Macon County Board of Commissioners December 2023 Regular Meeting

The Macon County Board of Commissioners will be meeting tonight at 6pm. Before that starts, the annual employee recognition event will take place, beginning at 5pm. A short reception will be held in the hallway on the third floor outside the commissioners boardroom following the recognitions.

If there is enough bandwidth, Macon Media will stream the meeting live. If I (Bobby) am unable to embed the video, a link will be shared on Facebook. It will also be accessible while live on [YouTube]. If you subscribe to the YouTube Channel, you'll get automatic notifications when videos are uploaded (even the unlisted ones, which outnumber the public videos) and when I go live.

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Employee Recognitions (5pm)Webcast

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County Commissioner Meeting Webcast (6pm)

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MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
DECEMBER 12, 2023
6 P.M.
PUBLIC AGENDA
Note: Years of Service awards will be presented to county employees beginning at 5 p.m. in the commission board room. A reception for those employees will be held in the hallway of the third floor of the Macon County Courthouse immediately following the presentations.

1. Call to order and welcome by County Manager Derek Roland

2. Announcements

3. Election of board chairman – County Manager Derek Roland

4. Election of board vice-chairman

5. Affirmation of the 2024 regular meeting schedule

6. Moment of Silence

7. Pledge of Allegiance

8. Public Hearing(s) – None

9. Public Comment Period

10. Additions to agenda

11. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

12. Reports/Presentations
(A) Annual Opioid Funding Meeting – Southwestern Commission
(B) Fiscal Year 2023 audit – Jill Vang, Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, PA
(C) Scaly Mountain Historical

13. Old Business
(A) Discussion and Review of the Resolution Adopting the Code of Ethics for the Macon County Board of Commissioners
(B) Discussion and Consideration of Viewing of “The Veteran’s Battlefield” from the North Carolina County Commissioners Association – Veterans Services Director Leigh Tabor-Holbrooks
(C) Discussion and Consideration of Resolution of Amendment to Macon County Subdivision Ordinance – Attorney Eric Ridenour

14. New Business
(A) Discussion and Approval of the Updated Drug and Alcohol Policy for Macon County Transit – Transit Director Darlene Asher
(B) Discussion and Consideration of Resolution to Exempt a Request for Proposals for Engineering Services below $50,000 – Solid Waste Director Chris Stahl
(C) Discussion and Consideration of Resolution Supporting the Identification of Party Affiliation for Candidates for Macon County Board of Education – Attorney Eric Ridenour

15. Consent Agenda – Attachment #12
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.
(A) Minutes of the November 14, 2023 regular meeting
(B) Resolution Examination of Official Bonds for Public Officials of Macon County
(C) Budget Amendments #85-89
(D) Macon County 2024 Holiday Schedule
(E) Tax releases for the month of November 2023 in the amount of $1,543.73
(F) Monthly ad valorem tax collection report – no action necessary

16. Appointments
(A) Macon County Public Library Board of Trustees (1 seat)

17. Closed session as allowed under NCGS

18. Adjourn/Recess

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AGENDA PACKET [Download PDF (74 pages)]

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Support Macon Media

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



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Published at 3.45pm on Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Weather Briefing for Wednesday, November 15, 2023 A Word About the 11-14-2023 County Commissioner Meeting

**NOTE** The burn ban is still in effect for now.

Here is the news and weather briefing for Macon County.

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GENERAL OUTLOOK

Dry and cool high pressure controls our weather through today. Low pressure tracks east across Florida on Thursday and Friday bringing clouds but little if any rain to our area. A cold front crosses our region Friday night, bringing better chances for rain. Dry and cool high pressure controls our weather for the rest of the weekend and into Monday. A strong storm system may impact the region by the middle of next week.

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A Word About the 11-14-2023 County Commissioner Meeting

**NOTE** Last night's meeting of the county commissioners was one in which tempers flared and words flowed between members of the public and the board (over books in the public library), between board members and the county manager (over retention pay policy) and between members of the board (over proposed new districts for county commissioners).

Macon Media does not intend to add to or take away from what happened and the goal of this news outlet is to just report the facts, and the best way to do that is to share video of what happened and let the members of the community decide for themselves what they've seen and whether or not it is important.

