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Commissioners split over Franklin High School funding; approve construction documents and a budget amendment
Summary
After a heated debate over whether to pause spending until a state grant is resolved, the board voted twice on Sept. 12—first to suspend funding and later to approve advancing construction documents and a $1,666,560 budget amendment — each motion passing 3–2.
A contentious debate over Franklin High School’s construction documents and local funding consumed more than one agenda item during the Sept. 12 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting. LS3P designers Paul Boney and Emily Kite briefed the board on design completion and requested authority to move into the construction phase and to appropriate local funds to strengthen the county’s grant application.
Commissioner Shearl moved, seconded by Commissioner Higdon, to suspend funding indefinitely pending clarity on a $50–$60 million state grant that LS3P said is tied to the project. That motion passed 3–2, with Shearl and Higdon voting in favor and Commissioners Young, Shields and Antoine opposed. During the ensuing debate, commissioners expressed sharply different views about risk: Shearl said the county should not commit local funds unless the grant is assured, declaring, "Only a fool will build something with no way to pay for it." Supporters of proceeding said a pause could jeopardize the county's competitiveness for grant funding.
Later the board considered a separate motion by Commissioner Young, seconded by Commissioner Shields, to proceed with construction documents and to approve a budget amendment appropriating $1,666,560 from the general fund balance. That motion also passed 3–2, with Young, Shields and Antoine voting in favor and Higdon and Shearl opposed. Commissioner Shields said education is an investment and expressed urgency to keep the project moving; Paul Boney said the project cannot proceed to construction without public input and state budget movement, and that the design budget referenced earlier (Exhibit A) would be updated.
The split votes mean the board voiced both caution and a willingness to advance spending to position Macon County for state grant consideration; the approved budget amendment allows staff to proceed with construction-document work and related public-engagement steps.
Next steps include completing the public comment period the architects requested and maintaining required approvals before any construction contracts are awarded.
