Macon County reviews $39 million school capital ask; approves four new paramedic positions and ambulance remount

Macon County commissioners continued a FY2025-26 budget work session on May 22, 2025, hearing multi-million-dollar requests from Macon County Schools, Southwestern Community College, fire and rescue districts and the county solid-waste program. The board voted unanimously to add four paramedic positions and fund an ambulance remount with the difference taken from fund balance.

Josh Lynch, superintendent of Macon County Schools, presented three budget perspectives—maintain current operations, top priorities and expansion—and identified capital outlay requests totaling $39,010,269.15, including a new East Franklin Elementary School and a planned conversion of the Highlands School soccer field to synthetic turf. Alayna Ledford, chief financial officer for the school system, outlined requests for pay increases and school-lunch funding. County Manager Warren Cabe said his proposed budget tries to preserve certain items on a “maintain current operations” basis, noting a $400,000 increase in that line that represents 17.9% of the overall proposed budget. Commissioner Shearl urged…