Macon Media will be publishing video of the meeting by segment and will not be posting clips of just the parts where tempers flared. To do so, in the opinion of this outlet, would be journalistic malfeasance and clickbait journalism designed to gain popularity and to force a narrative onto the public. So, please be patient as these videos are edited, processed and uploaded. The first one is about 50 minutes long and will be published perhaps by 10am today at https://youtu.be/u3CnfAikl-s.

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The Macon County Board of Commissioners November 2023 Regular Meeting [LINK].

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Burn ban issued for 14 counties in Western North Carolina due to hazardous forest fire conditions Local Weather

General Forecast Through Friday Night

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Franklin Area

Today

Cloudy, with highs near 60. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

A slight chance of rain before 2am, then a slight chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the low-to-mid 40s. Winds out of the east around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of rain is 20%.

Thursday

Partly sunny, with highs in the low-to-mid 60s. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-to-upper 40s. Winds out of the southeast 3 to 7 mph.

Friday

A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with highs in the mid 60s.

Friday Night

Showers likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid 40s. Chance of rain is 60%.

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Highlands Plateau

Today

Cloudy, with highs in the lower 50s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

A slight chance of rain between 10pm and 2am, then a slight chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the lower 40s. Winds out of the east 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 20%.

Thursday

A 20 percent chance of showers before 11am. Partly sunny, with highs in the mid 50s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Thursday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-to-upper 40s. Winds out of the east 5 to 10 mph.

Friday

A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with highs in the mid 50s.

Friday Night

Showers likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid 40s. Chance of rain is 60%.

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Otto and South Central Macon County

Today

Cloudy, with highs in the upper 50s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

A slight chance of rain between 10pm and 2am, then a slight chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the low-to-mid 40s. Winds out of the east around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of rain is 20%.

Thursday

Partly sunny, with highs in the lower 60s. Calm winds early in the morning increasing to come out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph by midmorning.

Thursday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the upper 40s. Winds out of the east 5 to 10 mph.

Friday

A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with highs in the low-to-mid 60s.

Friday Night

Showers likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-to-upper 40s. Chance of rain is 60%.

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Nantahala Area

Today

Cloudy, with highs in the mid-to-upper 50s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

A 20 percent chance of showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid 40s. Winds out of the east 3 to 7 mph.

Thursday

Partly sunny, with highs near 60. Winds out of the southeast 3 to 8 mph.

Thursday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with lows around 50. Winds out of the southeast around 5 mph.

Friday

A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with highs near 60.

Friday Night

Showers likely, mainly between 8pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-to-upper 40s. Chance of rain is 70%.

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Hazards

Hazardous weather is not expected today. The burn ban for Macon County is still in effect. Please put off any outdoor burning until after the ban is rescinded.

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On This Day

November 15 is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar; 46 days remain until the end of the year.

This day marks the approximate midpoint of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and of spring in the Southern Hemisphere (starting the season at the September equinox).

Historical Events

Historical Events

(Please note that the Wikipedia articles often contain a bibliography and links to where you can learn more about a historical event)



655 – Battle of the Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria.
• [Wikipedia: Battle of the Winwaed]
• [VIDEO: Yorkshire's Hidden History]
• [Dark Age Britain: 6th Century]

1315 – Battle of Morgarten: The Schweizer Eidgenossenschaft ambushes the army of Leopold I.

1532 – Commanded by Francisco Pizarro, Spanish conquistadors under Hernando de Soto meet Inca Empire leader Atahualpa for the first time outside Cajamarca, arranging a meeting on the city plaza the following day.
• [Wikipedia Bio: Atahualpa]
• [VIDEO: The rise and fall of the Inca Empire - Gordon McEwan]
• [Fall of Civilizations Podcast: The Inca - Cities in the Cloud (Part 1 of 2)/a>]
• [Fall of Civilizations Podcast: The Inca - Cities in the Cloud (Part 2 of 2)]

1533 – Francisco Pizarro arrives in Cuzco, the capital of the Inca Empire.

1705 – Battle of Zsibó: Austrian-Danish victory over the Kurucs (Hungarians).

1760 – The secondly-built Castellania in Valletta is officially inaugurated with the blessing of the interior Chapel of Sorrows.

