[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6205828,"mediaKeyId","3768353-420c5b9d68f3a22b4576ef31c26415e2","parentId",3768353,"title","Commissioners approve budget amendment to cover hurricane debris removal; county expects up to $24 million in costs","audioSeconds",235,"startMs",7178000,"endMs",7413000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3768353-420c5b9d68f3a22b4576ef31c26415e2&start=7178&end=7413","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3768353-420c5b9d68f3a22b4576ef31c26415e2/thumbnail_7178000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6205828/Burke-County/Georgia/Commissioners-approve-budget-amendment-to-cover-hurricane-debris-removal-county-expects-up-to-24-million-in-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205828-1b9f2a6ee797840bf4331bda3b268457/orig.mp4?Expires=1777198004&Signature=NNCgy~FGXfua1ywHuuF3~VtnbQttb-MnHWFSwZ2vQ0-rLl6jrp6DC5jN7yETOGUyNXRohIPsD00VMvgQOQOQQhefi7c9XnBsYxsOyNOWWshjPDH1XgA1K7mmtxFOhEG7ys6sie9w-uOuXKPEKpufow24YXTMW9q4Z5i98BgCIJRKZmmC4rCNKGydGh4bIwJW4Q0ioQ9RsjJpu~2g4OEx2p3jUZIH9T8r1vvwyGx4bGs06Lj0XVGlJv~EpfIxI~mHWlOv1dCTK6o3odDbctj9vN1II6D3xsYF1m3WS3iNI6jyDlk9ik4LlZ-N8ZRiSmq3d5PuRP65pe302vCPZdCIJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-11T16:34:02.833Z","article","Burke County commissioners approved a budget amendment to ensure funds are available to complete hurricane debris removal and related work, with county staff estimating total hurricane expenses could approach $20–24 million.

County staff said the debris hauler’s work was expected to finish this week and that they were preparing final bills. The county reported it has received about $6 million in FEMA and GEMA reimbursements so far, has approximately $7 million more in paperwork already submitted and expects to receive additional reimbursements after ongoing processing; staff characterized federal reimbursements as slow but said further payments are expected.

The board approved a motion to amend the budget up to a maximum of $24,000,000 to ensure all storm-related expenses and closeout costs can be paid while staff completes federal reimbursement processes. Officials said they would continue to meet FEMA deadlines and to pursue remaining claims. One county official noted the paperwork for another approximately $7,000,000 was processed and pending, and that staff were meeting with FEMA to pursue additional reimbursement.

Commissioners said they approved the amendment to avoid returning to the board repeatedly as final invoices are processed; officials told the public that some FEMA and GEMA obligations and reimbursements would continue to be reconciled in the coming weeks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 2025 Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Burke County approved a budget amendment to cover hurricane-related debris removal and emergency costs, with county officials saying total hurricane-related expenses could reach about $20–24 million and that FEMA/GEMA reimbursements are arriving in phases.","taxTitle","Burke County, Georgia","taxId",28222,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6205833,"Comcast says Burke County broadband expansion 40% complete; nearly 1,900 locations serviceable by month-end",277,6324000,6601000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3768353-420c5b9d68f3a22b4576ef31c26415e2&start=6324&end=6601","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3768353-420c5b9d68f3a22b4576ef31c26415e2/thumbnail_6324000.jpg","/articles/6205833/Burke-County/Georgia/Comcast-says-Burke-County-broadband-expansion-40-complete-nearly-1900-locations-serviceable-by-month-end","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205833-f5fec5aa609466c4303d6e010441cb4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1777198004&Signature=hLy5PXre0j1OXJyiAPaLSqIPIrkLyayXjjoOSg9eGkRincSI2naUJh7wAbGOGq~NnxvUlhnznEWOuC~-RAyYC9gNKavsTdMsAHeC5gMQJDQnQxlnjt7O-95qlHpCAykBeWa7c7CzhcCgTOR3hlBxBSR0kjAPo6gF97gXEcCn0WZ4LRhK9f4c~6LEuY7bnilQAVxKGvObp5b2dQFMPloXIOvQQC~snRNChovcq6x1vCWiAsC-oIjCxkzOiskZP983sUkL3uNw3EUe83JFV-RDS-TNAQ8JG7gEQCdYWkD6sJ-AK4pzeAryi0lu1RmPj61Ir30Fnu4kWSyVRsoaAvDHhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Comcast representative updated Burke County commissioners on the company’s broadband expansion project, reporting that construction that began in May 2024 is roughly 40% complete and that the network will be serviceable to about 1,891 homes and businesses by the end of the month.

