Macon County Commissioners Budget Work Session

The Macon County Commissioners met for a budget work session late in the afternoon of Tuesday, May 26, 2015 and considered the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. They heard from representatives of Macon County EMS, Franklin and Clarks Chapel Fire Departments, the Sheriff's Office and the school system. There were no members of the general public present. You can read the text play by play Macon Media posted during the meeting on Facebook.

MEDIA ROLL CALL (media outlets with reporters present)

Macon Media (me)
Macon County News and Shopping Guide
WFSC-AM/WNCC-FM
The Franklin Press


The video of the work session is embeded below.


There will be no series of budget work sessions to conduct an extensive review of the budget as there has been in years past and the commissioners will hear from the public at the June 9th public hearing on the budget before voting to approve it.

Budget Messages 2013-2015

2015-2016 Budget Message (includes copies of the proposed budgets 2011-2014)

2014-2015 Budget Message (the first delivered by Derek Roland)

2013-2014 Budget Message (the last budget message delivered by Jack Horton, the post includes a text copy of the previous year's budget message)

Here is a copy of the the 2015-2016 budget message and the proposed budget before the commissioners made their changes at the May 26th work session. It is followed by a series of photos taken at the meeting. Click on any of the photos to view them at a larger size.

Proposed 2015-2016 General Fund Budget by Thunder Pig

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Play Golf to Help Hurting WNC Children & Families

PRESS RELEASE
Children's Hope Alliance
May 26, 2015

Are you struggling to find the perfect Father's Day gift, or would you like to give dad and grad a special day on the golf course?

On Saturday June 20th, 2015 you have the unique opportunity to help hurting children and families in Western North Carolina by joining us for the 2015 Tournament of Heroes at the beautiful Mill Creek Country Club in Franklin, NC. This unique experience allows you to combine a love of golf with a passion for helping those in need. All proceeds from the tournament go to benefiting the foster children and runaway youth of Children's Hope Alliance, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit whose mission is to provide a safe healing journey for hurting children and families-creating hope now and in the future. I hope you will join us on June 20th either as a player or as a sponsor. Please take a moment to look over the registration form and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.


Sincerely,
Katie Henry, Development Officer
(C) 828-231-5431
KMHenry@childrenshopealliance.org

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2015 Memorial Day Ceremony in Franklin, NC

Local veterans organizations and members of the public gathered at the Veterans Memorial Park on Monday to mark Memorial Day. Here is video of the ceremony honoring the sacrifice of those who gave the last full measure of devotion to this nation.


You can also see some of the photos taken at the ceremony on Flickr or on the slide show viewer below.

The website of the Veterans Memorial Park has information on how you can purchase a brick in memory of a loved one who served in the military and information on how you can donate to the park.

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Macon County Commissioners Meeting for May 21, 2015 County Manager Presents 2015-2016 Budget Message

The Macon County Board of Commissioners met last night. The county manager delivered his annual budget message in a presentation that lasted approximately 30 minutes. 

VIDEO OF MEETING



BUDGET MESSAGE

The bottom line dollar amount is $46,646.357, an increase of $1,125,235 (2.47%) over the $45,521,122 asked for in last year's budget proposal [see video and supporting documents associated with the FY 2014-2015 presentation].

Below is a video of the budget message as delivered by the county manager. It is a low resolution video that will be replaced with a high resolution version in the next few days so the slides can be read.


The commissioners established a budget work session for 5 pm on Tuesday, May 25th to work on the budget numbers and begin hearing from departments regarding their requests for the coming year. 

REVISION TO HIGHLANDS FIRE DISTRICT

Commissioners then heard a presentation from Warren Cabe, the Emergency Management Director, regarding the new fire district lines for Highlands Fire Department to reflect the construction of a new substation. Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the new lines, as did the county commissioners in Jackson County, who were meeting at the same time in Sylva, because the district crosses county lines.

PARKER MEADOWS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT CLOSEOUT

Commissioners than discussed closing out the Parker Meadows construction project before the fiscal year ended. Commissioners voted to transfer a little over $303,000 from "Fund 56," the nickname for the Tennessee River/Cartoogechaye Creek Sewer Trunk Project Fund, which still had over $500,000 available for use. 

