Buncombe County voters approved two bonds in the Nov. 8, 2022 general election for Open Space and Affordable Housing. The bonds generate $30 million and $40 million respectively. With an eye toward oversight and transparency, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution at its Aug. 16, 2022 regular meeting establishing the General Obligation Bonds Community Oversight Committee to monitor the investment of those bond dollars. The committee oversees the financial and legal requirements of the Open Space Bond Fund and the Affordable Housing Bond Fund. Committee members will serve until all bond funds have been committed. 

The resolution says the committee shall have five members:

• One person with an accounting background, appointed by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners
• One person with a banking background, appointed by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners
• One representative of the affordable housing community, appointed by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners
• One representative from the conservation and greenways community, appointed by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners
• One member to be appointed by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce

There is one vacancy in the committee for a representative from the conservation/greenways community. Community members interested in the position can apply on the county's board application website.