[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6632159,"mediaKeyId","2675634-e9823f5252736a0f8cb0a52f8ec3b2d0","parentId",2675634,"title","Commissioners appoint community members to dam-control panel, review Family Resource board and discuss state property-tax exemption bill","audioSeconds",388,"startMs",1322000,"endMs",1710000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675634-e9823f5252736a0f8cb0a52f8ec3b2d0&start=1322&end=1710","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675634-e9823f5252736a0f8cb0a52f8ec3b2d0/thumbnail_1322000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6632159/Swain-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-appoint-community-members-to-dam-control-panel-review-Family-Resource-board-and-discuss-state-property-tax-exemption-bill","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632159-03c213e790b27c88a67b657955c1705e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223803&Signature=IT0wN5WbpOhpj761a5AXWDE16K7psKVIhXJDly2FZcFl7Ka0A2k4SCaJLBdEEv2lXtUJ0z8lWd7gpFSfLkPIUkOgkqS-99Pd2Tmu4tdNTHbuwTVyu6fz40bG4nVwK~ctXPtijHKadQOj3RMrKzIbxY4jRKUMaRtSG8SGtcSyclNWv5mNusZ2NHvpm1OS~K8UPDXOAhoVfgb-eLs4fWOkOGhIcsZKK7~JrstmkgpJ0P86OuoW00LzjJzqtaDb1-XjaTEt7~d7bSdLmX86xIxtj3BzNoeOrC3MI5vC20paJM7w5lu3tkRFLDOzqomZGeLO0PZmTB9-9ewU4s5YB4Ul1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Swain County","date","2025-03-18T22:13:55.167Z","article","Swain County commissioners on March 18 appointed five community members to a dam-control-orders committee, discussed filling a commissioner seat on the Family Resource (core) board and reviewed a statewide proposal that county leaders said they oppose.

The board discussed the composition of the new dam-control-orders panel, which the county expects to include five community members, one sheriff’s office representative, a health-department representative and a legal representative. Commissioners nominated several applicants and then voted to accept five community members; the board said it would reach out to the sheriff and health department to identify their designees and continue work on selecting a legal representative. The board noted many applicants were county employees and asked staff to confirm conflicts or suitability.

Separately, the board discussed the core board (a Family Resource program board that manages local nonprofit grant distributions tied to a community light show and other events) and said it needs a commissioner to serve in the place of a prior commissioner who had been the board’s representative.

Under new business, the board reviewed an email from Kevin Leonard of the Association of County Commissioners about a state bill that would expand property-tax exemptions. Commissioners expressed opposition to the proposal on grounds it could reduce county revenue and shift costs to local governments; staff said a template letter of opposition was available and that county officials would prepare a response to state legislators if the board wished to sign it.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Swain County Commissioners - March 18, 2024","oneSentenceSummary","The board accepted five community appointees for a dam-control-orders committee, discussed the Family Resource (core) board and reviewed an Association of County Commissioners email about a proposed state property-tax exemption that county leaders said they oppose.","taxTitle","Swain County, North Carolina","taxId",73855,"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},6632167,"Resident urges TDA to pay full cost of museum painting; commissioners ask for more quotes and table decision",302,2056000,2358000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675634-e9823f5252736a0f8cb0a52f8ec3b2d0&start=2056&end=2358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675634-e9823f5252736a0f8cb0a52f8ec3b2d0/thumbnail_2056000.jpg","/articles/6632167/Swain-County/North-Carolina/Resident-urges-TDA-to-pay-full-cost-of-museum-painting-commissioners-ask-for-more-quotes-and-table-decision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632167-7d96c09028a79295e6d10d460a6712a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223803&Signature=X~XepPT54do5j2Kj7FfeKK6ipHVqNRK3nnXstiF8Q64K2SgF0Zs8jRlpyLDpOwOiukPGvHAs1dxs~SAVsCtRf48TigWXUcfC49lsQolwltCFnjssxU36sjU8qZ5ODXBKjWHtKJiMm9IhUaKEua37cTNjfkhlpKhqh8LWOksiT378zpGdiZAoJCNx~A33dEViNrTD1DDSSJFw~ER0zWGSHTG5o3Nw3ccyswwuOJ9j5RA~Gb-vsEEzxAz3KAU6r8UD7cNdc-5hItR-4GpoKXIr7BFTYNAU1Uv2EguvKLHYtDTYck6-eyNTCFhA8XtNaB8das1rItZ-SJmLQiuAat6IKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Swain County resident who identified himself as Fred Crawford urged commissioners on March 18 to require the Tourism Development Authority to cover the full cost of painting and power-washing the county-owned visitor center and museum, arguing state law directs occupancy-tax money to tourism uses and administrative costs.

