[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6640291,"mediaKeyId","2556126-07d4aa61b1f8aac617c66859c5666c76","parentId",2556126,"title","Macon County staff present department‑requested five‑year capital improvement plan; financing depends on grant outcomes and board priorities","audioSeconds",1499,"startMs",2547510,"endMs",4046970,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556126-07d4aa61b1f8aac617c66859c5666c76&start=2547&end=4046","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556126-07d4aa61b1f8aac617c66859c5666c76/thumbnail_2547510.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6640291/Macon-County/North-Carolina/Macon-County-staff-present-departmentrequested-fiveyear-capital-improvement-plan-financing-depends-on-grant-outcomes-and-board-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640291-7aa0f63cb3459ce2be3f15bb77dbb16d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159785&Signature=BL4Vxp5NWlgfacDnbK9cSZMKldECSBTXJnFSftm5xcNP8IPQT5l5yGoBzioQk5cjPy19PKFbkHSfxdqb8vGfUIdzW2wYDnFRDw85OJdcFjGnVM2bJar4L6d9b~B6lCpZqVdeFryaGoLNsRp2N~nI6aIYC3eS5zQWVyof9FveFQ5UNqBovQKjUdZvCk9-9NAVPNPIJyHOaMvAwmb3EvVZJDnA3RUIbVZozFdHE-2c4C-CstnmDG1ZwovWlzp9TgYrvv6~dYnSQ4gMb5tvwZQ0wJxWh7RPml9tbi4xg63EoXwRi7ZP5pC6CvyHgt89-DPU4ONOWcwGhmWS7cjFvaQXuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Macon County","date","2025-03-12T01:04:43.817Z","article","County finance staff and consultants presented a department‑requested five‑year capital improvement plan to the Macon County Board of Commissioners on March 11, outlining project requests, identified outside funding and two scenarios that differ based on whether the county secures a state capital grant for a proposed East Franklin elementary school.

Presenter Mitch told the board the county currently has strong credit ratings (Moody’s and S&P double‑A range) and that those ratings, combined with a multi‑year approach to pay‑go funding and targeted transfers, created room to borrow for major projects. “This is maybe more of a kickoff to the process than the end of the process,” Mitch said, framing the items presented as department requests rather than a recommended plan.

Highlights

- Total department requests: roughly $89.8 million gross over five years; identified outside funding of about $12.4 million leaves a net county exposure near $77 million if all projects are funded as requested.

- Largest single request: a proposed new East Franklin Elementary estimated at $36.2 million. Staff noted the county may reapply for a state school capital grant but labeled additional grant funding as “TBD.”

- Funding mix presented: approximately 50% debt financing, about 20% county pay‑as‑you‑go (cash), and roughly 30% grant or outside funding in the scenario where the grant is awarded.

- If the school grant is not awarded, staff showed a higher‑debt scenario (roughly $72 million of new debt in the plan) and estimated an equivalent tax‑rate impact measured in pennies: roughly the equivalent of 3 pennies (with grant) rising to about 5.5–6 pennies (without grant) spread over fiscal years 2028–2029 under the department‑requested timing.

- Staff stressed the board’s financial policies remain in compliance under both scenarios but said affordability would be tighter in early years as the county draws on a planned transfer of reserves (previously approved $20 million transfer to capital), which will be reflected in the next audit.

What the board was asked to do

Staff asked commissioners to provide policy direction on prioritization, timing and whether to pursue additional grant applications. The presentation included an appendix of department requests and asked the board to consider options such as accelerating revenue set‑asides to reduce later tax‑rate pressure.

Next steps

Staff will refine the CIP based on commissioner feedback, model additional scenarios and return with recommended prioritization and affordability analyses as budget work progresses.

Provenance: presentation and Q&A during March 11 meeting; staff provided detailed appendix of department requests.