1777 – American Revolutionary War: After 16 months of debate the Continental Congress approves the Articles of Confederation.
• [Text and Notes at The Avalon Project]
• [VIDEO PLAYLIST: Extra History - Articles of Confederation ]
• [Wikipedia: Articles of Confederation]

1806 – Pike Expedition: Lieutenant Zebulon Pike sees a distant mountain peak while near the Colorado foothills of the Rocky Mountains. (It is later named Pikes Peak.)

1864 – American Civil War: Union General William Tecumseh Sherman begins Sherman's March to the Sea.
• [Wikipedia: Sherman's March to the Sea]
• [When Georgia Howled: Sherman on the March]
• [The Civil War Battle Series: Sherman in Georgia]

1889 – Brazil is declared a republic by Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca as Emperor Pedro II is deposed in a military coup.

1914 – Harry Turner becomes the first player to die from game-related injuries in the "Ohio League", the direct predecessor to the National Football League.

1920 – First assembly of the League of Nations is held in Geneva, Switzerland.

1920 – The Free City of Danzig is established.

1922 – At least 300 are massacred during a general strike in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

1926 – The NBC radio network opens with 24 stations.

1928 – The RNLI lifeboat Mary Stanford capsized in Rye Harbour with the loss of the entire 17-man crew.

1933 – Thailand has its first election.

1939 – In Washington, D.C., US President Franklin D. Roosevelt lays the cornerstone of the Jefferson Memorial.
• [Wikipedia: Jefferson Memorial]
• [Jefferson Memorial - Decades TV Network]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2gQo4kfBXY]

1942 – World War II: The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal ends in a decisive Allied victory.
• [Wikipedia: Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]
• [Friday the 13th (the Battle)]
• [The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal 1942 - Animated]

1943 – The Holocaust: German SS leader Heinrich Himmler orders that Gypsies are to be put "on the same level as Jews and placed in concentration camps".

1951 – Greek resistance leader Nikos Beloyannis, along with 11 resistance members, is sentenced to death by the court-martial.

1955 – The first part of the Saint Petersburg Metro is opened.

1966 – Project Gemini: Gemini 12 completes the program's final mission, when it splashes down safely in the Atlantic Ocean.
• [Newsreel Footage and Documentary]
• [CBS News - Gemini 12 spacewalk (1966)]
• [Wikipedia: Gemini 12]

1966 – A Boeing 727 carrying Pan Am Flight 708 crashes near Berlin, Germany, killing all three people on board.

1967 – The only fatality of the North American X-15 program occurs during the 191st flight when Air Force test pilot Michael J. Adams loses control of his aircraft which is destroyed mid-air over the Mojave Desert.

1968 – The Cleveland Transit System becomes the first transit system in the western hemisphere to provide direct rapid transit service from a city's downtown to its major airport.

1969 – Cold War: The Soviet submarine K-19 collides with the American submarine USS Gato in the Barents Sea.

1969 – Vietnam War: In Washington, D.C., 250,000-500,000 protesters staged a peaceful demonstration against the war, including a symbolic "March Against Death".
• [Wikipedia: Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam]
• [HistoryPod Video]
• [NewsReel Footage]

1971 – Intel releases the world's first commercial single-chip microprocessor, the 4004.
• [Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_4004]
• [3 Minutes On... The Intel 4004 Microprocessor]
• [Intel 4004 Microprocessor 35th Anniversary (2007 Video)]

1976 – René Lévesque and the Parti Québécois take power to become the first Quebec government of the 20th century clearly in favor of independence.

1978 – A chartered Douglas DC-8 crashes near Colombo, Sri Lanka, killing 183.

1979 – A package from Unabomber Ted Kaczynski begins smoking in the cargo hold of a flight from Chicago to Washington, D.C., forcing the plane to make an emergency landing.

1983 – Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus declares independence. Recognized only by Turkey.

1985 – A research assistant is injured when a package from the Unabomber addressed to a University of Michigan professor explodes.

1985 – The Anglo-Irish Agreement is signed at Hillsborough Castle by British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Irish Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald.

1987 – In Brașov, Romania, workers rebel against the communist regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu.

1988 – In the Soviet Union, the unmanned Shuttle Buran makes its only space flight.

1988 – Israeli–Palestinian conflict: An independent State of Palestine is proclaimed by the Palestinian National Council.

1988 – The first Fairtrade label, Max Havelaar, is launched in the Netherlands.

1990 – The Communist People's Republic of Bulgaria is disestablished and a new republican government is instituted.

