Macon County Commissioners Regular February 2017 Meeting

The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting tonight, Tuesday, February 14, 2017 for their regular monthly meeting for February 2017. The public agenda and agenda packet are posted below for your convenience and in the interest of promoting transparency.

A video of the meeting will be posted here tomorrow morning.




Here is a segment from the meeting as a member of the community shares their personal story of the Opioid Epidemic that is currently having a major impact on Macon County.



MEDIA ROLL CALL
(media outlets with reporters present at the meeting)

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

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

FEBRUARY 14, 2017

REGULAR MEETING

AGENDA

1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman Tate


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/Precautions
A. Remarks regarding opiate epidemic - Jan Stanfield



10. Old Business

A. Agreement with Cullasaja Community Association - County Attorney 
B. Agreement with Otto Community Development Organization County Attorney
C. Discussion regarding funding of teacher supplements
D. Discussion regarding funding for Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center

11.New Business
A. 2017 audit contract — Finance Director



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, 2017 regular meeting and the February 3. 2017 continued session
B. Budget Amendments #113-118
C. Tax Releases
D. Monthly ad valorem tax collection report (no action necessary)

13.Appointments

l4.Closed session (if necessary)

15.Recess until Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 5 pm. at the
Environmental Resource Center at 1624 Lakeside Drive, Franklin, NC for the purpose of holding a joint meeting with the Macon County Planning Board.

Feb 2017 Commissioner Agenda Packet by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

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Macon County Commissioners Regular October 2016 Meeting

The Macon County Commissioners met last night for their regularly scheduled October 2016 meeting, which lasted over 3 hours. A video of the complete meeting is posted below, along with supporting documents. Macon Media will be posting video segments of the meeting over the next few days.




This is the proposed agenda of the meeting.


MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OCTOBER 11, 2016
AGENDA

1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman Corbin

2. Announcements
   (A) "Go Blue Friday'' for colon cancer awareness on October 21, 2016- LynnWright

3. Moment of Silence

4. Pledge of Allegiance

5. Public Hearing(s) - 6:15 p.m. Macon County Community Transportation Program Application-Transit Director Kim Angel Immediately following the public hearing, the board may consider taking action on the following items:
   (A) Public Transportation 5310 Program Resolution
   (B) Community Transportation Program Resolution (Section 5311)
   (C)5311 Designee Certification Form
   (D) Public Transportation Consolidated· Capital Call For Projects
Program Resolution

6. Public Comment Period

7. Additions to agenda

8. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

9. Reports/Presentations
   (A) Charters of Freedom monuments - Foundation Forward
   (B) NCACC Safety Award -Charlie Eaton, Deputy Director, NCACC Risk Management Services
   (C) Recommendations from the Community Funding Pool - Karen Wallace
   (D)Broadband discussion with providers

lO.Old Business
   (A) Award of bid for playground equipment and ground covering repairs and replacement for Wesley's Park- County Manager
   (B) Capital Project Ordinance for Radio Communications Upgrade - Finance Director
   (C) Consideration of letter of support for airport project - County
Manager

ll.New Business
   (A) Macon County Public Health 2016/ 17 Billing Guide and Fee
Schedule -Public Health DirectorJim Bruckner
   (B) Agreement with Wolfe Reality Check - HR Director and County
Attorney
   (C) Assignment of bid regarding Watauga Vista, Tract D
(D) Consideration of Planning Board Appointments

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 Commmisioners.
   A. Minutes of the September 13, 2016 regular meeting
   B. Budget Amendments #47-51
   C. Tax Releases

13.Appointments

14.Closed session (if necessary)

15.Adjourn/Recess


MEDIA ROLL CALL

(media outlets with reporters present)

Macon Media (me)

The Macon County News and Shopping Guide

The Franklin Press

WFSC-AM/WNCC-FM




SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

OCt 2016 Agenda Packet by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

FY16-17 BillngGuide Draft 9 28 16 for BOCC Review by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

299.4 Refunds 10 01 15 by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

299.4 Refunds 10 01 15 by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

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Macon County Commissioners August 2016 Regular Meeting

The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting tonight for their regular August 2016 meeting. Live video is available beginning at 5:58 pm at the link below. Supporting documents are also placed below that.



