Board of Commissioners Budget Meeting Materials

Burke County Board of Commissioners Budget Meeting Recap Date: March 6, 2025

The Burke County Board of Commissioners held a strategic planning and budget retreat on March 6, 2025, at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Morganton. The primary objective of this two-day session was to establish priorities and provide direction for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, which begins in July 2025. County Manager Brown Epley opened the meeting by acknowledging the efforts of county leadership during recent challenges and emphasizing that the retreat’s purpose was to align budget decisions with the Board’s strategic plan through a transparent process. The Board unanimously approved the meeting agenda, marking the only formal action taken during this portion of the proceedings.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on infrastructure and public safety. County Manager Epley presented an update on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), describing it as a fluid process involving diagnostics, policy development, and measurement over a five-year period. The presentation covered facility deferred maintenance, updates on EMS and Animal Services building construction, and space planning for the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). Additionally, consultants from Willis Engineering presented findings from an Asset Inventory and Assessment (AIA) study of the water and sewer systems. They highlighted challenges related to aging infrastructure, unaccounted-for water (leaks or theft), and the need for long-term financial planning to ensure sustainable operations, particularly given the county’s geographically dispersed service area.

Public safety was another key area of focus, with Greg Grayson presenting a Public Safety Strategic Plan. This plan addressed emergency response, law enforcement, fire services, and animal services, identifying specific needs for staffing, technology enhancements, and facility upgrades, including the aging EMS base. The Board also reviewed a framework for a Citizens Academy. Throughout these presentations, the discussion centered on identifying current challenges and outlining potential strategies for future infrastructure and service improvements, rather than making immediate funding commitments.

There were no public comments or testimony recorded during this meeting. As the session was designated as a strategic planning retreat for internal prioritization, community input was not solicited at this stage. The Board’s focus remained on reviewing existing plans and identifying future needs through internal discussions with county staff and external consultants.

Regarding next steps, the Board outlined a clear path forward for the budget development process. Commissioners are scheduled to conduct a prioritization exercise using a dot-voting system to rank goals from the strategic plan. Following this prioritization, the Board will provide final direction on budget allocations. Willis Engineering has agreed to finalize and present a revised Capital Improvement Plan within 30 days based on the Board’s direction. The County will also continue to review recommendations regarding water and sewer infrastructure, specifically addressing unaccounted-for water, and will consider options for the Parker Road facility, including renovation or new construction for public health and social services.