Burke County commissioners adopt FY2026 budget, cite lower overall spending

The Burke County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt the county's fiscal year 2026 budget after commissioners said the county had reduced overall spending and staff were credited for completing detailed budget work. Commissioner Bridal made the motion to adopt the FY2026 budget and Commissioner Lively seconded it. According to remarks at the meeting, commissioners said the county's overall budgets were $114,963,000 for 2023, about $102,000,020 for 2024, about $100,000,000 for 2025 and about $95,000,000 for 2026.

The adoption matters because commissioners said the lower total represents an effort to reduce the county's burden on taxpayers while staff worked through budget line items. Commissioners and meeting attendees thanked county staff and department heads for the work required to prepare the budget.

During the public-comment portion, a resident urged the commissioners to examine the general fund and the fire fund and suggested the board focus next year on targeted reductions rather than across-the-board cuts. Meeting remarks also expressed thanks to staff members for detailed work on the budget.

Commissioner Bridal moved to adopt the FY2026 budget; Commissioner Lively seconded. The motion was put to a voice vote during the meeting and proceeded to adoption as recorded in the meeting minutes. No ordinance, statute, or external funding source was cited during the discussion.

The board did not alter the schedule for future budget work at this meeting; commissioners noted they may pursue more targeted reductions in the next budget cycle.