Departments
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Administration
The City's Administration Department is responsible for the overall administration and operation of City departments and City services and carries out the actions and polices of the Morganton City Council.
The Administration Department is comprised of the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Clerk and the Public Information Officer.
In 1998, the City Council named its first female City Manager, Sally Sandy. Sandy serves at the pleasure of the City Council and has responsibility for preparing the budget, directing day-to-day operations and directing the City's department heads.
The City Council-City Manager form of local government combines the political leadership of elected officials with the professional experience of an appointed local government administrator.
Under the Council-City Manager form, power is concentrated in the elected council, which hires a professional administrator – the City Manager - to implement the Council's policies.
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CoMMA
City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium
About CoMMA
CoMMA, the City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium, offers local residents and regional visitors a chance to see and hear Broadway shows and national concerts in their own backyard.
CoMMA's MainStage Season offers an excellent variety of shows at prices that are hard to beat. In the lobby, visitors can enjoy local art exhibits and view an original Ben Long Fresco "Sacred Dance and the Muses."
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Compas Cable TV, Internet & Voice
About CoMPAS
Compas Cable TV, Internet & Voice Services is the City of Morganton's public cable system. Compas offers cable television, broadband Internet and digital home telephone services to Morganton residents at an extremely competitive price.
The Compas office is located in Morganton City Hall.
Responding to service issues and difficulties in the commercial cable service available, Morganton's City Council and Mayor Mel Cohen, fought for a city-owned system. Their goal was to provide quality service at a fair price.
Visit Compas' commercial web site at www.compascable.net to learn more about cable & high-speed Internet packages and rates.
Commercial Website
Live in the City of Morganton and want to learn more about CoMPAS Cable & High-Speed Internet? Visit the CoMPAS Cable Commercial Website at www.compascable.net.
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Development & Design Services
Development
The focus of the Department of Development & Design Services is to manage and encourage growth to maintain quality of life for Morganton's residents. All new residential, commercial and industrial development is reviewed within the Department to assure consistency in Morganton's managed growth plan and assure proper infrastructure services are available. The department is keenly focused on new economic development strategies to sustain the City into the future.
Planning
The Department is primarily responsible for: planning, building inspections, zoning enforcement, CDBG Administration, Urban Design, infrastructure inspections, and code enforcement. The Department is also responsible for developing new ordinances, transportation planning, annexations, urban redevelopment services, housing renovation, special projects such as the Catawba River Greenway and the Catawba Meadows Baseball Complex.
Boards
Department staff work with the many Morganton Boards and Commissions such as the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Commission, Community Appearance Commission and Redevelopment Commission. The Department works very closely with other Departments to coordinate new and existing development.
Partnerships
The Department has recently worked with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to eventually bring passenger rail service back to the western part of the state. Morganton is a planned stop on a line that will link Asheville to Raleigh via Salisbury. The city has just completed an historic renovation of its depot which will be reused for passenger rail service. The renovated depot has also stimulated redevelopment in the surrounding area.
Mission 2030
Morganton's Mission 2030 Plan combines economic development planning with land use planning to sustain Morganton's competitive advantage in a global market place. The Plan recognizes that an efficient, strong, diverse and resilient economy is essential to achieving Morganton's overall development objectives.The Plan lays out a vision for economic success that will influence future growth of our community.
Economic development strategies include:
- Grow Morganton's manufacturing and industrial base by supporting existing industries and attracting new industries to the area.
- Encourage diversification of Morganton's economic base by encouraging growth of existing small businesses and emerging businesses.
- Strengthen Morganton's reputation as a preferred location for business and their workforce. Focus on assets that will attract businesses in the technical, medical and research sectors.
- Grow Morganton and Burke County's tourism industry through investments in destination activities and programs, marketing, and supporting hospitality and tourism businesses.
- Strengthen Downtown Morganton as a destination for dining and entertainment. Diversify the downtown's retail base to include unique retail stores and galleries.
Mission 2030 Plan, or pick up a plan brochure/summary at City Hall.
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Electric Dept.
The City of Morganton Electric Department is constantly striving to provide reliable electric service. This includes maintaining the existing lines, building new lines, upgrading and advancing employee training, and providing a quick and efficient response to service calls.
Your hometown electric company is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Electric crews respond immediately to after hour calls.
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Finance Dept.
The Finance Department is responsible for the fiscal activities of the City. The department is divided into functional divisions including accounting/payroll, purchasing, budget, customer service/utility billing and payment processing, and tax billing and tax payment processing. Preparation of financial reports, investment of City funds, and management of debt issuances are other key departmental tasks.
The department strives to maintain the fiscal integrity of the City in accordance with City ordinances, State and Federal laws, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
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Human Resources Dept.
Greetings from our staff.
We want you to know that you are very important to us, whether you are a resident, an applicant seeking employment or an employee with a question. Our goal is to assist you competently, fairly and equitably while treating you with the dignity and respect we feel you deserve. - Cheryl Dellinger, Director of Human Resources
The Human Resources Department provides a wide range of services that include recruitment and selection, managing competitive pay and benefit programs, handling employee relations, developing training and organizational programs, coordinating a wellness program and helping to establish a friendly atmosphere in a safe and healthy environment.
The Human Resources staff takes great pride in being part of the City of Morganton team. As the City continues to be recognized as an "employer of choice," we strive to maintain our effective governmental leadership role in our state.