2000 – A chartered Antonov An-24 crashes after takeoff from Luanda, Angola, killing more than 40 people.

2000 – Jharkhand officially becomes the 28th state of India, formed from eighteen districts of southern Bihar.

2002 – Hu Jintao becomes General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and a new nine-member Politburo Standing Committee is inaugurated.

2003 – The first day of the 2003 Istanbul bombings, in which two car bombs, targeting two synagogues, explode, killing 25 people and wounding about 300.

2006 – Al Jazeera English launches worldwide.

2007 – Cyclone Sidr hits Bangladesh, killing an estimated 5,000 people and destroying parts of the world's largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans.

2012 – Xi Jinping becomes General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and a new seven-member Politburo Standing Committee is inaugurated.

2013 – Sony releases the PlayStation 4 (PS4) game console.
• [Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_4]
• [PlayStation 4 Launch | The PS4 Launch Video]
• [PlayStation 4 Announcement Live Stream (Full Event)]

2016 – Hong Kong's High Court bans elected politicians Yau Wai-ching and Baggio Leung from the city's Parliament.

2020 – Lewis Hamilton wins the Turkish Grand Prix and secures his seventh drivers' title, equalling the all-time record held by Michael Schumacher.

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Support Macon Media

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 5:00am on Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Author: Bobby Coggins


Resources used to compile the information in this article include, but are not limited to rthe following websites or books: MaconMedia.com, youtube.com, weather.gov, airnow.gov, wikipedia.com, onthisday.com, ncdcr.gov, ncsu.edu, utah.edu, https://www.microbe.tv/twiv/, wolfram.com, biorxiv.org, aps.org, nejm.org, plos.org, cell.com, researchsquare.com, cureus.com, spc.noaa.gov, nhc.noaa.gov, ncdenr.org, medrxiv.org, archive.org, ncpedia.org, nasa.gov, https://ww2days.com, nih.gov, carolinapublicpress.org, microbe.tv, smokymountainnews.com, psypost.org, blogspot.com, pollen.com, franklinnc.com, maconnc.org, spaceweather.com, solarham.com, loc.gov, ncleg.net, senate.gov, house.gov, whitehouse.gov, drudgereport.com, politico.com, realclearpolitics.com, ushmm.org, This Day in North Carolina History, World War II Day By Day, The Holocaust Encyclopedia, The Timetables of History, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The World History and Book of Facts (multiple years), On This Day In History: Over 4,000 facts, The NASA Archives. 60 Years in Space, This Day in North Carolina History, The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future, Spaceflight, 2nd Edition: The Complete Story from Sputnik to Curiousity, The Story of Civilization (11 volumes), The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, American History, Volume 1: 1492-1877, American History, Volume 2: 1877 - Present, A Complete Chronolgy of the Second World War. Weather and Almanac data and information sources: Sources (except where otherwise credited): heavens-above.com, Ian Webster's Github, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, The National Weather Service, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, National Hurricane Center, Penn State University Electronic Wall Map, The State Climate Office of North Carolina, Storm Prediction Center, U.S. Naval Observatory, University of Utah Department of Atmospheric Sciences, and the Weather Prediction Center. 

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Macon County Board of Commissioners - November 2023 Regular Meeting

The Macon County Board of Commissioners will be meeting tonight at 6pm in the Commissioners Boardroom on the third floor of the Macon County Courthouse. In case of a large turnout, the meeting may be moved upstairs to the large courtroom. 

  Live Webcast

PUBLIC AGENDA


1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman Higdon

2. Announcements
(A) The Annual Opioid Funding Meeting will be Included in the December 12 Regular Meeting with Both Municipalities Invited to Attend
(B) The Annual Recognition of Employees and Presentation of Service Awards will be held at 5:00 p.m. on December 12 Before the Regular Meeting
(C) A Video Presentation of the Proposed Franklin High School Design is Available on the Website at www.maconnc.org

3. Moment of Silence

4. Pledge of Allegiance

5. Public Hearing(s) – None

6. Public Comment Period

7. Additions to agenda

8. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

9. Reports/Presentations
(A) Update on Broadband Expansion Efforts by Charter Communications – Director of Government Affairs with Charter Communications Mike Tanck
(B) Update on the Frontier GREAT Grant Project – Frontier Senior Vice President Allison Ellis
(C) Interfacility Transport and Staffing Concerns – Emergency Management Director Warren Cabe

