Citizen Participation - Boards and Committees
Henderson County invites you to participate in your local government by volunteering for an advisory board. Join the team of more than 1,100 county employees, elected officials, members of advisory boards, and other volunteers who make things happen for our community.
Advisory boards aid in the governing process by keeping Henderson County government in touch with the ideas and attitudes of its citizens. They help provide direction for the allocation of funds, the provision of human services, the protection of citizens, property, and our natural resources, and for other worthy services. Therefore, the input of these advisory groups is vitally important. Some of the advisory bodies have been established by state law, with their authorities defined in the North Carolina General Statutes. The Henderson County Board of Commissioners have created additional boards for special areas of service.
All applications are provided to the Board of Commissioners and every possible effort is made by the Commissioners to appoint appropriately and for the best benefit of every citizen. The board makes every effort to notify the public when vacancies occur and appointments will be made. An application can be obtained from the Clerk to the Board at the Historic Courthouse by calling 697-4808. Complete a volunteer application to serve on a board or committee.
A list and description of existing boards follows.
2 appointed positions - must meet specific requirements)
To act as a liaison between nursing homes, residents, family members, and the community, to educate the community on the aged and the facility, and to provide the catalyst for community development.
Meeting Schedule: Quarterly, beginning in January, on the 2nd Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at Land of Sky Regional Council Offices (339 New Leicester Highway, Suite 140, Asheville.
Term: 3 years, maximum of 2 terms
ContactLeAnn Tucker, Land of Sky Regional Council
(828) 251-6622
The Agricultural Advisory Board is composed of five appointed members who serve four-year terms. The purpose of the Board is to review and approve applications for qualified farmland and voluntary agricultural districts and make recommendations concerning the establishment and modification of agricultural districts, to hold Public Hearings, and to perform other related tasks as assigned. The Agricultural Advisory Board meets on the fourth Wednesday of every other month.
(9 appointed positions)
The Committee shall assist the Board and staff by providing input on the operations of Henderson County's Animal Control Department. The Committee may make recommendations concerning enhancements of the program and the Animal Services Ordinance. The Committee shall hear dangerous dog appeals.
Meeting Schedule: Quarterly beginning in January (January, April, July, and October) on the 2nd Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the meeting room at 100 N. King Street.
ContactBrad Rayfield
(828) 697-4723
Current Members
(4 appointed positions)
As a body corporate, to enable it to acquire, hold, and transfer real and personal property, to enter into contracts, to institute and defend legal actions and suits, and to exercise other rights and privileges as may be necessary for the management and administration of the Institution.
Meeting Schedule: Odd-numbered months on the 2nd Monday at 5:00 p.m. on the BRCC campus (meetings in March & September held at Transylvania County campus).
Term: 4 years
ContactDr. Laura Leatherwood
(828) 694-1700
(7 appointed positions)
To develop, organize, and supervise an “Adopt-a-cemetery” program for Henderson County, to assist county staff in identifying and coordinating the upkeep and maintenance of abandoned public cemeteries.
Meeting Schedule: Monthly on the 3rd Monday at 6:00 p.m. at the King St Meeting Room 100 N King Street, Hendersonville.
Term: 2 years
ContactToby Linville
(828) 697-4857
(8 appointed positions)
To identify deficiencies in the delivery of services to children and families by public agencies, to make and carry out recommendations for changes that will prevent future child deaths, and to promote understanding of the causes of child deaths.
Meeting Schedule: Odd-numbered months on the 1st Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in the Henderson County Health Department Board Room (1200 Spartanburg Hwy., Hendersonville).
Term: No Set Term
ContactVicki Islas
(828) 694-6037
(19 appointed positions – must meet specific requirements)
To monitor and evaluate the medical and operational issues within the Henderson County Emergency Medical Services system and for the improvement of the system.
Meeting Schedule: Quarterly, beginning in January, on the 2nd Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at the Thomas H. Thompson Emergency Services Headquarters located at 2529 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville.
Term: 3 years
ContactMike Barnett
(828) 697-4825
(9 appointed positions)
To advise the Board of Commissioners on matters related to environmental quality.
Meeting Schedule: The EAC meets the first Thursday of every other month at 3:00 p.m. in the King Street Meeting room at 100 North King Street, unless changed by a quorum of the voting members of the committee.
