In an early morning presentation to a packed house at the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce, Macon County Manager Warren Cabe gave a business-like overview of the county’s finances and ongoing projects.
The entire presentation was absent any materially contentious issues. There was no mention of data centers or flock cameras by Cabe or the audience, but there was a pickleball discussion.
Some of the key issues highlighted were progress on the Franklin High School construction, the expansion of the landfill, and revaluations of local properties.
In general, with 693 employees, the county is basically in good health financially and major projects are moving forward as projected.
The only trouble was that budget requests from agencies depending on the county’s funding exceeded its revenue by $7,683,085 which led to some difficult decisions and use of $3 million from the fund balance to meet critical needs.
Macon’s overall budget totals just under $70 million.
Franklin High School
As most people are aware, football season starts within weeks, and the Panthers will return to their homefield for the first time since 2024.
The construction of the school, which he said is one of the largest construction projects in Western North Carolina, is “on time and on budget” at just over $140 million. That cost accounts for construction, architectural and design fees.
And with the state investing $62 million towards the project, Macon County essentially gets the new school for “half price”.
Under the current schedule, the students will attend class in the new building by next school year.
“When you look at that building, that is a lot, but we’re going to make it,” he said. We’re pushing hard to make sure we make it.”
Bigger landfill
When it comes to garbage collection and management, a community has two basic choices: build its own landfill or haul its waste somewhere else.
The ownership option gives the county more control, whereas shipping to a contractor means local taxpayers are at the mercy of that owner. Jackson County experienced the downside of shipping its trash as taxpayers are now paying more than ever before. He said Jackson’s costs increased $100 a ton.
According to the state Department of Environment Quality, Jackson shipped more than 37,000 tons in 2019-20, which would mean a $3.7 million annual increase at 2020 population numbers and costs.
In Macon, the one-time $8.4 million project gives the county total control of the operating costs and what that number will be for the next 10 years.
In addition, the 10-acre project will be “one of the cleanest and environmentally safe places” in Macon.
“Typically, the dirtiest place on your landfill is a convenience center when you come through the gate,” he said.
The current “cell” under construction will last 10 years. There is room to add another cell which would handle Macon’s trash for another 30 years.
In other trash news, a $2.75 million grant will allow for the rebuild of the Carsons Convenience Center on Old Murphy Road.
The county will upgrade the recycling and recovery buildings, and add a new baler. The project should be completed by Jan. 1, 2027.
“A big factor is can we get construction done and the site ready for asphalt paving prior to the asphalt plants closing down for the winter,” he said.
Property values
Currently, the county it studying local property values. It’s a process Macon decided to carry out every four years. The alternative would be every eight years, but Cabe said that would create massive increases for some people instead of a gradual tax increase as their property values rise.
“You have a whole lot of sticker shock when we give you the eight-year mark,” he said.
The current revaluation process will be completed in 2027, which is why the legislature’s efforts to postpone 2026 revaluations will not apply to Macon County.
As for the impact on residents, he explained that if, for example, values increase 20% across the county, that doesn’t mean every property owner pays 20% more in taxes. Some may actually see tax decreases because it’s based on a “revenue neutral” budget.
Under a revenue neutral model, the county must present its budget based on the same revenue as the previous year. In general, revenue neutral budgeting means a government or taxing unit plans to collect the exact same amount of property tax dollars in the next budget year as it did in the current year. If property values go up, the government must lower its tax rate to keep total revenue the same.
“We want to make sure if you’ve got a million-dollar house or a $200,000 house, we’re doing that proportionally across those folks and we treat everybody fairly,” he said.
If residents feel the county valued their property inaccurately, there is an appeal process.
And, Pickleball
The county approved a “big, big recreational project” on an old softball field below Wendy’s fast-food restaurant on Georgia Road.
The county is building a 20-court pickleball facility at the recreation park for nearly $4 million. A designed, the facility could host tournaments and large groups.
“One of the most popular sports that you have now, used by people of all ages,” he said. “We are constantly overrun on our tennis courts at the moment where people want to play pickleball.”
He laughed that the project needs to keep the barricades up because fans of the sport keep entering the site to see what kind of progress the county has made.
Other projects
The county is also working on a number of projects offering access to the Greenway and improving drainage.
- Suli Marsh Boardwalk
- Parker Meadows Boardwalk
- Tassee Culvert Replacement and Stream Restoration
- Cullasaja Park Paving Project
- Parker Meadows Drainage/Stream Project
Future projects include,
- Macon Early College repairs and upgrades
- Southwest Community College (SCC) National Guard Armory
- SCC driving track and CDL Course
