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Macon County board adopts $64.8 million budget after debate; school capital amendments and project ordinances approved
Summary
After discussion about educational capital spending and a separate public hearing on fire-district tax requests, the Macon County Board of Commissioners approved the fiscal year 2025–26 budget and several school capital project ordinances on June 10. Commissioners also directed staff to review several capital requests and to coordinate follow-up.
Macon County commissioners on June 10 adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 county budget and approved a set of capital project ordinance amendments for county school and education projects after discussion of line-item shifts and school capital needs.
County Manager and finance staff summarized changes made since the work session, including adding four EMS positions, replacing a planned new ambulance with a remounted unit, adding a transport officer position (offset by reduced contract transport and overtime), and moving the full $200,246 contingency into Macon County Schools’ current expense. After those adjustments, staff reported a proposed budget of approximately $64,817,964 and identified about $106,365 needed from fund balance to balance the ordinance.
Commissioners debated whether capital dollars proposed for Southwestern Community College should be moved to Macon County Schools. Manager and finance staff said such a line-item transfer could be done within the ordinance and that funds already appropriated for college capital—about $125,600 in the packet—were intended for roofing, electrical updates, water heaters and railing replacement at a modular unit. Commissioners asked staff to verify cost estimates and requested the college be notified before the July meeting if those funds might be reallocated. County staff said individual capital reimbursements are processed on an invoice basis and funds could be moved later by appropriation from fund balance.
During the meeting, the board approved a bundle of capital project ordinance amendments that had been pulled from the consent agenda, including Macon Middle School, Franklin High School (construction and related issuance and equipment costs), the Highlands school projects, and the county’s housing administration multiyear fund. Commissioner Sherrill moved to approve the pulled items; the motion passed unanimously.
The board also debated how and when to spend $75,000 previously budgeted for a community funding pool (small nonprofit grants). Commissioners discussed whether the pool should be governed by a county-appointed advisory panel, whether the pool properly belongs in the county budget and how to structure oversight. The board reduced the advisory committee’s size from the draft 13 members to seven and directed that a nonvoting county liaison be named; commissioners said nominations and committee duties would be finalized in July.
Final vote: The board adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget as presented by motion of Commissioner Sherrill; the motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: The budget sets county staffing levels, capital spending and school support for the year. The board’s decisions on capital transfers and oversight of small-grants funding affect how quickly school repairs and community programs proceed.
What’s next: County staff will follow up on Southwestern Community College capital quotes, provide cost verification and return with any recommended reallocations or reimbursements. The community funding-pool bylaws and membership will be finalized in July; commissioners instructed staff to advertise membership and bring applicant lists forward for approval.