Live Video may be viewed at https://livestream.com/accounts/16465545/events/6107359 (recored video will be placed here after the meeting

Press Packet 08-09-2016 Commissioners by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

Settlement 2015 by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

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Macon County Commissioners June 28, 2016 Meeting

The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting tonight at 6 pm in the Commissioners Boardroom in the Macon County Courthouse. Macon Media will be there, streaming live video. After the meeting is over, a recorded version of the meeting will be added here, along with any extra documentation that is handed out to the media. The short agenda and the agenda packet are posted below for your convenience.

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

CONTINUED SESSION

JUNE 28, 2016 – 6 P.M.

AGENDA

1. Reconvene – Chairman Corbin


2. 6 p.m. – Public hearing on proposed monetary economic development
incentives to be offered


3. Consideration of proposed economic development incentives and
approval of NC One and Building Reuse grant applications – County
Attorney and Economic Development Director Tommy Jenkins


4. Security system at Senior Services – County Manager


5. Consideration of applications for fireworks displays at Nantahala and
Franklin – County Manager


6. Continued discussion of telephony project – Information Technology
Director Andy Muncey and representatives of Frontier and Mitel


7. Consideration of wellness policy – County Manager/HR Director


8. Consideration of ordinance amending the FY 2015-16 budget – Finance
Director


9. Approval of the minutes from the May 10, 2016 regular meeting and the
May 31, 2016 continued session


10. Adjourn

Commissioners 06-28-2016 Agenda Packet

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Regular May 2016 Meeting of the Macon County Commissioners

The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting tonight at 6 pm in the Commissioners Boardroom on the third floor of the Macon County Courthouse. This meeting is open to the public.




Supporting documents, including the public agenda and the full agenda packet are posted below for your convenience. 

Macon Media will be streaming video of the meeting live. Follow Macon Media News, Weather and Information on Facebook to check it out. After the meeting is over, video of the meeting will be embedded here.

**update** The meeting lasted over three hours, so it has been divided into three parts to facilitate viewing. The annual budget message from the county manager is in the second video, and will be uploaded as soon as possible.



PART ONE OF THREE



PART TWO OF THREE (BUDGET PRESENTATION)


PART THREE OF THREE



Here are downloadable copies of the Budget Message that was delivered by the County Manager and the proposed budget for the 2016-2017 Fiscal Year.

The 2016-2017 County Managers Budget Message by Bobby Coggins

2016-2017 Proposed Budget by Bobby Coggins

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

May 10, 2016

AGENDA

1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman Corbin
2. Announcements
--A. NCACC Update Video
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. Presentation of the recommended Fiscal Year 2016-17 budget –
County Manager
----(1) Schedule public hearing on the recommended FY 2016-17
budget for Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 6 p.m.
----(2) Schedule time(s) for budget work session(s)
--B. Upcoming total solar eclipse – David Hubbs
--C. Update on Smoky Mountain LME/MCO – Shelly Foreman
10.Old Business
--A. Capital Project Ordinance Amendment/Union Academy and
Highlands School – Finance Director
--B. Cancellation of contract with Shade America – County Manager
11.New Business
--A. Addition of Mountain Breeze Road to the state maintained road
system – County Manager
--B. Lease agreement between Macon County and Bonita Hamstra
for Highlands Road Convenience Center site – County Attorney
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 April 12, 2016 regular meeting and the April 18,
2016 called meeting
--B. Budget Amendments #196-204
--C. Tax Releases
13.Appointments
--A. Social Services Board (1 seat)
--B. Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees (1 seat)
14.Closed session (if necessary)
15.Adjourn/Recess

May 2016 Press Packet for Commissioners Regular Meeting by Bobby Coggins

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Macon County Commissioners Regular April 2016 Meeting

The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting tonight at 6 pm in the Commissioners Boardroom on the Third Floor of the Macon County Courthouse.

