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BUNCOMBE COUNTYSTRATEGIC PLAN |
Resident Well-Being
Growing healthy communitiesGoal and Definition
Status Indicators for Most Recently Reported Results: On Target | Caution | Below Plan | No Information
Public transportation is a critical component of thriving communities, and provides connectivity in both rural and urban areas for residents, commuters, and visitors. An accessible and efficient public transit network offers convenient and affordable service for people to travel to home, work, school, recreational opportunities, and more. Public transportation reduces annual vehicle miles traveled, which helps lower air pollution and energy consumption.
Actual |
Target |
Results for |
| 0% | 75% | Q4 FY24 |
What we’re watching
Increase ridership of public transit and paratransit services
Reliable transportation services are critical to transit dependent residents in Buncombe County. Mountain Mobility will assist in maintaining livability standards throughout Buncombe County by growing ridership among all residents. As a choice destination for many older adults, Buncombe County will likely see an increased need for public transportation services catered to new residents as well as existing ones, and Mountain Mobility is prepared to meet the increased demand with anticipated ridership increases of more than 1% per year.
As the region grows, Buncombe County must develop a well-balanced system of infrastructure that serves residents and supports communities. Buncombe County seeks to improve the quality of life within our community by providing high quality recreational and cultural facilities, opportunities for social interaction, as well as programming and resources that encourage health and wellness.
Actual |
Target |
Results for |
| 66% | 75% | Q4 FY24 |
What we’re watching
Miles of greenways in Buncombe County
Studies show that greenways increase the resiliency in communities by providing the greatest ROI in several areas including transportation, conservation, recreation, flood control, culture, aesthetics, education, and economic prosperity. Health studies demonstrate that an increase in exercise, including walking alone, may provide longevity in older adults.
North Carolina has been significantly impacted by the opioid epidemic. In 2017, the state had a rate of 19.8 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 persons. This is 5.2 deaths per 100,000 persons higher than the national average. Buncombe County is no exception with an opioid overdose death rate almost twice that of North Carolina. Between 2015 and 2017, the number of opiate-related deaths in Buncombe County tripled – growing from 32 to 113. Beyond fatal overdoses, substance use disorders take a community toll in other ways. For example, communicable diseases associated with injection drug use have been on the rise.
Actual |
Target |
Results for |
| 50% | 75% | Q4 FY24 |
What we’re watching
Number of substance abuse overdose deaths
HHS will work to reduce the burden of death and overdose in the community by providing prevention, harm reduction, wrap around (i.e. peer support), etc. through agency and partner initiatives.
This includes deaths involving all types of medications and drugs: opioids (commonly prescribed opioids, heroin, and synthetic narcotics like fentanyl and fentanyl-analogues), stimulant's (cocaine, methamphetamine), benzodiazepines, and others. This metric includes fatal overdoses of all intents; over 90% of these deaths are unintentional.
Buncombe County’s jail houses inmates for local, state and federal criminal justice agencies. There are 604 beds in 13 housing units. Of the 604 beds, 96 are designated as female beds.Between 2015 and 2018, the number of people awaiting case disposition in the detention facility has increased by 13%, from 309 to 352. A primary driver of this increase is the growing length of stay experienced by pre-trial defendants. Approximately 70% of the jail population is state pre-trial defendants. Additionally, staff projections suggest the female population will regularly exceed capacity by November 2020.
Actual |
Target |
Results for |
| 63% | 75% | Q4 FY24 |
What we’re watching
Rate of individuals released with pending charges returning to custody over a 12 month period for a new charge or failure to appear
Tracking recidivism for a new charge and order for arrest for failure to appear is crucial in understanding the impacts of many aspects of the justice system. For example, if a change in made at the front end of the justice system (e.g. implementing a new risk assessment tool) that informs release decisions, recidivism helps to identify what impact such a change has on an individual's likelihood of returning to custody for a new charge.
This is not a Buncombe County Strategic Plan Goal, but watching this metric informs how county goals are pursued.
