Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Burke County Board of Commissioners Meeting Recap – December 15, 2025

The Burke County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting on December 15, 2025, addressing a range of topics from leadership elections to foster care support and animal welfare concerns. The meeting began with welcoming remarks, followed by a traditional invocation led by Pastor David Bridges and the Pledge of Allegiance guided by Mr. Tachal. A significant portion of the evening was dedicated to approving a comprehensive consent agenda, streamlining several routine administrative actions.

A key outcome of the meeting was the election of leadership for 2026: Jeff Britton was elected as Chairman, and Phil Smith as Vice-Chairman. Both expressed their commitment to serving the county in these roles. The Board also approved an addition to the agenda concerning appointments to the Dangerous Dog Appeal Board, demonstrating a responsiveness to ongoing community needs. Following approval of the minutes from September 2nd, the meeting moved into presentations and public comment.

Stephanie Norman, Register of Deeds, delivered a detailed update on her department's activities, highlighting its expanded role in issuing birth certificates for North Carolina residents and adopted individuals. The department is also experiencing growth as a passport acceptance facility, handling over 12,000 documents and 16,000 vital records requests annually. Notably, the department is implementing artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and combat document fraud. Subsequently, County Manager Brian Epley presented a proposal exploring potential partnerships to vertically integrate foster care services within Burke County. The Board unanimously approved moving forward with a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to evaluate potential partners, aiming to increase licensed foster homes, improve reunification rates for children in care, and potentially achieve budget efficiencies. This initiative reflects a commitment to supporting vulnerable children within the county.

During public comment, residents voiced concerns and advocated for improvements in various areas. John Hoyle raised issues regarding the responsiveness of county staff and safety concerns at a local convenience store, while Doreen Herb passionately advocated for stronger animal welfare laws. Ms. Herb emphasized the need for stricter penalties, mandatory spay/neuter programs, and improved oversight of animal rescues to address issues like abandonment and neglect. Her comments sparked a discussion among Commissioners Stroud and Burns, who highlighted the importance of supporting foster families and exploring ways to engage local churches in addressing the needs of children.

The Board swiftly approved a comprehensive consent agenda, encompassing approvals for 2026 rules of procedure and meeting schedules, appointments to various boards (including the Tourism Development Authority), acceptance of donated desk cubicles from the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, and budget amendments for social services and vehicle repairs. Additionally, they authorized the sale of surplus real property through an online auction platform (GovDeals) and approved utilizing opioid litigation settlement funds to expand the PORT team. Finally, the Board passed a resolution recognizing the historical significance of Burke County in preparation for America’s 250th anniversary.

Looking ahead, the County Manager will initiate the RFQ process for exploring foster care partnership options. Residents are encouraged to monitor the county website and future meeting agendas for updates on these initiatives, particularly regarding potential changes to animal ordinances. This meeting demonstrated the Board’s focus on addressing key community needs, streamlining county operations, and preparing for significant milestones like the upcoming celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.