\"The state legislature ... established the Swain County TDA and explicitly outlined how occupancy tax revenues should be used,\" Fred Crawford said, noting session law 02/2023 and saying the law \"mandates that at least two thirds of the net proceeds must be used to promote travel and tourism.\" He said the TDA’s net proceeds for the current fiscal year were about $1.9 million and that the TDA’s bank balance in February was about $1.1 million.

TDA leaders had requested a 50/50 split of a $31,050 quote from a contractor identified as Husky’s to repaint the exterior of the museum, which the TDA characterized as maintenance and repair. Commissioners questioned whether paint—an aesthetic improvement—should be paid from county funds and discussed asking the TDA to obtain at least two additional quotes. One commissioner noted that if structural issues such as HVAC or roof leaks threatened county liability, the county might step in; commissioners said painting alone felt more like an administrative/TDA expense.

The board did not approve the 50/50 split at the meeting. Commissioners directed staff and the TDA to seek additional quotes and to return with follow-up at a future work session. Crawford had urged commissioners to reject requests that shift TDA administrative costs to county taxpayers; the board asked staff to pursue further information before making a funding decision.","A Swain County resident urged the county to reject splitting the cost of painting and power-washing the county-owned visitor center and museum with the Tourism Development Authority (TDA). Commissioners asked TDA to seek additional quotes and tabled any decision for a follow-up work session.",{"_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},6632170,"Swain County health director presents annual policies, fee changes and child fatality report; board approves",518,764000,1282000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675634-e9823f5252736a0f8cb0a52f8ec3b2d0&start=764&end=1282","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675634-e9823f5252736a0f8cb0a52f8ec3b2d0/thumbnail_764000.jpg","/articles/6632170/Swain-County/North-Carolina/Swain-County-health-director-presents-annual-policies-fee-changes-and-child-fatality-report-board-approves","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632170-17c63858856689b81cbf03dc044e7a4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223803&Signature=cOrWq7lS6B13HTb0m4~Omcqkexb7fBBDWrSyeU6Mqz2E8eTeM~wDEuQWzoQxFVEqaXkTaRkN~8lz88214PoQRBv6ZiHsorzNKHVaLCR8x~VL5B3s1gsi~LIPN80NyGBVTZDAnwWnbFIOmti3K5F8hOhFF8DvmPH0p9oWZpK4FZdBIS4olZVGSqq2sv6jDhxuYHUnQGHOy49a0G650RlWqx1fMYnLYeiy76h2OQm4S7s9zpad3QVD3HWEXpkDIYYNoJM5X8eHNlOLjuCOJoZYuohHtw9rAUGDdufJP4FDJ9GY5QwZ3VhzaucmK3uvoC6KAiDn6BHJIhQimtEYuCPqPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Swain County health director on March 18 presented the health department’s annual policies and fee schedule, a child fatality report for 2024 and updates on staffing and accreditation; commissioners approved the matter by motion.

The director said there were no substantive policy changes to the documents the board reviews annually, but noted more materials were presented early this year because the health department must upload evidence for accreditation by June 1 and expects a site visit in the fall. The director described existing billing practices, including Medicaid billing for children’s services (STD, family planning and childhood vaccines) and efforts to bill Medicaid for adult health services. Office-visit fees that had previously been zeroed out were reinstated after changes to Medicaid reimbursement rules.

