[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6467755,"mediaKeyId","5784811-dc6446063e580d39c5711ef4633529b2","parentId",5784811,"title","Burke County honors 4‑H achievements and proclaims October observances for 4‑H and disability employment","audioSeconds",1202,"startMs",663000,"endMs",1865000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784811-dc6446063e580d39c5711ef4633529b2&start=663&end=1865","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784811-dc6446063e580d39c5711ef4633529b2/thumbnail_663000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6467755/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Burke-County-honors-4H-achievements-and-proclaims-October-observances-for-4H-and-disability-employment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467755-e5d15e424a8772391cad3df2b792c6df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771221125&Signature=PRReWKH80oTP4eEjH6cRax4JrSUIkkjg9aUKnGUoaHwRucfPtH~f~adXVfutQ2nVHkPSHosd5MM0RTKz1aWfdPhETX9E~2fc~t-aYzkF4L7uum6SUwlmhEurkqn6aCSe93cDcuLCi0DfCfluAO6iDZ8Vm88tY5tA3gQYoBhKyo5i8fBPHZsHozvD9Ct6uWKFEwgJEPkyxICaWpq0YNR2JmWwSAR4nDY9oZQJ970odYrsHUvTnhX-QQFia6UnJj5p~aWyp0M7qcAJewXpxVoHVH80vYhtv6GtZmJYjOd6alivkJr8JmIRpJowqSitbfkls5M3vRzKW7NQ6hNMYDg9hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Burke County, NC","date","2025-09-16T11:34:45Z","article","The Burke County Board of Commissioners on Monday recognized county 4‑H winners and unanimously approved proclamations declaring October observances for 4‑H and for National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Nikki Carpenter, Burke County 4‑H youth development extension agent, described 4‑H as “the largest youth development organization in The United States reaching more than 7,000,000 young people,” and explained 4‑H’s delivery modes and local participation. Carpenter noted Burke County 4‑H reached nearly 2,100 school‑age youth in 2024 and introduced multiple county youth who earned district, state and national honors in horse bowl, photography and leadership competitions.

The board then considered two proclamations. Commissioners adopted a proclamation declaring October as National 4‑H Week; the packet listed the proclamation as number 2025‑15. Later the board approved a proclamation recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month; county staff and presenters corrected the packet citation for that proclamation to 2025‑14 before the board’s vote. Janet Hannah, a Burke County business‑relations representative for Employment and Independence Programs for Persons with Disabilities (EIPD), told commissioners the county had about 87,570 residents according to the 2023 census and cited program placement numbers for recent years. “Of those 215 individuals, … we received 48 referrals. We placed those 48 referrals in employment and successfully closed 23 of them,” Hannah said.

Why it matters: The proclamations are ceremonial actions that recognize volunteer and program achievements and highlight local workforce‑inclusion efforts. The 4‑H presentation included names of state competitors and scholarship recipients and encouraged youth involvement. The employment‑services presentation highlighted local placements and internships for county residents with disabilities.

Board action
The board voted 5–0 to accept the 4‑H report and adopted both proclamations by unanimous vote.

Ending
The board recorded appreciation for volunteers and youth participants and encouraged residents to attend county 4‑H and community events in October.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Burke County Board of Commissioners recognized Burke County 4‑H state and national award winners and unanimously adopted proclamations declaring National 4‑H Week and National Disability Employment Awareness Month.","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},6467760,"Public commenters urge county help for tiny‑house project and support for independent pharmacies",584,3535000,4119000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784811-dc6446063e580d39c5711ef4633529b2&start=3535&end=4119","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784811-dc6446063e580d39c5711ef4633529b2/thumbnail_3535000.jpg","/articles/6467760/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Public-commenters-urge-county-help-for-tinyhouse-project-and-support-for-independent-pharmacies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467760-84a9ffa0fcc3364afcffc274bdf074ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771221125&Signature=k1hQTwGWs8ltsoK22R3cAWwSMLRafYUH5XqH5GZb0efhYtIw18ylfWcsIVJvR3keyMsWTVT9GonnTM-wivcY3q3jVaRJuYShF3T1SIY61bfWCp~-Wr6-bLRtPN0t1-a98~VwT8w02kJ5YxVgArq0cLGBrSCPwfC99F9YkQnXfAkJP65gi9fgDZ2JnmbPGVxVqd8Vf1q4fL~Q3UnK5lNTrPbFxWbH91mO985kRx3hDmimxPjXgJFR7SXI9YSVcUUzJryrr6hOgsTQxZgh2LA1tllPRy1xwMi2E7nStZB6jvm4hlrTXDTy-w8lcECGgh8MQ1wAcUByZ95A~RIHOLuSSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Three citizens spoke during the informal public‑comment period at the Burke County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday. Two items drew the board’s attention: a dispute over tax‑exemption paperwork tied to a nonprofit tiny‑house project and a request to support independent community pharmacies.

