County Board Discusses National 4-H Week and Foster Care Initiatives

The Burke County, North Carolina, September Pre-Agenda Meeting convened on September 3, 2025, to discuss various community and administrative matters. The meeting began with a review of the agenda, which included several key items aimed at enhancing local services and governance.

The first significant item addressed was a proclamation declaring National 4-H Week, scheduled for October 5 through 11. The board decided to keep this item on the agenda for further discussion at the regular meeting.

Next, the Department of Social Services (DSS) presented a foster care initiative. The county manager emphasized the importance of fostering and supporting vulnerable children in the community. A short video was shown, followed by a presentation from Garrett Smith, a foster care social worker, who provided insights into the daily challenges and experiences faced by those in the foster care system. This item was also retained for future discussion.

The meeting continued with an update on the end-of-year report from the county manager. This report will summarize the fiscal year 2024-2025 operations, highlighting financial performance and metrics from various departments. The manager noted the unusual circumstances of the past year, particularly the impact of hurricane recovery efforts, but expressed optimism about the county's progress. This report will be presented in detail at the upcoming regular meeting.

The agenda also included a consent agenda, which featured updates from the Animal Advisory Board regarding revised rules and procedures, and a request to appoint Heather Ward to the Council on Aging. Additionally, the tax department provided a report on tax collections for August 2025, which was acknowledged without objection.

Several appointments were discussed, including reappointments to the Burke County Planning Board and the Veterans Service Board. The clerk highlighted the need for additional applications for the revaluation task force, encouraging community members to apply if they meet the specified requirements.

The meeting concluded with no public hearings scheduled for the month, and all items discussed were retained on the agenda for further consideration. The board's commitment to fostering community engagement and addressing local needs was evident throughout the proceedings, setting the stage for future actions and decisions.