Residents in more rural areas of Buncombe County can look forward to better internet connection after Buncombe County officials voted to chip in $3.6 million for a broadband infrastructure project. The $10 million project is also supported by state, federal and private funding.
The project will have a major impact for people in Broad River, Upper Hominy and Fairview, bringing high-speed internet access to 967 new locations, E.B. Odderstol, an economic analyst with the county, said at last night’s meeting. In total, there are 2,394 locations in the county eligible for broadband expansion.
Commissioner Terri Wells said she’s “very pleased” about the project.
“This project is very impactful,” she said. “We've done lots of specific [broadband expansion] projects over these past few years, but these spots – that are spread out all over the county – had just really been hard to get accomplished.”
The county reallocated $298,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and $411,408 in Medicaid Hold-Harmless Funds. The hold-harmless funds come from the state.
The state will contribute $3.6 million through a N.C. Department of Information Technology match program. Bellsouth Telecommunications, the chosen service provider, will also contribute $3.1 million.
Should county health insurance cover weight loss drugs?
County staff who hope to lose weight with medication assistance may have to foot the bill. Commissioners debated the pros and cons of covering the GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy, Zepbound and Saxenda under the county health insurance plan at last night’s meeting.
This debate is happening statewide, with North Carolina recently opting to cover weight loss drugs as part of Medicaid, but not for its state employees, the New York Times reported.
The county projects a $1.8 million rise in healthcare costs, according to a presentation. Cutting coverage of weight loss drugs could save the county nearly $500,000, according to Larry Reece, the county’s health insurance benefit plan consultant. The drugs would still be covered for people diagnosed with diabetes.
Commission chair Brownie Newman described the choice as “a very tough financial decision,” given the potentially “profound benefits” of weight loss drugs.
Without insurance, weight loss drugs cost upwards of $1,000 per month, according to Reece. County employees currently are required to make only a $50 co-pay.
Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrara pointed out that benefits like diabetes prevention and improved heart and lung health – which could come from weight-loss drugs – could make health insurance costs lower in the long term.
“I mean there are savings that would be yielded down the road presumably if these drugs are found to be safe and stay effective because people aren't experiencing these other health issues that we know are quite expensive,” she said.
Commissioners will make a decision about whether to include the drugs in the insurance coverage at their Sept. 17 meeting.
From public comment
Three property managers spoke at public comment in criticism of the county’s newly formed group that will address short-term rental regulation.
Gay Weber, chief operating officer of Carolina Morning Vacation Rentals, read an open letter on behalf of several luxury and Airbnb rental companies.
“We are shocked that no professional property managers were included in the task force,” Weber said. “We believe this overlooks a vital resource – those of us who are most directly involved in the day-to-day management of these properties and who understand the operational realities, challenges and benefits of the short term rental market at scale.”
The 11-member committee, dubbed the Ad Hoc Short-Term Rental Committee, will work through November to provide recommendations to county commissioners.
One more tidbit
- Commissioners took a big step forward with the county’s upcoming property tax reappraisal, adopting the 2025 Schedule of Values. This document lays out the county’s tax rates, value ranges and guidelines for appraising property at market value in Buncombe County. The county will conduct reappraisals through the end of the year and send property values to homeowners in the mail next February.
Every first and third Tuesday, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meets at 200 College Street, Room 326 in downtown Asheville beginning at 5 p.m. See the full recording and agenda of the Sept. 3 meeting.
