opioid-settlement updates; approve jail liaison position to support treatment continuity","audioSeconds",2082,"startMs",1475000,"endMs",3557000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3220605-ebcb67b763acc2b5caafadb5284c5418&start=1475&end=3557","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3220605-ebcb67b763acc2b5caafadb5284c5418/thumbnail_1475000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6597974/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-hear-opioid-settlement-updates-approve-jail-liaison-position-to-support-treatment-continuity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6597974-64e63a098929fe9aa9303602fb8b9abf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174544&Signature=OS2EdL~YyWB3XcdNgjyvQlTlYcjzdIYqoFcP7UVDnuMvqPCzNOM7AghYP8EENfHJCCQt6iBZ0PrTAbNkJFoDZbABlRmORFOkGoLDyWSZLC7kAw3mSCUh9e4PnYG3bB-l6Bq-GCOGK68E0wgI~aJStxAJVDsD4spPINROLqOnIkq1gcDdkqlvjWV~nVzCWUzKRFzLW0NXN9qnlJ5HPG~1kzPrHLd9738-6lecItynTnLXCHTwmUwOqd3tD70SNn~WwPaoff8puNRaFPLYSFWtpxJ-7FAvzOWdib3ru6bM~c94kuBP2tco-DZL1aM~CaEiviSWdX4H8EUqB73RYrHjZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ashe County","date","2025-04-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Ashe County Board of Commissioners on Monday received updates from the health department and nonprofit partners on use of the county's opioid-settlement funds and approved creation of a detention-center liaison position to help connect people in jail to treatment and follow-up services.

Lindsay (App Health Care), speaking for the public-health partners, told commissioners that North Carolina's national opioid settlements will deliver funds to local governments over 18 years and that Ash County's allocation is roughly $2.1 million. App Health Care and county partners used part of that money to fund a mobile treatment unit that will rotate between Ashe, Alleghany and Watauga counties, and to underwrite local programs that include mentorship and street outreach.

Jennifer Warren, executive director of Western Youth Network, and Julia (Ash County mentoring coordinator) described a mentoring program that recruits volunteers and pairs them with youth referred by Department of Social Services, schools and mental-health providers. Warren said the program has made three matches so far and is expanding outreach and volunteer recruitment. Sean Morris of Hospitality House reported street outreach and short-term financial assistance to help rehouse people experiencing homelessness; he said the program is working with Northwestern Regional Housing Authority to place clients and noted regional differences in HUD fair-market rental rates.

During discussion the sheriff sought county approval to establish a jail-based liaison position funded from the opioid-settlement allocation. Commissioners were told the position will be based inside the detention facility, will work with inmates to educate them about medication-assisted treatment (including Vivitrol), coordinate with IMS Healthcare and the health department, and act as a Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) coordinator. The position will also attempt to maintain contact for about six months after release to improve continuity of care.

County staff said the proposed salary figure on the posted sheet is about $900 lower than an earlier estimate and that the benefits calculation is $3,978.62 higher than originally shown. Commissioners approved the position as presented and directed staff to use opioid-settlement funds to cover the difference; county officials said the settlement funding should cover the position for several years but that the county will amend the grant contract as needed going forward. The board did not provide a roll-call vote tally in the public record.

Speakers emphasized implementation details and limits of local authority. County staff said the liaison is not a detention officer and will be an eight-hour-per-day position that spends time inside housing pods; correctional staff and volunteers (including chaplains) will continue to provide security and medical staff will handle medication administration. The sheriff and partners said roughly 90 people were in the jail at the time of discussion and that program participation will begin with education and one-on-one outreach.

App Health Care staff recommended that, before approving new grant rounds, the county assess progress on current projects and consider no-cost extensions or targeted supplemental awards for projects delayed by Hurricane Helene. The county finance and health partners told commissioners that, after accounting for prior commitments and coordination costs, roughly $400,000 remained available for potential allocation but that counties are not required to spend the money immediately.