Hillary Hesseltyne Cameron, Comcast’s manager for government and regulatory affairs, said the company has made the network “serviceable and eligible to sign up for Comcast Xfinity services” at more than 1,300 locations so far and expects to reach about 1,891 by the end of June 2025. Comcast’s target completion date for the county-wide project is the first quarter of 2026, at which point the company aims to provide service to more than 4,700 locations in Burke County.

Cameron described the construction schedule as dependent on permit approvals and utility locates, and she said crews work where permits and locates are complete. She also offered to coordinate digital-literacy and community-partnership programs through local nonprofits and community-anchor institutions and said she would follow up with the county by email on training options.

Commissioners asked whether the figure quoted represented line-installed homes or customers already attached; Comcast clarified that the numbers represent locations eligible to sign up for service rather than subscribers currently connected. County officials thanked Comcast for responsiveness to constituent inquiries.","Comcast told Burke County commissioners its broadband expansion has completed 40% of construction, is serviceable to about 1,891 homes and businesses by the end of the month, and aims to finish the project by first quarter 2026 covering ~4,700 locations.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6205837,"Heirs, neighbors clash over Cleveland Drive; commissioners take no action",3788,2583000,6371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3768353-420c5b9d68f3a22b4576ef31c26415e2&start=2583&end=6371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3768353-420c5b9d68f3a22b4576ef31c26415e2/thumbnail_2583000.jpg","/articles/6205837/Burke-County/Georgia/Heirs-neighbors-clash-over-Cleveland-Drive-commissioners-take-no-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205837-000f74fe81bfa75db7d9d56261dfd5ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1777198004&Signature=LOmetUbI~SHTNUTAacUKAsXaytMA6uiH5zu0kespmQo9oC3Us7ggAKocNSKmYb2uzE2UQ7mmWVpvp2747FvGIGrCnm7O~BmSHjMqSnThuL~rldHCIN8a8rOy5~PzJ0vANCZCvsR~~tf9eHSeuafaJfoX8W7TwKvMPm7C-aYmsepYGlrwyN6mBB7qzjUwvXjLkOH6xmSqZNUiFU0HGCOMP3BkuPtaTHMag45yNp36LYeum7qAzkByi5uNBir3G1CCnk8RPWTF1NCLoZ3pvYJAJpbJG8~zD2Gy6mnQaetf~zksLZA~vHUPa~Tglw7tiX~r5Db-YknxaxZDnPuuPTzrjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Burke County commissioners held a public hearing on a request by Victoria Boyd and family to abandon Cleveland Drive, a dirt road at issue between the Boyd heirs and other residents. After hearing multiple speakers on both sides, the board made no motion and therefore took no action.

Victoria Boyd told the board she and family members own the land around Cleveland Drive and said county actions had encroached on family property. She asked the board to “abandon Cleveland Private Drive” so the family could control access; she said the road is private and that the family’s children use it for recreation.

Other residents and speakers disputed that claim. Robbie Boyd Jenkins (identified in the transcript) said Cleveland Drive is a public road used by school buses, emergency vehicles and the public and said a prior 2023 board decision kept the road as public. County staff explained that long-standing county maintenance—motor grader work and periodic scraping—can create prescriptive county-road status. The public hearing record included references to prior litigation, a judge’s order, and photos or videos submitted by participants.