It was noted that the discovery of a grave site (tooth fragment) resulted in an additional expenditure of $244,442.63 to preserve the area according to the wishes of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. A grave marker has also been designed and given an area or prominence in the new recreation facility.

GRAND OPENING FOR PARKER MEADOWS

Seth Adams, Macon County Parks and Recreation Director, announced that plans were underway for a grand opening ceremony of the Parker Meadows Recreation Complex to take place on the afternoon and evening of Saturday, August 1st.

Commissioners recessed the meeting until 5 pm on Tuesday, May 21st for a budget work session.

There were no members of the public present at the meeting.

MEDIA ROLL CALL (media outlets with reporters present)

Macon Media (me)
Macon County News and Shopping Guide
The Franklin Press
WFSC-AM/WNCC-FM

Supporting documents from the meeting are embedded below for your convenience, and in the interest of transparency. Macon Media is currently the only media outlet in the county that makes every document released at meetings available to the public when they are made available to Macon Media.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

CONTINUED SESSION

MAY 21, 2015 – 6 PM

AGENDA

1. Reconvene and welcome – Chairman Corbin

2. Presentation of the recommended Fiscal Year 2015-16 budget – County Manager

3. Approval of fire district map for new Highlands Fire Department sub-station – Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe

4. Discussion of items needed to complete/close-out Parker Meadows Recreational Complex project – County Manager/Finance Director

5. Schedule time(s) for budget work session(s)

6. Adjourn/Recess


NOTE - Copies of the county manager's budget message and proposed budget will be added to this section when he releases them to the public.




CROWD FUNDING

Please consider donating to keep these reports of local government activities coming by visiting my page at Patreon [click here to see the page] and choosing a dollar amount to give every month. All I am requesting is a dollar a month. Several people give more. Choose what amount you feel comfortable with and can afford. I currently (as of May 2015) cover 6 local governing and advisory boards, The Macon County Commissioners, The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen, The Macon County Board of Education, The Macon County Planning Board, The Macon County Airport Authority and the Franklin Tourism Development Authority. I also cover things like parades, public forums, political debates and parades.

Macon Media is not currently being funded by advertising like the other media outlets in the county. This is the work of one person seeking to provide more complete, and accurate, coverage of local public affairs than is possible by the local and regional papers or radio stations. I am funded by donations from people who support my effort. Some give cash or write checks from time to time, some have donated/loaned equipment for me to use. Currently every camera and desktop computer (plus one laptop) Macon Media uses have been donated.

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County and Town Boards Hold Joint Meeting in Cowee

The Macon County Commissioners hosted a joint meeting on May 18, 2015 with the town boards of Franklin and Highlands at the Macon County Heritage Center located in the old Cowee School. Members of the boards and the managers of the towns and county shared information on their current budget process and updated one another on the progress of various projects in their respective jurisdictions. Bobby Kuppers also updated the boards on the status of the facility and gave a run down of coming events.

The meeting was catered by Fat Buddies and the music provided by local members of the SouthEastern Bluegrass Association.

MEDIA ROLL CALL (media outlets with reporters present)

Macon Media (me)
The Franklin Press
WFSC-AM/WNCC-FM
The Macon County News and Shopping Guide
The Smoky Mountain News

A video of the meeting is posted below.

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Franklin Town Board Holds Work Session on FY 2015-2016 Budget

The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen participate in a budget work session with the Town Manager on May 16, 2015 in the town hall. The meeting lasted about two hours and was the most thorough and transparent public accounting of the town budget I have witnessed since I began covering these meetings in 2010.

Here is a copy of the Town Manager's Budget Message and the proposed budget that you can use to follow along so you can gain an understanding of hat is being talked about by the Town Manager.

FY 2015-2016 Budget Message - Franklin by Thunder Pig

Proposed FY 2015-2016 Budget by Thunder Pig

There were no members of the public present, just Aldermen and town staff and a few reporters.

MEDIA ROLL CALL (media outlets who had reporters present)

Macon Media (me)
The Franklin Press
Macon County News and Shopping Guide
WNCC-FM/WFSC-AM

CROWD FUNDING

This is the part where I beg for at least a dollar a month to help me replace aging and borrowed equipment so i can continue to cover meetings and events. Check out my page at Patreon for more information. 


Thank You to those who have given to Patreon, sent checks, cash and loaned and/or given me equipment to use to cover these meetings. It means more to me than you will ever know!