The public agenda and the press packet are posted below. 

VIDEO

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
APRIL 12, 2016
AGENDA

• Call to order and welcome by Chairman Corbin
  
• Announcements
  • NCACC Update Video
• Moment of Silence
  
• Pledge of Allegiance
  
• Public Hearing(s) - NONE
  
• Public Comment Period
  
• Additions to agenda
  
• Adjustments to and approval of the agenda
  
• Reports/Presentations
  • Recognition of the 100th Anniversary of Holly Springs School - Chuck Coburn, President, Holly Springs Community Development Club
  • Southwestern Commission Annual Report - Executive Director Ryan Sherby
  • Tour Macon County NC - Dale McGiboney
• Old Business
  
• New Business
  • Resolution and agreement regarding Macon County Business Development Center lease to Magnetic Wrench Manufacturing - Economic Development Director Tommy Jenkins
  • Proposed amendment to the Little Tennessee River Greenway Ordinance - County Attorney
  • Agreements regarding "Story Walk" - County Attorney
• 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.
  • Minutes of the March 8, 2016 regular meeting
  • Budget Amendments #168-174
  • Tax Releases
  • Tax Refund
• Appointments
  • Town of Franklin Planning Board and Board of Adjustment (ETJ representative)
• Closed session (if necessary)
  
• Adjourn/Recess

Press Packet April 2016 County Commissioner Meeting by Bobby Coggins

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Macon County Commissioners to Webcast Meetings Online

The Macon County Commissioners will be webcasting their own meetings online beginning with the April meeting. Here is the announcement:

Camera Installation in Commissioner Boardroom

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March 2016 Meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners

County Commissioners succumb to Bannermania

The Macon County Board of Commissioners will be meeting Tuesday night, March 8th, 2016 in the Commissioners Boardroom on the third floor of the Macon County Courthouse. Macon Media will be there to record the meeting for those who cannot be there. the public agenda and and the agenda that is shared with the media is posted below the live video player.

Macon Media has switched video providers from Livestream to Ustream because Ustream allows embedding of live video events on websites at the free service level. No login is required, but you will have to sit through and ad served up by Ustream. Once the ad finishes playing, click skip ad in the upper right corner of the video player. Once a little more cash flow is generated, a service plan can be bought that will remove the ads.

Once the meeting is over and a video has been produced, the live video player will be replaced with the recorded video.

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MARCH 8, 2016

AGENDA

•Call to order and welcome by Chairman Corbin

•Announcements
   --NCACC Update Video

•Moment of Silence

•Pledge of Allegiance

•Public Hearing(s) - NONE

•Public Comment Period

•Additions to agenda

•Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

•Reports/Presentations
   --Annual Program Impact Report - County Extension Director Alan Durden

•Old Business

•New Business
   --Consideration of Fiscal Year 2015-16 audit contract - Finance Director
   --Consideration of bids for shade structures at Parker Meadows Recreational Complex - County Manager or Finance Director and Recreation Director Seth Adams
   --Solid Waste -- Director Chris Stahl and Finance Director
   ----Adoption of bond order authorizing issuance of special obligation bonds for landfill expansion project
   ----Adoption of resolution for issuing county special obligation bonds
   ----Consideration of award of contract to Shamrock Environmental for construction of landfill Phase III, Cell I


•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.
   --Minutes of the February 9, 2016 regular meeting
   --Budget Amendments #126 through #132
   --Tax Releases

•Appointments
   --Board of Equalization and Review (5 seats)
   --Library Board of Trustees (3 seats)

•Closed session (if necessary)

•Adjourn/Recess

March 2016 County Commission Press Packet

CANDIDATE SIGHTING REPORT

Karl Gillespie, candidate for District II County Commissioner, and Greg Boyer, candidate for District III County Commissioner, were present in the audience for the entire meeting.

