Macon County commissioners shrink Planning Board to five members, make towns non‑voting liaisons

The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 10 to reduce the county Planning Board from 11 members to five voting members and to designate the towns of Franklin and Highlands as non‑voting liaisons.

Commissioner Sherrill moved the change and Commissioner Breeden seconded. The motion included direction for County Attorney Ridenour to draft bylaw amendments reflecting the restructure. The board recorded the vote as 5‑0.

Speakers at the planning‑board public hearing had urged caution, saying a smaller board risks losing expertise and town representation. Lee Walters, a current vice chair of the planning board, recommended alternatives to preserve continuity, including virtual attendance and alternate members to address quorum challenges.

Proponents on the board argued quorum difficulties and low attendance at the larger body reduced productivity and that a five‑member board more closely matches other local advisory boards. The motion specifies that town representatives will attend as liaisons without voting rights; commissioners said non‑voting liaisons can still communicate town concerns at meetings.

The board instructed county staff and the attorney to prepare updated bylaws and bring them back for approval at a subsequent meeting.

Next steps: Attorney Ridenour will draft the bylaw changes and present them at the next meeting for formal adoption.