From Staff Reports

Buncombe County will add a third assistant county manager to its roster after tapping Intergovernmental Relations Director Tim Love to fill the new role, the Asheville Citizens Tmes reported on May 21, citing to a May 20 news release.

In adding a third assistant county manager, the county promoted the hiring as a way to respond to its “ever-growing priorities.”

Love has worked for the last decade with Buncombe County and brings more than 15 years of governmental experience to the position, according to the release

 Love will start as assistant county manager on July 1, joining assistant county managers D.K. Wesley and Sybil Tate, both of whom started in July 2019.

“As the number and complexity of our projects grow, this position reduces the span of control to allow more time to manage, consult, and provide guidance with departments,” County Manager Avril Pinder said in the release. 

“Tim’s political acumen, management philosophy, ability to collaborate, and approach to team building stood out. And it’s always rewarding when you can grow and promote from within.”

“Love’s salary will be $157,096,” the Citizen Times reported, citing county spokeswoman Kassi Day as its source.

The county does not yet have a timeline for filling the job of intergovernmental relations director, but the release stated that “management will assess the position against organizational needs and fill accordingly.”

The departments in Love’s portfolio will include: Air Quality, Election Services, General Services, Libraries, Parks & Recreation, Strategic Partnerships and Sustainability.

Love said in the release that an immediate goal for him is to learn more about those departments’ needs, goals and strategies.

“This position is important because these departments have so many touchpoints with the public,” Love asserted in the release. “Whether spending the afternoon at a library or park, participating in an election, or accessing any of our more than 40 facilities countywide, these departments directly impact people and their view of how county government serves their needs.”