MEDIA ROLL CALL
(Media outlets with reporters physically present at the meeting. If you see a report about this meeting in a media outlet without a reporter present, either they're watching the videos or a reporter from one of the other outlets is moonlighting)

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

CROWD FUNDING OR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online and are allowing new features to be added to coverage of local news, weather and events.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at >> https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia

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2016 Mid-Year Review Begins Annual Budget Process for Macon County

The Macon County Commissioners held their annual mid-year budget review and budget work session on January 26, 2016. Video and supporting documents are posted in this article. A text play by posted from the meeting can be seen on Facebook.

VIDEO




MEDIA ROLL CALL
(media outlets present at the meeting)

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


Here is the agenda and the proposed calendar for the budget planning process:

Here is what the process looked like the last three times the commissioners met to begin the annual budget process:

2015

2014

2013

Read More

Macon County Commissioners January 2016 Regular Meeting Agenda

**update Jan 14th** Here is the video and a copy of the Hazard Mitigation Plan for Macon and Clay County that was approved during the meeting.



VIDEO 
(now with a Table of Contents and internal navigation between segments of the meeting for those without the intestinal fortitude to watch the whole meeting)




During the meeting, commissioners approved a Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan for Macon and Clay Counties. A copy is currently available on the county website. I have also posted it below in case it disappears from the website.

REGIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

Clay Macon Hazard Mitigation Plan

MEDIA ROLL CALL
(the media outlets that had reporters physically present at the meeting)

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

The commissioners will be meeting again on Tuesday, January 26th at 1 pm in the commissioner boardroom to hold an abbreviated version of the annual start of the budget process. The county manager said this meeting would probably only last a couple of hours.


The remainder of the supporting documents were posted before the meeting and are below.






The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting tonight at 6 pm in the county commissioner boardroom on the third floor of the Macon County Courthouse. Here is the public agenda, the press packet and a copy of the comprehensive financial report of the Fiscal Year 2015 that ran from July 2014 to June 2015.


Public Agenda

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JANUARY 12, 2016
AGENDA

NOTE: The presentation of county service awards will begin at 5 p.m. in the commission boardroom, followed immediately by a reception for service award recipients to be held in the third-floor hallway of the courthouse. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.

• Call to order and welcome by Chairman Corbin
  
• Announcements
  
• Moment of Silence
  
• Pledge of Allegiance
  
• Public Hearing(s) - NONE
  
• Public Comment Period
  
• Additions to agenda
  
• Adjustments to and approval of the agenda
  
• Reports/Presentations
  • Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2014-15 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report - Jill Vang, Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs
  • Presentation regarding U.S. Forest Service recommendations for wilderness in the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Management Plan - Michelle Ruigrok, Outreach Coordinator for The Wilderness Society
• Old Business
  • Macon County Public Health Billing Guide and Fee Schedules - Public Health Director Jim Bruckner
  • Change to building inspections fee schedule (follow up to fee analysis) - County Manager
  • Consideration of Golden LEAF Foundation commitment letter - Lynda Parlett, Southwestern Community College
  • Change orders for Union Academy and Highlands School renovation projects - Terry Bell, Macon County Schools
• New Business
  • Bond counsel engagement letter for 2016 financing of landfill expansion - Finance Director
  • Resolution to adopt the Clay Macon Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan - Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe
  • Ratification of December 28, 2015 e-mail poll of the board regarding consensus on Co-Op property - County Manager
  • Contract with Kimble's Commissary to provide services for the Macon County Jail - County Attorney and Sheriff Holland
  • Consideration of easement dissolution - County Manager and County Attorney
• 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.
  • Minutes of the December 8, 2015 regular meeting and the December 18, 2015 called meeting
  • Budget Amendments #82 and #83
  • Tax Releases
  • Monthly ad valorem tax collection report
• Appointments
  • Planning Board (one seat, Town of Highlands representative)
• Closed session - Per G.S. 143-381.11(3), with regard to attorney-client privilege
  
• Recess until January 26, 2016 at 1 p.m. in the commission boardroom on the third floor of the Macon County Courthouse, 5 West Main Street, Franklin, NC 28734.

