Four candidates are running for three seats on the Burke County Board of Commissioners this election.
Running as Republicans are Mike Stroud, Brian Barrier and incumbent Jeff Brittain. Wesley E. Hendrix is running as a Democrat.
The News Herald reached out to the candidates with several questions about issues facing the county. See the answers below.
Mike Stroud
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With the Burke County Health Department and Department of Social Services out of space at their current location, what are your plans to address both departments’ needs for a facility?
They need the best, have you seen that place, geez. I will work collectively to bring the best for Burke County.
With a lack of affordable housing in Burke County, how do you plan to support housing development?
Local manufacturing, working people will have the best affordable housing.
Why should people vote for you?
Transparency, vision and bringing back pride in people’s lives through community involvement.
Jeff Brittain
With the Burke County Health Department and Department of Social Services out of space at their current location, what are your plans to address both departments’ needs for a facility?
Our current building on Parker Road has been identified as one of our most pressing facility needs in terms of both condition and space. Over the last 12 months, we have conducted a comprehensive space needs assessment that indicates we need approximately 90,000 square feet for these departments. Our current building is about 65,000 square feet. Simultaneously, we have been evaluating potential remedies: remodeling with addition on the current site, building new on the current site and demolition of the existing building, or relocating to and renovating the Foothills Higher Ed building. As this will likely be one of the largest capital projects we have undertaken, we want to be sure we make the best and most effective decision going forward for both these departments.
With a lack of affordable housing in Burke County, how do you plan to support housing development?
In today’s housing market it is critically important to be able to offer high-density housing. Simply stated, that means more homes per acre. One component of making that happen is the availability of water and sewer infrastructure. To that end, we have been reviewing where our water and sewer system capacity is conducive to meet high-density growth with an effort to match those areas with builders of these types of projects. At the same time, we are looking at possible extensions of these facilities, where they make the most sense, to help with providing more affordable housing. Additionally, we continue to review our zoning ordinances to be sure that our ordinances allow for the kind of housing we need while protecting our neighborhoods and the environment. We also have partners in our community, both private and municipal governments, working to provide affordable housing and we continue to work to support them in whatever way possible. Though we may not always think of affordable housing and economic development in the same context, they are tightly woven together. As we continue to struggle with below average wages in our county, we continue to promote economic development projects that will help to raise wages in our community that will also make housing more affordable for our citizens.
Why should people vote for you?
It has been my honor to serve the citizens of Burke County as commissioner since elected in 2012. Since that time, we have made improvements to critical areas like 911, EMS, senior services, library, and convenience sites just to highlight a few. More recently, we have made great strides in lowering the employee turnover rate throughout all county departments, allowing our organization to run more effectively and efficiently for our citizens. I’ve had the opportunity to work in leadership positions both professionally and personally and understand the importance of working with others for the common good of all. I’m proud to be a Burke County native and I want to see our community flourish into the future. We must continue to think past tomorrow and develop long-range plans that will keep us on track for the future of our families. With that in mind, we must make smart decisions that will adequately serve our children and grandchildren for many years to come. While we’ve faced many challenges over the past 12 years, we’ve worked together to adequately meet the needs of our citizens while maintaining one of the lowest tax levy per capita rates in the state (82 out of 100). My focus as commissioner will be to continue to make Burke County a place where we can all be proud to live, work and call home.
Brian Barrier
With the Burke County Health Department and Department of Social Services out of space at their current location, what are your plans to address both departments’ needs for a facility?
We have a couple of options.
A. Build an entirely new facility.
B. Use an existing government-owned facility
C. Remodel the current facility, adding additional space.
I have toured the current facility. It is in serious need of upgrades and repairs. With the (Burke County) Board of Education voting to purchase a facility and move from their current location (in the same building as DHHS/DSS) there may be a case for using this building with remodeling and additions. According to studies, it would be a $15 million savings versus building new. There may also be the possibility of utilizing another government-owned facility and I believe there are already studies being done to see if that is possible with current space requirements.
With a lack of affordable housing in Burke County, how do you plan to support housing development?
I have spoken to contractors, builders, and developers. We (the Board of Commissioners) should take a path toward less regulation and create a more friendly environment for builders and developers.
Why should people vote for you?
People should vote for me because I will be bring more transparency, I will always vote for lower property taxes, and work to have a more limited government.
Wesley E. Hendrix
With the Burke County Health Department and Department of Social Services out of space at their current location, what are your plans to address both departments’ needs for a facility?
There is a pressing need for additional space for our health department and the department of social services. It is crucial for the county to take proactive steps in seeking grants and other funding to acquire land for the construction of a facility strategically located to support our public transportation line. This facility should be designed to cater to the needs of both Burke County residents and the employees of these departments. This can be done through a needs assessment to evaluate these departments’ needs.
With a lack of affordable housing in Burke County, how do you plan to support housing development?
Burke County is facing a critical shortage of affordable housing. It is imperative for the county to explore opportunities to secure various state-owned vacant buildings for renovation and repurposing into housing. These vacant buildings possess the necessary infrastructure to facilitate a housing project. This endeavor can be achieved by speaking directly to county citizens to evaluate their needs and forming an affordable housing task force.
Why should people vote for you?
I intend to be the voice of and for the citizens of Burke County. I will work with the other commissioners to ensure a flourishing community. A vote for Wesley E. Hendrix is a vote for balance and positive change. I am the people’s candidate.