March 30, 2026 Special Meeting

Burke County Board of Commissioners Special Meeting Recap – March 30, 2026

On March 30, 2026, the Burke County Board of Commissioners (BOC) convened a special meeting to address key personnel transitions and formally recognize the retirement of a long-standing county employee. The meeting, held at 2:00 P.M. and live-streamed on the Burke County NC YouTube channel, focused primarily on ensuring continuity of county operations during these shifts and celebrating dedicated service.

A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to recognizing Spring Williams-Byrd for her remarkable 34 years with Burke County Cooperative Extension. Commissioners shared heartfelt anecdotes and expressed deep gratitude for her commitment to providing educational programs throughout the county. Williams-Byrd, in turn, thanked the Board and Commissioners for their unwavering support of Cooperative Extension, highlighting its vital role within Burke County. The Board presented her with gifts as a token of their appreciation, marking the end of an era for Cooperative Extension.

Following the recognition ceremony, the Board entered a closed session as permitted by North Carolina General Statute 143-318. This private discussion covered a range of sensitive topics including preventing the disclosure of privileged information, potential legal matters (threatened litigation), economic development considerations, contractual negotiations, land acquisition and personal matters. The Human Resources Director was invited to participate in this session; however, no formal action was taken as a result of the closed deliberations.

The remainder of the meeting centered on critical appointments to fill vacancies created by retirements and resignations. The Board unanimously appointed Catherine Lorraine Wright as Interim Clerk to the Board, effective April 1st, 2026. She was immediately administered the oath of office. Similarly, Ashley Jarrett was unanimously selected as Interim Local Health Director, effective April 3rd, 2026, following the departure of Mr. Scolese. Jarrett also took the oath of office. These appointments ensure that essential county functions continue smoothly during the search for permanent replacements, a process the Board will undertake in the coming weeks.

Finally, the Board approved the addition of Amber Austin, Jerome Ron Blackford (referred to as Geronimo "Ron" Blancaflor in some documents), and Terry Redmond to the Spring 2026 Citizens Academy. This decision expands participation in a valuable program designed to engage residents and foster civic understanding within the county.

What's Next? Residents can expect to see Catherine Wright assuming her duties as Interim Clerk on April 1st, and Ashley Jarrett taking over as Interim Health Director on April 3rd. The Board will continue the process of finding permanent replacements for both positions, and Amber Austin, Jerome Ron Blackford, and Terry Redmond will soon begin their participation in the Citizens Academy. For those interested in future Board meetings, accessibility accommodations can be requested by contacting the County Manager’s office at 828-764-9350 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.

This special meeting demonstrated the Board’s commitment to maintaining stability and continuity within Burke County government during periods of transition, while also recognizing the significant contributions of dedicated public servants like Spring Williams-Byrd.