Press Kit

Jan 2016 Macon Commissioners Press Kit

Financial Report

Macon County FY 2015 Financial Report

Read More

Agenda for the December 2015 Macon County Commissioners

The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting tonight (12-08-2015) at 6 pm in the County Commissioners Boardroom. The public agenda, the agenda packet that is shared with local media outlets and a document dump of macon Transit documents are posted below.

The nearly live play by play will be posted on Facebook.

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
DECEMBER 8, 2015
AGENDA

• Call to order - County Manager
  
• Election of chairman - County Manager
  
• Election of vice-chairman
  
• Examination of Official Bond for Public Officials of Macon County
  
• Adoption of the 2016 regular meeting schedule
  
• Announcements
  • NCACC Update Video
• Moment of Silence
  
• Pledge of Allegiance
  
• Public Hearing(s) - NONE
  
• Public Comment Period
  
• Adjustments to and approval of the agenda
  
• Reports/Presentations
  • Presentation honoring Beth Moberg for her service to the Cowee Community
  • Resolution naming County Bridge 99 after Ms. Edith Byrd
• Old Business
  • Consideration of prequalification policy for landfill construction work
  • Consideration of assessment tool and criteria for landfill construction project
• New Business
  • Macon County Transit System Safety Program Plan - Transit Director Kim Angel
• Consent Agenda - Attachment #15
  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.
  • Minutes of the November 10, 2016 regular meeting and the November 16, 2016 continuation meeting
  • Budget Amendments #72-#75
  • Tax Releases
  • Tax Settlement Refunds
  • Monthly ad valorem tax collection report
• Appointments
  
• Closed session
  
• Adjourn/Recess

Dec 2015 Macon Commissioners Press Packet

General Info Track

Section 1 - Driver & Employee Selection

Section 2 - Driver & Employee Training Track

Section 3 - Safety Data Acquisition & Analysis

Section 4 - Drug & Alcohol Abuse Programs

Section 5 - Maintenance Plan - Revised 2015 Track

Section 6 - Security

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Regular October 2015 Meeting Macon County Commissioners

The Macon County Commissioners met for their regular October 2015 meeting, and it was a marathon session. The meeting started at 6:00 pm and ended shortly before 11:00 pm.

The video of the meeting has been divided into three parts and various supporting documents are posted below. There will also be other videos released and posted in separate articles, each with supporting documents embedded that relate to that segment of the meeting.



Part 1


Part 2

Part 3

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OCTOBER 13, 2015
AGENDA

• Call to order and welcome by Chairman Corbin
• Announcements
• Moment of Silence
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Public Hearing(s) - 6:05 p.m. Section 5311 (Community Transportation Program Application) and Section 5310 (Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities Program Application) - Kim Angel, Macon County Transit Director
  
  NOTE: Following the close of the public hearing, the board will consider approval of the applications.
• Public Comment Period
  
  NOTE: Following public comment, the board will go into closed session for the purpose of preserving the attorney/client privilege - NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3)
• Adjustments to and approval of the agenda
• Reports/Presentations
  • Recognition of employees involved in June 4, 2015 incident at South Macon Elementary School
  • Presentation of appreciation to Jeannie Beets Garrett
  • Presentation of County Government Partnership Award from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
  • Presentation regarding robotics program for middle school students - Stan McCormick with Must-Innov8.inc.
• Old Business
  • Presentation of Building Inspections and Environmental Health Department fee analysis - County Manager
  • Change orders for Union Academy and Highlands School renovation projects - Terry Bell with Macon County Schools
• New Business
  • Consideration of franchise and haul agreements with J&B Disposal - County Attorney
  • Recommendations from the Community Funding Pool Task Force - Karen Wallace
  • Resolution and lease agreement with Vitrum -- La Collezione, LLC - Economic Development Director Tommy Jenkins
  • Update on E-waste recycling - Solid Waste Director Chris Stahl
  • Change Order Number One for Cullasaja Park - Doug Johnson with Macon County Soil and Water Conservation
  • Resolutions and leases for community care clinics in Franklin and Highlands - County Attorney
  • Agreement for recreational opportunities with the Scaly Mountain Historical Society, Inc. - County Attorney
  • Ratification of e-mail polls:
    • September 11, 2015 e-mail regarding NCDOT priorities
    • September 18, 2015 e-mail regarding revised concession stand contract
• 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.
  • Minutes of the September 8, 2015 regular meeting
  • Budget Amendments #43 - #49
  • Tax Releases
  • Tax Refund
  • Monthly ad valorem tax collection report
• Appointments:
  • Town of Franklin Extra-territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) Board (one seat)
• Closed session (if necessary)
• Adjourn/Recess

