A public hearing was scheduled regarding the adoption of the 2016-2017 budget and a motion was passed to cover a landfill in the Burke County Board of Commissioners Tuesday night regular meeting. There was one public hearing held regarding the 2017 budget, but no one spoke. County Manager Bryan Steen said the budget is a statement of policy from the board towards the needs of the community. At the current tax rate, the general fund budget provides funds for projects, the school system and community college, enables security enhancement at the courthouse, enables detention staff to take holiday time off accumulated during the year and much more. The budget also made a 3.5% adjustment to the pay plan, the first major adjustment to the pay plan since 2008. There was conflict on the budget with some commissioners being concerned with the 3.5% increase in the pay adjustment. The budget was adopted with a 3-2 vote. For years Burke County has operated a MSW landfill municipal solid waste at the John's River facility. This facility was closed in 1990 and converted into a Construction & Demolition debris landfill. That converted landfill has reached its filling capacity and commissioners approved a geo synthetic clay liner to be placed over the top 6 acres of the landfill and then fill with soil on top to establish growth. A bid was given to Triangle Paving & Grading of Burlington for $838,434. The motion passed 5-0.

Hickory City Council met Tuesday night. Deputy City Attorney Arnita Dula was recognized for receiving the Citizen Lawyer Award from the North Carolina Bar Association. Three department reports were presented with all three passing by a 7-0 vote of city council. Mayor Rudy Wright mad some comments concerning the Hickory Housing Authority. Wright stated that as long as he and city council have the responsibility of appointing members to the Board, those who have served for long periods and many terms will be changed, so others willing to serve can have the opportunity to do so. Appointment of new members passed 7-0. A closed session was needed to discuss several items, including a discussion of litigation between Willie James Grimes and the City of Hickory. No action was taken back in open session.