Burke County accepted an $11,500 donation from Southern Nuclear (Plant Vogtle) to purchase an advanced drone for emergency management use and approved several related budget amendments at its July meeting.

EMA staff described the drone as a 4K-capable unit with night vision and thermal imaging that can assist with search-and-rescue, large-incident assessment, hazmat response and plant-surveillance needs. County staff said the check had already been received and the board's budget amendment was a routine formal step enabling procurement.

Commissioners also approved a budget amendment to reconcile the Hospital Trust Fund, noting that most funds had already been spent on hospital operating-room and front-entrance renovations and only a small residual balance (about $300 of interest income) remained to be recognized and cleaned up in the county accounting records. The board adopted indirect-cost allocations for vehicle maintenance for July 2025 totaling $167,835; staff explained the figure was higher that month due to three payrolls in July.

The board approved the amendments and directed staff to complete the procurement and accounting steps noted.