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Burke County adopts $120.7M FY2026–27 budget, sets volunteer fire tax rates and withdraws Tris Pharma consent
Summary
The Burke County Board of Commissioners on June 15 adopted the FY2026–27 budget ordinance, approved fire district tax rate changes for West End and Triple Community volunteer departments, adopted an opioid settlement resolution, and voted to withdraw consent to pursue Tris Pharma in opioid litigation. Votes were unanimous where recorded.
Burke County commissioners adopted the FY2026–27 budget ordinance (No. 2026‑06) on June 15, approving an overall general fund near $120.7 million and continuing the board’s emphasis on operational priorities rather than new programs. County Manager Mr. Anthony told the board the plan focuses on “managing disruptions and staying committed to that plan.”
The budget preserves a zero‑based approach and includes a phased pay increase that begins July 1 (1.5%) with a possible additional 1.5% on Jan. 1, and a $650,000 increase in education funding split as $500,000 to Burke County Public Schools and $150,000 to Western Piedmont Community College. The manager described the document as one that avoids new programs and prioritizes “doing the basics” and fiscal balance amid external pressures such as Medicaid adjustments and federal SNAP administrative cost shifts.
As part of the same meeting, the board approved tax‑rate changes for two volunteer fire districts after presentations from department leaders. The West End Volunteer Fire Department’s special district rate was set at 11¢ per $100 of assessed value (motion passed 5–0). Triple Community Volunteer Fire District’s proposed increase (to 1.35¢ per $100 of assessed value) also passed 5–0 after the chief outlined station repairs, aging apparatus and the need for modest staffing pay increases to remain competitive with neighboring departments.
The board adopted the opioid settlement funds resolution (No. 2026‑15) to continue locally developed programs funded by the national/state opioid settlements. Separately, after counsel advised the likely litigation costs could exceed expected recovery from one defendant, the board voted to withdraw its prior consent to join Tris Pharma as a defendant in that portion of the opioid litigation; the motion limited the withdrawal to Tris Pharma and left other settlement and litigation activity unchanged. The motion to withdraw the county’s consent was made on the record and approved 5–0.
Board members also approved nonprofit funding allocations included in the adopted budget, with two organizations (BDI and VETIC) considered separately because of commissioner recusals for conflicts of interest; those funding motions passed with recusals noted. The board recorded roll‑call hand votes for all final adoption motions and closed the budget hearing with no public comments on the budget.
Next steps: the budget ordinance is effective as adopted; the county will implement the pay adjustments as affordability metrics are confirmed and proceed with allocations included in the ordinance. The county manager and department heads will return to the board if further appropriations are required during the year.
