Graham County sets $125,524 special appropriation for Tri-County Community College; plans increase next year

The Graham County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 19 agreed to set a special appropriation for Tri-County Community College at $125,524 for fiscal year 2025-26, citing increased local enrollment and the college's growing role in workforce training for ECO King.

Manager Brady Cody, Graham County manager, told commissioners he had spoken with Tri-County Community College and that "they saw an increase in class enrollment in Graham County, which had decreased in previous years," and that the Robbinsville campus "will be serving as the HUB for all the workforce training for ECO King." Carpenter provided the financial detail that supported the request.

Stacy Carpenter, finance director, said the college reported spending $192,888.63 for fiscal year 2024-25, of which $67,159.70 was spent on bat remediation, leaving $125,728.93 tied to other campus expenses. Carpenter also reported the county's contingency balance as $197,563.00. Based on those figures, Chair Meggan Smith said it "seems reasonable to allow the same appropriation as last year of $125,524.00" and proposed increasing the appropriation in the following fiscal year to support expanded training.

Commissioners Lynn Cody (vice-chairman) and Natasha Williams both agreed with the recommendation; the board recorded consensus to set the FY2025-26 appropriation at $125,524 and to increase funding for FY2026-27. The transcript does not record a formal motion or roll-call vote on the appropriation; the board's decision is recorded as unanimous agreement in the workshop minutes.

The meeting concluded shortly thereafter. Commissioner Natasha Williams moved to adjourn; Commissioner Lynn Cody seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.