[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6537744,"mediaKeyId","3444389-7847d4022884582f9e4f57586a76b1a5","parentId",3444389,"title","Volunteer fire departments press commissioners for funding amid staffing and leadership issues; Burningtown seeks time to reorganize","audioSeconds",554,"startMs",5619000,"endMs",6173000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3444389-7847d4022884582f9e4f57586a76b1a5&start=5619&end=6173","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3444389-7847d4022884582f9e4f57586a76b1a5/thumbnail_5619000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537744/Macon-County/North-Carolina/Volunteer-fire-departments-press-commissioners-for-funding-amid-staffing-and-leadership-issues-Burningtown-seeks-time-to-reorganize","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537744-5d25e8e5460f474df6a3fff0f9acf935/orig.mp4?Expires=1770564929&Signature=JLumCTQpwO9-RO~UzX-CwDt1qocbxopFj7XhK~pWfftMW~G-f5lvJ~wiXuXk-ZmZqSdeoN3M8lKweIAL2BEnJn42a9DdkytJ9PaieVNmu6JzcVVDgOXPfkaJyqtd6ch1tR6Vjj2B4Gvlw7KyYWlv156Kr6iS23imzGUbdZPQCwcF4n0YdRWjF1vA2Ni6E0AYncXTONOYo4ECvs1qWi80ZW--CnbZdzvNa9YzS8~BiAgcbma6rmHTyUMGOE0hIvkUGd2i1-Dt34RVa1zsNOnER1jnxZNj5g9m6yz2Gi71RU6JTaGphIjKwueQ3Q5vmKIXUmr6lJ0ZQ4W1OMaxTLs~qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Macon County","date","2025-05-22T00:00:00Z","article","Multiple volunteer fire departments used the budget hearing to request support and to flag strained volunteer rosters and leadership challenges.

Auto Fire Department: An Auto Fire Department representative requested a small tax increase (about $25,190, or 0.0033 mills equivalent) to cover operating increases including insurance and pay. County staff noted a $24,000 lease payment line had been placed in the proposed county EMS budget to house an ambulance on the south side of the county; Auto representatives said that county appropriation could reduce or eliminate the department's requested increase.

Tallahassee/George Fire & Rescue (Jack): The Tallahassee/George Fire chief said the department has aging apparatus and rising unit prices; he asked commissioners for a 1¢ increase to the local fire rate to cover two new trucks and other rising costs. He said the department had secured community support in a recent association meeting and warned that volunteerism is declining and apparatus costs are rising rapidly (his example: a pump truck price rose from roughly $444,000 to $532,000 in two years). Commissioners expressed sympathy but asked for broader community input before committing to a tax increase and noted the difficulty of recurring increases.

Burningtown Fire Department: Burningtown's interim leadership detailed governance and training problems and asked the county for time to work through them rather than immediate termination of its contract. The department described leadership turnover, lapses in report submission and a communications issue involving pagers and radio tones. County commissioners raised liability concerns because the service contract requires compliance; commissioners emphasized the county's obligation to ensure adequate emergency coverage. Burningtown board members said the organization would hold a community meeting and work with county dispatch and neighboring departments to address recruitment, training and paging problems; they asked for a limited period to recover and promised a written plan.

Ending: Commissioners heard repeated warnings that volunteerism is declining across departments, discussed bulk procurement of gear or coordinated marketing to recruit volunteers, and asked the county attorney and staff to determine the county's legal options and liabilities if a fire district cannot meet contract standards. Several commissioners urged immediate meetings among county staff, county dispatch and volunteer leadership to resolve pager/dispatch issues and to evaluate short-term mutual aid coverage while Burningtown works to reorganize.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Macon County Commissioners Meeting 5-22-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Leaders from several volunteer fire departments asked Macon County commissioners for funding and time to address staffing and leadership shortfalls; one department asked for a tax increase, and Burningtown appealed for a reprieve to fix internal problems and pager/dispatch gaps.","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},6537753,"Southwestern Community College asks county for capital repairs and proposes CDL training; commissioners weigh costs and regional benefits",586,4619000,5205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3444389-7847d4022884582f9e4f57586a76b1a5&start=4619&end=5205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3444389-7847d4022884582f9e4f57586a76b1a5/thumbnail_4619000.jpg","/articles/6537753/Macon-County/North-Carolina/Southwestern-Community-College-asks-county-for-capital-repairs-and-proposes-CDL-training-commissioners-weigh-costs-and-regional-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537753-5ee65893a33ef63d21150fa6d8c3cda0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770564929&Signature=k-bBfAQY1a2h3QAhUVbouyI7st6apHsbpTy428vspQk~yWzUzhE~Th7OQxlQjeVcKdX6wftijAlia0CBLSxjLKBAFRsIkqnQ9qSjhmyAauLZ3wg8X~NVDILQPHgtTTBxH0T8O4DBvPOuZYg~iDY4UcXa-Ws0N6Xc-36KJkJbONtA7J3OAI2~yLIx3-pRA5ON8UGRxTmlxGDqfI-yxiRG1fA~vAmwqIoavk8QQKlsE9zzM-UpOLayCb6rL2UVzdY53Jg-Ml6QitDq78vc9JC5b8W6j7Zf7vecu0nPABwhhaqTdiF8h3bvGjm3zxZnqA~IG~VoNZO6PcLsRegSYYy10g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Southwestern Community College (SCC) presented its operating budget and capital needs to Macon County commissioners, asking for funding for deferred maintenance, modular repairs, HVACs and a possible driver-training (CDL) facility.

