# Pre-Agenda Meeting

**Body:** Burke County Government — Pre-Agenda
**Date:** April 6, 2026 2:53 PM EDT (2026-04-06T14:53:47-04:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2715

## Summary

The Burke County Pre-Agenda Meeting held on April 6, 2026, served as an informational and preparatory session for the upcoming full Board of Commissioners meeting. The body opened with a moment of silence and expressions of sympathy for the family of Mr. Waits Gordon, a community member and Marine Corps veteran, whose funeral is scheduled for April 18th. The meeting focused on reviewing items to be considered later, including presentations on various county services and administrative matters.

Key decisions made during this session included the approval of the agenda with an amendment. The Board also agreed to sign a proclamation designating April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month, presented by Amy Kincade from Guardian Ad Litem. Additionally, the Board indicated its intent to approve several items via the consent agenda during the full meeting, including a National Day of Prayer Proclamation, reappointments to the Child Protection and Child Fatality Prevention Team, and appointments to the Transportation Coordinating Committee and Council on Aging.

Significant discussions centered on operational updates and future planning. The County Manager presented proposals for budget amendments regarding Hurricane Disaster Recovery Funds, Sewer Flow Meters, and Department of Social Services (DSS) needs, alongside an application for state public school capital funds. A proposal to create a more robust Veteran Services Board with quarterly meetings was discussed, with Vice Chairman Smith emphasizing the need to address veteran suicide and engagement. The Department of Social Services provided an annual report covering Medicaid, food nutrition, Work First, and energy assistance programs, with DSS Director Corey Fisher-Wellman noting the challenges of managing caseloads and adapting to policy changes.

There were no direct public comments or testimony from community members during this pre-agenda meeting. The session remained focused on internal reviews and preparations for the full Board’s deliberations.

Follow-up actions explicitly agreed to at this meeting include the formal consideration and voting on the discussed items at the full Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for April 10, 2026. Specific items slated for the full meeting include the acceptance of the DSS Annual Report, a vote on creating the Burke County Veterans Services Board and adopting its bylaws, and a public hearing for the zoning text amendment regarding the Board of Adjustment. The Board also plans to recognize Janie Estrada of the NC School of Science and Mathematics and quarterly lifesavers from Emergency Services during the full session.

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Cl5xQ2eGUE
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1816/segments

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Cl5xQ2eGUE)