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Legal Dept.
The City's Legal Department consists of the City Attorney and the City's paralegal. City Attorney Steve Settlemyer provides in-house legal counsel to the City Council and City Manager and Department staff.
The City attorney can answer questions and give direction to the City Council and department staff on issues concerning federal and state law, City ordinances, legal procedures for the City and matters relating to official duties.
The City Attorney is appointed by the City Council and serves at the Council's pleasure. The City Attorney must be a member of the State Bar of North Carolina in good standing.
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Main Street
The Morganton Main Street Office develops, oversees and coordinates community and economic development activities as they relate to the downtown district. Contact the Main Street Office for lease and sales rates, availability and development opportunities. Visit the Main Street website Available Properties page to see what space is available in Downtown Morganton.
Phone: 438-5252
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Main StreetMailing: PO Box 1472, Morganton, NC 28680-1472
Property owners, please contact the Main Street Offices when you have available space. Call (828) 438-5252 or 438-5280, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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Public Information Office
The Public Information Office is responsible for promoting and providing information about City Government and City Services to the citizens of Morganton. The PIO will also help citizens find answers to their questions about City government and services.
Joshua Harris, the City's Public Information Officer, communicates with residents and promotes City services and programs by:
- writing City press releases
- maintaining the City website
- publishing City Pride, the City newsletter
- producing informational videos and Public Services Announcements
- educating residents about programs such as the stormwater and air quality and water conservation
- creating documents and publications for City departments.
If you have a question and need help finding the answer, call 432-2516
or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it the PIO.
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Public Safety
Our Mission
We, the members of the Morganton Department of Public Safety, are committed to protect the lives, property, and Constitutional Rights of all residents and visitors of OUR community by providing professional law enforcement and fire protection services
Our Values
Integrity: High ethical standards, honesty and fairness Professionalism: Individual excellence, education and training
Honor: Official dignity, repute, and esteem
Accountability: To take responsibility for all actions and decisions
Respect: Treating others as you would like to be treated
Equality: Fair, impartial, and equitable treatment of all people
Our Vision
The Morganton Department of Public Safety strives to be a leader in the delivery of public safety services, which combines law enforcement and fire protection. Our employees strive to be leaders in OUR community in name and deed, conducting themselves in a manner to which others will aspire.
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Public Works
Morganton's Public Works Department provides street maintenance, garbage pickup, recycling, cemeteries and grounds maintenance, city warehousing, equipment services and beautification projects throughout the city as well as caring for the Historic Burke County Courthouse lawn and landscaping.
Watch the News Herald and CoMPAS Cable for announcements or call the Department of Public Works at 438-5248 for scheduled services.
Solid Waste
The City of Morganton provides back yard residential garbage collection and curbside yard waste services and convenience center recycling for $8.50 per residence per month. The City will provide additional services for bulk waste, appliances and other items on a user fee basis. The base fee is $25.00 per collection.
Only 6% of North Carolina Municipalities provide back yard collection. Approximately 68% of Municipalities charge user fees for residential garbage collection, average monthly fee $ 9.99/month.
Fees
As residents of Burke County, Citizens of Morganton residents pay disposal fees on their Burke County taxes.
Burke County does not charge the City of Morganton to dispose residential solid waste. However, Burke County does charge for the City of Morganton to dispose of bulk items in the County landfill.
The County also bans the disposal of white goods (appliances) and cardboard. Burke County accepts white goods for recycling. These fees and bans are to encourage recycling and discourage disposal. This is one of the reasons the City of Morganton charges a $25.00 fee for collection of these items.
Building Debris
No building materials, dirt, concrete, bricks or blocks, or refuse from building, remodeling, and repair operations or landscape work will be handled by City forces. All waste material of this nature shall be removed by the contractor, or in the event of his failure, by the owner of the property; provided, that the owner may make application to the sanitation superintendent and the superintendent may, if practical, remove the rubbish at the expense of the owner.
Construction and demolition debris is not residential waste and an additional disposal fee must be paid at the Burke County Landfill.
Leaves
Leaf collection starts in October and continues as needed through January. The City Public Works Dept. currently collects leaves every two weeks during leaf season - October through January. After January, loose leaves will be collected for a $25.00 fee.
Residents should pile leaves as close to the road as possible without blocking the road or sidewalks.
The City will not provide leaf bags. Loose-leaf collection is much more efficient. Also, using loose-leaf collection saves money and eliminates unnecessary plastic bag waste.
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TV Studio
The City of Morganton Studio is responsible for the City's video productions.
Chad Medford, Morganton's Studio Specialist, broadcasts live meetings such as the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission meetings, and records events for broadcast such as the Morganton Christmas Parade and other city events.
The Studio Specialist also works with the City's Public Information Officer to produce Public Service Announcements and video projects used to promote the City and City Services.
DVDs of meetings and various City events are available by request for a fee.
To order, call Chad Medford, the Studio Specialist, at 828-438-5397 or send an This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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Water Resources
The City of Morganton Water Resources Department is comprised of five divisions that maintain the water distribution and wastewater collection systems for the City of Morganton. Water Resources offers water to 38,000 residents in Morganton, parts of Burke County, Oak Hill and US 64/NC 18.
City of Morganton • 305 E. Union St. Suite A100, Morganton, NC 28655 • (828) 437-8863