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Macon County pledges $350,000 to Highlands playground and OKs $250,000 for student internships
Summary
The board unanimously pledged $350,000 toward a Highlands playground project and approved a $250,000 transfer from the EDC to fund paid CTE internships; the meeting also approved routine items including a Kroger opioid settlement resolution and Title VI transit plan.
The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously July 9 to pledge $350,000 from the general fund balance to expand a playground in the Town of Highlands. Town officials said the total project financing plan includes a pending $500,000 PARTF grant application, $250,000 from the town, and private fundraising of $500,000–$600,000 (about $200,000 already pledged); the county pledge would represent about 20% of the projected cost.
The board also approved a request to transfer $250,000 from the Economic Development Commission fund to the general fund to support paid internships for Career and Technical Education students, a program county and school representatives said has been in development for three years. CTE representatives Colleen Strickland and Josh Brooks told commissioners the funding will allow students to work alongside local employers.
Other unanimous approvals included a private fireworks permit for a July 26 wedding event at Old Edwards Inn, adoption of a resolution to accept Kroger opioid settlement funds (estimated county share $159,269 over 11 years), and approval of the 2024 Title VI Program Plan for Macon County Transit. The board also approved the consent agenda and made two appointments: Caleb Gibson as Ordinance Administrator and Phillip Cucuru to the Macon County Library Board.
Next steps: Highlands officials plan to proceed with fundraising and, if the PARTF grant is awarded, put the project out to bid; staff will execute the CTE internship transfer and implement the program.
