Burke County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Burke County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
$15 Million CDBG-DR Grant for Indian Hills Pump Station
The county is chasing a $15 million, no-match state grant to help fund the $10-million-plus Indian Hills sewer pump station in eastern Burke County — a project tied to hurricane readiness and future housing and jobs growth.
Alexander Tax Foreclosure Reimbursement Request
A local couple paid all tax bills they received, but the tax office never transferred parcels into their name after a 2016 purchase — then sued them for foreclosure. They paid $5,944 to save their property and are asking the county to refund $2,607 in interest, penalties and attorney fees.
Piedmont Affordable Senior Housing Foundation acquisition of The Berkeley
A nonprofit foundation is buying The Berkeley assisted living facility using tax-exempt bonds, with a county TEFRA resolution of support. The county forgoes roughly $45,000 in property tax, but 40% of beds must be Medicaid-designated, expanding affordable senior care access.
C-PACE Commercial Financing Program
The county is considering joining a state program that lets commercial property owners finance energy, resiliency, and water improvements through private lenders with long terms — no cost or liability to the county.
2027 Property Revaluation
Property values are being reassessed for 2027, with residential values running about 31.5 percent below 2023 assessed levels. Doing the revaluation in-house saves roughly $1 million versus hiring a firm, and a public hearing on the schedule of values is expected in November.
Clover Ridge Subdivision Development Agreement
The county is spending $300,000 from its housing inducement fund to extend water and sewer to 25 new single-family homes in Morganton, aiming to ease the local housing crunch. Neighbors worry about stormwater runoff, flooding and say they got only two weeks' notice of the project.
Manufactured Home Park Rent Increases and Withheld Titles
Idlewild Acres residents say corporate owners raised lot rent from $150 to $700 a month over five years, with illegal mid-lease increases, and many never received home titles. They asked commissioners to write to the Attorney General and state legislators and to meet with residents within 30 days.
Election Administration
Burke County is rolling out early voting options so residents can skip the dreaded Election Day lines and cast their ballots on their own schedule. It's a quick heads-up to check local listings for times and locations before heading out.
EMS Cardiac Monitor Replacement
The new animal services/EMS buildings came in $1.3 million under budget, and the county wants to use $925,000 of that to replace 18 aging Zoll cardiac monitors on ambulances — a top EMS priority.
Sheriff's Office BearCat Armored Vehicle
The sheriff's office is getting $450,000 in state money to buy its first armored vehicle, which the sheriff says will protect deputies during standoffs and high-risk warrants. There's a two-year lead time on delivery.
DSS Workforce and Caseload Pressures
DSS reported eight emergency child-removal petitions in a single week — the most its director has ever seen — with substance use involved in every case, and kids having to sleep at the office while placements were found. Caseloads are trending down overall, but the system is stretched.