Sources: capital plan slide deck and presentation to the Macon County Board of Commissioners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Macon County Commissioners Meeting 3-11-2025","oneSentenceSummary","County finance staff and consultants presented a department‑requested five‑year capital improvement plan to the Macon County Board of Commissioners on March 11, outlining project requests, identified outside funding and two scenarios that differ based on whether the county secures a state capital grant for a proposed East Franklin elementary school.","taxTitle","Macon County, North Carolina","taxId",54261,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6640294,"Macon County commissioners approve series of resolutions, appointments and staff actions; set upset-bid sale for former East Main building",50,50540,-1,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556126-07d4aa61b1f8aac617c66859c5666c76&start=50&end=0","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556126-07d4aa61b1f8aac617c66859c5666c76/thumbnail_50540.jpg","/articles/6640294/Macon-County/North-Carolina/Macon-County-commissioners-approve-series-of-resolutions-appointments-and-staff-actions-set-upset-bid-sale-for-former-East-Main-building","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640294-6bb2593058ea3d318be665d519693b01/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159785&Signature=j13WP98nL7OvoHZ1APjEUFPk6FSXvhZ5l9GbPRRSlaWrWWM7HwurL6Rw1AB9xSfDlkrPSU3ODYJwDnHcVZA2WxXaXXGI7s3j8z1itnzYtOvRkkUOp5P89q9yuYTpiZuYAB1POkbWiPEQPM68xWrMT30H4N58qMipm1A7yXZnhguLV9MY0VXDzip7IFseWbG4wErk57NDKP6aUN3IJ-0cskVlqQWM5klTLGRAJSZLEa3xIFKXs1Rz9AwpVLrOC3bwfpHgvTY6hdNtM3Q7rJg45SoPV4F2-o-Xpke6cTfRsvdGOSQxRT~1dT9fIBptkXRHUzRyw2QCKJXXVm7E0tuXiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Young presided over the March 11 meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners, where the board approved a batch of routine and policy items, accepted a $175,000 formal offer on county surplus property subject to an upset‑bid process, and confirmed a new county manager.

The board unanimously approved a list of new and renamed public roads after a brief public hearing and no speakers registered objections. Commissioners also adopted a resolution recognizing April 20–26, 2025, as Macon County Volunteer Week to honor volunteers at the Dorothy R. and John L. Crawford Senior Center. The board voted to accept a formal offer on county property at 651 East Main Street and to place the property into the statutory upset‑bid process rather than hold it for county use.

Why it matters: The actions finalize multiple administrative items the board must address annually—appointments, road records and surplus property—while advancing bigger decisions ahead of the county budget and capital plan. The vote to accept the $175,000 offer moves that property toward sale while retaining the right to accept upset bids; the capital plan discussion earlier in the meeting outlined the county’s multi‑year borrowing and cash needs.

Most important decisions first: The board approved the county manager employment agreement and appointed the new county manager, moved forward with an upset‑bid sale for county surplus property, and accepted a county‑requested NCDOT action to remove a short segment of state maintenance from its log.

Commission actions and appointments were generally unanimous. The board amended Rule 12.3 of its Rules of Procedure to reduce individual public‑comment time from five minutes to three minutes; that change passed with a recorded 4‑0‑1 vote.

The meeting also included formal appointments to advisory boards: the Board of Equalization and Review, the Macon County Public Library Board, the Fontana Regional Library Board and the County Planning Board. The board confirmed reappointment of Abby Braswell as tax administrator as required by state law.

What the board did not do: Commissioners did not adopt a final capital plan; staff presented a department‑request version of the five‑year capital improvement plan for discussion and asked the board for policy guidance on timing and funding priorities.

Votes at a glance

- Road‑name changes (public hearing): Motion to approve list as presented. Mover: Commissioner Antoine; second: Commissioner Sherrill. Outcome: Approved, vote 5–0.

- Resolution: Recognition of Macon County Volunteer Week (Crawford Senior Center volunteers): Mover: Commissioner Antoine; second: Commissioner Shields. Outcome: Adopted, vote 5–0.

- Surplus property (651 E. Main St.): Motion to accept an offer of $175,000 and advertise for upset bids (retain right‑of‑way for greenway; successful bidder to reimburse publication costs). Mover: Commissioner Sherrill; second: Commissioner Bridal. Outcome: Approved, vote 5–0. Clauses discussed: retention of greenway right‑of‑way; purchaser liable for upset‑bid advertising costs.

- Employment agreement: Approval of employment contract for Warren Cave as county manager. Mover: Chairman Young; second: Commissioner Shields. Outcome: Approved, vote 5–0.

- Abandonment: N.C. Department of Transportation request to remove a segment of State Road 1302 (Bird Gap Road) from state maintenance. Mover: Commissioner Breeden; second: Commissioner Shields. Outcome: Approved, vote 5–0. Note: action reflects DOT maintenance status; it is not a county closure of a county road.

- Resolution: Recognize America’s 250th (2026) and establish a county committee to plan events. Mover: Commissioner Shields; second: Commissioner Bridal. Outcome: Approved, vote 5–0.

- Rules change: Amend Rule 12.3 to reduce public‑comment time from five minutes to three minutes. Mover: Commissioner Antoine; second: Commissioner Bridal. Outcome: Approved, recorded 4–0‑1 (one commissioner recorded as abstaining or not voting).

- Consent agenda (routine financial and administrative items): Mover: Commissioner Breeden; second: Commissioner Antoine. Outcome: Approved, vote 5–0.

- Reappointment: Abby Braswell, tax administrator, reappointed pursuant to North Carolina General Statute §105‑294(a). Mover: Commissioner Shields; second: Commissioner Antoine. Outcome: Approved, vote 5–0.

