Burke County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Burke County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
The board proclaimed October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, hearing from the county's Work Source West office about services that helped 51 residents reach employment last year.
Veterinarian vacancy on Public Health Advisory Committee
The health advisory committee has every required seat filled except the veterinarian position. The county is working with Animal Services and may look to neighboring counties if local vets decline.
Noise Ordinance Enforcement
A South Mountain resident says deputies are citing him for loud music before the county's 11 p.m.-7 a.m. quiet hours, wasting patrol resources and misreading the ordinance.
Beaver Management Assistance Program
The county pays $6,000 a year for a program that removes problem beavers and dams, getting about $12,600 in services in return. The trapper completed four jobs this year and saves landowners an estimated $11,300 in damages.
Surplus Property Sales
Three county-owned properties drew bids just under the county's reserve prices, so the board declined them and will repost — Commissioner Burns insisted taxpayers be made whole, noting the Rocky Ford parcel has been on county books since 1984.
Rutherford College Tax Collection Agreement
Rutherford College wants the county to take over collecting its property taxes starting July 1, for a 2% fee — about $4,200 a year in new county revenue for minimal extra work.
Roadside litter and community beautification
The county's litter program collects about 1,500 pounds a month, but Commissioner Stroud pressed for stronger enforcement against illegal dumping beyond the current citation process.
Settlement of lawsuit against the county
After closed session, commissioners approved a settlement in Burke County v. Telma M. Juan Pedro, a Superior Court case. Terms weren't discussed in open session.