College officials explained the college budgets personnel and plant funds under N.C. General Statutes and described a five-year capital request list that included modular reroofing, water-heater replacement, electrical upgrades and paving for a driver-training area. SCC said that bids for the CDL driving range resurfacing had escalated from earlier estimates to about $800,000 and that a remount or paving project is now one of its major near-term capital items.

SCC representatives argued that a local CDL program would provide workforce benefits to the region and to county employers, and said students would pay tuition for the program unless an exemption applied; county officials noted that if public-safety or volunteer departments participate they may qualify for fee exemptions and that the college would investigate that. Commissioners asked whether local fire departments or other users would be charged for training, and SCC said it would explore fee exemptions or scholarship arrangements.

College staff also updated commissioners on a multi-year indoor burn tower project: construction had started and a delivery schedule put the burn tower assembly and completion roughly a year out. The county previously committed funds to the project; SCC said additional operating staff would be required when the facility is active.

SCC said that it serves approximately 450 Macon County residents in non-high-school programs and roughly 300 secondary students through Career & College Promise partnerships; early college students from the county can earn substantial savings on higher education costs. Commissioners acknowledged the college's workforce role but raised questions about funding for large one-time capital items versus recurring operating costs.

Ending: Commissioners asked SCC to refine costs, pursue grant or private contributions for large capital items where feasible and return with options for how the county might support a driver-training facility without shouldering full capital costs.","Southwestern Community College sought county support for deferred maintenance and capital items including a potential CDL driver-training resurfacing project whose prices have risen to about $800,000.",{"_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},6537754,"Macon County Schools presents $15.7 million ask; commissioners debate priorities including Highlands athletic field and East Franklin study",4457,147000,4604000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3444389-7847d4022884582f9e4f57586a76b1a5&start=147&end=4604","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3444389-7847d4022884582f9e4f57586a76b1a5/thumbnail_147000.jpg","/articles/6537754/Macon-County/North-Carolina/Macon-County-Schools-presents-157-million-ask-commissioners-debate-priorities-including-Highlands-athletic-field-and-East-Franklin-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537754-01ca0d302bf0fa5925ab7d43b8e995ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770564929&Signature=ZCm8xa0GNTtni4gqj-oAIdF9XjYoacZMkJt4ZYYFOUxjwxrtfSbRc7g2lwOCo0xnuc5bwMjzR7HGyDIJBMa4A8Xqph7-m3cQTEui1oUZPHGj1MYVIPP-99ED~iQPojUx9KMz0eESe~RGm9QA6DqPB7hbOXZ4UC7UmvNf2IQWmZDLUZ22kEPxrjzUcz5VPDbeqhQEzUzdc8ZQzIOwVp-MvDxZ7Aiimq7joqDzv2LrUjoDRb6XBuLDRUYiFmmH0hCyzpOcsT4j1wM~MYnC3H2-pORjsYlyvCatErBFhjjv1HbjTlK9DgXIO7LgedRWnxUjVLu7vYMNQ0s9h3GCbPp7OA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Macon County Schools delivered a multi-part budget presentation to the county commissioners, asking the board to fund a maintain budget, a set of top priorities and an expansion package that together would raise the district's request to about $15.7 million for fiscal 2025'26.

The district presented its legislative timeline, fund structure and a three-tiered request: a maintain budget to cover projected salary and benefit increases and other baseline costs; a list of \"top priorities\" that included instructional coaches, two full-time art and two full-time music teachers, an instructional technology facilitator, and school nutrition support for two schools; and an \"expansion\" package of school-level personnel and equipment requests gathered from principals. The superintendent's representative said the county appropriation currently funds a large share of local positions paid from county funds, and stressed that state funding does not fully cover local needs.

