[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6219111,"mediaKeyId","3624106-9caba05476831630984e6090bd025e9d","parentId",3624106,"title","Burke County manager outlines year-end budget amendments, withdraws FEMA grant and adds $2 million for disaster recovery","audioSeconds",100,"startMs",720000,"endMs",820000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3624106-9caba05476831630984e6090bd025e9d&start=720&end=820","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3624106-9caba05476831630984e6090bd025e9d/thumbnail_720000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6219111/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Burke-County-manager-outlines-year-end-budget-amendments-withdraws-FEMA-grant-and-adds-2-million-for-disaster-recovery","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219111-1dc79f8446819746d30e6e285b20831f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775508078&Signature=dLWvCDjmO-2Na6HS5-Acp4rksdT41o-ly8B4-r7AsqxjZ~9EqGaAzB3Nvq88yJ5eASVXVkNAbvjqjKYbWJIXxk6zC6P0olSObZlB8VZQEOOfx2099OphTor9~6E8jZw0xotWpN1VxQQ0quV6CC71mi4oFCbsrGuw7UTbMbAgzI8ZhCDeSePq~KHLySRIT1nkYoMMP-qoOYrNpiL8VVIwDPYxm1UBYNYFixmDcCRU32iE09HHGrdtdmvhTszGaYVYBozlMPDep4bU0NHDXEkUHbafTeYm99H0454vxQ1uC0sdBYUKfCb9n9YRIgSuOeWjNhnK~H-xmLYsUZ5LkcIoBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Burke County, NC","date","2025-06-03T08:35:43Z","article","County Manager (unnamed) told the Burke County Board of Commissioners at its June 2 pre‑agenda meeting that staff will present a fiscal year 2024–25 year‑end budget amendment at the regular meeting that reallocates existing funds and adjusts accounts to close out the fiscal year, June 30.

The manager said the county will withdraw from a longstanding federal emergency management grant referred to in the meeting as a \"Bridal grant, which is a federal emergency management, administrative FEMA grant,\" a project originally valued at $2,400,000; the county's match portion tied to that award was described as $1.1 million. That match had been earmarked for the Indian Hills pump station project but will be reallocated as staff completes the year‑end cleanups.

The amendment also moves funds from a Clean Water Trust Fund award that the county used to finance the water‑meter project and directs remaining state ARPA dollars into additional capital in the county's water and sewer fund. The manager said the Eastbrook convenience site and the 201 Avery project (the county's adult protective services location) finished under budget; he said $179,000 of residual equity from Eastbrook and $65,008.75 from 201 Avery will be returned to general capital or the general fund.

Staff estimated an approximately $2,000,000 increase in the county's disaster recovery fund tied to lingering invoices for public assistance and debris collection associated with recent storms. The manager said invoices from February and March are still arriving and that the county will pay those invoices and include them in the FEMA public assistance application; he characterized the $2 million as an estimate of costs expected to linger during closeout.

Why it matters: the amendment contains internal reallocations intended to close fiscal year accounts and cover storm‑related costs without adding new appropriations, the manager said. The county's plan relies on state and federal reimbursement processes (including FEMA public assistance) to recapture some disaster costs over time, but staff warned that invoices remain and that the county will advance payments pending reimbursement.

Details and context: the manager framed the budget amendment as routine year‑end housekeeping but highlighted several programmatic shifts: withdrawing from the FEMA grant for Indian Hills pump station; reallocating match funds; applying state ARPA to water/sewer capital; and returning residual equity from completed projects. He said the county's crossover deadline with the state on collections had passed and that some right‑of‑way and other reimbursements moved to state responsibility as of a recent midnight cutoff described in the meeting.

Discussion vs. decision: the manager presented the amendment during the consent‑agenda preview and answered commissioners' questions; no final board vote on the amendment was taken at the pre‑agenda meeting. The item was left on the consent agenda for formal action at the regular meeting.

