[{"_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",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6487148,"mediaKeyId","5784812-534b1c7f0c41b250e5a314bf775c6ac8","parentId",5784812,"title","Residents urge county to resolve Hachoka tax-exemption issues; a resident asks support for independent pharmacies","audioSeconds",492,"startMs",3254000,"endMs",3746000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784812-534b1c7f0c41b250e5a314bf775c6ac8&start=3254&end=3746","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784812-534b1c7f0c41b250e5a314bf775c6ac8/thumbnail_3254000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6487148/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Residents-urge-county-to-resolve-Hachoka-tax-exemption-issues-a-resident-asks-support-for-independent-pharmacies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487148-aff49a6153cfcc55928aedc0d0bcca01/orig.mp4?Expires=1774890694&Signature=buG2ZxqgBlMFIpJX4VNDO5q31cSXEWPnFzPp4HeOIaSlZ~ZpOKOjfBpFtvnKTRaXN8fp7aVpHFKEhw7LCFsQi1RiU0H2AbI7C8jY--l4aGJ3BrOdaXQwMAjf8KWs9P13mDph2-~Tyw4p3blbPRDB5KOzilDaAuSBRa5~QvaZSAT9YaNmPltm11B0rafQ4s1HavxpIGi8vDxLRL9xNSd5-Oe~oveMCZ6bdhbxYDyEaVvNg1WhXwJJSlImy8EUwrfx20-elOp9u99vFN0KL8UgLfKGfZ9r6VXobdSULXZ0ruJKTsiKM8r6Pi~jlSmDO5a4cF-PfrJ7KcnkE7jFSpYK6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Burke County, NC","date","2025-09-16T12:34:38Z","article","Three citizens addressed the board during informal public comments.

Kimberly Clark, who identified herself as founder of an organization she called Hachoka, told commissioners the group received a tax‑exemption but said several issues remain unresolved, including attorney fees, zoning for a tiny‑house project on the organization’s property and what she described as a lack of communication during a previously dismissed lawsuit. Clark asked the county to acknowledge that the organization had checked the low‑to‑moderate income housing box on its exemption application and asked that item be reflected as part of the exemption. She said the group wants to move forward quickly on the tiny‑house project now located on its property.

Marsha Love, a board member with Clark’s organization, thanked the commissioners for granting the tax exemption but said the long timeline to reach that point led to attorney involvement and ongoing legal-fee concerns. She urged the county to resolve any remaining legal issues promptly to allow the tiny‑house project to move forward.

Christy Gupton urged the board to support independent community pharmacies. Gupton said local pharmacies provide personalized care, same‑day delivery and coordination with physicians, and argued that clinical outcomes and local economic benefits are stronger when residents fill prescriptions at independent pharmacies rather than large, corporate chains. Gupton cited an example of a fatal medication-access incident from another state to underscore the potential consequences when patients do not receive timely assistance.

