The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to accept four transportation and capital grant awards that county staff said are routine annual allotments from federal and state programs.

County staff presented four separate public hearings — a 53‑11 rural transit administrative grant, a 53‑10 operating grant for services to older adults and people with disabilities, a combined capital grant for vehicles and equipment, and a 50/50 concept grant that supports the WNC Express route to Asheville. No members of the public spoke on any of the grant items during the hearings.

The grants include the county’s routine allocation of federal and state transit funds. County staff said the 53‑11 administrative grant totals $230,232 with a county match of $34,535 (the county’s share is normally 15 percent but can fall to 10 percent if the state provides funding). The 53‑10 operating grant requested $300,000 and staff said the $150,000 local match would come from county transportation operatings, Medicaid funding and possibly block grant funds. The capital grant totals $167,532 with a $16,754 match and covers a 22‑foot cutaway vehicle (including lift and conversion) and replacement desktop computers. The concept grant requested $200,000 for the WNC Express route; staff said the $100,000 local match would come from participating counties and passenger fares.

Commissioner Sherrill moved approval of each grant as presented. Motions were seconded as noted below; all four measures passed on 5‑0 voice votes.

Votes at a glance

- 53‑11 administrative grant: $230,232; county match $34,535 (motion: Commissioner Sherrill; second: Commissioner Shields; outcome: approved, 5‑0).

- 53‑10 operating grant (elderly and disabled transit): $300,000; local match ~$150,000 (motion: Commissioner Sherrill; second: Commissioner Antoine; outcome: approved, 5‑0).

- Combined capital grant (FY27 vehicle and equipment): $167,532; match $16,754 (motion: Commissioner Sherrill; second: Commissioner Antoine; outcome: approved, 5‑0).

- 50/50 concept grant (WNC Express): $200,000; local match $100,000 from Jackson, Swain, Haywood counties and fares (motion: Commissioner Cheryl; second: Commissioner Antoine; outcome: approved, 5‑0).

The consent agenda that commissioners later approved also included a resolution supporting Operation Greenlight for veterans (encouraging residents and businesses to display a green light from Nov. 4–11). That consent-item resolution appeared on the consent slate and was approved as part of the overall consent vote.

County officials said the grants are annual allocations administered through the state and that the county’s matching amounts come from existing transportation and operating budgets. No public opposition was recorded during the hearings.

The grants will be incorporated into the county’s fiscal accounts and handled by county transit and finance staff as part of normal program administration.