Here is the full agenda packet that is shared with members of the local media. Currently, Macon Media is the only media outlet to share these public documents with the public.

Press Packet for OCtober 2015 Commissioner Meeting by Thunder Pig

MEDIA ROLL CALL (a record of which media outlets were present for the meeting)

Macon Media (me)
WLOS-TV (a reporter and a cameraman. Both left after the Recognitions of Valor were handed out) LINK TO COVERAGE
Macon County News and Shopping Guide (one reporter)
WNCC-FM/WFSC-AM (one reporter)
The Franklin Press (one reporter)

CROWD FUNDING

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.

In September 2015, 13 people pledged $75.00 and 9 followed through with $55.00. If you have pledged to support Macon Media and have updated your bank card, you need to update your info on Patreon in order for your pledge to be accepted by Patreon and then transferred to Macon Media.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at my crowd funding page.

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Mercer delivers update on The Father's House at September Commissioner meeting

This video is from the public comment period of the September 8, 2015 meeting of the Macon County Commissioners. Dr Gordon Mercer spoke about the efforts of The Father's House to comply with housing and fire codes. The church runs a homeless shelter as part of their ministry.





Here is a video someone posted of the cleanup that took place at Father's House as part of a mission trip from Grantie Falls, NC:

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Regular September 2015 Meeting Macon County Commissioners Part 1 - Public Education Supporters Rally

Last night's meeting of the county commissioners began at 6 pm and commissioners went into closed session to discuss acquiring property at around 10 pm, so the video of the meeting will be broken up into segments to make for easier viewing.

The agenda packet that the county shares with members of the press (and others by request under sunshine laws) is posted at the end of this article. Currently, Macon Media is the only member of the local press that shares this public document with the citizens of Macon County.

MEDIA ROLL CALL (media organizations with reporters at the meeting)

Macon Media (me)
Macon County News and Shopping Guide
WFSC-AM/WNCC-FM
The Franklin Press The Smoky Mountain News
WLOS-TV  [See their coverage]

I will update this section over the next week as the other news outlets post their coverage about this segment of the meeting.

The first segment is the beginning of the meeting and a mini-rally in support of public education and a presentation by John DeVille. He is a local teacher at Franklin High School and member of the North Carolina Association of Educators. The presentation was billed as an update on state budget/education issues. Video, supporting documents and photos are below.






You can see the slideshow John DeVille presented either at his website or via the embed below.

Preserving Our Public Education Heritage

Here is a slideshow of photos taken at the pre-rally meeting at Ratheskeller's and then at the county commissioner meeting:

Press Packet for Sept 2015 Macon Commissioners by Thunder Pig

CROWD FUNDING

If you're of a mind, and can afford it, a dollar a month (or more) from enough people will make a huge difference in improving the quality of these reports and will allow remote weather stations and weather cams to be deployed throughout the county that you will be able to access online.

So far, 13 people have pledged $75 a month, and 9 of them have followed through with $55 for the month of August. This is a tremendous help.

Thank you to the two people who sent checks during August.

Please visit www.patreon.com/MaconMedia for more information on how to contribute.

Businesses can underwrite this coverage by day sponsorships, surplus equipment donations, etc. Inquire at editor@maconmedia.com for more information.

If I can do this on less than $100 a month, imagine what I can do if a thousand (or more) of you were willing to send a dollar a month. 

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