Half of Helene FEMA Projects Still Pending as Pahle Takes Helm
City Council • HendersonvilleOctober 1, 2026
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Two years after Hurricane Helene, Hendersonville has recovered about $4.8M from FEMA, and half of its 28 recovery projects still await federal decisions. The council received that update Oct. 1, 2026, the same night Brian Pahle was sworn in as city manager, succeeding John Connet after 13 years. Pahle now owns the unresolved cases, including the wastewater plant, Patton Park and the Whitmire Activity Center.
- 14 FEMA projects obligated, 14 pending: The wastewater plant, Patton Park and Whitmire Center are the largest unresolved items.
- Brian Pahle sworn in as city manager as John Connet leaves for the League of Municipalities.
- Elijah Timmons' family returns to public comment to demand transparency and evidence review. No council member responded.
- Aging coalition reports Adult Services intake tripled since 2018 and asks the city to join the county aging plan.
- Council opens Saluda water talks, requires utility franchises and annexes 7.23 acres for Jabil.
Helene Recovery: A Tale of Two FEMAs
Why it matters: Hendersonville is covering recovery costs with borrowed cash while it waits on FEMA. City Manager Brian Pahle warned that the city may eventually have to stop waiting and pay for some repairs itself.
The basics: FEMA Public Assistance reimburses local governments for disaster costs by category. Category C covers roads and bridges. Category D covers water control facilities such as reservoirs. A fixed cost offer is FEMA's proposed lump sum for a project.
Where things stand: Pahle limited the update to FEMA Public Assistance. The city has received $4.8M from FEMA, $3.3M from insurance and about $10.6M in cash-flow loans. FEMA has reimbursed debris removal and emergency protective measures. Those are the routine early phases.
"It's been a bit of a tale of two FEMAs," said Pahle, describing an uneven process. Quick payment for emergency work has given way to slow decisions on permanent repairs.
The pending list is heavy:
- Wastewater treatment plant: FEMA has made a fixed cost offer on what Pahle described as a project of about $125M.
- Patton Park and Whitmire Activity Center: Both also have fixed cost offers. FEMA offered $1M for the Patton Park House.
- Reservoir dredging: About $1.9M remains pending under Category D.
- Roads and bridges: Category C work remains pending.
- City Hall roof: FEMA's estimate is in dispute. Bids for the work came in at about $700,000.
The other side: Pahle signaled the council may soon face a decision on whether to keep waiting. "The city's going to have to determine at what point do we start paying for some of this ourselves," he said.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council took no action. One council member commended staff for transparency.
The stakes are highest for ratepayers. The wastewater plant is by far the largest open item, so any shortfall could fall on the utility system. Park users at Patton and Whitmire also remain in limbo. The $10.6M in cash-flow loans shows how much the city has fronted while waiting for reimbursement.
What's next: No dates were given for FEMA decisions on the 14 remaining projects.
Connet Exits, Pahle Sworn In as City Manager
Why it matters: The city's top administrator changed hands after 13 years. Connet led Hendersonville through COVID and Helene. His deputy, Pahle, inherits the recovery and a growing list of utility decisions.
Where things stand: Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Hensley, who presided, read a resolution of appreciation. It credited Connet's tenure with new fire stations, a stormwater utility, water system work, the Gen H comprehensive plan, the city's first police station and a housing plan.
The tributes started during public comment. Public commenter Ken Fitch praised Connet's Helene leadership and closed with "may all your hurricanes be gentle." Pahle offered a personal tribute before taking the oath.
Connet thanked staff and turned the city over to his successor. "This is your city now. It is not mine," said John Connet, the outgoing city manager.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: This was a ceremonial item, and no vote was taken. Connet is leaving for the League of Municipalities. Continuity looks likely, since Pahle served as his deputy and delivered both the Helene update and the manager's report on his first night.
What's next: Pahle's first major tests include the FEMA disputes, the Saluda water talks and the Duke Power franchise renewal.
Timmons Family Presses Council for Answers
Why it matters: Relatives and supporters of Elijah Timmons used public comment to accuse police leadership and question the evidence in his death. The claims carry accountability questions for the new city manager. They were not verified during the meeting, and no council member responded.
Where things stand: Several speakers came together. A cousin asked for a moment of silence. Public commenter Dante Burnett honored a coworker mourning her son and asked for another.
Public commenter Zundra King, speaking for her nephew, said "the family voices are not being heard."
Public commenter Tricia King identified herself as Timmons' mother. "I am still trying to get transparency and to the truth about what happened to my child," she said. King alleged that the police chief disparaged her. She also said ballistics and gun-testing evidence contradicted a self-defense finding and that she received altered videos. These are her allegations. She vowed to keep returning.