The county commissioners pressed for specifics and pushed back on several items. Commissioner John Shields and others said Highlands School's proposed conversion of a natural grass soccer field to synthetic turf raised technical and cost questions: contractors told the district that the site is saturated with up to 20 feet of muck and that drainage issues and winter freeze/thaw cycles complicate a conversion. Commissioners and some community members said a design study for the Highlands field (estimated at about $75,400 in the district's packet) could be useful but warned it might only surface more unknowns and costs. Several commissioners urged clarity on whether a study would be an immediate step or simply add to planning costs.

Commissioners also discussed East Franklin School, which the school district listed among its capital priorities, including a request that the county support an independent facilities study to document problems and potential sites. County staff noted state grants are available for replacement elementary schools but that the grant process requires thorough documentation and a \"shovel-ready\" posture if the district later seeks funds. Commissioners asked the schools and county staff to coordinate on preparing an application and identifying possible county-owned sites for a future replacement.

Budget numbers provided by the district included a maintain cost of about $12.38 million, maintain plus top priorities of about $13.27 million, and the full maintain-plus-priorities-plus-expansion total of $15.70 million. The district's top-priorities line items totaled roughly $897,000. The presentation flagged a pending state bill that would raise beginning teacher pay from $41,000 to $50,000 and noted that, if enacted, that change would substantially increase the county ask because local supplements and benefits would rise for locally funded teacher positions.

Commissioner discussion emphasized process: several members said they wanted to set a recurring percentage of the county's operating budget the county will allocate to schools in future years so both the board and the district can plan. County staff said the proposed budget before commissioners already includes an increase in operating support for the schools (about $400,000) and $1.15 million in capital for the district.

The county and school board members present said the boards generally have a productive working relationship and agreed to continue the conversation, including a possible follow-up meeting focused on capital priorities and a timeline for an East Franklin study. County staff also noted the district had built fund balance using one-time federal ESSER funds and cautioned commissioners that those balances do not replace recurring revenue.

Ending: Commissioners said they would review the district's strategic plan and budget details, consider whether to set a percent-based allocation for future years, and discuss funding sources, including one-time uses of contingency or fund balance versus recurring allocations. The county scheduled follow-up budget work sessions to finalize appropriations before the county budget deadline.","School leaders asked Macon County commissioners for up to $15.7 million covering maintenance, top priorities and expansion for fiscal 2025–26; commissioners questioned the Highlands artificial turf proposal, asked for an East Franklin facilities study and discussed using contingency or fund balance for school requests.",{"_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},6537749,"Commissioners approve EMS budget change: four paramedic positions added and remount funded from county fund balance",3124,7645000,10769000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3444389-7847d4022884582f9e4f57586a76b1a5&start=7645&end=10769","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3444389-7847d4022884582f9e4f57586a76b1a5/thumbnail_7645000.jpg","/articles/6537749/Macon-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-approve-EMS-budget-change-four-paramedic-positions-added-and-remount-funded-from-county-fund-balance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537749-180c4e2b07bd29f3608901520bf2692c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770564929&Signature=exfwDH6s1uxGzsXdQTBS1itgzuRPoNHmfaaiDQtkTJ4B~PUjnNlmiB1qjzNFVDqZeyeYbf~z7EPHhDcb8BvLbIrFMvycY385680IcJoYeBnJccGXNK4e6fx6NMoXoex9BrUflMftbu-phBxG0g5egxts5NltTq7Euet8Lh3I5e40KFl4qr7KgryYM3SH9C5p7oobfvKEf0FDwQC3ppgZGE8HY5lHDyHMuTLbYttpRxB1GTlwvh4tS5CkE-ZcoQ6PxtEENCd~rA6HtoJSzbMsmAp8H1PZRrdwpgFMUncd9hQvPZm~ncaz6EeqbgBIjCj1f05zN6mf3zaRQDJ02pN7dQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Macon County commissioners voted to amend the proposed fiscal-year budget for Emergency Medical Services, approving a change requested by EMS leadership that substitutes a remounted ambulance and four full-time paramedic positions for the district's prior request for a new ambulance.

Jeremy Cabe, representing EMS, told commissioners that a new ambulance build would take 18 to 24 months and cost roughly $385,000; instead, EMS proposed buying a remounted chassis/module (lower upfront cost) and adding personnel to operate a day truck on high-volume days. Commissioners discussed funding options and the delivery timeline for new vehicles; they also noted the operational need to expand daytime coverage in the Franklin area.

Commissioner Shields moved to approve the modification: remove the new-ambulance line in the budget, add funding for one remount ambulance (one-time) and add four full-time paramedic positions (recurring). County staff and the finance director confirmed the remount cost would be appropriated from fund balance and that the personnel cost fits within the revised total that had been proposed for EMS. Commissioner Breeden seconded the motion. The board approved it by voice vote, 5'0'00.

Action details: The motion authorized county staff to remove the new-ambulance procurement from the capital request, to appropriate fund balance to pay for a remount ambulance, and to add four full-time paramedic positions to the EMS personnel complement; staffing and procurement timing will be managed by county administration and EMS leadership.

