The Burke County Board of Commissioners opened a public hearing on the fiscal year 2026 budget and received a written statement from the sheriff saying the office faces a projected $2,800,000 shortfall.
The sheriff’s letter, read into the record by county staff, warned that the shortfall “jeopardizes not only the well-being of the citizens we serve, but also the safety and the dedicated employees in our department and the individuals in our care.” The letter asked commissioners to “set aside personal feelings and agendas” and asked that a county meeting scheduled for Sept. 11 be postponed because a mandamus hearing is set for Sept. 18.
County staff told commissioners the budget work had targeted a 5% reduction from the previous year and that the draft reached about a 4.9% reduction overall, with the fire fund showing a 5% cut. A county official confirmed the new budget, if adopted, will take effect Sept. 15 at 5:00 p.m.
The sheriff’s letter was submitted for the official record and the public hearing was closed after other brief public comments. No vote or final adoption occurred at the hearing; the board scheduled follow-up steps leading to the formal adoption deadline.
The county’s finance staff and commissioners will continue to reconcile department requests and the draft reductions before the scheduled adoption on Sept. 15.