No formal action by the board was taken during the meeting in response to these comments; the clerk closed public comments after the three speakers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 15, 2025 Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Three citizens spoke during informal public comments: founders of an organization identified as Hachoka asked the county to finalize tax‑exemption paperwork and address related legal fees and zoning for a tiny‑house project; another commenter urged support for independent community pharmacies, citing access and local economic benefits.","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},6487152,"Commissioners proclaim October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month; vocational rehab staff describe local outcomes",264,1318000,1582000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784812-534b1c7f0c41b250e5a314bf775c6ac8&start=1318&end=1582","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784812-534b1c7f0c41b250e5a314bf775c6ac8/thumbnail_1318000.jpg","/articles/6487152/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-proclaim-October-as-National-Disability-Employment-Awareness-Month-vocational-rehab-staff-describe-local-outcomes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487152-500e842792f5afa3f460ee9cbd2fcaa3/orig.mp4?Expires=1774890694&Signature=dcTCPigaWfPEWFZu8ZKHDKcSqmmJKAfvI0j5iRBn9c5BLtsD5J1e3MH6lKBmAKBdpVPh9mcHjHDTLNzd-8~d2CwqSmkB5qy4-D8mN4CUhgAhSCAJtd2q8Z6~hDAoCgrOBN~6Rrj1IhNzOeb9~XwKVo-hq9gXygT9Xok2D5q87wb6HZrUHvORGAlQzsjAz~iFypmuftZN1ra3nvprK7xusXTSTZXD~c1ghK4dX113VCLZdin2W92hRFbQ~b6WBJiNZehgE99HhKobDqRoYqcGcXiKQWlFa37RtbpH70V-HMRVSHTQnzW1hTrJ3BkU5LicuRt-KHTHp8SmWJZSeCWb1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from Burke County’s employment and vocational rehabilitation services — identified in the meeting as EIPD (Employment, Independence and Personal Development) and NCEIPD — briefed commissioners on local activity and asked for a proclamation recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Janet Hanna, business relations representative with EIPD, said Burke County’s 2023 population is about 87,570 and that roughly 11,910 residents report a disability. She told the board that the Western Regional EIPD office in Morganton received 215 applicants for services last year; staff received 48 referrals from which 23 individuals were placed and successfully closed. She said 13 internships ran in the county and three internship participants were hired by their host employers.

Hanna and colleagues asked the board to approve a proclamation recognizing October 2025 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month and its theme, \"Celebrating Value and Talent.\" A clerk’s numbering correction was noted during the motion (the proclamation number on the packet was updated to 2025‑14). The proclamation was approved by voice vote, 5–0.

Speakers asked commissioners to refer residents with disabilities to vocational rehabilitation services for employment support and internships.","Representatives from EIPD presented county statistics on vocational rehabilitation referrals and placements; the board unanimously approved Proclamation 2025-14 declaring October National Disability Employment Awareness Month.",{"_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},6487156,"Burke County recognizes 4‑H champions, proclaims October as National 4‑H Week",845,355000,1200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784812-534b1c7f0c41b250e5a314bf775c6ac8&start=355&end=1200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784812-534b1c7f0c41b250e5a314bf775c6ac8/thumbnail_355000.jpg","/articles/6487156/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Burke-County-recognizes-4H-champions-proclaims-October-as-National-4H-Week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487156-98641fcb312216cb391f8e1666bab05e/orig.mp4?Expires=1774890694&Signature=hc~Lg0GfJBgQ3BPrSNLb8A72f9flpEI7AacOc0X7OG7OcIyavX-4AXFbsfslR0CDi9RpDrXw2-~imvP6~rewFW6L4ekf-ogZ4Cn-vyRnQbmPAODgmoolS3yEGT5YESOz4zn-wnHZPdcg3bduFYLMymv7PXJ4QW7rEyJ6qyM~TtT~s0gywhMTbE-bgK9GdR4GRzfPn6n0OeucU1fmu~JC3bwHBZyqzAaIOJr-yZxYPPFQ1sGuGdqLUt9NdjG9mJzB4ncsnLCMrWpDZoPt-ua1qo57mBnjqJgMyO5P6y-FoUq8eR5-KMdFToKXwHaBU8eFuvlu5PvFp19A25w~KWx54g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nikki Carpenter, Burke County 4‑H youth development extension agent, presented an overview of local 4‑H programming and recognized youth who placed at district, state and national competitions.

Carpenter told commissioners that Burke County 4‑H reached nearly 2,100 school‑age youth in 2024 through clubs, school enrichment and special‑interest programs and described project areas ranging from robotics and aerospace to livestock and arts. She and the board recognized state competitors, including the Burke County horse bowl team and individuals who earned district and state awards.

Following the presentation, Commissioner Burns moved to accept the report and the board voted 5–0 to accept. The board then approved Proclamation 2025‑15, declaring October 2025 as National 4‑H Week; Commissioner Barry moved the proclamation and the board approved it by a 5–0 voice vote.