Kimberly Clark, who identified herself as the founder of a local nonprofit, said the organization has had a long dispute with the county over its tax‑exemption request and related legal fees. Clark said the nonprofit had a checkbox on its exemption application for “low‑to‑moderate income housing” tied to a tiny‑house project and asked that the checkbox be recognized as part of the approved exemption. “We would like that as part of the exemption request because that’s what we checked,” Clark said, adding that attorney fees remain outstanding and that she was not consulted when a lawsuit was dismissed.

Marsha Love, a board member with Clark’s nonprofit, described the tax‑exemption approval as “prayers answered” while urging the county to resolve remaining issues quickly so the tiny‑house project can proceed. Love recounted encountering a young hospitalized patient she said might have benefited from services the nonprofit aims to provide and urged faster resolution before the new year’s permitting cycle.

County response and context
The speakers asked for a meeting with county staff to resolve questions about the application, the tiny‑house project and outstanding legal‑fee claims. Clark named county staff members she had met with previously, and she asked that the county include the low‑to‑moderate income housing element in the exemption paperwork. The meeting record shows the county attorney is Destin Hall and County Manager Brian Eppley was present; no formal county action on the public comments was taken at the meeting.

Independent pharmacy comments
Christy Gupton, speaking separately, urged commissioners to support independent community pharmacies, saying they provide personalized care, same‑day delivery and local coordination with physicians. “Independent pharmacies are more than just a place to pick up medications,” Gupton said. She described independent pharmacies as local partners in crises — citing volunteer efforts after a recent hurricane — and urged initiatives to help keep pharmacy services local and affordable.

Ending
The board closed the public‑comment period without taking immediate action; speakers asked for follow‑up meetings with county staff to resolve outstanding matters.

","At Monday’s Burke County commissioners meeting, speakers from a local nonprofit said unresolved tax‑exemption matters and outstanding attorney fees are delaying a tiny‑house low‑income housing project; another speaker urged county support for independent community pharmacies.",{"_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},6467765,"Votes at a glance: Burke County commissioners approve proclamations, appointments and plat‑review consolidation",166,4302000,4468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784811-dc6446063e580d39c5711ef4633529b2&start=4302&end=4468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784811-dc6446063e580d39c5711ef4633529b2/thumbnail_4302000.jpg","/articles/6467765/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Burke-County-commissioners-approve-proclamations-appointments-and-platreview-consolidation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467765-bb34839e51f3db0c3d4e764c813f1afc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771221125&Signature=dAQgd9Wv7bsOTsfwySe9AePPBoJVO8XRay8vI8RROpemJyBWpLmz9peYRJlAf1225WmPYssZb6dfgvqOlyf-49lxKSz3nIlmtzpXCiS0OnrSX9rJCMs2EOvRZ9Rwr8e4Hdn0cijY-UlibUKnQFBB9nHE9-mkZNEprXby-IP3SDeSAd9qHLHAOXsu1IYbx3WzWy8pjV3GNK5Cum45jzPpc8LR-e~kSuaWNmGrIym8hs7APB2mVjfV3zaCxMRBSkZjOq3gKMJHuUhMmH7umHu-So5ZaB5lnKMbnX6126oKgzoFQKi8uHzFb8F3Qcww1IvLP4l8vmBD0uxEnWszwAgUjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Burke County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved a series of routine but formal actions including proclamations, board appointments and a resolution to consolidate plat review functions.

The board recorded unanimous votes (5–0) on the items below. Most motions were approved without extended debate.

Votes at a glance
- Approve agenda — motion approved, 5–0.
- Approve meeting minutes (05/19/2025 special and regular; 06/02/2025 pre‑agenda) — motion by Commissioner Chris Burns; approved 5–0.
- Accept Burke County 4‑H presentation/report — motion approved 5–0.
- Proclamation: National 4‑H Week (proclamation number shown as 2025‑15 in packet) — adopted 5–0.
- Proclamation: National Disability Employment Awareness Month (packet referenced correction to 2025‑14) — adopted 5–0.
- Accept year‑end fiscal report — motion approved 5–0.
- Consent agenda (includes updated rules of procedure for a local advisory board, an appointment to the Council on Aging, monthly tax collection report and monthly release/refund report for August 2025) — approved 5–0.
- Resolution 2025‑30: Centralize plat‑review components to Burke County staff (consolidation to begin Oct. 1 with rollout complete Jan. 1, 2026) — adopted 5–0.
- Appointments and reappointments: Gregory Smith reappointed to Burke County Board of Adjustment, seat 4 (three‑year term ending 09/30/2028) — approved 5–0.
- Burke County Planning Board: Sean Freeman appointed to Seat 2 (East) and Andrew Loudermill reappointed to Seat 5 (At‑Large) — both approved 5–0.
- Revaluation Task Force: Tim Newton, Kevin Farris, Evan Crowley, Jerry Norville and Johnny Carswell appointed to various seats on the reevaluation task force (terms ending 01/01/2027) — approved 5–0.
- Veteran Service Board: David Tibergen and Edwin Ware reappointed — approved 5–0.
- Motion to adjourn — approved 5–0.

Why it matters: The votes finalize routine governance and personnel appointments needed to run county government and also shift technical plat‑review work from municipal planners to county staff, a change intended to standardize statutory plat components across the county.