On child fatalities, the director reported four deaths in 2024: one homicide by drug overdose related to fentanyl ingestion; one death from a swallowed object that became lodged in a child’s airway; one child homicide by blunt-force trauma (abuse); and one teenage suicide by hanging. Commissioners asked for context on trends; the director said sexually transmitted infection counts were trending downward year-to-year and provided corrections to the department’s spreadsheet for gonorrhea and chlamydia counts.

The director also reported staffing openings (WIC director, processing assistant, two registered nurses and two environmental health specialists) and a free blood-work program offered in partnership with the Great Smoky Mountains Health Foundation. The director said she had written to state legislators about House Bill 197, which would modify communicable-disease funding formulas; she provided county yield estimates under several statewide appropriation scenarios.

Commissioners moved and seconded approval of the health department’s policies, fee schedule and associated reports; the board approved the package by voice/hand vote.","The county health director presented annual policies and fees, reported four child deaths in 2024, outlined staffing openings and accreditation deadlines, and commissioners approved the health-department items.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632174,"Swain County officials approve monthly financial reports and several budget amendments",252,108000,360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675634-e9823f5252736a0f8cb0a52f8ec3b2d0&start=108&end=360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675634-e9823f5252736a0f8cb0a52f8ec3b2d0/thumbnail_108000.jpg","/articles/6632174/Swain-County/North-Carolina/Swain-County-officials-approve-monthly-financial-reports-and-several-budget-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632174-a356a88d4bf2efb08c842df09f39c1eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223803&Signature=OpTPMD3ipIj9VMxP4hDw5WL7EKTdcCJIl5x~cywRtFaQirWSx67NS2uJ3ZZCRilvz2DVdXbZBXtEBpQ5b0jd-oo1q3vFhgEosPeLtprptSjMadc1aZIUsT-oCjGj7HKv3gLOs9g9nDlBrwBAOZ6D1g4eeevGguL8bxYrN9F4nHqYLGlrJRcTrqclG7YWAaQslr038t3MlEk0b61QoFsrBE9gvX1zb~eoCciC1OE5R4Z~0cJvxlfP3wUXZSqE0Rod~9u7u-0VxDHlrOk4xuwjiyk1vxabIq7ax57If-iVPw0YXZW1lJA4ZSfEe3g1izHY3nUq6IEU5W7xKqnwkMWAJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Swain County commissioners on March 18 reviewed monthly finance statements and approved several budget amendments, including transfers of ARPA health funds into supplies and other departmental adjustments.

County finance staff reported total ad valorem and fees year-to-date of $8,141,536.26, total waste-fee collections of $1,118,788.31 and combined revenues of $9,307,545.07, which the presenter said was $47,220.50 higher than printed materials because county vehicle monthly tax receipts were not yet included. The presenter said percent of the budget collected was 40.17%.

The board also heard a February 2025 summary showing monthly revenues of $1,042,476.16, year-to-date revenues of $11,752,006.40 (48.25% of budget), and year-to-date expenditures of $12,456,175.31 (47.34% of budget). The report noted a current-year deficit of $704,168.91; staff attributed that deficit in part to large one-time payments in the month, including $261,624 for body scanners at the sheriff’s office and a $37,500 payment to AmeriCare for inmate services. Staff said the county received $250,000 from the Southwestern Commission for a grant related to the body scanners but that reimbursement would appear in next month’s reports.

Department-level fund summaries presented at the meeting included a solid-waste fund surplus ($386,317.83 year-to-date), a social services fund deficit ($1,149,084.01 year-to-date), and a health-department fund deficit ($460,889.53 year-to-date). Commissioners asked clarifying questions about monthly variances and timing of reimbursements.

Commissioners voted to approve the finance reports and the described budget amendments by voice/hand vote during the meeting.","The Swain County Board of Commissioners reviewed monthly revenue and expenditure reports, approved budget amendments including ARPA reallocation for health supplies and other departmental adjustments, and accepted the finance reports by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners appoint community members to dam-control panel, review Family Resource board and discuss state property-tax exemption bill

Resident urges TDA to pay full cost of museum painting; commissioners ask for more quotes and table decision

Swain County health director presents annual policies, fee changes and child fatality report; board approves

Swain County officials approve monthly financial reports and several budget amendments