County finance adviser calls Macon in ‘excellent’ financial position; commissioners consider fund‑balance and debt policies and a quarter‑cent sales‑tax ballot

Macon County officials on Feb. 8 were told by a financial advisor that the county is in an enviable fiscal position and discussed several policy tools to formalize reserves and debt strategy.

Mitch Brigulio of Davenport and Associates reviewed the county’s financial indicators — including an AA2 credit rating — and recommended the board adopt formal policies on fund balance usage, a debt‑payoff schedule, debt‑to‑assessed‑value limits and a debt‑service policy to guide future borrowing. Commissioner Josh Young asked Brigulio for scenarios for funding the Franklin High School project; Brigulio recommended borrowing at then‑current rates (about 3.5 percent) while the county’s current investment returns were roughly 5 percent.

Finance Director Lori Carpenter said she could implement recommended policies by March 2024. County Manager Derek Roland told the board the county could deploy about $146 million for projects without raising current taxes and without falling below the county’s seven percent reserve target (figures provided in the presentation). Roland also said a quarter‑cent sales tax, estimated to raise about $2.3 million, could fund new projects or positions; he asked that the item be added to the board agenda for the next meeting and ultimately placed on the November 2024 ballot for voter consideration.

Carpenter provided a mid‑year financial update showing revenue trends including sales tax and ad valorem collections and noted general fund expenditures were higher this year because of higher prices for goods. Staff materials and presentations were made part of the official minutes.

The board did not adopt final policy language at the meeting but directed staff to return with draft policies and ballot language per the timetable discussed.