Also, tell a friend about this website, MaconMedia.com and my pages on facebook.

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Franklin 2016 Budget: Exhibit A - Revenues and Appropriations

The Manager of the Town of Franklin goes through details of the revenues and appropriations for the FY 2015*2016 budget at a work session with the Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen. A copy of the document they are working from has been embedded below for your convenience.

Exhibit A (2015-2016 Franklin Budget) by Thunder Pig

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County Commissioners and Dangerous Dog Board Hear Complaint About Dog Attack

This is video of the public comment period and the Review of Animal Control Policies and Procedures from the May 12th, 2015 meeting of the Macon County Commissioners. The Macon County Commissioners recessed so the Dangerous Dog Board could meet to determine if the dogs involved in an attack on two dogs and a display of threatening behavior toward a person that was captured in photographs and video. A few of the photos are included in this post.

The Dangerous Dog Board consists of Sheriff Robbie Holland, Macon County Health Department Director Jim Bruckner and Macon County Commissioner Gary Shields. The board met and classified the dogs as dangerous and the dogs were ordered to be picked up. The dogs were picked up by the end of the county commissioner meeting.

The discussion that took place was very informative. I was not aware that a Dangerous Dog Board even existed in the county.



*note* I have accidentally included more of the meeting than I intended. After the public comment section finishes, fast forward to the 26 minutes and 30 second mark. I apologize for the mistake, and will correct it in a couple of days.

**1:18 pm** It has been corrected. I apologize for the mistake in the original editing.  ~Bobby.

The complete meeting, including all supporting documents that were made available to the press, of the Board of County Commissioners can be seen at this link.

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Macon County Commissioners Regular May 2015 Meeting Updated with Video

**UPDATE 2:40 am 05-13-2015** Here is the video of the full meeting.


MEDIA ROLL CALL (media outlets present at the meeting) 

Macon Media (me)
Macon county News and Shopping Guide
The Franklin Press
WFSC-AM/WNCC-FM


The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting tonight at 6 pm. The public agenda and the agenda that is shared with the local media outlets is below it. The video of the meeting will be added to the top of this post when it is edited and processed.

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MAY 12, 2015

AGENDA

1. Call to order and welcome by Vice-Chairman Tate

2. Announcements

3. Moment of Silence

4. Pledge of Allegiance

5. Public Hearing(s) – 6 p.m. – Financing of improvements to Union Academy and Highlands School (QZAB)

6. Public Comment Period

7. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

8. Reports/Presentations

1. Work First Electing County Plan – Social Services Director Jane Kimsey
2. Transfer of Construction Authorization Permits – Macon Public Health Center Director Jim Bruckner
3. Update on Animal Control policies and procedures – Animal Control Director John Hook

9. Old Business

1. Change Order to Penland contract for retaining wall extensions at adult and youth fields at Parker Meadows Recreational Complex – County Manager

10. New Business

1. Approval of Articles of Association and Agreement for the Southwestern Workforce Development Commission – Todd Douglas, Workforce Development Director
2. Rescission of Lease Agreement and new Lease Agreement with The Hudson Library of Highlands – County Attorney
3. Rescission of Lease Agreement with Forex Currency Trade Advisors, LLC – County Attorney

11. Consent Agenda – Attachment #11

All items below are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion. No separate discussion will be held except on request of a member of the Board of Commissioners.

1. Minutes of the April 14^th regular meeting
2. Budget Amendment #185-#187
3. Tax Releases (NONE)
4. Tax Refunds (2)
5. Macon County Public Health Fee Schedule Changes
6. Monthly ad valorem tax collection report

12. Appointments

1. Board of Adjustment (3 seats)
2. Board of Health (Engineer slot)
3. Community Funding Pool (3 seats)
4. Franklin/Nantahala Tourism Development Commission (2 seats)
5. Jury Committee (3 seats)

13. Closed session (if necessary)

14. Recess until Monday, May 18, 2015 at 6 p.m. at the Macon County Heritage Center at the Historic Cowee School, 51 Cowee School Drive, Franklin, NC 28734 for the purpose of holding a joint meeting with the Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen and the Town of Highlands Board of Commissioners.

