Name: David King
Profession: Ferrier
In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Proud Democrat
In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I believe county government and elected officials have a responsibility to serve every citizen of Buncombe County, not a political agenda, which is why I am running to put people first.
General questions
These questions are about problems, challenges or topics facing county government and how you would try to deal with them if elected. Limit 300 words per answer.
1) Housing costs have steadily risen in the area, outside the city of Asheville as well as within. What steps should the county take to deal with the affordable housing crisis?
It has been a learning experience to be part of many discussions on the issue of affordable housing. No one has an answer capable of eliminating the problem. Most of the factors driving unaffordability in housing stem from the private sector/housing market. The county can/has supported efforts, such as the Community Development Ordinance, which offers incentives for developers in order make it more feasible for them to build more affordable homes. This and other such efforts can provide some relief to the affordability issue. It would be my plan to continue these efforts as well as search for any other opportunities which would help remedy this difficult situation so many people in our county face.
2) The State of Black Asheville report reveals multiple inequities — in fields like education, housing, health and more — affecting the African-American community in both Asheville and Buncombe County. What steps would you support to address these issues?
Local government, along with schools and non profits, are working to improve the inequities in the State of Black Asheville. There is certainly much more to be done. More engagement between the African American leaders, county government leaders, and business leaders would be a starting point for finding effective solutions. As a member of the Martin Luther King Association of Asheville and Buncombe County, it is my belief this problem can be improved by sustained community effort.
3) What do you see as the appropriate circumstances for a commissioner to question or criticize appointed staff? What is your overall assessment of the current performance of the county manager and top county staff?
Each individual commissioner serves as part of a Board. Individual commissioners have no power in and of themselves. Decisions are made by the entire Board. Appointed staff report to the full Board, not individual commissioners. If a problem arises with a staff member needing discussion or evaluation, this is a discussion to be held between the employee and the full board, not an individual commissioner. As a commissioner from 2012-2014, it was my experience to witness a high level of professionalism from the county manager and the county staff.
4) According to the N.C. Department of Education, Buncombe County Schools have $10,225 in revenue per student, as compared to $13,125 for Asheville City Schools. What steps should the county take to ensure that this revenue gap doesn’t result in services for students in county schools falling behind?
Buncombe County has a history of supporting our schools and must continue this practice. Asheville City Schools have a greater dollar revenue per student than Buncombe County in part because they have a special school tax Buncombe County residents do not pay. In the bigger picture, the biggest threat to both the county and city schools’ funding is the current position of the state legislature to systematically defund public education. If we want to ensure a revenue gap is not created which results in a reduction in services for children, both the county government and citizens need to strongly advocate for a reversal in this alarming and harmful trend.
5) Buncombe County’s seen more development as population and tourism in the area increases. Do you believe the county’s current development rules are adequate to deal with this situation? If not, how would you change them?
Based on rapid and increased development all over the county, I do think current zoning polices are due for a review by the County Planning Board and Staff, as well as the County Commission; resulting in recommendations for improvements to the current plan. Many once rural areas are now very urbanized with very different needs from those truly rural/agriculturally oriented sections. A one size fits all approach will not work for the growth and development we are experiencing now, and will experience, in the future. We need to meet the needs of areas, like South Buncombe, confronting very real traffic and safety issues while at the same time meet the needs of areas concerned with preserving the land and green spaces which make them the communities they are. To ensure these improvements happen, we need to have community meetings all over the county with the purpose of securing input from citizens in each district. We need to work diligently to ensure our zoning polices provide a quality of life beneficial to each area of the county and its residents.
Yes/No
These questions are about specific proposals the commissioners have or may consider, and how you would vote on them. The first word of each answer must be Yes or No. An explanation of one’s position — or an alternative proposal — may follow.
6) Do you support the current distribution of hotel tax revenue to the Tourism Development Authority?
Yes, I do support the current distribution of hotel tax revenue to the Tourism Development Authority. It is important to promote Asheville and Buncombe County as a desirable vacation destination to other regions in order to keep visitation and tourism dollars coming. Tourism adds over 2Billion dollars to our economy, providing a huge source of tax revenue. Some feel the 75/25 distribution (75 to hotels/25 to infrastructure) may need to be readjusted in the future. I am not opposed to exploring this, but feel currently the money is being used wisely.
7) Would you endorse the repeal of the provision of HB2 prohibiting local governments from passing nondiscrimination ordinances?
Yes, I would endorse repeal of HB2. HB2 has accomplished nothing but damage to North Carolina’s reputation and economy.
8) Do you support the $34,359 bonus allocated to County Manager Wanda Greene as part of this year’s budget?
No, since I only have limited information on this issue, I could not say I would support this bonus. Without complete information relevant to any issue, it would not be responsible to offer an opinion, nor would I be in a position to offer a qualified decision. That said, if any county employee works enough hours overtime to qualify for additional pay, the county should be willing to explore compensation for the time worked to the extent of our ability to fund it.
9) Durham County recently changed its living wage rates so that all county workers make at least $15 an hour. Do you support a similar step in Buncombe, setting a base wage of $15 an hour for all county employees?
Yes, I would be open to a discussion of employee wages. During 2012-14 I did support a budget increasing the wage rate for the least paid employees. County employees are one of the county’s greatest assets. We need to do all we can to retain them and ensure they are able to provide an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families.
10) Will you approve county funds to support the proposal, backed by the city-county African-American Heritage Commission, for a monument on Pack Square marking the contributions and history of local black citizens?
Yes, I would support the proposal for a monument on Pack Square marking the contributions and history of local Black citizens. African Americans have played a huge and important role in the history and development of Buncombe County. Without question, recognition of this role should happen.