County staff said maintenance of the road for years led to its acceptance into the county road system in the early 2000s; staff also noted recent incidents where equipment operators faced obstructions while trying to work the road. After hearing both sides the chair closed public comments and, with no motion from the board, no closure or abandonment was approved.

Commissioners said they would not proceed without clearer legal documentation and recommended participants pursue title and boundary clarification through legal process if needed. The board did discuss spelling out road-closure procedures at a later agenda item and indicated the ordinance language would be posted for public review.","A public hearing on a request to abandon Cleveland Drive produced conflicting claims: the Boyd family said the road is private part of inherited property; neighbors and county staff said long-term county maintenance created a prescriptive public road. The board took no action.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6205842,"Burke County commissioners refuse to consent to proposed settlement in Johnson v. Sheriff Alfonso Williams after public comment",3912,1273000,5185000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3768353-420c5b9d68f3a22b4576ef31c26415e2&start=1273&end=5185","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3768353-420c5b9d68f3a22b4576ef31c26415e2/thumbnail_1273000.jpg","/articles/6205842/Burke-County/Georgia/Burke-County-commissioners-refuse-to-consent-to-proposed-settlement-in-Johnson-v-Sheriff-Alfonso-Williams-after-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205842-632ee769237658bb9882f1085413e55f/orig.mp4?Expires=1777198004&Signature=hV38D1dIfjNUWiXj7pmxzLGwPKwZwxrcpUhqxZhe4e0HiTQF2bLD-yBvfrbTOo15IQtTSL~Jt~~tI7QEfOQLtfV6CzymsZRCRapGA274M-dxLXaDN1tfImq0kCdmXIZD6WpzuN7Ucv1ST~0t9FlQVMUt~LOS5Bar0a9f5MER7hnd7q69NaBsGSoMcsvVzzWltejW3CmamUxxkiCReFUjkIH6I8ls94JOcsyAacYgpTvRrUtfH~zLkfJCT1sesLlOP3Hnkop9w391cXobmdslj12A5Wcfzfmr1-vQiM8UfWTqHYgXn6lLvvla4TZJZMzk06sp90FV1U3FUA00ovg5HA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Burke County Board of Commissioners voted in public to withhold its consent to a proposed settlement in a civil case brought by Brenda Johnson against Sheriff Alfonso Williams after extensive public comment and an executive-session discussion with the insurance company’s counsel.

The county’s involvement stems from its status as the purchaser of the insurance policy that covers tort and contract claims involving local constitutional officers; the insurance provider and defense counsel advised the board that the policy requires the board’s consent to any settlement. A county attorney told commissioners their role is limited to consenting to settlement terms under the policy, not directing the constitutional officer’s actions.

During public comment, a resident identified in the transcript as Mr. Cole urged immediate accountability and accused the sheriff of “weaponizing the law for political retaliation,” alleging arrests and warrants targeted opponents and asserting civil-rights violations. Cole told the board, “We need the sheriff out of office.” Those comments preceded an executive session at which the board conferred with the insurance company’s defense counsel.

After returning to open session, a motion to deny consent to the proposed settlement was made and carried; the board announced that no final action had been taken during executive session and authorized an affidavit to that effect. County officials said specifics of any settlement remain constrained by the negotiation process and by the insurance counsel’s advice, though they reiterated that any final executed settlement would be an open public record.

Board members discussed the fiscal implications of consenting to a settlement versus litigating through trial. Commissioners said litigation could expose the county to substantially higher costs, including attorneys’ fees and potential damages; one commissioner described himself as “torn” between fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers and moral considerations.