10. Old Business
(A) Discussion and Consideration of Retention Pay Policy – Manager Derek Roland
(B) Change Order for Low Voltage Wiring for the Athletic Building at Macon Middle School – Representatives from Novus Architects, Inc.
(C) Discussion and Consideration of Resolution to Amend the Fontana Regional Library Agreement – Attorney Eric Ridenour
(D) Discussion and Consideration of Resolution in Support of Innovation and Modernization of the Franklin High School CTE Program – Macon County Schools Director of CTE Colleen Strickland

11. New Business
(A) Discussion and Consideration of Bond Release for Old Mud Creek, LLC – Plan Reviewer Joe Allen
(B) Discussion Regarding Town of Franklin Social District and Use of the Gazebo and Clock Tower Squares – Town of Franklin Councilman David Culpepper and Councilman Stacy Guffey
(C) Discussion and Consideration of Bids for Two Parcels in Cartoogechaye Creek Campground – Manager Derek Roland
(D) Discussion and Consideration of Resolution Supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans – Veterans Services Director Leigh Holbrooks
(E) Discussion and Consideration of Resolution to Request the NC Legislature Revise the Macon County Board of Commissioners Election System to Allow Candidates in All Districts to Run for County Commissioner Every Two Years – Attorney Eric Ridenour
(F) Discussion and Consideration of Resolution Supporting the Identification of Party Affiliation for Candidates for Macon County Board of Education – Attorney Eric Ridenour
(G) Discussion and Consideration of Resolution Adopted by the Macon County Board of Elections Regarding Compensation for the Director – Representatives from the Board of Elections

12. Consent Agenda – Attachment #12
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.
(A) Minutes of the October 10, 2023 regular meeting
(B) Budget Amendments #71-77
(C) Macon County Transit Addition Site Revisions
(D) Tax releases for the month of October in the amount of $601.12
(E) Relief of the Taxing Unit for Collection of Real Estate Taxes that are Ten Years Past Due in the amount of $38,080.07
(F) Monthly ad valorem tax collection report – no action necessary.

13. Appointments
(A) Macon County Public Library Board of Trustees (1 seat)

14. Closed session as allowed under NCGS

15. Adjourn/Recess

AGENDA PACKET [Download PDF]



Support Macon Media

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 2:43am on Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Macon County Board of Commissioners (August 2023)

The Macon County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday night for their monthly meeting for August 2023. Macon Media streamed it live on Facebook and has an edited version embedded below. The Youtube version has chapter markers that allow the viewer to go straight to the segments of the meeting they are interested in instead of having to sit through the whole meeting.

Below the video is a two page public agenda and a 181-page press packet that goes into more detail about each segment of the meeting for those who wish to know more.

Macon County Board of Commissioners (August 2023) | Macon Media



TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:00:00 Call to Order and welcome by Chairman Higdon
00:00:30 Announcements
00:04:02 Moment of Silence and Pledge of Allegiance
00:05:02 Public Comment
00:25:04 Foundation Forward (The Civil Rights Amendments Presentation)
00:34:41 Additions and Adjustments to the Agenda
00:36:40 Gracie Parker - Request 20% of Opioid Settlement Funds for Youth Mental Health
00:42:42 Additional Services for Franklin High School Project - LS3P (via Zoom)
00:56:24 Highlands Middle School Project Discussion - LS3P (via Zoom)
01:19:27 County Managers Review of the Fontana Regional Library Agreement
01:33:00 Release Bond - Joe Allen Macon County Planner
01:35:10 Grant Funding and Consideration of four additional positions for Housing
01:51:12 Cullasaja-Gorge VFD Request Letter from County Vouching for Financial Standing
01:54:06 Discussion Regarding Contracts with Volunteer Fire Departments
02:07:25 Friends of the Greenway Update on the Use of County Property
02:25:01 Discussion and Approval of USDA Macon Service Center
02:36:48 Tax Refund for parcels located in Swain County
02:41:01 Commissioner Young Discusses Molar Roller Program
02:42:06 Consent Agenda
02:42:20 Appointment to SCC Board of Trustees
02:43:44 Clerk of Superior Court Reports on the Function of the Jury Commission
02:47:11 Appointment to Jury Commission
02:48:08 No closed session, Adjourn Meeting