Commissioner Press Kit for 05-12-2015 Meeting by Thunder Pig

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2015 Kids Fishing Day Events Announced Local Event at Cliffside Lake on June 6th

PRESS RELEASE
National Forests in North carolina
160A Zillicoa Street
Asheville, NC 28801

Asheville, N.C., M- The U.S. Forest Service announced today that the National Forests in North Carolina in cooperation with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and other partners will host a series of Kids Fishing Day events throughout May and June at sites across the state.  

 The events are free for children ages 12 years and younger. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants are encouraged to bring their own poles though most events will have bait and extra poles available. Children must be able to handle their poles independently though adults may assist in reeling.

 These events allow families and friends to share fun, quality time together while learning about one of our nation's favorite pastimes - fishing. The sites will be stocked for the events and U.S. Forest Service, NCWRC staff and volunteers will be present to assist participants. No experience is needed for families to participate. Participants will need to register on the day of the event, beginning one hour prior to the start time. At many sites participants will be able to register for drawings giving away fishing related prizes.

Each site will be closed for regular licensed fishing from on the day of the Kids Fishing Day event, until its conclusion. This closure is pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), and for the protection of public and natural resources. This closure is in effect to support free kids fishing events on the National Forests in North Carolina during National Fishing and Boating Week.

 Event location, date, time and contact info are listed below:

Pisgah National Forest

Location	Date	Time	Contact
Boone Fork Pond, Grandfather Ranger District	5/16/2015	9:00 to 2:00	Christopher Williams (828) 652-2144
Max Patch Pond, Appalachian Ranger District	6/6/2015	9:00 to 2:00	Brandon Jones (828) 682-6146
Lake Powhatan, Pisgah Ranger District	6/6/2015	9:00 to 2:00	Lorie Stroup (828) 877-3265
Carolina Hemlocks Campground, South Toe River, Appalachian Ranger District	6/13/2015	9:00 to 1:00	Brandon Jones (828) 682-6146

Nantahala National Forest

Location	Date	Time	Contact
Cherokee Lake, Tusquitee Ranger District	6/6/2015	7:30 to Noon	Todd Sharkey (828) 837-5152
Santeelah Creek at Rattler Ford Campground, Cheoah Ranger District	6/6/2015	9:00 to Noon	Gina Rogers (828) 479-6431 (Participants are requested to pre-register with the district prior to the event if possible.)
Cliffside Lake, Nantahala Ranger District *	6/6/2015	9:00 to 1:00	Richard McClure (828) 524-6441

Uwharrie National Forest

Location	Date	Time	Contact
Kings Mtn. Point Recreation Area at Badin Lake, Uwharrie Ranger District	6/13/2015	9:00 to Noon	Deborah Walker (910) 576-6391

Croatan National Forest

Location	Date	Time	Contact
Cedar Swamp Pond, Croatan Ranger District *	6/13/2015	8:00 to Noon	James Cherry (252) 638-5628

*Note: the events on the Nantahala and Croatan Ranger Districts allow children up to 15 years old to participate. 

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The County Commissioners meet with the Board of Education for Budget Work Session

The Macon County Commissioners held a joint meeting with the Macon County Board of Education to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2015-2016 budget for the Macon County Public School System. The meeting took place in the Media Center (library) of Iotla Valley Elementary School. The text play by play, along with several images of the power point presentation that was made by Dr. Chris Baldwin about the budget request for 2015-2016 can be seen on Facebook. 

The Reader's Digest version of the 2015-2016 Request includes:

• PRC 001 Teacher salary increase.........$85,167
• PRC 003(+) Benefit increase...............$25,738
• PRC 027 Teacher Assistants..............$279,000
• PRC 002 State reduction CO...............$90,000
• PRC 012 Drivers Education.................$72,783
• PRC 003/027 Salary Increase.............$90,000
• Total.............................................$564,027
• Total Increase over 2014-2015.........$527,343
• Total Appropriation Requested........$7,865,673

Here is a more involved report of the budget request that has been excerpted from a detailed line item budget:

*note* 

1. A program report code (PRC) is an accounting term and is used for the allocation and accounting of funds. The PRCs (allocations) may change from year to year depending on the actions of the General Assembly, whereby they may add new programs or discontinue old programs.