- Appointments: Board of Equalization and Review (five seats) — Christine Flegg, Donald Holland, Richard Leitner, William Trigg Jr. and Dwight Benson were appointed following a board vote and tie‑break procedure. Library Board — Vivian Honey and Kathy Smith appointed. Fontana Regional Library appointment — William McGaha appointed. Planning Board — Mark Hein appointed to the open seat.

Noted remarks and requests

- Several commissioners thanked community groups and federal representatives for helping preserve the Franklin Social Security field office after a threatened closure was reported in local media; commissioners named U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards and U.S. Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd among those who assisted.

- Commissioners and staff recognized longtime senior‑center volunteer and county employee Risa (Bridal) Boyce and presented gifts and a proclamation honoring volunteers.

What’s next

County staff will incorporate the board’s feedback into the five‑year capital improvement plan and return with refined funding scenarios and timing. The surplus‑property sale will proceed under the upset‑bid statute; if upset bids are filed the county will publish the new high bid and allow the statutory challenge period.

Sources: meeting transcript, public documents presented at the March 11 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting.","Chairman Young presided over the March 11 meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners, where the board approved a batch of routine and policy items, accepted a $175,000 formal offer on county surplus property subject to an upset‑bid process, and confirmed a new county manager.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6640287,"Longtime Macon County waste‑center attendant urges board to study severance or retirement options",403,701070,1104760,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556126-07d4aa61b1f8aac617c66859c5666c76&start=701&end=1104","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556126-07d4aa61b1f8aac617c66859c5666c76/thumbnail_701070.jpg","/articles/6640287/Macon-County/North-Carolina/Longtime-Macon-County-wastecenter-attendant-urges-board-to-study-severance-or-retirement-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640287-898257d5f0c71d0e8ac596cb0fb0abac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159785&Signature=pAB31jZKG5MLmBvFb6HicE0GikKgHW8~jJvOLbtKwe-wyB5kcpN6L9D8Vo~5ToccNpaK604bu9LqpDmWsInTKnEmoY1W7I6ykJZMK0u~thpN4EbfzAc~NfngtrCUP64kKpeoDCeWlxHwaMOWzzWMjPg3e6b48ZVTf2LGgPwLanbejnOeAjERgijurdMlW3hqAJJMw2x9Sl~JJ11aFIiBkNeBrKlyvDX7kp6UDQRzmg5MYLraKFZGikg9rDSlzqNx5wpHM1gAhXqrH6F0FyYAnJ1wBpYWx1oB1GybXgnt7b5X-2k-Y5FbHfxwBvLMFZRCoAC-wfDjeIYZTX2ovg~TnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the public‑comment period, James Birch, a Macon County waste‑center attendant with about 20–21 years of service, told the Board of Commissioners he had been out of work for six weeks following hernia surgery and said part‑time waste‑center attendants receive no paid sick leave or retirement benefits.

“I just feel like we need to be taken care of,” Birch said, identifying himself as a Macon County waste‑center attendant and a long‑time employee. He told commissioners that many attendants have long tenures—some 12 to 21 years—and urged the board to examine options such as severance pay or a local program that would provide a lump‑sum payment when longtime attendants leave.

Commissioner Shields and other board members responded that state law and established policies limit retirement options for part‑time employees but that the commissioners were willing to review alternatives. Shields noted that true retirement benefits typically require full‑time status, but added that severance or similar local arrangements might be considered.

County staff and the county manager said they would take the topic under advisement during the upcoming budget process. “Give me an opportunity to talk with Mr. K[ay] and we’ll review some things,” one commissioner said during the exchange; the county manager and county attorney were directed to provide legal and fiscal guidance as part of budget deliberations.

Why it matters: Waste‑center attendants provide continuous essential services (early openings, collection operations in all weather), and the commenter asked the board to consider whether the county can offer some form of compensation for long service given the limits of part‑time employment status.

Next steps: Commissioners agreed to review the matter with county administration and to consider whether severance or another compensation mechanism could be included in upcoming budget proposals. The board did not adopt any immediate policy change at the meeting.

Source: public comment by James Birch at the March 11 Macon County commissioners meeting.","A Macon County waste‑center attendant with about 21 years of service told commissioners that part‑time attendants receive no sick or retirement benefits and urged the board to examine severance or other pay protections during the county’s budget process. Commissioners said they would ask county staff to review options during the budget cycle.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Macon County staff present department‑requested five‑year capital improvement plan; financing depends on grant outcomes and board priorities

Macon County commissioners approve series of resolutions, appointments and staff actions; set upset-bid sale for former East Main building

Longtime Macon County waste‑center attendant urges board to study severance or retirement options