Ending
Most items passed unanimously and were recorded without separate roll‑call beyond the unanimous tally. The full minutes and the adopted resolution are part of the county record.

","The Burke County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on multiple routine items Monday, including proclamations for National 4‑H Week and National Disability Employment Awareness Month, several board appointments and a resolution centralizing plat review to county staff.",{"_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},6467770,"Burke County manager presents year-end fiscal report showing positive cash flow, FEMA reimbursement pending",1582,1902000,3484000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784811-dc6446063e580d39c5711ef4633529b2&start=1902&end=3484","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784811-dc6446063e580d39c5711ef4633529b2/thumbnail_1902000.jpg","/articles/6467770/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Burke-County-manager-presents-year-end-fiscal-report-showing-positive-cash-flow-FEMA-reimbursement-pending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467770-953a61626406876fb8f13f245c4c5211/orig.mp4?Expires=1771221125&Signature=PJaDiyRBePAjTf-DB7TAD78Ynq9UfYiCQTjMCwfl~uuOnTqjF6d-VEzz2T2m5A7w83Fd-7yXXRWo4Do~D1qh0LCuP4yPBOScgxXWFS~vKeOZMfwy541w07smy5ynLZSktriExcJXWAKiViGgUcXHGBDAAU4PZOW09fxhgmvtJnneGXeEzrTCG6uB4mJoWreI3gINuTvEGyw4eodSaBOIx70koWU-cQtXtv0NT6pCof-Sq9CnyYoz1zI1Q4zSjgp3XRBZl3btUEOk2f7w0b7zVLJxYfUyBddlfKiDG3QkU3DIU4jtj4YVOgtRanAIWvOP0XU4UEcG7XS1vWuA~cXrPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Burke County Manager Brian Eppley told the Burke County Board of Commissioners Monday that the county closed fiscal year 2024–25 with improved revenues, positive cash flow in several enterprise funds and several operational changes that produced savings and service improvements.

Eppley presented the county’s year-end report and a slide packet, saying, “As you’re all aware, our fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30,” and that the county is about 90 days into its post‑fiscal‑year audit process. He told the board the county’s total revenue for the year was about $113.8 million and that 53.64% of that came from property taxes.

The report highlighted several operational changes and results. Eppley said the county implemented a comprehensive pay classification study and completed a first full year of in‑house EMS billing. “By bringing that in house, we grew revenue this year by about 41% from about $5,100,000 to $7,500,000,” he said, describing the increase as unrestricted revenue that helps offset department costs. He also said bringing municipal solid waste hauling in‑house yielded roughly $1.1 million in taxpayer savings.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the financial performance reduces pressure on the property tax rate and gives the county funds to invest in capital projects. Eppley noted capital projects for EMS, animal services and the courthouse remain on time and under budget.

Key fund results and program notes
- Solid waste: Eppley reported the solid waste enterprise turned a positive cash flow of roughly $2.8 million; about $1.5 million of that was tied to an extraordinary debris‑collection payout related to storm cleanup. Excluding that one‑time item, the fund still posted about $1.3 million positive cash flow.
- Water and sewer: The water/sewer fund ended the year with a positive surplus of roughly $433,000. The county is pursuing meter and infiltration projects and replacing about 2,500 water meters through a Division of Water Quality grant.
- Investment income: Interest income rose from roughly $63,000 in 2022 to more than $2.1 million in the most recent year, although Eppley said the amount fell slightly from the prior year because the county had less cash on hand after capital investments.
- EMS billing: Eppley said the county moved EMS billing from a contract (which had charged roughly 6% of net collections) to in‑house billing; historical collection rates under the contract averaged about 50–52%. The county’s in‑house revenue grew from about $5.1 million to $7.5 million year over year.

Debt, fund balance and FEMA reimbursement
Eppley reported the county’s total debt stands near $28.4 million, with about 12.6% attributable to the county and the remainder assigned to the school system. He said the county’s fund balance policy target is 25% and that fund balance ended the year at about 19.5% after one‑time disaster recovery expenditures. He said that if FEMA public assistance reimbursements — about $11 million in the current application — are approved and returned, the county would be above the policy target.

Eppley described the FEMA public‑assistance application process as protracted, saying the county’s application had recently reached Washington, D.C., after multiple rounds of review and that staff expect eventual reimbursement. He also told the board the county received an award from the National Association of Counties for an innovation in environmental health dispatching.

Board reaction and action
Commissioners praised staff and accepted the report. The board voted to accept the year‑end report as presented by unanimous vote.

Ending
Eppley closed by noting the report materials were available to commissioners and staff and said county staff are working through audit questions while continuing capital and operational projects.

","County Manager Brian Eppley told commissioners the county closed fiscal 2024–25 with improved revenues, increased EMS collections after bringing billing in-house and positive enterprise fund performance, while FEMA public assistance reimbursements remain pending.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Burke County honors 4‑H achievements and proclaims October observances for 4‑H and disability employment

Public commenters urge county help for tiny‑house project and support for independent pharmacies

Votes at a glance: Burke County commissioners approve proclamations, appointments and plat‑review consolidation

Burke County manager presents year-end fiscal report showing positive cash flow, FEMA reimbursement pending