Macon County Board of Commissioners July 2026 Agenda and Livestream

The Macon County Board of Commissioners will be meeting tonight at 6pm in the county courthouse. There will likely be a large number present due to public concern about data centers and discussions about the Macon County Public Library and flock cameras being on the agenda, so arrive early, before 5.30pm, especially if you want a good seat or intend to sign up to speak. Macon Media intends to be there before 5pm.

The county will livestream the meeting, but be advised that their audio is almost always less than adequate and you will not be able to hear commissioners, staff, and members of the public who do not speak into the microphones. Those of you who are forced into the overfill room if we do not go upstairs need to let the deputies know if you cannot hear what is being said during the meeting.

Livestream | Macon County



Macon Media will attempt a livestream on Facebook starting at 5.55pm at https://www.facebook.com/MaconMediaNews/live_videos/ I apologize that it is in portrait mode instead of landscape mode.

---

Public Agenda
July 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM


1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman Young

2. Announcements

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Public Hearing(s)

5. Additions to agenda

6. Public Comment Period

7. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

8. Reports/Presentations - None

9. Old Business
a. Continued Discussion Regarding Macon County Public Library - County Manager Warren Cabe
b. Re-districting Recommendation from Macon County Planning Board - Planning, Permitting, and Development Director Joe Allen
c. Update on the 2027 Reappraisal for Macon County - Tax Administrator Abby Braswell

10. New Business
a. Discussion concerning License Plate Reader Cameras - Sheriff Brent Holbrooks
b. Schedule Public Hearing on proposed revisions to the High Impact Ordinance and request the Planning Board to review – Attorney Eric Ridenour

11. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes of the June 9, 2026 Regular Meeting
b. Budget Amendments #2-12 and 14
c. Highlands Area Chamber of Commerce Service Contract
d. Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce Service Contract
e. USDA Lease Agreement
f. FY 2026-2027 Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Certification and County Plan
g. Revised Overtime (Compensatory Time) Policy
h. Capital Project Ordinance Amendment - Highlands School Project
i. Tax Releases for the Month of June 2026 in the Amount of $3,075.10
j. Monthly ad valorem tax collection report - no action necessary

12. Appointments
a. SCC Board of Trustees (1 Seat)

13. Closed Session as allowed under NCGS 143-318.11

14. Adjourn/Recess

---

Agenda Packet } (Download 117 Page PDF) 

---

Support Macon Media

• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at Facebook Subscription
• Become a Patron: patreon.com/MaconMedia
• PayPal: paypal.me/MaconMedia

Published at 4.03am on Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins

Read More

Future of the Macon County Library and the Fontana Regional Library Discussed by Commissioners and the Public

Here is a compilation of the clips where Commissioners and members of the public discussed the Macon County Library and the Fontana Regional Library.

Executive Summary

During the June 9, 2026, Macon County Commissioners meeting, the board discussed the Fontana Regional Library (FRL) funding request and the future of Macon County's library system after Jackson County announced its withdrawal effective July 1, 2026. Public interest was so high that the commissioners had to make use of an overflow room in the Magistrate Courtroom because not everyone could fit in the Commissioners' Boardroom.

Library Discussion Clips




Key Financial Points:

• FRL requested $1,628,276 from Macon County.
• County Manager budgeted $1,249,601 (slightly above last year’s level), anticipating ~$525,000 in excess fund balance returned to Macon County.
• The difference is ~$379,000 more to stay in FRL.
• Jackson County’s exit leaves Macon and Swain (Swain ~6% contribution). Staying in a diminished FRL would require Macon to shoulder a much larger share.

Public comment was lengthy and passionate, reflecting deep divisions between the commissioners and the public commenters over library governance, collection policies, First Amendment concerns, parental rights, board behavior, and the value of regional vs. local control.

After public comment, the board resumed discussion. Several commissioners expressed fiscal concerns about continuing in a diminished FRL (Macon potentially shouldering most of the burden) and favored local control. They also discussed restructuring the Macon County Library advisory board for better geographic representation.

Key Votes:

4-1 motion passed (Commissioner Shields opposed) to give notice of intent to withdraw from the Fontana Regional Library System (effective July 2027, providing a full year to plan and decide).

The board tabled the reappointment of the three expiring Macon County Library Board members to allow time for further planning and potential restructuring of the advisory board.

Overall, the meeting highlighted tensions between fiscal responsibility, local control, continued library services, and community divisions over governance and content policies. The board emphasized ensuring no interruption in services while prioritizing taxpayer interests.

---

Support Macon Media


• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]

 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at https://www.facebook.com/MaconMediaNews/posts/pfbid0sraDv94aqwTXUA5KqivnmL3U4H5bhjgkZkYdmknBUx5fedENQXAWuQZqndTyNhUel?comment_id=1161740932841534

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contributing 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 5.00pm on Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins

Read More