2025 meeting dates: February 6th, April 3rd, June 5th, August 7th, October 2nd, December 4th
Term: 2 years, maximum of 2 terms
(8 appointed positions) To be eligible for appointment to the special board, a person must have resided in Henderson County for at least three years immediately preceding the appointment and the board of county commissioners must find that the person has satisfactory knowledge of or experience in real estate, fee appraisals, banking, farming, or other business management.
(7 appointed positions – must meet specific requirements)
To act as a liaison between the individual Fire and Rescue Departments and the Board of Commissioners, and to advice the Board of Commissioners on the implementation of strategies for attaining and maintain the best possible fire and rescue services.
Meeting Schedule: Odd-numbered months on the 3rd Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the Emergency Operations Center (211 1st Ave. E., Hendersonville)
Term: 3 years, maximum of 2 terms
ContactJimmy Brissie
(828) 697-4527
(9 appointed positions)
To operate exclusively for charitable and educational purposes including the restoration, maintenance, and operation of the historic Henderson County Courthouse building and grounds.
Meeting Schedule: Monthly on the 4th Monday at 1:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the Henderson County Historic Courthouse (1 Historic Courthouse Sq., Hendersonville)
Term: 3 years, maximum of 2 terms
ContactCarolyn Justus
(828) 694-5007
(8 appointed positions)
The historical heritage of Henderson County and its municipalities is a valuable and important asset. By endeavoring to preserve historic districts and landmarks, Henderson County seeks: (1) to safeguard the heritage of the County and its municipalities by preserving districts and landmarks therein which embody important elements of its culture, history, architectural history, or prehistory; and (2) to promote the use and conservation of such districts and landmarks for the education, pleasure, and enrichment of the residents of the County and beyond.
(8 appointed positions)
To make recommendations to the County Manager, who serves as the Lead Agency, for presentation to the Board of Commissioners for disbursement of the County’s allotment of Home and Community Care Block Grant funding, review contract performance and assessment, and assist with the recruitment of additional services providers.
Meeting Schedule: Monthly on the 4th Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Historic Courthouse, Hendersonville.
(3 appointed positions - must meet specific requirements)
To govern the operations of Margaret R. Pardee Memorial Hospital at all tiers as a charitable, non-profit hospital, to establish and regulate an adequate and reasonable fee scale, to furnish equal access and service to each person admitted to the hospital for treatment, and to provide the facility with the necessary equipment for practicing physicians and surgeons to better serve their patients.
Meeting Schedule: Monthly on the last Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. in the 3rd floor board room at Pardee Hospital.
(2 appointed positions)
To apply for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds with documentation of housing needs and prioritizing strategies for meeting needs, and to develop criteria for distributing funds and establishing administrative policies and procedures for operation.
Meeting Schedule: Even-numbered months on the 4th Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.
Term: No set term
ContactCity of Asheville Community Development Division
259-2743
(7 appointed positions – must meet specific requirements)
To issue tax-exempt bonds for the construction of industrial facilities for those industries wishing to locate in Henderson County.
Meeting Schedule: Meet as needed.
Term: 6 years
ContactDiane Grant
693-7722
(1 appointed position)
To prepare a master jury list of prospective jurors for Henderson County as directed by N.C. General Statue 9-2.
Meeting Schedule: Odd-numbered years in July.
Term: 2 years
ContactJ. Tyler Ray
694-4100
(26 appointed positions – must meet specific requirements)
(8 appointed positions)
To advise the Library Director and the Governing Body on library programs, policies, and regulations for the government of the library, and to make recommendations to the Governing Body concerning the construction and improvement of buildings and other structure of the library system and otherwise advise the Board of Commissioners on library matters.
Members of the Library Board are selected by the Board of County Commissioners and serve for a three year term.
(53 appointed positions – must meet specific requirements)
(6 appointed positions)
To provide policy guidance and independent oversight of the implementation of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs within Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties.
Meeting Schedule: Monthly on the 4th Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Land-of-Sky Regional Council, located at 339 New Leicester Highway, Suite 140, Asheville, NC.
Term: 3 years
ContactMountain Area Workforce Development
(828) 251-6622
(6 appointed positions)
To plan and promote the orderly development of certain resources in the area including, but not limited to, human, land, water, wildlife, forestry, recreation and cultural.
Meeting Schedule: Quarterly on the 4th Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. within the eight county RC&D area (Buncombe, Cleveland, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania).
Term: 3 years
ContactJessica Hocz
828-206-6159
The primary function of the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee is to maintain the rights of the residents living in adult care homes including assisted living facilities and family care homes.
