Burke County to launch first-ever Citizens Academy in the fall

In a move to strengthen the connection between Burke County government and its residents, County Manager Brian Epley has proposed the county’s first Citizens Academy — a six-week program aimed at giving residents an insider’s look at the workings of local government.

“This is something that’s never been done in Burke County,” Epley told commissioners during Monday’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting. “It’s an opportunity to really, at a grassroots level, interface with our citizens, get feedback, and build relationships.”

The Citizens Academy will allow 10 participants in its inaugural session this fall, with meetings once a week on Thursday evenings, beginning as early as Sept. 11. Each session will run approximately 90 minutes and take place at various county facilities and offer hands-on experiences rather than passive lectures.

Epley emphasized that the academy aligns with a core principle of the county’s strategic plan: community advancement.

“Through conversations with many of you, and your leadership and direction, we’ve been talking about this for some time,” he said during his presentation. “A component of getting better is receiving feedback and having a platform where ideas can be exchanged.”

Rather than relying on PowerPoints and policy handouts, the academy is designed to be immersive. “We’re meeting in different facilities of the county — we’re touching ambulances, walking through 911 centers, going to the landfill and understanding the operational complexities,” Epley explained. “This is not a lecture-based platform.”

Each of the six weekly sessions will focus on a different area of county government:

• Week one: County Government 101 — Held at the County Administration Building, this session will cover the structure, responsibilities, and strategic goals of county government.
• Week two: Solid Waste & Enterprise Funds — At the county’s solid waste facility, participants will learn how complex and critical solid waste management is to environmental and public health.
• Week three: Public Safety — A visit to the 911 center to explore emergency services and law enforcement.
• Week four: Human Services — A deep dive into areas such as foster care and health services.
• Week five: Community Services — An overview of programs like senior centers, libraries, and recreation.
• Week six: Wrap-Up and Feedback — A review session allowing participants to reflect and provide feedback.

Epley stressed the academy’s long-term potential, not just as a learning tool, but as a recruitment pipeline for board and commission involvement. “We have lots of these roles, and this is an example of making sure our community understands how important they are,” he said.

Applications for the Citizens Academy are now available on the county’s website under the “Boards and Commissions” section. The process mirrors existing applications for public board appointments.

“We know this is likely going to evolve and get better,” Epley noted. “We’re starting small so we can learn lessons and iron out the kinks.”

Before the vote to approve the motion to proceed with the Citizens Academy, Commissioner Mike Stroud spoke, sharing his experience with the Morganton Public Safety Citizens Academy.

“Mr. Chairman, I went through a Citizens Academy with the Police Services here at law enforcement with Morganton,” he said. “And man, that was a real enlightening thing. So, I think this is a great move for people who want to know what’s going on. This is a great way of being transparent. A lot of times you don’t realize what’s going on behind the scenes.”

The motion was unanimously approved.