Board of Commissioners Budget Meeting Materials

Burke County Board of Commissioners Budget Meeting Recap – March 7, 2025

On March 7th, the Board of Commissioners held a meeting focused on gathering information and forecasts to guide budget decisions for the upcoming fiscal year. The session served as a crucial first step in shaping how county funds will be allocated, with a particular emphasis on economic development and addressing workforce challenges. A presentation from Crystal Morpheus of Creative Economic Development Consulting provided valuable context on current economic trends and their potential impact on Burke County.

A significant portion of the meeting centered around discussions related to economic growth and development. Commissioners engaged in a detailed review of key economic indicators, including job growth, tax base expansion, and workforce development. The Board acknowledged Burke County's recent move to Tier 2 status as a positive sign, indicating some economic progress. A key point of discussion revolved around the need to proactively attract businesses by having "ready-to-go" sites with necessary infrastructure and approvals. The feasibility of constructing a speculative building – essentially, a building built without a guaranteed buyer – was explored as a potential strategy to address this need and compete more effectively with neighboring counties. Mr. Manager consistently emphasized the importance of aligning actions with a clear purpose, focusing on improving lives and developing attractive sites for businesses.

Beyond economic development, the Board also addressed critical community needs. Discussions included managing municipal solid waste, ensuring adequate funding for public safety (a significant portion of the budget), and exploring ways to enhance citizen engagement through a potential “citizen academy.” Concerns were raised about addressing workforce challenges, including issues related to Medicaid eligibility and food insecurity, as well as engaging “opportunity youth” – young adults not currently in school or employment. The importance of the manufacturing sector and preserving Burke County’s rural character while pursuing economic growth were also recurring themes.

During the public comment portion, a limited number of citizens were present, but Board members actively engaged in dialogue. Concerns centered on developing and retaining local talent to ensure opportunities for residents, alongside a desire to safeguard the county's unique character and quality of life. This sentiment underscored a commitment to ensuring that any economic development initiatives benefit all residents, not just a select few.

Looking ahead, the Board has several key action items stemming from this meeting. The primary focus will be on continuing budget development, incorporating the insights gained during the session. Specifically, a deeper exploration of building a speculative building will be undertaken to assess its viability and potential benefits. The Board also committed to focusing on workforce development programs, addressing the needs of “opportunity youth,” and reviewing potential modifications to the county’s development code to streamline housing investments. Finally, officials were encouraged to diligently track economic data and monitor the impact of county initiatives to ensure accountability and effective resource allocation. This meeting laid the groundwork for critical decisions that will shape Burke County’s economic future and impact residents' lives.