Public Agenda

1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman Higdon

2. Announcements

3. Moment of Silence

4. Pledge of Allegiance

5. Public Hearing(s) – None

6. Public Comment Period

7. Additions to agenda

8. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

9. Reports/Presentations - None

10.Old Business
(A) Discussion regarding additional services for the Franklin High School project – LS3P Senior Project Manager Emily Kite
(B) Highlands Middle School renovation project update and next steps - LS3P Senior Project Manager Emily Kite
(C) Letter from Macon, Jackson, and Swain County Managers concerning review of the Fontana Regional Library Agreement – Manager Derek Roland

11.New Business
(A) Discussion regarding the receipt of grant funding and consideration of the addition of positions for Housing – Housing Director John Fay
(B) Discussion regarding contracts for volunteer fire departments – Emergency Management Director Warren Cabe
(C) Use of county property by Friends of the Greenway (FROGS) – Commissioner Gary Shields and Rita St. Clair
(D) Discussion and approval of lease extension for USDA Macon Service Center – Finance Director Lori Hall
(E) Changes to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Macon County Board of Commissioners, Cooperative Extension Services, NC State, and NC A&T State University – County Extension Director Christy Bredenkamp
(F) Tax refund for parcels located in Swain County – Tax Administrator Abby Braswell

1. Consent Agenda – Attachment #12
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.
(A) Minutes of the July 11, 2023, regular meeting
(B) Macon County Public Health Billing Guide
(C) Macon County Public Health Fee Plan
(D) Service Contract for Franklin Chamber of Commerce
(E) Service Contract for Highlands Chamber of Commerce
(F) Budget Amendments #10-28
(G) Tax releases for the month of July in the amount of
(H) Monthly ad valorem tax collection report – no action necessary

2. Appointments
a. Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees (1 seat)
b. Jury Commission (1 seat)

3. Closed session as allowed under NCGS

4. Adjourn/Recess



Agenda Packet [Download 181-page PDF]

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Support Macon Media

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 8:05pm on Wednesday, August 09, 2023
Author: Bobby Coggins

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July 2023 Meeting Agenda Macon County Board of Commissioners Updated with video

**9.30pm update** Here is the live webcast from the meeting by Macon Media. A full video will be posted to Youtube later, along with segment videos and articles over the next several days.


Live Webcast: Macon County Board of Commissioners (July 2023) | Macon Media

(the meeting starts after the 7 minute 25 second mark)

 

The Macon County Board of Commissioners will be meeting Tuesday night at 6pm for their monthly meeting for July 2023. For those who wish to attend in person, enter the Macon County Courthouse through the rear entrance to the third floor. Macon Media will be webcasting the meeting live. A copy of the public agenda is posted below and a downloadable copy of the full agenda packet is below that.

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DAY SPONSOR

Young Tree Service is sponsoring Macon Media for today.

They provide complete tree care, are licensed and insured. Specializing in low ground impact. Danger tree removal. Crane Service, Pruning, Views, 24 hr emergency service. Call 828-421-0967 for more information.

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MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
July 11, 2023 6 P.M.
PUBLIC AGENDA

1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman Higdon

2. Announcements

3. Moment of Silence

4. Pledge of Allegiance

S. Public Hearing(s) - None

6. Public Comment Period

7. Additions to agenda

8. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

9. Reports/Presentations
      (A) Recognition of Officers by Sheriff Holbrooks

10. Old Business
      (A) Consideration and Approval of Bids for a new Molar Roller - Health Director Kathy McGaha
      (B) Discussion Regarding Nantahala Broadband Request for Proposals (RFP) -Jeff Lee of Little T Broadband Services
      (C) Discussion Regarding Highlands Middle School Renovation Project - County Manager Derek Roland
      (D) Discussion regarding Union Academy in relation to Franklin High School Project - Commissioner Shields

11.New Business
      (A) Consideration and Approval of Additional ConCPT Grant Funding for Macon County Transit - Transit Director Darlene Asher
      (B) Consideration and Approval of Additional 5339(b) Grant Funds for Macon County Transit - Transit Director Darlene Asher
      (C) Consideration and Approval of Lease Renewal for Community Care Clinic of Franklin - County Manager Derek Roland