Ending: Commissioners and EMS leaders said they will track the fiscal impact into subsequent budget reviews and may return with a mid-year evaluation of vehicle needs and the remount's condition.","The Board of Commissioners voted 5'0'00 to 0 to amend the county budget to add four full-time paramedic positions and to fund a remounted ambulance by reallocating the previously requested new-ambulance dollars and appropriating the difference from fund balance.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537752,"County staff outlines landfill capacity, closure liabilities and equipment needs; new cell design moves to bid",1981,4615000,6596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3444389-7847d4022884582f9e4f57586a76b1a5&start=4615&end=6596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3444389-7847d4022884582f9e4f57586a76b1a5/thumbnail_4615000.jpg","/articles/6537752/Macon-County/North-Carolina/County-staff-outlines-landfill-capacity-closure-liabilities-and-equipment-needs-new-cell-design-moves-to-bid","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537752-96c11a6d31bde2630697b81b855afee7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770564929&Signature=HnXcTBehTgcjlJNfmGFK7sH82qEZwmuLzJvO1fjh09lfJ2pw3Q2GoB8-uM4zkZUJ9sU3S4l0tfy6IRAyr-Nfuj-hxK2PUKYK4mbqCG8174IV-bSP4pWSU9tvwxY90vYfXMpVejMqMJtEUri5JtseQidF63GDG7RvaG93ReZDgduyJP37b2amV5xwuI-XJdRlQcZzQ56AvTsJOpuOcqtsLPPOf~uqXVQUWdyuobE73Gv9o7LC6FYJMPW4u~F-r331bHcLDPOciRmP4UNNDFLcxLxT8-OSEVMBKEeo4G75VwKocMWXKQFenkbaKi2CvqA5OZrJlWD-i9v9jFbEe7hZZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Macon County's solid waste staff and an outside consultant briefed commissioners on the landfill's condition, near-term capital needs and the enterprise fund's financial metrics, noting the system operates as a business-type fund with specialized accounting and regulatory obligations.

Key points:
- Facilities and capacity: The county operates a municipal solid-waste landfill with two active disposal cells and a Highlands transfer station; three older closed landfills remain subject to monitoring and post-closure obligations. Staff said the active cells are approaching capacity and that design work is underway for a new cell; county staff expected to receive construction bids in August with a financing decision and contract award to follow in late summer/early fall to ensure continuous disposal capacity.

- Financials and liabilities: The solid-waste fund holds separate reserves for closure and post-closure liabilities required by state regulators. Staff said the fund had roughly $13.8 million in total cash at fiscal year-end, but about $11.5 million of that was reserved to cover future closure/post-closure costs, leaving roughly $2.3 million in operating cash. The audit-based \"net position\" for the enterprise fund was about $4.9 million as of fiscal 2024, and the county's debt service coverage and cash-as-a-percent-of-operations metrics were within generally acceptable ranges; however, rising tonnage and inflation put pressure on revenues and expenditures.

- Usage trends and tonnage: Staff presented historical tonnage and said MSW (municipal solid waste) intake had increased sharply over recent five-year periods; the county's intake growth in the most recent five-year snapshot was substantially higher than prior multi-year averages. Commissioners discussed whether increased local construction and household waste were driving the rise.

- Capital equipment: The solid-waste operation is equipment-heavy (compactors, dozers, loaders). Staff presented an equipment replacement list and an estimated fiscal 2026 capital ask of about $2.3 million for heavy equipment; average capital outlays over recent years had been about $500,000 annually. Commissioners discussed the trade-offs between continuing to buy major equipment and possibly hauling waste out of county, and staff explained hauling to distant landfills would likely be more costly than operating a county landfill long term.

County staff told commissioners they expect a near-term decision on whether to finance the new landfill cell and related equipment, and they will return with financing scenarios that lay out cash, reserve and debt-service implications.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to return with financing options and refined cost estimates as bids arrive and to provide more analysis of the growth in tonnage and the alternatives to building additional capacity.","County consultants and staff told commissioners the municipal landfill's current cells are nearing capacity, closure and post-closure liabilities have accrued, and a new cell design is moving toward contractor bids; commissioners were warned capital and equipment needs could require financing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Volunteer fire departments press commissioners for funding amid staffing and leadership issues; Burningtown seeks time to reorganize

Southwestern Community College asks county for capital repairs and proposes CDL training; commissioners weigh costs and regional benefits

Macon County Schools presents $15.7 million ask; commissioners debate priorities including Highlands athletic field and East Franklin study

Commissioners approve EMS budget change: four paramedic positions added and remount funded from county fund balance

County staff outlines landfill capacity, closure liabilities and equipment needs; new cell design moves to bid