Burke County commissioners on Tuesday night approved contracts for the county’s new EMS headquarters and animal shelter.
The Burke County Board of Commissioners approved a bid of $13.5 million by Beam Construction Company Inc. for the construction of both facilities. Beam Construction Company was the lowest responsible bidder, according to county officials. The cost of the EMS headquarters is $6.1 million and the cost of the shelter is $7.3 million, according to the county.
The contract includes three alternate bids for emergency radio responder ($130,000), FireLite fire alarm ($0) and stone flooring ($28,000) for both buildings, according to the bid.
Burke County Manager Brian Epley said the money for the buildings is coming from a one-time allocation of federal grant dollars. He said no local property tax or sales tax dollars will be used to pay for the facilities. He said the facilities will not require more operational costs or additional staff.
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The county purchased 4.25 acres at 102 Drexel Road in early 2023 for the EMS headquarters. The money came from the state for the EMS base, Epley said.
Epley said EMS base No. 1, which the new headquarters will replace, is on the UNC Health Blue Ridge Hospital property and the lease expired in 2023. He said the hospital has been working with the county, knowing it is building a new base.
He said bringing training and administration, as well as being an EMS deployment base, under one roof will be beneficial and productive for the county and EMS. He said the location of the new base correlates well with the calls for service volume and population density of the Â鶹´«Ă˝ area.
The county already owned land for the animal shelter, which is adjacent to the 911 center on Kirksey Road in Â鶹´«Ă˝.
Epley said the current animal shelter only has 16 dog kennels and not enough space for cats. He added that it is a lot of work for staff to keep the building in adequate shape for inspections and to meet all of requirements of the N.C. Department of Agriculture.
“So we’re really looking forward to being able to offer the community a little better place to do business,” Epley said. “And we think both of these will be long-term solutions to these critical departments.”
A groundbreaking on the two facilities was canceled due to Hurricane Helene but has been rescheduled for 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, at 636 Kirksey Drive, Morganton, which is the site of the new animal shelter.
Operation Green Light
The board also approved a resolution from Veterans Services in support of Operation Green Light from Nov. 4-11 in support of military veterans.
Residents and businesses are asked to change at least one light bulb to a green bulb to show support for veterans. Veterans Day is Nov. 11.
Forever heroes
Commissioners recognized and applauded county employees, including emergency services and responders, 911 telecommunications, as well as volunteers who worked throughout Hurricane Helene and its aftermath.
Burke County Attorney J.R. Simpson told commissioners about his up-close and personal experience with a swift-water rescue team during Helene. He said rescuers were able to rescue his 94-year-old disabled mother, get her in a boat, keep her calm the entire way and deliver her to her family, who was waiting for her on dry land.
“They’re forever heroes to the Simpson family,” he said.
The board approved Burke County receiving and allocating $3 million in total from FEMA and the state for Helene recovery costs.