Commissioners waive fees for tornado victims

In the aftermath of a tornado, Burke County is trying to help victims return to “a semblance of normalcy” by formally waiving fees.

The Burke County Board of Commissioners approved waiving an $80 septic tank re-inspection fee, landfill tipping fees for storm related debris, water and sewer fees for Burke County Water Sewer customers and minor building inspection fees.

Debris includes construction and demolition waste, woody tree limbs, trunks or stumps and garbage. Fees will be waived for debris picked up by cleanup crews and from landowners or their representative.

The waived water and sewer fees only apply to county customers and include credit for water released immediately after the storm until response crews were able to turn the service off. The basic monthly fee will also be suspended while the outcome of uninhabitable homes is determined.

Building inspectors are out in the field and may issue permits, with fees waived, on site for reconnecting electrical services, gas lines and water service and camper services for temporary use.

Fees will still be required for majorly damaged homes where a building permit is required.

County Manager Bryan Steen said the county has received helped from surrounding municipalities in the clean-up effort.

The county is still awaiting a declaration from the state to determine if state or federal funds can be used to help with the clean up.

Steen, along with commissioners, applauded the county and agencies within the county for their quick response to the disaster.

“We’re trying to make this (clean up) as simple as we possibly can to help our neighbors get their lives back together,” said Steen.

Springsted, a public sector advisor, presented commissioners with its program efficiency and staffing analysis report. The complete report is 115 pages and an analysis of each county department’s operating budget, current staffing levels and functions performed and compares these findings against peer communities.

“We have over 65 findings and recommendations which we hope will lead to a more efficient operation, if you can get more efficient because what we found here in the county, really, is you have a number of operations which are very lean,” said John Anzivino, senior vice president of Springsted.

The company found that county staff is “hardworking and dedicated” but seem demoralized “due to what they perceive to be relatively low wages and lack of salary increases in the last several years,” said Anzivino.

The finding is common due to current economic conditions, he said, but the county can help address the issue by helping those employees find ways to work more efficiently, such as updating technologies.

“Your folks are receptive to change, they’re receptive to ideas,” Anzivino said.

Among the major recommendations are administrative restructuring, creating a master technology plan, identifying core services, addressing high employee turnover, reevaluated service fee structures and consolidation of county facilities.

Commissioners will meet with Springsted on Feb. 14, allowing the board to thoroughly review the report before holding further discussions.

The work session will serve as an opportunity for the county and Springsted to develop a structured improvement plan for implementing changes, establishing timelines for those changes and determining who will be responsible for changes.

Lowdermilk, Church & Co. presented the county’s 2010-11 audit.

Highlights show the county’s general fund had a total of $17,332,322 in cash and investments on June 30, 2011. Revenues totaled $60,691,537, while expenditures totaled $67,840,301. Other income added up to $5,864,889.

The county’s general fund balance was $15,529,522, a decrease of $1,283,876, and is 16.58 percent of general fund expenditures. The state average for counties similar in population size is 25.32 percent.

The Local Government Commission’s minimum recommendation for a general fund balance is 8 percent of general fund expenditures at the end of the fiscal year.

The board voted unanimously throughout the night to:

» Rezone 3.078 acres of property at 2447 N.C. 181 and 2401 N.C. 181 from Residential 2 to General Business to allow for commercial development

» Authorize the board chair to submit close out documentation for a the Glenwood Hills Community Development Block Grant project

» Direct staff to explore CDBG opportunities for the county

» Award firearms and badges to retiring Burke County sheriff’s officers Capt. Becky Weatherman and detective Clay Roberts

» Offer a temporary two-for-the-price-of-one mulch sale at the Burke County Landfill

» Authorize staff to obtain a price proposal for surveying work related to the Enola Road widening project

» Adopt two demolition ordinances for 2276 Spainhour Road and 6599 Prysock Ave., Connelly Springs

» Accept an annual report from the Burke County Tourism Development Authority