12. Consent Agenda
- Attachment #12 All items below are considered roue and will be enacted by one motion. No separate discussion will be held except on request of a member of the Board of Commissioners.
      (A) Minutes of the June 8, 2023 special meeting, the June 13 regular meeting, the June 19, 2023 continued meeting, and the June 26, 2023 special meeting
      (B) Budget Amendments #1
      (C) Approval of the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council County Plan for FY 2023-24
      (D) Approval of the Scaly Mountain Recreation Agreement for FY 2023-24
      (E) Grant Project Ordinance ESFRLP2315
      (F) Tax releases for the month of April in the amount of $654.72
      (G) Monthly ad valorem tax collection report - no action necessary-

13. Appointments
      A. Jury Commission (1 seat)

14. Closed session as allowed under NCGS - if needed

15. Adjourn/Recess



Agenda Packet     [Download 193-page PDF]






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Published at 10:00am on Monday, July 10, 2023
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Macon County Board of Commissioners Meeting Agenda March 14, 2023

The Macon County Board of Commissioners will be meeting at 6pm on Tuesday, March 14th, for their regularly scheduled March 2023 meeting. A copy of the public agenda and the agenda packet are posted below. A video player with a live video feed is also included. Macon Media is still experiencing transportation issues and likely will not be able to be at the meeting in person, so the county livestream will be embedded if Bobby cannot be at the meeting.

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Live Video (starts at 6pm on March 14th)



MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MARCH 14, 2023 REGULAR MEETING 6 P.M.
PUBLIC AGENDA

1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman Higdon

2. Announcements


3. Moment of Silence

4. Pledge of Allegiance

5. Public Hearing(s) - None NOTE: Public hearing on proposed change to the Watershed Protection Ordinance will be held on April 11, 2023 at 6 p.m.

6. Public Comment Period

7. Additions to agenda

8. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

9. Reports/Presentations
(A) Update on Macon County Cooperative Extension activities -Christine Bredenkamp, Director
(B) Progress report on Georgia Road/Scaly Mountain area fiber infrastructure build - Matt Saenger, Director of Sales and Marketing, BalsamWest

10.0Id Business
(A) Skate Park project update - Arnie Owens, Town Manager, Town of Franklin

11.New Business
(A) Discussion/consideration of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) - Jennifer Turner-Lynn, Assistant Director, REACH of Macon County
(B) Resolution in Recognition of Macon County Crawford Senior Center Volunteers - Patrick Betancourt, Department of Social Services Director
(C) Consideration of bid award for Macon County Transit facility expansion, Darlene Asher, Transit Director
(D) Consideration of Resolution adopting a Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners - County Attorney Eric Ridenour
(E) Consideration of Budget Amendment regarding boiler/chiller unit at the Human Services Building - County Manager Derek Roland and Finance Director Lori Carpenter

12.Consent Agenda - Attachment #12 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.
(A) Minutes of the February 9, 2023 continued session, the February 14, 2023 regular meeting and the February 21, 2023 continued session
(B) Budget Amendments #189-195
(C) Tax releases for the month of February in the amount of $685.65
(D)Monthly ad valorem tax collection report - no action necessary

13.Appointments
(A) Economic Development Commission (2 seats)

14.Closed session as allowed under NCGS (if needed)
15.Adjourn/Recess

Agenda Packet [Download PDF of Agenda Packet]



Support Macon Media

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



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Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 9.51am on Monday, March 13, 2023
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Agenda Released for February 21, 2023 Macon County Board of Commissioners Meeting Updated with Video

The public agenda and agenda packet for the February 17th, 2023 meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners. The regular meeting date for February was Tuesday, February 14th, but was continued to the following Tuesday. A video of the short session that took place this past Tuesday is below. The public agenda and 117-page agenda packet are posted below that in the public interest. Macon Media will publish another article for the continued meeting.

