Fontana Regional Library Board Navigates Transition: CDP Shelved, Interim Budget and Director Approved

Meeting Video | Macon Media

New Outlets Present

Macon Media (Bobby) 

Smoky Mountain News (Kyle)

Macon Sense (Stewart) 
the franklin Press (Shelby)

Candidates for Macon County Commissioner Present 

Terry Bell (D2) 
Dylan Castle (D2)

Executive Summary

The Fontana Regional Library (FRL) Board of Trustees held a special meeting on June 22, 2026, this is the regional consortium board serving Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties. The meeting took place amid major transition: Jackson County withdraws effective July 1, 2026, and Macon County Commissioners have signaled intent to withdraw later. The board addressed governance and operational continuity for the remaining structure while navigating public controversy over a proposed Collection Development Policy (CDP) draft.

Key outcomes:

• Removed the CDP from the agenda (motion passed without opposition after public pushback and one trustee’s motion citing respect for the two remaining counties’ wishes).
• 
  
• Approved an interim FY 2026-27 budget (6-2) that uses ~$316k in fund balance because Macon has not yet funded requested FRL services; removed a planned vehicle purchase and trimmed the book line.
• 
  
• Approved updated bylaws (effective July 1) incorporating attorney-reviewed improvements for indemnity, conflict of interest, neutrality, financial controls, open-meetings compliance, and trustee accountability.
• 
  
• Appointed Bill McGaha as interim director (7-1), retroactively ratifying his actions since March 1, 2026 (state librarian confirmed no MLS/certification requirement for interim; only a contact person is needed).
• 
  
• Took no action on the net surplus refund (under active temporary restraining order/TRO; court decision pending).
• 
  
• Allowed extensive public comment on the CDP even though it was removed from the agenda.

Public comment (mostly Macon County residents, plus some from Jackson and Swain) was heated. Many urged the board to defer all new policies and bylaws changes until after the July 1 transition and until a “fair, neutral, and unbiased” board structure is in place (citing Macon Commissioners’ June 9 actions and Barry Breeden’s recommendation). Speakers raised First Amendment concerns, questioned the rush and process (committee excluded staff and some board members; late release of drafts), cited potential litigation costs seen in other states, and argued the draft weakened prior viewpoint-neutrality protections while introducing subjective standards for minors’ materials. A few speakers supported the board’s push for neutrality and accountability versus perceived past DEI-driven imbalances. One speaker noted that, under the proposed standards, the Holy Bible could face a formal challenge for explicit content.

The meeting reflected the stresses of a dissolving regional partnership, differing philosophies on library collections for minors, and the practical need to keep operations running with reduced membership and uncertain funding.

Summary of Motions, Seconds, and Vote Tally

1. Motion to remove the Collection Development Policy (CDP) from the agenda Moved by Deborah Smith; seconded by Kathy Smith. Vote: Passed (no opponents noted; appeared unanimous or near-unanimous by voice/hand vote).
2. Motion to remove the proposed bylaws from the agenda Moved by Tony Monnat; seconded by Cynthia Womble. Vote: Failed (~3 in favor of removal; majority opposed; motion to remove failed, so bylaws remained on the agenda).
3. Motion to remove the net surplus refund item from the agenda (made by a board member). Outcome: Rescinded by the maker before any vote (no formal action taken; item already stayed due to TRO).
4. Motion to approve the agenda as amended (CDP removed; bylaws retained). Vote: Passed (aye votes by hand raise).
5. Motion to approve the Interim FY 2026-27 Budget (as presented by Finance Officer Kim Fisher). Vote: Passed 6-2.
6. Motion to approve the updated Bylaws of Fontana Regional Library (revised June 22, 2026), to go into effect July 1, 2026 (two versions prepared: 3-county and post-Jackson 2-county). Moved by Chair Bill McGaha; seconded by Cheryl Taylor. Vote: Passed (majority in favor; final count referenced in context of ~6 aye with no strong final opposition recorded).
7. Motion to designate Bill McGaha as Interim Director effective immediately and to ratify/approve/confirm his service and actions taken in that capacity since March 1, 2026 (to the extent lawful). Moved by Deborah Smith; seconded by Cheryl Taylor. Vote: Passed 7-1.
8. Motion to adjourn. Moved by Cynthia Womble; passed.