Janna Bianculli

The Board is requested to approve the selection of Edifice as the Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) for the Henderson County Public Schools Bus Garage Project, based on the RFQ Selection Committee's recommendation. The committee ranked five Statements of Qualifications, placing Edifice first, followed by Vannoy, Myers & Chapman, Cooper, and Blum. The requested action authorizes Henderson County staff to proceed with contract negotiations with Edifice for the CMR services.

The meeting commenced with a resolution adopted by the Board declaring the first Wednesday of February as Apple Growers Day in Henderson County. Public comments addressed the need for a Citizens' Review Committee regarding a potential shooting range and strong support for an indoor aquatics facility, especially with Patton Pool being out of commission. The agenda was approved, and the consent agenda included approval of the January 21, 2026 minutes, the Tax Collector's Report, and the December 2025 County Financial Report and Cash Balance Report. The Board also approved the Henderson County Public Schools Financial Report for December 2025. Key actions included declaring photography equipment as surplus and authorizing its donation to the Town of Fletcher, approving the December 31, 2025, American Rescue Plan compliance report, and approving a Pre-Construction Proposal from Ryse Construction for the Blue Ridge Community College Facilities Building Project. Furthermore, the Board approved the December 31, 2025, Opioid Settlement Fund Authorized Expenditures Update. During discussion, the Board ordered the Tax Collector to advertise delinquent real property tax liens for 2025. Significant discussion focused on the proposed Berkeley Park Sports Complex, where the Board approved an additional funding request of $2,926,562, bringing the total project cost to approximately $18 million. Commissioners also requested staff to investigate land availability near the Sports Complex for a potential aquatic center. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter closed session.

The Board of Commissioners passed a resolution declaring March as National Athletic Training Month. During public comment, a citizen urged the Board to discontinue funding for First Contact Addiction Ministries. The agenda was amended to move the Construction Manager at Risk Selection for the HCPS Bus Garage Project to the March mid-month meeting. Consent agenda items approved included the approval of pending tax releases and refunds totaling over $26,000 in releases, approval of a budget amendment to transfer two positions from the Revaluation Reserve Fund to the County Assessor Department, approval of the selection of the Sparc Foundation for the Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Team (START) program, the bid award for internet services to Cebridge Telecom NC, LLC for Library branches, approval of a funding agreement with Friends of Ecusta Trail and Conserving Carolina, approval of the AA 130 Federal Grant for chronic illness management in pregnancy, approval for a Foreign Language Interpreter II project position funded by federal funds, and adoption of a resolution for the SRF Helene Supplemental application for the Clear Creek Sewer System Phase I project. Discussion items included updates on various construction projects such as the Spartanburg Highway Medical Office Building, Mills River Medical Office Building, JCAR Detention Center Project, JCAR Courts, and Henderson County Sports Complex. The Board also received an overview of the 2027 Real Property Reappraisal Process and an update on the newly launched Community Paramedics Program. Finally, the Board approved the sole source procurement of five ES&S DS200 Voting Tabulators and made several nominations and appointments to various advisory committees.

The meeting included several resolutions and recognitions, notably adopting a resolution for National Public Health Week and a Resolution of Appreciation for Jerry Henry and Lowe's Store #0031 staff following their contributions after Hurricane Helene. The Board also approved a resolution honoring retiring District Captain Alan Corn by awarding him his service badge and sidearm. Consent agenda items involved approving the minutes from the March 19, 2025, meeting, approving pending releases and refunds totaling $1,922.77 in released taxes, and approving the February 2025 County Financial and Cash Balance Reports. Further actions included approving a budget amendment for MRTS fund balance appropriation and extending 20 project positions related to Hurricane Helene disaster response through June 30, 2025. The Board held public hearings concerning a Land Development Code Text Amendment for Ecusta Trail Parking (which was tabled until May 5, 2025), rezoning application R-2025-02 (which was approved), and conditional rezoning application R-2025-01-CD (which was continued to April 16, 2025). Discussions during the meeting covered financial impacts and updates regarding Hurricane Helene debris removal and housing status, as well as municipal fire inspections costs. Nominations were made for the Agriculture Advisory Board and Hendersonville Planning Board.

The meeting agenda included numerous items detailed in supporting documents such as CAC, HCCBG, industrial facilities, JCPC, mountain area workforce, RTAC, BOER, DI.B, GAU, ID, NOM, and various resolutions/actions (CA.A through CA.O, CMR, CS, CU, DI.A, DI.D, DI.E, DI.F, DI.C, TDA). Public input was also scheduled for discussion.