Public commenter Lynn Williams asked for release of a state trooper's body-camera footage and more ballistics detail. "We need investigations into Officer Hip's statement," she said. She urged the new city manager to act.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council took no action, and none of the allegations was addressed in response. The organized, repeated presence of the family puts pressure on police leadership and on Pahle's early agenda.
What's next: Tricia King said she will continue returning to council meetings.
Aging Coalition: Demand Rising, No Senior Center
Why it matters: Demand for adult services is climbing faster than the workforce that provides them. The Henderson County Aging Coalition asked Hendersonville to build aging into its planning.
Where things stand: Elizabeth Williams, Executive Director of Mountain Aging Partners, outlined demographic shifts and caregiver workforce shortages. "Wanting to age in place and having the infrastructures and supports to make aging in place possible are two very different things," she said.
Traci Korn, Program Manager at the Henderson County Department of Social Services, said intake contacts rose from 735 to 2,241. She reported a 58% increase in screened-in Adult Protective Services reports and about 80 seniors on the in-home aide waitlist.
Zach Schmidt, Aging Specialist with Land O'Lakes Regional Council, laid out the plan's four priorities. They include quarterly forums, a senior center and resource hub, and an annual State of Aging report. "Henderson County is one of 3 that does not have a senior center," he said.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The coalition asked city leaders to:
- consider older adults in policy decisions,
- join the coalition,
- support shared data, and
- partner on projects.
No questions were asked and no action was taken. Hensley expressed continued partnership. Earlier, the council proclaimed November 2026 as National Family Caregiver Month.
What's next: The coalition plans quarterly forums and an annual State of Aging report.
Council Expands Utility Reach and City Limits
Why it matters: Four voice votes extended the city's footprint. Together they set up possible water regionalization, formalized oversight of energy utilities, added industrial land and loosened limits on a downtown parcel. No tallies were stated for any vote.
Saluda water talks: The council adopted a resolution of intent on the City of Saluda water system. The agenda framed it as intent to negotiate terms to acquire, manage or lease the system. Utilities Director Adam Steurer recalled an NCDEQ merger and regionalization feasibility study and said funding is still needed for its recommendations. The resolution states that "the city council wishes to publicly state that it's intent to enter into discussions with the city of Saluda regarding its water system," Steurer said. It passed by voice vote with no nays heard.
Utility franchises: An amendment to Chapter 46 of the city code now requires franchises for electric generation and for gas production, storage and transmission facilities. Staff said the change formalizes existing practice. The gas franchise was renewed in 2020, and the 1977 Duke Power franchise is up for renewal April 7, 2027. The ordinance passed by voice vote.
Jabil annexation: The council annexed 7.23 acres on Commercial Boulevard off Upward Road for the Jabil expansion. The land consists of two non-contiguous parcels petitioned by Jeffrey Butt and owned by SMBC Leasing and Finance. The council found that state satellite annexation standards under G.S. 160A-58.1 were met. Lynn Williams, the only speaker, asked "that Jabil consider saving as many trees as possible" on the half-wooded site. The ordinance passed by voice vote.
101 S. Grove St. rezoning: The council returned two parcels from C-1 SU special use to base C-1 Central Business zoning. The 0.77-acre site is owned by Henderson County, and Jared DeRitter is the applicant. Base C-1 allows buildings up to 64 feet and has no parking minimums. The change removes a binding site plan, since North Carolina eliminated special use districts in 2021. The planning board recommended approval 7-0, and no one spoke at the hearing. The rezoning passed by voice vote.
What's next: Saluda negotiations and the 2027 Duke Power franchise renewal are the items to watch.
- Protect grants: The council pulled this item from consent, then backed both FBRMPO and NCDOT applications for Howard Gap. Pahle said the two do not compete.
- Consent agenda: Approved items included a Baker Tilley FY27 pay study, urban forestry grants, the 1208 Stanwood Ln annexation certificate and October budget amendments.
- Upward Road farmland: Lynn Williams urged the council to preserve the farmland, warning of runoff to Bat Fork Creek.
- Proclamations: The council proclaimed Grease Busters Day (Oct. 22), Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 4–10) and Family Caregiver Month (November).
- Quarterly MVP: Staffer Casey was honored for building the city's grease management program, which Brevard sought to emulate.
Looking ahead: The council also removed its scheduled closed session. Watch for FEMA rulings on 14 pending projects, the start of Saluda water talks and the Duke Power franchise renewal due April 7, 2027.