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Macon County commissioners approve a series of school, capital and administrative actions; set April public hearing on Pine Grove School sale
Summary
The Macon County Board of Commissioners approved contracts and budget moves for school and county capital projects, ratified 3-1 amendments for college projects, approved a PULSE workforce MOU, and scheduled a public hearing on the potential sale of the Pine Grove School property; the board also unanimously called an advisory November referendum on a one-quarter cent county sales tax.
At its March 12 regular meeting, the Macon County Board of Commissioners approved a set of motions covering school planning, capital projects and administrative business and scheduled further hearings on a pending property sale.
Major approvals included a $163,700 contract with McGill Associates for Phase 1A planning of the Veterans Memorial Recreation Master Plan (motion Commissioner Young, seconded Commissioner Antoine; unanimous vote) and a $69,786 budget amendment to fund a bi‑directional radio system for Macon Middle School and to reconcile change orders after omitted low-voltage wiring work (motion Commissioner Young; seconded Commissioner Shields; unanimous). Southwestern Community College representatives advised and the board ratified county 3-1 capital project amendments for the Fire Rescue Training Center and the Groves Center expansion; board members approved a separate 3-1 amendment for an indoor firing range, with Finance noting anticipated operating costs of $54,715 per year beginning in 2027.
The board approved the PULSE (Panther Unified Learning and Skills Exchange) memorandum of understanding expanding public safety career pathways for students and internships in collaboration with county public safety agencies. Commissioners also accepted the recommendation to begin contract negotiations with Carroll Daniel Construction for pre-construction services on the Franklin High School project; a pre-construction contract and guaranteed maximum price will be taken up at the special March 25 meeting.
On real property, the board considered a $102,910 offer for the former Pine Grove School at 38 Peeks Creek Road. A motion to accept the offer failed for lack of a second; the board instead voted 4-1 (Commissioner Higdon opposed) to hold a public hearing on April 9, 2024 before proceeding.
The board unanimously adopted a resolution calling a special advisory referendum on November 5, 2024 asking voters whether to levy a one-quarter cent county sales and use tax, with anticipated revenues directed to Macon County school capital projects.
Consent items approved included minutes from prior meetings, budget amendments #161-165, a capital project ordinance amendment for Highlands Middle School renovations, tax releases totaling $270.84 and routine monthly tax reports. The board also made appointments to the Economic Development Commission and approved a limited procurement exemption to allow geotechnical engineering services under $50,000 for landfill Phase III, Cell II, to meet project timelines.
The meeting included public comments urging more school counselors, support for the sales tax referendum, and concerns about local road conditions. After a closed session to discuss attorney-client matters and later real property acquisition, the board adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
