# Board of Commissioners Pre-Agenda Meeting

**Body:** Burke County Government — Board of Commissioners
**Date:** November 3, 2025 3:00 PM EST (2025-11-03T15:00:00-05:00)
**Location:** COMMISSIONERS' MEETING ROOM, 110 N. Green Street, Morganton, Morganton, NC, 28655

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421

## Summary

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.

## Agenda

- [APPROVAL OF AGENDA](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2496)
- [BCUW — PROCLAMATION FOR BURKE COUNTY NONPROFIT DAY](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2497)
- [CM - FOSTER CARE INTRODUCTION OF BEVERLY MORTON](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2498)
- [CM - RECOGNITION OF THE GRADUATING CLASS OF THE 2025 CITIZENS ACADEMY](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2499)
- [CM - FEMA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROCESS UPDATE](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2500)
- [EM - PRESENTATION OF LIFESAVER AWARDS](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2501)
- [HEALTH - PRESENTATION OF THE 2025 COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2502)
- [CD - ZONING MAP AMENDMENT, ZMA 2025-06 & PUBLIC HEARING](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2503)
- [WPCC - FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDING JUNE 30[TH] AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2025](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2504)
- [BCPS - FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30[TH] AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2505)
- [CLERK - REAPPOINTMENTS TO THE ADULT CARE & NURSING HOME COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2506)
- [CLERK - APPOINTMENTS / REAPPOINTMENTS TO THE COUNCIL ON AGING](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2507)
- [CLERK - REAPPOINTMENT TO THE EAST BURKE SENIOR CENTER](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2508)
- [CLERK - REMOVAL FROM THE LEPC SEAT NO. 11, MEDIA](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2509)
- [CM - APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 4](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2510)
- [CM - APPROVAL OF OCCUPANCY TAX RELEASE](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2511)
- [TAX - TAX COLLECTION REPORT - OCTOBER 2025](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2512)
- [TAX - TAX REFUND & RELEASE REPORT - OCTOBER 2025](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2513)
- [TDA - PRESENTATION OF THE FINANCIAL UPDATE FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30[TH] AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2514)
- [CLERK - REAPPOINTMENT TO THE JURY COMMISSION](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2515)
- [CM / GS - APPROVAL OF ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT FOR THE LANDFILL](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2516)
- [DSS - DEPARTMENTAL UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 2025](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421/item/2517)

## Votes

- To approve the agenda as amended, with the removal of Consent Item No. 8. — Passed, 5-0
- To reappoint Jennifer Francis to the Jury Commission, Seat No. 1, to complete the remainder of a 2-year term ending October 31, 2027 — Passed, 5-0
- To approve a temporary contract between Burke County and Garrett & Moore Engineering in the amount of $81,580 and authorize the County Manager to execute the agreement, subject to review and/or revision by the County Attorney. — Passed, 5-0
- DSS - DEPARTMENTAL UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 2025 — Passed, 5-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB3jQRD48uw
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1030/segments
- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFrxUFL2oDY
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1003/segments

## Documents

- [agenda_2025-11-03.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421?document=2805)
- [agenda_packet_2025-11-03.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421?document=2634)
- [minutes_2025-11-03.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1421?document=3163)

## Sources

- [CivicClerk](https://burkeconc.portal.civicclerk.com/#!/events/910)