Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Envisage Special Meeting
Members of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners have scheduled a special meeting on August 22, 2024, at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center, situated on 87 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC. The session is part of the board’s diplomatic efforts to bridge the gap between different departments while ensuring efficient regulatory practices.
Program of the Day
The board members have carefully structured the day into two main segments. The morning session, starting from 9:00 am and wrapping up at 12:00 noon, will be a joint meeting that will welcome members of both Asheville City School Board and Buncombe County School Board. The board has clarified that the morning meeting will not entail any form of action or public comment. The purpose of the gathering is to provide an open platform for dialogue, contributing towards a constructive collaboration between the different boards.
The afternoon segment, however, has a distinctive feature. Post-lunch, a Strategic Plan work session is scheduled to take place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. exclusively for the Board of Commissioners. Like the morning session, this part of the day is also devoid of any decision-making measures or the acceptance of public comments. Rather, the aim of this segment is for the commissioners to brainstorm together and strategically plan their future course of action.
Engaging the Public
Ensuring transparent governance and fostering a sense of involved citizenship, the board has made both meetings open to public viewing. Although there will be no immediate scope for public discourse during the meetings, the public’s presence is highly appreciated, and their opinions are always welcome for consideration during the decision-making processes. To increase wider reach and visibility, the meetings will be streamed to the County’s Facebook channel. Providing access to these meetings is a part of the board’s commitment to facilitating open dialogue and cooperation.
The Bigger Picture for Buncombe County
This initiative by the county board of commissioners forms part of their broader commitment to orchestrating seamless inter-departmental cooperation. As various departments like local government, education, business, and environment fall within their purview, it’s essential to ensure that these entities work in harmony to achieve the collective vision and mission. By inviting the Asheville City School Board and Buncombe County School Board to a joint meeting, the board of commissioners is facilitating a vital interface between education and local governance in the county.
Conclusion
Local governance is the bedrock of democratic societies. The board’s efforts at Buncombe County are testament to their commitment to fostering a cooperative system where different authorities can work together for the betterment of the county. While they’ve made it clear that no decisions will be made or public comments taken during these sessions, the opportunity for different boards to interface and the public to engage in the process bears testament to the democratic values that underpin Buncombe County.