(3 Henderson County appointed positions - must meet specific requirements)
Is established to advise the City Council on matters related to land use and community development. The Planning Board shall be governed by authority of Chapter 160D-301 of the North Carolina General Statutes, and by Chapter 40, Article II of the City's Code of Ordinances.
Meeting Schedule: Monthly on the 2nd Monday at 4:00 p.m. at the City Operations Building located at 305 Williams St., Hendersonville.
Term: 1 year, then 3 years
(1 appointed position – must meet specific requirements)
To conduct studies of Fletcher and the surrounding area, to advise the Town Council of land use and development to administer subdivision review, and to review requires for new zoning or other amendments to the Fletcher Zoning Ordinance.
This Board also handles Zoning Board of Adjustments effective 08/01/2014.
(1 appointed position - must meet specific requirements)
To conduct studies of Laurel Park and the surrounding area, to advice the Town Council of land use and development, to administer subdivision review, and to review requests for new zoning or other amendments to the Laurel Park Zoning Ordinance.
Meeting Schedule: Monthly on the 2nd Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. at the Laurel Park Town Hall (441 White Pine Dr., Laurel Park).
Term: 2 years
ContactTown of Laurel Park
693-4840
The Rail-Trail Advisory Committee (RTAC) was established by the Board of Commissioners on November 1, 2021. The committee is charged with assisting and advising the Board of Commissioners by providing input on the operations and policies of the Henderson County rail-trail. The RTAC shall adhere to its established bylaws.
Meeting Schedule: The RTAC meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10:00 AM in the King Street Meeting Room.
The Recreation Advisory Board was established to advise the Recreation Department concerning the administration of Parks and Recreation affairs for Henderson County.
Meeting Schedule: The Recreation Advisory Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 12:00 p.m. Meetings are held at the Athletics and Activities Center at 708 S Grove Street, Hendersonville, unless otherwise noted.
If you would like to speak to the Board during the public comment period, you can sign up just prior to their regular meeting times.
(4 appointed positions - must meet specific requirements)
To advise Land-of-Sky Regional Council in matters related to the Senior Volunteer Programs – Foster Grandparent Program, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, and Senior Companion Program.
Meeting Schedule: Quarterly, beginning in March, on the 2nd Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at Land of Sky Regional Council Offices (339 New Leicester Highway, Suite 140, Asheville).
Term: 2 years, maximum of 2 terms
ContactLand of Sky Regional Council
251-6622
The Henderson County Board of Social Services is a five-member Board comprised of two members appointed by the NC Social Services Commission, two members appointed by the Henderson County Board of Commissioners, and one member elected by the Board. Members may serve two three-year terms.
(2 appointed positions)
To stimulate a better focusing of all available local, state, private, and federal resources with the goal of enabling low-income families and individuals of all ages to attain the skills, knowledge, and motivation to become self-sufficient.
Meeting Schedule: Monthly on the 2nd Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at the Etowah Lion's Den (447 Etowah School Road, Etowah).
Term: 6 years
ContactDavid White
693-1711
(9 appointed positions)
Hear and decide appeals from actions, decisions, etc. of the Zoning Administrator. Interpret unclear parts of the Ordinance. Have the power to grant special use permits. Potentially issue variances relative to provisions in the Ordinance other than land uses when practical difficulties or unnecessary hardshop would result from strict enforcement of the Ordinance.
Meeting Schedule: Monthly on the last Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. in the meeting room at 100 North King St., Hendersonville.
Term: 3 years
(4 appointed positions – must meet specific requirements)
Is tasked with directing the economic growth and physical development of the planning and development regulation jurisdiction of the City of Hendersonville. The Board of Adjustment is governed by authority of Chapter 160D-302 of the North Carolina General Statutes.
Meeting Schedule: Monthly on the 2nd Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the City Operations Center (305 Williams St., Hendersonville).
Term: 3 years
(2 appointed positions)
To hear and decide appeals from actions, decision, etc. of the Zoning Administrator, to interpret unclear parts of the Ordinance, and to potentially issue variances relative to provisions in the Ordinance other than land uses when practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship would result from strict enforcement of the Ordinance.
Meeting Schedule: Bi-monthly, beginning in January, on the 2nd Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at the Laurel Park Town Hall (441 White Pine Dr., Laurel Park).
Term: 2 years
Supporting Documents
Ethics Code (74 KB) application_fillable.pdf (224 KB) 