What remains unresolved: staff will present the full amendment and supporting schedules at the regular meeting; expected FEMA reimbursements and the final closeout amount remain estimates until application review and federal/state approvals are complete.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June Pre-Agenda Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","County Manager (unnamed) told the Burke County Board of Commissioners at its June 2 pre‑agenda meeting that staff will present a fiscal year 2024–25 year‑end budget amendment at the regular meeting that reallocates existing funds and adjusts accounts to close out the fiscal year, June 30.","taxTitle","Burke County, North Carolina","taxId",51046,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6219091,"Debris removal operations begin in Burke County; new emergency manager and opioid coordinator announced",122,5178000,5300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3624106-9caba05476831630984e6090bd025e9d&start=5178&end=5300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3624106-9caba05476831630984e6090bd025e9d/thumbnail_5178000.jpg","/articles/6219091/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Debris-removal-operations-begin-in-Burke-County-new-emergency-manager-and-opioid-coordinator-announced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219091-2abe166f032ec18c05329278f5474396/orig.mp4?Expires=1775508078&Signature=fUj~CUcA5~yk6jMceSYLCmlXtdlTu5ZjE~3e86PKN5eDUgV05-obeqUC5k9maYSkm6wr3b1RDsYCJGwSwOE6iJ6x6k1mTo2SEVRVwjl8swjZem1~pT68MRVjHXrwMZqRVA7eC5Yhf4rgSi-e-9dwJ1JHGnPGSsmQtXjc7FkNT6VBgOpM6Ve2m6F1B5EmBl5U07tTsR-s-7Sh0x73Y7P5sPG-11xB-Jx9l9kj8d2SryuHb5hBSo51-SMTKS2c8RdmBF~3ebL0pgEw-zQ-LNyoMmVVErSVdBCIqvKm0Blmdxj5~aCZWZL1jc4K90rA4HVXDsHvmpSu~ijm0iTAPug52A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The county manager (unnamed) told commissioners that private property debris removal and waterway debris removal operations are functionally active in Burke County. He said the county received a notice to proceed for contractors Debris Tech and SDR after a short delay and that crews and drone monitoring are active for Linville waterway work.

Staff will provide intake and application support for private property debris removal at the Foothills Higher Education Center in June. The manager described intake sessions scheduled for June: Wednesdays 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Tuesdays/Thursdays 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (staff will publish exact dates and a frequently asked questions list on the county website and social media). An online application option is available by calling the county to receive a direct link, the manager said.

Personnel: the manager introduced Dominic Minor as the county's new emergency manager and said Minor most recently worked with FEMA and has already responded to a recent industrial hazardous materials incident. The manager also announced Katie Samuels has rejoined the county as opioid settlement coordinator; her first day was the meeting date and an advisory board meeting is scheduled in June.

Economic development update: the manager said the industrial shell building pre‑regulatory bidding requirements are complete, conceptual design and stormwater engineering are substantially complete and the project is likely fewer than 30 days from being biddable.

Why it matters: the activation of debris removal and the staffing additions address disaster recovery and emergency management capacity; the industrial shell building progress supports local economic development planning.

Discussion vs. decision: the manager provided operational updates; commissioners did not take formal votes on these announcements during the pre‑agenda meeting.","County manager said private property and waterway debris removal are now active; a new emergency manager and opioid settlement coordinator joined the county staff and an industrial shell building project nears a biddable design.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6219096,"Burke County DSS outlines Medicaid programs and expansion; board accepts informational report 5‑0",119,3401000,3520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3624106-9caba05476831630984e6090bd025e9d&start=3401&end=3520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3624106-9caba05476831630984e6090bd025e9d/thumbnail_3401000.jpg","/articles/6219096/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Burke-County-DSS-outlines-Medicaid-programs-and-expansion-board-accepts-informational-report-50","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219096-819352d1d4b10893c31f4f0e631829ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1775508078&Signature=dorDBcNgCUdvyEoiwmMSCRWoIWRcPGjxU0yeqf8SwBU6dF3nRGQC~~rcOlCikbIcgkvBk5lp5X5pGNK32yUy6yS7aa6FevCMb~uBsOujayq501BjLnbPsRDWIgMX4lEcri5ZXw7L1RdLfSVXIrzpDpOvBadYoHddwF3SVize3BuPDXyrhbKxRe3YPk~KNOtdOEBih26JEke4qjJteo-bD-VEaAvoCsEOKACC8RrjuSBHs8sW60hP0Xc1RsysZ28858KXbL6OqpzalZjU7xXiUYto6~xJ4iiYR30H3uewa1dzLBEdpBCxHzlFk1wyA0PaysqKipYzsPPijfLKzCpMmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Corey Usher Wellman, director of Burke County Department of Social Services, introduced a \"deep dive\" informational briefing on Medicaid at the board's June 2 pre‑agenda meeting. Amanda Grady (assistant director, economic services) and Tammy (Medicaid program manager) presented program history, eligibility rules and local implementation practices.

Presenters summarized key milestones: the 1965 federal creation of Medicaid; North Carolina changes cited in the briefing including the 2014 family planning waiver redesign, a 2022 change that extended Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months and the Dec. 1, 2023 effective date for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina. Tammy told commissioners that the county has \"a little over 6,000 people on expanded Medicaid.\" The presenters explained that each state administers Medicaid within federal mandatory coverage rules and has the option to add benefits and populations.

