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Macon County board previews $64.79 million budget, sets June 13 public hearing and May 30 work session
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Summary
County Manager Derek Roland presented a recommended $64,788,976 budget for fiscal 2023-24, citing strong sales-tax growth and a post-revaluation revenue-neutral rate of $0.27 per $100; the board unanimously scheduled a June 13 public hearing and a May 30 work session and approved a fireworks permit for Nantahala Volunteer Fire and Rescue.
County Manager Derek Roland presented a recommended fiscal year 2023-24 budget of $64,788,976 to the Macon County Board of Commissioners at a continued session on May 23, 2023, and the board unanimously scheduled a public hearing and a follow-up work session to review school and public safety requests.
Roland said the recommended spending plan represents a 9% increase over the 2022-23 budget and reflects local growth in sales tax, which he said came in 15.3% above what was budgeted. He told the board the budget follows a revaluation that showed a growth factor of 1.62% and cited a revenue-neutral tax rate of $0.27 per $100 valuation, which he said would be the lowest tax rate in North Carolina. Roland also reported that 2,141 revaluation appeals were received and that roughly $300 million in assessed value was overturned through the appeals process.
Roland opened his presentation by thanking the employees who helped prepare the recommended budget and listed recent county accomplishments he said were reflected in the plan, including broadband advancements, receipt of Wave 2 opioid-settlement funds, approval of a skate park, progress on Franklin High School and Macon Middle School projects, work on the Nantahala Community Center and Library, an awning for Macon County Transit, an award for Macon County Senior Services' drive-through meal service developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a greenway expansion partnership with the Town of Franklin.
On a motion by Commissioner Young, seconded by Commissioner Shields, the board unanimously agreed to schedule a public hearing on the proposed FY2023-24 budget for Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 6 p.m. The board also set a budget work session for Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at 3 p.m. to hear presentations from Macon County Schools and public safety departments, including Emergency Management and the Sheriff's Department; that motion was made by Commissioner Shearl and seconded by Commissioner Antoine and carried unanimously.
During other business, Deputy Clerk Mike Decker told the board a fireworks permit application from Nantahala Volunteer Fire and Rescue had been reviewed and approved by the Fire Inspector. Commissioner Shields moved to approve the permit, Commissioner Young seconded, and the board voted unanimously to grant the permit.
Commissioner Shearl raised concerns about the condition and maintenance of several county-owned properties; County Manager Derek Roland said a thorough review had been completed as part of the county's Capital Improvement Plan and agreed to provide Commissioner Shearl with that report.
At 7:53 p.m. the board went into closed session under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11(a)(3) for attorney–client consultation; the board returned to open session at 8:42 p.m., and, on a motion by Commissioner Young seconded by Commissioner Shields, adjourned the meeting at 8:43 p.m.
The board will consider the recommended budget during the June 13 public hearing and may take further action after hearing public comment and any additional staff presentations at the May 30 work session.