Board of Commissioners Pre-Agenda Meeting

Burke County Board of Commissioners Pre-Agenda Meeting Recap – November 3, 2025

On November 3, 2025, the Burke County Board of Commissioners convened a pre-agenda meeting to review items slated for discussion and potential action at their upcoming regular meeting. All commissioners were present, along with key county staff including the County Attorney, Finance Officer, and County Manager. This meeting provided an opportunity for preliminary discussion and information gathering before formal decisions are made, ensuring a well-informed process.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on ongoing challenges and opportunities within Burke County. Discussions centered around Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, particularly the complex process of securing federal Public Assistance funds from FEMA. County Manager Foster detailed the difficulties encountered with debris removal volume reporting, highlighting the ongoing review process and current receipt of only $12,000 out of a requested $11.4 million. This underscores the complexities of navigating federal disaster relief and the County’s commitment to resolving these outstanding issues. Alongside this, a presentation from Beverly Morton, a local foster parent, brought attention to the Board’s ongoing focus on supporting foster care and investing in children experiencing it. Commissioner Burns emphasized a desire to prioritize the safety and well-being of these vulnerable individuals, reflecting a core concern for the community.

Beyond immediate challenges, the Board also recognized several positive initiatives and ongoing programs. Abigail Holland from Burke County United Way presented on "One Brick Gifts," a 24-hour online fundraising event supporting local non-profits, which the Board acknowledged and supported. Discussions also included recognizing the inaugural class of the Citizens Academy, a program designed to educate residents about county government, with plans for recognition at the next regular Board meeting. Furthermore, Emergency Services Director James Robinson announced upcoming recognition of several citizens for their life-saving actions and a remote update from a firefighter recovering from an incident during training. Financial reports were presented by Western Piedmont Community College and Burke County Public Schools, revealing budget spending trends at WPCC and declining enrollment impacting state funding for BCPS.

Several items were approved through consent, streamlining the process and demonstrating agreement on routine matters. These included reappointments to key advisory committees like the Adult Care and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee and the Foothills Regional Airport Authority (pending legal review of an applicant). The Board also approved a temporary contract with Garrett & Moore for engineering services related to the landfill, addressing an immediate need in solid waste management. Finally, DSS is exploring new recruitment strategies to address staffing shortages, including the consideration of sign-on bonuses.

Looking ahead, several key action items were identified. The County will continue working with FEMA to resolve the Public Assistance application issues, a process requiring ongoing attention and collaboration. The Board will review proposals for opioid settlement funds at their next meeting, a crucial step in allocating resources to address the ongoing impact of the opioid crisis. The upcoming regular Board meeting will also feature a public hearing regarding Zoning Map Amendment ZMA 2025-06, and the recognition of the Citizens Academy graduating class. This pre-agenda meeting provided a vital overview of these upcoming discussions and decisions, ensuring transparency and informing residents about the direction Burke County is taking.