# Board of Commissioners Pre-Agenda Meeting **Body:** Burke County Government — Board of Commissioners **Date:** December 1, 2025 3:00 PM EST (2025-12-01T15:00:00-05:00) **Location:** COMMISSIONERS' MEETING ROOM, 110 N. Green Street, Morganton, Morganton, NC, 28655 **Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422 ## Summary On Monday, December 1st, the Burke County Board of Commissioners held a pre-agenda meeting to prepare for their upcoming regular meeting. This session, live-streamed on YouTube at [https://www.youtube.com/@BurkeCountyNC](https://www.youtube.com/@BurkeCountyNC), focused on reviewing items slated for discussion and potential votes at the full board meeting, ensuring a smooth and informed decision-making process. The meeting was attended by all commissioners and key county staff, setting the stage for important discussions impacting Burke County residents. A significant portion of the meeting centered on addressing challenges within the county's foster care system. The County Manager presented a detailed proposal to transition to a "single source" provider, consolidating marketing, recruitment, licensing, training, support services, and clinical assessments under one entity. Data presented highlighted a critical need for improvement, particularly regarding the increasing complexities arising from opioid-related issues and a shortage of foster homes and clinical resources. While no formal action was taken, the board expressed strong support for exploring this option further and will consider approving a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process at their next meeting. Commissioners acknowledged the dedication of Department of Social Services staff and praised their ability to recruit effectively, even from neighboring counties. Beyond foster care, the board engaged in discussions regarding several other key areas. They unanimously approved an agenda amendment adding budget amendment number seven for consideration at the regular meeting, and also approved the annual examination and approval of bonds held by various county officials. The America 250 Committee presented a resolution celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, which will also be considered at the regular meeting. Appointments and reappointments to the Tourism Development Authority and Public Health Advisory Board were discussed, with formal votes on these expected at the upcoming meeting. Finally, a plan to automate surplus property sales through GovDeals was authorized, and the board discussed utilizing opioid litigation settlement funds to expand the port team by adding Dr. Thomas Meek as an assistant medical director, demonstrating a commitment to addressing ongoing needs within the county. The meeting concluded with discussions on routine administrative matters, including a review of tax collection and release/refund reports. Notably, there were no public comments offered during this pre-agenda session. **What’s Next & Why It Matters:** Residents can expect to see these topics, along with departmental updates from the Register of Deeds and DSS (presented by Korey Fisher-Wellman), addressed at the full Board of Commissioners meeting. The potential shift in foster care support, if approved, promises to improve the lives of children in Burke County’s care by streamlining services and increasing available placements. The adoption of GovDeals for surplus property sales will enhance efficiency and transparency in asset disposal, while the addition of Dr. Meek to the port team reflects a strategic investment in expanding county services and addressing critical needs. Keep an eye on the Board of Commissioners' calendar for the upcoming regular meeting to see these discussions culminate in formal decisions. ## Agenda - [CALL TO ORDER](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2131) - [APPROVAL OF AGENDA](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2132) - [ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2133) - [PRESENTATIONS](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2134) - [CM - SINGLE SOURCE FOSTER CARE SUPPORT PRESENTATION](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2135) - [SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2136) - [CONSENT AGENDA](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2137) - [BOC - CONSIDERATION OF THE 2026 RULES OF PROCEDURE](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2138) - [BOC - ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE 2026 MEETING SCHEDULE](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2139) - [BOC - 2026 COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2140) - [AM250 - RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR AMERICA'S 250[TH] BIRTHDAY](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2141) - [CLERK - APPOINTMENTS OR REAPPOINTMENTS TO THE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2142) - [CM - BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 6 -$136,000](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2143) - [CLERK - RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT DONATION OF DESK CUBICLES FROM WPCOG](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2144) - [CM - AUTHORIZATION TO SELL SURPLUS PROPERTY ON GOVDEALS](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2145) - [OAC / CM - AUTHORIZATION TO USE OPIOID LITIGATION SETTLEMENT FUNDS TO EXPAND PORT TEAM - $8,125](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2146) - [CM - ORD. AMENDING CHAPTER 6, ANIMALS, BURKE CO. CODE FIRST READING](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2147) - [CLERK - APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2148) - [CLERK - APPOINTMENT OR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION & REVIEW](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2149) - [CLERK - APPOINTMENTS OR REAPPOINTMENTS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2150) - [TAX - TAX COLLECTION REPORT FOR PERIOD ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 2025](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2151) - [TAX - TAX RELEASE AND REFUND REPORT FOR PERIOD ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 2025](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2152) - [REPORTS AND COMMENTS](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2153) - [ACTION ITEMS](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2154) - [BOC - ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF BONDS](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2155) - [ADJOURN](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422/item/2156) ## Votes - To move without objection to the next meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. — Passed, 5-0 - To move without objection to the next meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. — Passed, 5-0 - To move without objection to the next meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. — Passed, 5-0 - To move without objection to the next meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. — Passed, 5-0 - To move without objection to the next meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. — Passed, 5-0 - To approve the agenda as amended, with the addition of Budget Amendment No. 7 to the Consent Agenda. — Passed, 5-0 - To move without objection to the next meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. — Passed, 5-0 - To move without objection to the next meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. — Passed, 5-0 - To move without objection to the next meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. — Passed, 5-0 - To move without objection to the next meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. — Passed, 5-0 - To move without objection to the next meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. — Passed, 5-0 - To move without objection to the next meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. — Passed, 5-0 - To accept the report as presented. — Passed, 5-0 - To examine the County's public officials' bonds and approve as presented. — Passed, 5-0 - To move without objection to the next meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. — Passed, 5-0 - To move without objection to the next meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. — Passed, 5-0 - To move without objection to the next meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. — Passed, 5-0 - To move without objection to the next meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. — Passed, 5-0 ## Video & Transcript - Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6dqnT-XtIU - Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/994/segments - Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPx7ilCNriQ - Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1031/segments ## Documents - [agenda_2025-12-01.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422?document=2591) - [minutes_2025-12-01.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422?document=3164) - [agenda_packet_2025-12-01.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1422?document=2635) ## Sources - [CivicClerk](https://burkeconc.portal.civicclerk.com/#!/events/911)