The board's action formalized a locally administered liaison role intended to increase uptake and continuity of medication-assisted treatment for people who come into contact with the detention facility. Partners said they expect to monitor outcomes for several years to evaluate recidivism and treatment retention.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ashe County - County Commission on 2025-04-07 9:00 AM - Apr 07, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Ashe County Board of Commissioners on Monday received updates from the health department and nonprofit partners on use of the county's opioid-settlement funds and approved creation of a detention-center liaison position to help connect people in jail to treatment and follow-up services.","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},6597955,"Commissioners add NC 457 deferred-compensation option for county employees",163,1292000,1455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3220605-ebcb67b763acc2b5caafadb5284c5418&start=1292&end=1455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3220605-ebcb67b763acc2b5caafadb5284c5418/thumbnail_1292000.jpg","/articles/6597955/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-add-NC-457-deferred-compensation-option-for-county-employees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6597955-30628b7bcfa559bd035772651c1e65ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174544&Signature=Fv9J5MSNp9U6kAycCIKYxhowRI3Yv54mA0KtDu0kg46rbJqoLHwtoN1Xzah0gfeIBVzBQv2TjRwnH~ccdYiIVlWFKWzzhUjCBc6c4L0V6UwvMt3dUcbl0x4Qb5mXi4IxqyMDKK9Dcze~7YMAxY94qQ1VjLrA856bli-cMgpWCfEZsDLJZdil6UXoJle7MHfZCIaDC876vEwoDLlW1DlrNe~Vam4HimVqmE5qQ~mtaG-Q7ZT7OFzo4bG7HFogoenWEX~esvI3UVyKSyNDQY9tiZQ4sza5z0Ah79N657sYXF6c0qjZgB0YmwSAkzIAQvHEDiA-zGAFXdy2fljKmbZ8UQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ashe County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to add the North Carolina 457 deferred-compensation plan as an additional retirement option for county employees.

Nick, the county's newly hired economic development director and assistant county manager, presented a comparison showing the 457 plan and the county's 401(k) are broadly similar. Nick told the board the primary differences are the hardship and unforeseen-emergency withdrawal rules and certain tax and penalty treatments; he noted the 457 plan provides a potential exemption from early-withdrawal penalties for employees who qualify as retired under North Carolina rules.

County staff said the change is an addition only and does not remove or alter the existing 401(k); they also said the county would not immediately fund an employer match for the 457 plan, meaning there is no additional budget cost at approval. Commissioners moved and seconded the resolution and declared it approved.

Human Resources staff were directed to notify employees and implement enrollment procedures if the board wished to proceed, and to return with any follow-up items related to employer matching in future budget discussions.","The board authorized the county to offer the North Carolina 457 deferred-compensation plan alongside the existing 401(k). County staff said adding the plan creates flexibility for employees and does not require an immediate employer match.",{"_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},6597960,"Ashe County Farmers Market reports 2024 season gains, opens for 2025 with 48 returning vendors",1405,5001000,6406000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3220605-ebcb67b763acc2b5caafadb5284c5418&start=5001&end=6406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3220605-ebcb67b763acc2b5caafadb5284c5418/thumbnail_5001000.jpg","/articles/6597960/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Ashe-County-Farmers-Market-reports-2024-season-gains-opens-for-2025-with-48-returning-vendors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6597960-38ce945302ae443bdd74a040b6c310d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174544&Signature=RwglEc96tPUtsaKryMPeMway6SklpaSeVXpIF8dDv2DqEgwqSw~uS7CRBy9DADi55ymZdmltuq0A7AtFwMVviXfl5OCsPGy5BUMCRgVEJGq1mQGDAJf-vGn~q8ZZTjzf2fpueuB6qErledCpGxT~LEeVFl7wgD20Vo1kYG3o7R2tPQjcfhFb8b0ppzW~0HtOTngyesVnfXVvEi49b5tI17z3EAAWDE~il1EQht8SnRwCnw7AfAH-DEdrl~005t7U7FvcPZ8WABejZ5ZSAS2T6M4Q82TkXkq1x9CAJ9WmofALK-UN14ZDwiovwFmnwnojOTG-LB2UBuh~1ICp9d58xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ash County Farmers Market board updated the County Commission on Monday, reporting increased customer counts and vendor sales from the 2024 season and plans for 2025.

