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Burke County adopts resolution to expedite hazard-mitigation grant endorsements; debris-collection options remain unsettled
Summary
Commissioners adopted a resolution allowing the chairman and county manager to sign future approved hazard-mitigation grant applications from the state. County staff provided a broad update on storm recovery, debris collection, FEMA public-assistance applications and ongoing negotiations over a state MOA for waterway and private-property debris.
Burke County commissioners voted 5-0 on Monday to adopt a resolution that authorizes the board chairman and the county manager to sign state-approved hazard-mitigation grant applications on behalf of the county.
County Manager staff said the resolution applies to applicants seeking mitigation projects (acquisition, elevation or renovation) tied to flood damage from the Sept. 28 storm. The state is collecting documentation for each property and will submit applications to FEMA; approved applications will be returned to the county for endorsement and final action. Manager staff explained that acquisitions require transferring the property deed to the county and that the parcel would be removed from the tax roll in perpetuity.
The board also received a comprehensive briefing on storm recovery operations, including right-of-way debris collection, debris-site remediation and the county's public-assistance application to FEMA. The manager reported that Burke County has recorded an estimated $11.6 million in eligible public-assistance damages to date and that right-of-way debris removal will total roughly 325,000 cubic yards.
Three options remain under consideration for waterway and private-property debris removal: (1) continue contracting privately, (2) use a new state project-management option the county staff called "NC Smart" managed by the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management, or (3) pursue an Army Corps of Engineers mission assignment. County staff said they have repeatedly requested Army Corps engagement but had not received a mission assignment; state emergency-management counsel was drafting a revised MOA to allow state-led project management that would remove county financial and legal risk.
The commissioners voted unanimously to adopt resolution number 2025-15 (motion by Vice Chair; vote 5-0). The board did not approve any MOA at the meeting; county staff said the MOA was still under review by state counsel and would likely return to the board for action at a later meeting.
County staff also said the three main debris sites are nearing closure: the fairgrounds site has been remediated, East Fleming was close to remediation and the Marsh Trail site still required grinding of roughly 40,000 cubic yards of vegetative material. Staff reported the county used contractors SDR and DebrisTech for right-of-way collection and the Army Corps had removed 3.5 million cubic yards of waterway debris statewide. The manager said roughly 7,980 individual-assistance applicants in Burke County had been approved, for about $15 million in individual assistance paid so far.
The county will return to the board with a final MOA for waterway and private-property debris management when the state legal review is complete.
Commissioners accepted the manager's report and adopted the resolution in the pre-agenda session; separate votes or budget implications tied to debris contracts will return for approval if needed.