The county attorney and insurance counsel informed commissioners that deductibles on policies have increased; at the time of the claim the deductible was $10,000, and the speaker said current deductibles are $75,000. Officials said payments and details will become public records if and when the parties finalize and sign an agreement.","Following public comments alleging misuse of power by Sheriff Alfonso Williams, Burke County commissioners voted to withhold consent to a proposed settlement in a civil claim brought by Brenda Johnson; the county’s role stems from an insurance policy that requires the board’s consent to settle.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6205847,"Burke County audit shows $205.6 million net position, one repeat finding in sheriff’s office",898,299000,1197000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3768353-420c5b9d68f3a22b4576ef31c26415e2&start=299&end=1197","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3768353-420c5b9d68f3a22b4576ef31c26415e2/thumbnail_299000.jpg","/articles/6205847/Burke-County/Georgia/Burke-County-audit-shows-2056-million-net-position-one-repeat-finding-in-sheriffs-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205847-3b768ab9bfaf20a7d5901eb92881a4eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1777198004&Signature=Os2wzA5VjFtYYNTpWfw-lbhkO92HUt54vlb9DEM85LMkqUfT3pfWNU1sVflfoPTp1gYv7DisgwM4glIy-coA0~ame0j81ElcMOJmLqtg5-YZhimPpCP~eAGJ3LiifbYDx7IVSuqH9EUIvzDis-Nm~BznmqZ8UhKHIEp4O8dnjKfxqGM4se5HzvZUK-Cia-Tm19mV8tf7cUIWJY9TSSIBjRGdF4IcCRCm9OT~tUBrWDUQRbOCk-lN0RcKjogUSNtqv5X11kUfPaCKTFaOtTgBE-7MWBMLYugnB8hb2TUPsld9msguvhN0wQ3PSb6ZrTZXfrR37PTGy9CyC1xWUsGElw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Burke County commissioners heard an external auditor’s presentation of the fiscal year 2024 financial statements and a single repeat finding at their public meeting.

The county’s audited financial statements show a total net position of $205,635,000 as of Sept. 30, 2024, an increase of about $31.6 million (roughly 18%) from the prior year, the auditor reported. The county’s cash and investments were approximately $130,000,000 and capital assets, net of depreciation, were about $92.5 million.

The auditor, identified in meeting remarks as Bill Deal of the county’s audit firm, told commissioners the firm issued an unmodified opinion on the financial statements and pointed to the management’s discussion and analysis for a narrative summary. “If you read through that, that gives you a really good summary of the financial condition,” he said.

The audit breaks out government-wide and fund-level results. The general fund showed total assets of about $106.9 million and a general fund balance of $59.6 million, an increase of roughly $12.3 million (about 26%). The auditor said general-fund revenues were $52.6 million and that interest income increased as rates rose, producing about $5 million in interest revenue for the year.

Among enterprise funds, the county recorded activity for solid waste, transit and a newly created broadband utility. The auditor said the broadband fund had construction-in-progress of about $3 million and noted transfers into enterprise funds, including a $4,348,000 transfer from the general fund into the broadband fund and a $2,872,000 capital grant from the Board of Education to that fund.

The only audit finding listed in the report was a repeat finding for the sheriff’s department, described as a lack of internal controls over expenditures and budgetary controls. The auditor said some new budgetary controls had been implemented since year-end.

County staff and commissioners asked follow-up questions about the finding and other departmental performance. The auditor confirmed that, aside from the sheriff’s department matter, he did not recall other departmental findings in the report. Commissioners and staff praised the finance staff’s performance and the county’s overall fiscal position.

The audit packet also included the single-audit reports because the county had more than $750,000 in federal funds; the ARPA program was the major federal program subject to single audit procedures. Notes to the financial statements and required supplementary schedules are included in the audit book provided to commissioners.","External auditors presented the fiscal year 2024 financial statements to the Burke County Board of Commissioners, reporting a $205.6 million net position, an 18% increase from the prior year, and one repeat finding related to the sheriff’s department’s internal controls.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve budget amendment to cover hurricane debris removal; county expects up to $24 million in costs

Comcast says Burke County broadband expansion 40% complete; nearly 1,900 locations serviceable by month-end

Heirs, neighbors clash over Cleveland Drive; commissioners take no action

Burke County commissioners refuse to consent to proposed settlement in Johnson v. Sheriff Alfonso Williams after public comment

Burke County audit shows $205.6 million net position, one repeat finding in sheriff’s office