Carrie Vargas, president of the market board, said organizers counted roughly 16,000 customers who visited the Saturday market in 2024 and vendors reported about $307,000 in total earnings (self-reported and voluntary). The market said it processed roughly $7,600 in food-assistance transactions that combined SNAP/EBT and double-up programs and that existing remaining funds from a prior county contribution position the market to start the 2025 season without new county dollars.

Vargas said 48 vendors will return this season and several new vendors and Ash County crafters will join the market. Tina Hubbard, the market's new manager, will begin oversight this year; the board said producers and growers may sign up for spaces through the season and that the juried craft application deadline has passed.

The market's first Saturday opening is scheduled for the coming weekend. Board members asked commissioners to help recruit volunteers and mentors for youth vendor programs and to spread the word about food-assistance benefits that increase purchasing power for lower-income shoppers.

Commissioners thanked the market board for the update and for last year's fundraising and outreach.","Market organizers told commissioners the market drew about 16,000 customers in 2024, vendors reported roughly $307,000 in earnings, 48 vendors are returning for 2025 and the organization has leftover funds to support food-assistance programs this year.",{"_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},6597965,"County approves $1.9 million increase to SDR debris contract; contractor reports 90,000 cubic yards removed",361,7249000,7610000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3220605-ebcb67b763acc2b5caafadb5284c5418&start=7249&end=7610","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3220605-ebcb67b763acc2b5caafadb5284c5418/thumbnail_7249000.jpg","/articles/6597965/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/County-approves-19-million-increase-to-SDR-debris-contract-contractor-reports-90000-cubic-yards-removed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6597965-d95abdedf8fb59369ba2e3efbcc26102/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174545&Signature=OyLvq0tHaHmLfCcQc5CnQI4mXoEhm-LgO2vMtQ~qJhV31sS13LtLcX0JeHxiHwNWDJjms2w8h2W3LHAa1G9u1FphK3hfKFBiwHhEtigxPjQ6279BN28jQhFI9hZUXodcGidlEhDPfl2F7CvoUBUoFPw~S9AED~ou9v2QOi7cWAuWg6Ro8xkA8ZUrADL2K882gLpfA26ABnFEZTPRDThCR7iSTLyB25hw55F0aMroHP4LgJdJNe1l7XAuut8sBlvfcGDGtOl~t4jw-rKhhAq-9T80c5iMtQDegKxpDtce3fjsu3vm2U6aoOEdOJAyojDFuXWZToY19pFWwMU83X8zNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ashe County Board of Commissioners approved an amendment Monday to increase the not-to-exceed limit on the road-side debris contract with SDR by $1,900,000.

SDR representative Chip Patterson told commissioners the contractor has removed roughly 90,000 cubic yards of debris from county rights-of-way and estimated about 20,000 cubic yards remain. County staff and the contractor said operations have shifted from on-site burning to chipping and hauling; that change increases the need to transport material off-mountain or to permitted in-county management sites.

Patterson said about 6,000 cubic yards of mulch currently sit at temporary management sites and that roughly 10,000 cubic yards might be usable in-county; moving other material will require hauling to lower-elevation facilities at additional cost. County staff confirmed the debris work is federally reimbursable and that a third-party monitoring firm documents each load for eligibility and payment. Officials said they expect roadside operations to continue into late April or early May, depending on remaining volumes and hauling logistics.

Commissioners and several residents raised safety and traffic-control concerns at work sites after reports of unattended staging in roadside curves. County staff said they would reinforce maintenance-of-traffic procedures with contractors and the monitoring team.