 

Macon County Commissioners Meeting 2-21-2023



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MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
FEBRUARY 21, 2023 CONTINUED SESSION
6 P.M.
PUBLIC AGENDA

 
1. Reconvene and welcome by Chairman Higdon at 6 p.m.

2. Announcements

3. Moment of Silence

4. Pledge of Allegiance

5. Public Hearing(s) - None

6. Public Comment Period

7. Additions to agenda

8. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

9. Reports/Presentations
  (A) Macon Middle School Air Quality Update - Todd Gibbs, Macon County Schools

10.0ld Business
  (A) Acknowledgement of Capital Priorities for Macon County Schools as recommended by the Liaison Committee on February 9, 2023 - County Manager Derek Roland

11.New Business
  (A) 2022 Outstanding N.C. Conservation Farm Family - Doug Johnson, Soil and Water Conservation District Director and Lori Carpenter, Finance Director
  (B) Solid Waste - Director Chris Stahl
    (1) Consideration of contract(s) with McGill Associates and Bunnell Lammons Engineering for vertical expansion of Macon County Landfill, Phase II, Cell I and Phase III, Cell 1
    (2) Consideration of award for two walking-floor unloader transfer trailers to Pinnacle Trailer Sales, Inc.
  (C) Consideration of lease renewals at the Business Development Center - Tommy Jenkins, Director, Macon County Economic Development Commission
    (1) AG1, LIE
    (2) Macon County Board of Education (STEM)
    (3) TECO SSL, Inc.
    (4) Waterwheel Manufacturing, Inc.
  (D)Schedule public hearing for 6 p.m. on March 14, 2023 regarding amendment(s) to the Watershed Protection Ordinance - Planning Director Joe Allen
  (E) Resolution Authorizing Execution of Opioid Settlements -County Manager Derek Roland and County Attorney Eric Ridenour
  (F) Sale of surplus property (Lot #307 Wildflower) to Anakeesta -County Manager Derek Roland, Finance Director Lori Carpenter and County Attorney Eric Ridenour

12.Consent Agenda - Attachment #12 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.
  (A) Minutes of the January 10, 2023 regular meeting
  (B) Budget Amendments #153-157
  (C)Tax releases for the month of January in the amount of $65.10
  (D)Audit contract for fiscal year ending June 30, 2023
  (E) Monthly ad valorem tax collection report - no action necessary

13.Appointments
  (A) Planning Board (2 seats)
  (B) Economic Development Commission (2 seats)
  (C) Southwestern Commission Area Agency on Aging Regional Advisory Council (3 seats and 3 alternates)
  (D) 2023 Board of Equalization and Review (5 seats)
  (E) ETJ representative on the Town of Franklin Planning Board (1 seat)

14.Closed session as allowed under NCGS (if necessary)

15.Adjourn/Recess

Agenda Packet [PDF Download (117 pages)] 



Support Macon Media

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 2:00am on Friday, February 17, 2023
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Macon County Board of Commissioners January 10, 2023 Regular Meeting

The Macon County Board of Commissioners will be meeting tonight at 6pm in the Commissioner's Boardroom. Due to ongoing transportation issues, Macon Media will not be able to cover the meeting. A video player of the meeting and supporting documentation are posted below. The video will go live once the county starts their stream up at around 6pm.

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LIVE VIDEO (at 6pm)

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JANUARY 10, 2023 at 6 P.M.
PUBLIC AGENDA

1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman Higdon

2. Announcements

3. Moment of Silence observed

4. Pledge of Allegiance

5. Public Hearing(s) - NONE

6. Public Comment Period

7. Additions to the agenda

8. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

9. Reports/Presentations
(A) Update on North Carolina Department of Commerce county tier designations - Tommy Jenkins
(B) Update on 2023 property reappraisal - Tax Administrator Abby Braswell

10. Old Business
(A) Commission liaison appointments - Chairman Higdon
(B) Consideration of contract for Highlands Middle School renovations -County Manager Derek Roland
(C) Discussion of Request for Proposals (RFP) for broadband services in the Nantahala Community - Mr. Roland

11. New Business
(A) Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund - Mr. Roland and Finance Director Lori Carpenter
(B) Discussion of recreation park fee schedule - Chairman Higdon

12. Consent Agenda All items below are considered routine and will be enacted under one motion. No separate discussion will be held - except upon the request by a member of the board.
(A) Minutes of the December 13, 2022 regular meeting and the December 21, 2022 special meeting (joint meeting with Macon County Board of Education}
(B) Budget Amendments #118-122
(c) Tax releases for the month of December in the amount of $6,740.67
(D)Monthly ad valorem tax collection report - no report necessary

13. Appointments

14. Closed Session

15. Recess to a date and time to be determined in order to hold the budget kickoff meeting

AGENDA PACKET [LINK (PDF)]

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