DSS staff outlined the program structure: family and children's Medicaid, adult Medicaid, Medicaid expansion for adults ages 19–64, medically needy pathways, long‑term care eligibility, the Community Alternatives Program (CAP, for children and disabled adults) and PACE (Program of All‑Inclusive Care for the Elderly). Presenters described long‑term care applications as complex, often requiring extensive documentation and sometimes taking months; they explained resource and look‑back requirements for certain benefits and the availability of programs that allow home‑based care as an alternative to institutional placement.

Staff explained application channels (in person, by mail, online via ePass, the federal marketplace, fax, email and phone) and said NC FAST remains the state system that houses eligibility data; presenters said NC FAST was intended to be a front‑door eligibility engine but that county caseworkers still require substantial policy knowledge and ongoing review practices to verify complex applications.

Board action: Commissioner Burns (mover) made a motion to accept the report as presented; commissioners voted 5‑0 to accept it. Corey Usher Wellman and the presenters were thanked for the briefing.

Why it matters: staff said Medicaid expansion added roughly 600,000 people statewide and that expansion and other policy changes affect local staffing and administration. The county manager later noted that the state provided a one‑time $350,000 staffing allocation for intake but that continued processing of expansion applicants creates recurring staffing needs.

Discussion vs. decision: the presentation was informational; the board accepted the report by a 5‑0 vote but took no policy action during the pre‑agenda meeting.","DSS staff gave a detailed overview of Medicaid eligibility, expansion, long‑term care and local programs; the board voted 5‑0 to accept the report. Staff said about 6,000 Burke County residents are enrolled under Medicaid expansion.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6219101,"Burke County HR director previews modernized personnel policy and plan to pursue substantial equivalency with state",689,2581000,3270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3624106-9caba05476831630984e6090bd025e9d&start=2581&end=3270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3624106-9caba05476831630984e6090bd025e9d/thumbnail_2581000.jpg","/articles/6219101/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Burke-County-HR-director-previews-modernized-personnel-policy-and-plan-to-pursue-substantial-equivalency-with-state","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219101-c2e065d859584b2bc8eb5c113d90c7fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775508078&Signature=djJZtVqpq4ptkC5EH6xGywvI~N4JH6RQxKoNIMBQvszZMIimgPtGdWdxRWbbT4udWbZxft9IR3f-~Qcb9GZknBYjSRJN9Sn92ZlYjncKp0n3i6oKPqLpN1ua39mkcTeyd7qzWm16a2HZ0dZSbO-0kzlgm-fxBj8W2~4oqIx830IVtGJL3aRCmjsnxiv1yO3RkB64yLByfAoEhudo66b85VUpZdg0xjMlWYJTsM2PC3ub3srXQe9Qq4RajY7CCHsWJk9Brbj-0m1QsAMLDVDIt8bEKIquhJtvTcEkILUN-rT7IJIpAi5hj8nOyx-cUoIFZ3a6X~vniuS37~xq3MtN2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mark (HR director) presented the county's policy‑modernization project at the June 2 pre‑agenda meeting, describing a multi‑year effort to update a personnel manual the presenter said had not had a comprehensive review since about 2009.

Objectives cited by Mark included ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, improving clarity and user experience, and achieving substantial equivalency with the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (NCOSHR) so the county can classify positions and set compensation internally. He said the county previously achieved one piece of substantial equivalency (recruitment and selection) and intends to petition the state for designation on classification and compensation; staff expect the submission to appear on the NCOSHR October agenda.

Mark listed substantive policy updates included in the draft manual: FMLA alignment, ADA accommodations, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act provisions and lactation accommodations, tuition assistance, social media guidance, bereavement leave, on‑call rules, adverse weather/event procedures and part‑time and disciplinary processes. He described an inclusive review process with employee listening groups, an HR subcommittee, department‑head review and ongoing legal review by the county attorney; he said portions of the draft have been returned with attorney edits and that staff expect to distribute a final draft to commissioners ahead of the regular meeting.

Requested actions: staff asked the board to approve the personnel policy subject to county attorney review with a proposed effective date of July 1, and to adopt a resolution certifying substantial equivalency for classification and compensation once the state review is complete.

Why it matters: Mark said substantial equivalency would allow Burke County to classify and compensate positions in‑house without routing those decisions through NCOSHR, which county staff said promotes local flexibility in recruitment and pay comparisons with peer counties. The county also plans to train managers and roll the new manual into new‑hire orientation.

