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Macon County board approves planner position, bond agreement and broadband consultant renewal; supports CTE grant application
Summary
At its Oct. 10 meeting, the Macon County Board of Commissioners approved a new planner position with a $69,718 budget amendment, entered a $22,714.76 bond agreement for Tiny Mountain Estates, renewed a consultant agreement with LittleT Broadband, and authorized a letter of support for a Franklin High School CTE grant backed by Dogwood Health Trust funding.
Macon County commissioners on Oct. 10 approved several personnel, contracting and funding actions intended to support county services and school workforce development.
Personnel and staffing: County Manager Derek Roland asked the board to add a Planner position to the Planning, Permitting and Development Department and to reclassify the Planning Director role to a Plan Reviewer/CEO III to reflect shifting duties. The board approved the addition and a corresponding budget amendment of $69,718, with revenue increased from interest on investments to cover the change. Commissioner Shields moved the measure and Chairman Paul Higdon seconded; the vote was recorded as unanimous.
Tiny Mountain Estates bond agreement: Planning Director Joe Allen presented a bond agreement for the Tiny Mountain Estates subdivision. The board voted unanimously to accept a cash-in-lieu bond of $22,714.76 instead of requiring paving, as described in the agreement. Commissioner Young moved the motion and Commissioner Shields seconded.
Broadband consulting agreement: County Manager Derek Roland reminded the board the Master Service Agreement with LittleT Broadband is a consultant contract with no direct funding included; sub-agreements with funding are executed when specific projects are identified. The board voted unanimously to renew the Master Service Agreement to retain consultant expertise and oversight for projects such as the Nantahala fiber initiative; Commissioner Shields moved and Commissioner Young seconded.
Support for CTE grant application: Colleen Strickland and Josh Brooks told commissioners that Dogwood Health Trust has awarded Franklin High School $495,280 to expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) staffing. Strickland said Dogwood offered to hire a grant writer and provide an additional $100,000 match, that South College (SCC) has contributed staff funding that will count toward the local match, and that the combined local match exceeds the 50% requirement for the Perkins Innovation Modernization Grant. She said the Perkins program could provide up to $4.8 million over five years if awarded but noted the grant will not fund building renovations; it may fund a master plan and architect services, equipment, student tuition stipends and internship supports. Commissioner Antoine moved and Commissioner Shields seconded a motion authorizing County Manager Derek Roland to prepare a letter of support; the board approved the motion unanimously.
Consent items and appointments: The board approved the consent agenda, including budget amendments #50-55, a revised vehicle policy and tax releases totaling $1,774.32. Chairman Paul Higdon also moved to appoint Ruth Stillwell, Matt Corbin and Garrett Higdon to the Board of Health; the appointments were approved unanimously.
Closed sessions: The board entered two closed sessions during the meeting under N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(5) (personnel) and (a)(6) (acquisition/personnel) and returned to open session both times. The board adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
