Board of Commissioners Budget Meeting Materials

Burke County Board of Commissioners Sets Stage for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget

On March 6, 2025, the Burke County Board of Commissioners convened for a crucial meeting marking the beginning of their budget development process for fiscal year 2025-2026, which begins in July 2025. The meeting, the first of two days dedicated to strategic planning and budget direction, provided a comprehensive overview of key priorities and ongoing projects impacting the county. While no formal votes were taken during this initial session, the discussions laid a vital foundation for future budgetary decisions.

A significant portion of the meeting centered on Burke County’s water and sewer systems, with consultants from Willis Engineering presenting findings from a recent asset inventory and assessment study. The presentation highlighted the need for long-term financial planning to address aging infrastructure, reduce "unaccounted-for water" (primarily due to leaks and potential theft), and ensure the sustainability of these vital services. Commissioners engaged in a detailed discussion about the challenges associated with Burke County’s geographically dispersed water and sewer system, recognizing the need for proactive solutions. The Board also received an update on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), a five-year roadmap for infrastructure investments, understanding it as an evolving document requiring ongoing diagnostics and measurement.

Beyond the water and sewer system review, discussions touched upon the Public Safety Strategic Plan and a Community Engagement initiative. County Manager Brown Epley emphasized the importance of aligning budget decisions with the Board's strategic plan, ensuring a transparent and focused approach to resource allocation. He underscored that these two days of meetings were essential for setting priorities, a sentiment echoed by the Willis Engineering representative who stressed the importance of asset assessments for informed financial planning.

The meeting concluded with a clear outline of next steps for the Board and county staff. Commissioners will participate in a prioritization exercise tomorrow, utilizing a dot-voting system to rank existing and potential goals outlined in the Board’s strategic plan. Following this, they will provide final direction on budget allocations. Willis Engineering will then finalize and present a revised Capital Improvement Plan within 30 days, incorporating the Board's feedback. Furthermore, the County will focus on addressing the issue of unaccounted-for water within the system and consider options for the Parker Road facility, which houses public health and social services – potentially involving renovation or new construction.

While there were no public comments during this session, residents can anticipate further opportunities for input as the budget process progresses. This initial meeting established a clear direction, prioritizing strategic planning and infrastructure investment to ensure Burke County's continued growth and well-being. The focus on addressing the water and sewer system challenges, in particular, will directly impact residents by ensuring reliable access to essential services.