Discussion vs. decision: the pre‑agenda presentation updated commissioners; no final adoption vote occurred. Staff expect to return with a finalized draft and formal resolution for the board at a subsequent meeting.","Human Resources presented a draft, modernized personnel policy and a plan to seek substantial equivalency with the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources for classification and compensation; staff propose a July 1 effective date and said legal review is underway.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6219106,"Burke County staff recommend design contract for Human Services renovation; school central office funding to be held in county escrow",1286,934000,2220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3624106-9caba05476831630984e6090bd025e9d&start=934&end=2220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3624106-9caba05476831630984e6090bd025e9d/thumbnail_934000.jpg","/articles/6219106/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Burke-County-staff-recommend-design-contract-for-Human-Services-renovation-school-central-office-funding-to-be-held-in-county-escrow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219106-f8335eedf7c25057f7c54a216b50e7a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775508078&Signature=HroIM7-u83o-zosmjrk668e~C3Q-bhqg3nwI-X--bvQJmPvPRW-k30nzutowQw5-V00zcGyLkMBcb91-9FNeiUznud4byH5gRbL8B91BPAg8rTYdZbLy8V92NyZ03dIOGVYE-uG6arb5lRprd6eFkFkzDpDJZjQxXWb43p2-R~08t6I8ybjAa6fJJ2vONJ9sR6OpKNpor4E4AlR9ChQSEzEGfJtD5EkiYLEF~PJYm7BxOC3yltr~tdhfzIeOjkgyUzb7~tTd~jibO99Kgxy4OXszktwcRBQAKDsnjp2Dn704kGwMtRqXykbATgmdUZVntvd78nC8~PbPCsQw6TkpIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff recommended the board consider awarding architectural and engineering design services for a planned adaptive‑reuse renovation of the public health and social services building (the Human Resources and Human Services—HRC/HHS—project), and described a parallel request to create a project ordinance to hold school system funds for a new central office.

The county manager (unnamed) said the school system has acquired the former Burke County Christian Ministries building and has drawn down about $1.5 million to acquire and design the new school central office. The school system requested a transfer of $10 million from its capital reserve into a project ordinance; the manager said the county will hold those funds in escrow and pay contractors on approved invoices rather than sending cash directly to the school board.

On the HRC/HHS renovation, staff described a multi‑year adaptive‑reuse plan for a building currently roughly 64,000 square feet that now houses roughly 250 county employees across public health and social services. The manager said the school central office move should free about 14,000 square feet in April–June 2026, which will help phasing. Staff presented cost estimates that the remaining construction cost is roughly $10 million and that total project cost might be in the $11.5 million range.

Staff said adaptive reuse is preferred to new construction because major mechanical systems appear sound and reusing the building avoids new site civil work; the team recommended single‑prime (single‑prime bidding) construction and a design process that will allow demolition and phased reoccupation. The manager estimated a planning period of six to eight months and a likely overall timeline to substantial completion by Dec. 31, 2027. He recommended maintaining a 10–12% project contingency to cover unknowns behind walls and staging costs.

Design procurement: the county posted a request for qualifications and received five submissions. Staff advanced two finalists (Holland and Hammock and the Sizemore Group) to in‑person interviews; the review panel recommended Holland and Hammock as the top‑scoring firm because the firm includes in‑house construction administration and demonstrable experience with clinical and social‑services space. Staff noted that the Sizemore Group subcontracts construction administration and has less local experience with social‑services programmatic requirements. The manager said the board will be asked in a forthcoming regular meeting (two weeks after the pre‑agenda) to award a design contract pending contract negotiation and county attorney review.

Why it matters: the project would centralize multiple county services, reduce leased or dispersed office space, and will likely require borrowing. Staff noted social services is a quasi‑state function and that an estimated portion of renovation costs allocated to DSS could be recovered over time through depreciation and indirect cost reimbursement rather than a single lump‑sum payment.

Discussion vs. decision: at the pre‑agenda meeting staff reviewed scope, procurement and a recommended firm; the board did not take a contract award vote. The school central office transfer and the design contract recommendation remain decision items for the upcoming regular meeting.","County staff recommended hiring a local design firm after an RFQ for adaptive reuse of the public health and social services building; the school system plans to fund and move to a new central office, freeing roughly 14,000 square feet for renovations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Burke County manager outlines year-end budget amendments, withdraws FEMA grant and adds $2 million for disaster recovery

Debris removal operations begin in Burke County; new emergency manager and opioid coordinator announced

Burke County DSS outlines Medicaid programs and expansion; board accepts informational report 5‑0

Burke County HR director previews modernized personnel policy and plan to pursue substantial equivalency with state

Burke County staff recommend design contract for Human Services renovation; school central office funding to be held in county escrow