The county will mark National 4‑H Week Oct. 11, 2025, and Cooperative Extension staff said county achievement night on Nov. 18 will include presentation of district/state project record book placements.","Cooperative Extension agent Nikki Carpenter presented Burke County 4‑H achievements and the board adopted Proclamation 2025-15 declaring October 2025 National 4‑H Week; commissioners unanimously accepted the report and proclamation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_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":73,"_74":73},6487162,"Votes at a glance: commissioners approve year-end report, multiple proclamations and appointments",0,4142000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784812-534b1c7f0c41b250e5a314bf775c6ac8&start=4142&end=4142","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784812-534b1c7f0c41b250e5a314bf775c6ac8/thumbnail_4142000.jpg","/articles/6487162/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-commissioners-approve-year-end-report-multiple-proclamations-and-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487162-50f8339ed39446f5d182912a57d8cfdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1774890694&Signature=cEAUX3UKs4C8n7CRRnX4HlAN8~s0bGgqRmCjWhTr3t1TFEI8iQXe3MvlU5FyoaEg-KRuOJzLJj1cXDJY1Bg4QPLqKDAohFToym-u8cBmWobcaxzNdatdp6eGJP-j0dglPjGbXEHgM7ehwCmzrVV9FbkZoBSO-Mo~vy-heUd0jdPWaMVH7x6TAVjMAMHvqxt1wjEMtcG9rvtyKR2Nr9XODICJot4tHHlokE76S8CiwP4OA9v7mKuB8I28MYoSnO0G579HcgB1ZcChT7AQC0gpL34Sog25ncR8paqeyGdn7lEVoXXpFz~6zeLbOlEnqnW6OfrrWykYrqBQ~OEZd0zwIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Burke County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on several routine and substantive items at its Sept. 15 meeting, including acceptance of the fiscal year 2024–25 year-end report, adoption of a resolution to centralize plat review, two proclamations and multiple board appointments.

The board voted 5–0 to accept the county manager’s year-end report as presented. Commissioners also approved two proclamations: proclamation 2025-15 declaring October as National 4‑H Week and proclamation 2025-14 declaring October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Both proclamations passed on voice votes reported as 5–0.

On governance and procedural matters, the board adopted Resolution 2025-30 to consolidate plat review functions under Burke County staff (implementation beginning Oct. 1 with full rollout by Jan. 1, 2026). The motion to adopt the resolution was made by Commissioner Barry and passed 5–0.

The board approved multiple appointments and reappointments by unanimous vote: Gregory Smith reappointed to Burke County Board of Adjustment (Seat 4, West); Sean Freeman reappointed to Planning Board (Seat 2, East); Andrew Loudermill reappointed to Planning Board (Seat 5, at-large); revaluation task force appointees Tim Newton (real estate professional), Kevin Farris (insurance professional), Evan Crowley (agriculture), Jerry Norville (at-large) and Johnny Carswell (citizen 55+) were appointed for terms ending Jan. 1, 2027; and veteran service board reappointments of David Turbergen (Seat 3) and Edwin Ware (Seat 4) were approved for three-year terms.

The board approved the consent agenda, which included updates to rules of procedure for the Bridal Advisory Board, an appointment to the Council on Aging, the August 2025 tax collection report, and the monthly release and refund report for August 2025. The consent agenda passed 5–0.