PRC 001	Teacher Salary	1,438,033.37
PRC 002	Central Office Administration	1,550.16
PRC 003	Non-Instructional Support	1,794,564.22
PRC 005	School Building Administration	66,397.39
PRC 007	Instructional Support	0
PRC 009	Employee Benefits/Payouts	75,000.00
PRC 012	Driver's Education	108,851.25
PRC 013	Vocational Education	8,000.00
PRC 015	Technology	654,067.95
PRC 027	Teacher Assistants	280,344.87
PRC 028	Local Staff Development	40,836.00
PRC 032	Exceptional Children Medicaid	2,000.00
PRC 036	Charter School Payments	2,000.00
PRC 049	Preschool	113,260.49
PRC 056	Transportation	31,259.50
PRC 061	Instructional Materials	92,602.00
PRC 413	NC Pre-K	206,505.39
PRC 533	Local Supplements	443,217.78
PRC 701	After School (VIP)	297,133.00
PRC 706	Local Transportation	251,669.50
PRC 740	Summer Adventure Camp	130,000.00
PRC 802	Insurance	308,871.00
PRC 804	Athletics	291,777.00
PRC 805	Board of Education Expenses	73,763.90
PRC 806	Central Services	964,756.00
PRC 807	School Based	20,656.00
PRC 808	Maintenance	780,217.24
PRC 809	Utilities	1,111,304.00
PRC 831	New Century Scholars	15,550.00
PRC 864	Character Education	4,713.00
PRC 883	Cultural Arts	1,000.00
N/A	TOTAL EXPENDITURES	9,659,901.00

And here are the projected revenues:

NC Pre-K	127,500.00
Timber Sales	150,000.00
County Appropriation	7,865,673.00
Landfill Fees	73,842.00
Supplements	443,217.00
Driver's Education	6,000.00
Preschool Tuition	78,250.00
Fines and Forfeitures	75,000.00
Use of Schools (rental fees)	5,000.00
Interest on Investments	1,000.00
Miscellaneous local receipts	5,000.00
WAN Engineer	83,2000.00
Medicaid Reimbursement	50,000.00
Sales Tax Refund	20,000.00
E Rate Refund	60,000.00
Indirect Cost	2,000.00
Indirect Cost	40,000.00
Indirect Cost	30,000.00
Indirect Cost	left blank
Indirect Cost	5,000.00
Indirect Cost	700.00
Indirect Cost	3000.00
Lowe's Grant	left blank
After School Tuition	150,000.00
Summer Adventure Camp	130,000.00
ABC Revenues	100.00
NC Pre-K Fund Balance Appropriated	108,286.00
VIP Fund Balance Appropriated	147,133.00
TOTAL REVENUES	9,659,901.00

MEDIA ROLL CALL (local media outlets with representatives at the meeting)
Macon Media (story published Fri May 8th, the morning after the meeting)
Macon County News and Shopping Guide (next publication Thurs May 14th)
The Franklin Press (next publication Wed May 13th)

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2015 National Day of Prayer Observed in Franklin

The Macon County Ministerial Association [Facebook Page] hosted the 2015 National Day of Prayer at the town gazebo in downtown Franklin on Thursday. Here is the video and list of pastors who led those gathered in various prayers and songs, with some of the prayers mentioning local elected officials by name. The event ended with several community groups being formed for prayer before one last hymn. 

The theme for the 64th annual National Day of Prayer was Lord, Hear Our Cry, emphasizing the need for individuals, corporately and individually, to place their faith in the unfailing character of their Creator, who is sovereign over all governments, authorities, and men. 

The Scripture for this year was I Kings 8:28 “Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.”



Welcome and Introduction by Mitch A. Schultz

Music was performed by Mike Barres and John Sapp

Prayer for Media led by Pastor Henry Puckett

Prayer for Government led by Pastor Rick Holmes

Prayer for the Military led by Pastor Scott Eichelberger

Prayer fo Businesses led by Pastor Tommy Jordan

Prayer for Education led by Pastor Forest Jones

Prayer for the Church led by Josh Smith

Prayer for the Family led by Pastor Paul Backhaus.

This event is held every year at noon on the first Thursday in May.

MEDIA ROLL CALL

Macon Media
WFSC-AM/WNCC-FM (I believe they broadcast it live over the radio)
The Franklin Press
The Macon County News and Shopping guide

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