ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday received a second-quarter financial update, approved changes to a personnel ordinance and adopted budget amendments tied to school construction and federal disaster reimbursements.

During its Feb. 17 regular meeting, the board voted to move the county’s finance director position under the authority of the county manager as part of what officials described as an organizational realignment consistent with local government best practices. Under the change, the finance director will report directly to the county manager. Commissioners said they will continue to receive regular financial reports and maintain oversight of the county’s budget and financial performance.

Commissioners also approved a budget amendment to distribute $1,399,689 in federal reimbursement authorized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for emergency response costs related to Tropical Storm Helene.

Of that total, $233,532 will go to Henderson County, $471,458 to the Fairview Fire Department and $694,699 to Buncombe County Schools.

In a separate action, the board approved a budget amendment to accept $1,435,000 from the North Carolina Education Lottery Public School Building Capital Fund to replace the tennis courts at North Buncombe High School. The board approved initial design costs for the project in 2024. The total project budget is $1.5 million.

The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for March 3. Agendas and minutes are available on the county’s website.