Adam (county manager) and public-works staff recommended the amendment to finish roadside work. The motion passed in open session; the meeting transcript does not include a named roll-call tally.","The Board of Commissioners approved a $1.9 million increase to the county's roadside-debris contract with SDR. Contractor representatives said roughly 90,000 cubic yards have been removed from rights-of-way with about 20,000 cubic yards remaining and that operations have shifted from burning to chipping and hauling.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6597970,"Votes at a glance: Ashe County commissioners approve several resolutions, personnel and contract actions",310,6060000,6370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3220605-ebcb67b763acc2b5caafadb5284c5418&start=6060&end=6370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3220605-ebcb67b763acc2b5caafadb5284c5418/thumbnail_6060000.jpg","/articles/6597970/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Ashe-County-commissioners-approve-several-resolutions-personnel-and-contract-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6597970-78d42bd7afa04360020fd554c1b3b0d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174545&Signature=BenLWkypXZoIq6PqrtnfxvQ28WNm1K29MUvnpL7e1PUfEUT0j~Yf6e-m3zVGjQ7b1TrvcKc2XLkZh~Noh32oa1qMvuNssl9jyu9cAEb-06LC~WrUuqJrnGf0YTa1B2N2ql4kvmLI3SvweE5klgwuLSkyEvZltFKzmLT7QfWB0WlIScQ1ywcu2SKdMUGEZRpKH3XaNDJUXnkG5FeLAx4ltiEkiWHCR7J~lRyjulYaS~9NczvXUlGCReqO2lNukpbkc13Vw58lbXf3fyi6cgElDMamNVKEYwAG0TCHW20GTTxE~7-Mcfs9kb0WAWI6pb4Ajcfx07fwHlsI~mabN1AqcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ashe County Board of Commissioners voted on multiple formal items during Monday's meeting. Below are the recorded actions taken in public session. The meeting transcript did not include roll-call vote tallies for individual commissioners; each motion on the record was moved, seconded and announced as approved.

- Line Worker Appreciation Day: The board adopted a resolution declaring April 18, 2025, as Line Worker Appreciation Day in Ashe County and presented plaques to utility contractors and linemen who assisted with storm restoration. The resolution text cited a 2013 U.S. Senate action recognizing April 18 as the annual appreciation day.

- NC 457 deferred-compensation option: Commissioners authorized a resolution to add the North Carolina 457 deferred-compensation plan as an additional retirement option for county employees. County staff emphasized the change would add an option, not replace the existing 401(k), and said the county would not immediately fund employer matching for the 457 plan.

- Detention-center liaison position (opioid funds): The board approved establishing a jail-based liaison position paid with opioid-settlement funds and agreed to cover a benefits-cost difference of $3,978.62 identified during implementation. County staff said the role will be inside the detention facility, focus on medication-assisted-treatment education and six months of post-release follow-up, and serve as a PREA coordinator.

- Roadside debris contract amendment (SDR): Commissioners approved an amendment increasing the contract's not-to-exceed limit by $1,900,000 to continue debris collection and processing after Hurricane Helene. County and contractor representatives said approximately 90,000 cubic yards of debris have been removed to date, with roughly 20,000 cubic yards remaining; chipping and hauling operations have replaced burning in several locations. Officials confirmed the work is federally reimbursable and monitored by a third-party documentation team.

- Small-business hurricane-recovery resolution: The board adopted a resolution requesting continued financial and administrative support from the U.S. Congress and the North Carolina General Assembly for small businesses impacted by the hurricane.

- North Carolina Forest Service letter of support: Commissioners authorized a county letter supporting additional state and federal funding for forest-service wildfire-mitigation and interface-education activities.

Motions were moved and seconded from the dais; the meeting record identifies the motions and their outcomes but does not list individual roll-call votes in the transcript. County staff and the board noted that most of the items that required additional funding rely on reimbursable state or federal funding streams.","At its regular meeting the Ashe County Board of Commissioners approved a series of formal actions including a lineman appreciation resolution, authorization of an NC 457 deferred-compensation option, establishment of a detention-center liaison funded from opioid-settlement dollars, an increase to a roadside-debris contract, and letters of support","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners hear opioid-settlement updates; approve jail liaison position to support treatment continuity

Commissioners add NC 457 deferred-compensation option for county employees

Ashe County Farmers Market reports 2024 season gains, opens for 2025 with 48 returning vendors

County approves $1.9 million increase to SDR debris contract; contractor reports 90,000 cubic yards removed

Votes at a glance: Ashe County commissioners approve several resolutions, personnel and contract actions