Buncombe County adds 3rd assistant county manager; What are the job duties?

ASHEVILLE - Buncombe County will add a third assistant county manager to its roster after tapping Intergovernmental Relations Director Tim Love to fill the new role, according to a May 20 news release.

The county billed the decision 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, the release said. Love is set to start as assistant county manager July 1. He will join assistant county managers DK 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, according to county spokesperson Kassi Day.

She said they don’t yet have a timeline for filling the role of Intergovernmental Relations Director, but 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 an immediate goal 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 said 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.”

Love holds a bachelor's in political science from UNC Asheville and a master of public administration from UNC Chapel Hill. He joined Buncombe County in 2014.

Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.