Full motions and recorded outcomes are listed below.","The Burke County Board of Commissioners approved the year-end report and a series of proclamations, reappointments and procedural resolutions by unanimous votes. Key votes included adoption of resolution 2025-30 (plat review consolidation) and several board appointments.",{"_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":73,"_74":73},6487167,"Burke County reports stronger revenue, $1.1M waste savings; FEMA reimbursement still pending",1551,1622000,3173000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784812-534b1c7f0c41b250e5a314bf775c6ac8&start=1622&end=3173","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784812-534b1c7f0c41b250e5a314bf775c6ac8/thumbnail_1622000.jpg","/articles/6487167/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Burke-County-reports-stronger-revenue-11M-waste-savings-FEMA-reimbursement-still-pending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487167-3f81934ea9cafaaa0760ee0874b90a37/orig.mp4?Expires=1774890694&Signature=GnIF6BOaw5k2T56hOwLsev-WZkF~FyZFq5kD~et4H1vLN7izfHcsmOIw7YLAtpzVC5c2KiYt00gpP5v1RrzJolBX7zs72ax5GYUkanrhSw48GtElrQs697FxnUCrpTMZZJOW9AdSsCfV~AcUiJ2qizWbIdGJOpAVhiZzCL7T84RMaSP-hD9T~-hO0K4ujl1oul8deZ-xbU~j9lz6rZFIcJ4EfGuBWJj5NX~9vaXGX87WAMlJla0GmQ5nlkX~x2EQtOWwr~dW30vcmZxjon97AsfLIxzyKD71nyeYqd276kvU4pEID~zgGh9FJc2QzMFKqBmDczisW9hEzkxxYcRHtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Burke County Manager Brian Eppley told the Board of Commissioners Monday that the county closed fiscal year 2024–25 with stronger-than-expected revenue performance, notable operational savings and several one-time disaster-related costs that the county expects to recover through FEMA public assistance.

Eppley said total county revenue for the year was about $113,800,000, with property tax accounting for 53.64 percent of that total and sales tax representing about 16.75 percent. He highlighted three operational changes that contributed to improved results: bringing EMS billing in-house, resuming in-house transfer of municipal solid waste, and negotiating lower health insurance and claims costs.

\"By bringing EMS billing back in-house we grew revenue from about $5.1 million to $7.5 million,\" Eppley said. He told commissioners that the former vendor charged roughly a 6 percent fee and that the county’s new approach eliminated that contract while improving collections. Eppley added that moving municipal solid waste (household waste) transfer work in-house produced about $1,100,000 in taxpayer savings compared with prior contracted costs.

Eppley also described other fiscal measures: investment income rose from roughly $63,000 in 2022 to about $2.1 million in the latest year (driven primarily by higher rates earlier and available cash), occupancy taxes closed at about $1.3 million, and the county maintained positive cash flow in several enterprise funds. Solid Waste posted its strongest year, with a net positive cash flow around $2.8 million (Eppley noted roughly $1.5 million of that related to extraordinary debris collection revenue tied to disaster-response work).

The manager cautioned the board that the county temporarily drew down its fund balance to help finance disaster recovery. \"Had FEMA public assistance already reimbursed the roughly $11,000,000 application, our unassigned fund balance would be above the board policy target,\" Eppley said, adding that the county’s application had recently reached Washington, D.C., after multiple rounds of review. He said staff remain confident the funds will be returned through FEMA’s process but described it as an ongoing administrative process.

Eppley summarized capital and service highlights: continued work on EMS, animal services and courthouse projects (on time and under budget), completion of a public safety strategic plan, reduced environmental health septic permitting turnaround from about 12 weeks to less than 30 days through improved GIS dispatching, elimination of a long backlog in child welfare cases (caseloads down from roughly 31:1 to about 10–11:1), an ongoing water/sewer metering project paid by a state grant and an RFP for sewer meters to measure interconnections with municipal partners.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions and then voted 5–0 to accept the manager’s year-end report as presented.","County manager presented the fiscal year 2024–25 year-end report, citing $113.8 million in revenue, a $1.1 million savings from bringing municipal solid waste transfer in-house, higher EMS collections after moving billing in-house, and a temporary drawdown of fund balance pending FEMA public assistance reimbursements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge county to resolve Hachoka tax-exemption issues; a resident asks support for independent pharmacies

Commissioners proclaim October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month; vocational rehab staff describe local outcomes

Burke County recognizes 4‑H champions, proclaims October as National 4‑H Week

Votes at a glance: commissioners approve year-end report, multiple proclamations and appointments

Burke County reports stronger revenue, $1.1M waste savings; FEMA reimbursement still pending