The Macon County Board of Commissioners advanced funding for enhanced recreation and sports facilities during its May 12 meeting.
The board approved bids to complete work on new pickleball courts, updated recreation commission by-laws, and approved a new five-member recreation board, with seats dedicated for Franklin, Highlands, Nantahala, schools, and seniors.
Pickleball improvements
Even with a commitment to a conservative overall county budget, commissioners supported a relatively expensive phase of the recreation project to build, as Commissioner John Shearl noted, “one of the best facilities west of Charlotte.” These courts will allow for championship games, serve high school students in a popular sport, and potentially attract tourists.
An enthusiastic crowd of pickleball players, cheered, clapped, and leapt to their feet after the long-awaited court project was approved.
Buchanan and Sons, Inc. was awarded the Veterans Memorial Park Improvements Phase 1 project in the amount of $1,301,000 plus a 10 percent contingency for a total of $1,431,100.
Tarkett Sports Construction-Mid Atlantic, LLC was awarded the Macon County Veterans Park Post Tension Pickleball Courts project for a total of $2,483,295.
The board appropriated a total of $3,914,395 from the fund balance to complete the project, which includes restrooms, electrical, utilities, storm drainage, erosion control, and lighting. Concrete instead of asphalt was chosen for surface construction to avoid extra maintenance costs and address structural issues at the site.
For a few minutes, the awards appeared in question as commissioners debated the costs of adding lighting to the full set of courts. Initial cost for lighting ten courts was listed at $155,000 but would take another $169,000 to complete for all 20 courts. Commissioners authorized county negotiators to discuss options with the awardees to contain costs before construction starts after the Fourth of July events at the park.
The project will be tied in with the recently refurbished tennis courts. The county is also pursuing a $1.4 million PARTF grant application to fund a walking bridge, amphitheater, a covered multi‑court and restrooms to add to the park’s amenities.
Proposed 2026-2027 county budget
County Manager Warren Cabe held court (pictured top, left) for the earlier half of the meeting, presenting highlights of the proposed FY2026-2027 budget. Directed by the commissioners to provide quality service delivery at an economically efficient level, the proposed budget clocked in at $68,045,008 with the property tax rate remaining the same at 27 cents per $100.
Requests throughout county departments and for capital improvement projects exceed revenue by $7,683,085, which leads to hard choices to close gaps.
Cabe said his team worked to “whittle away” costs even though many of the requests were valid. Operating costs have risen due to outside forces, such as increasing fuel costs. He also wanted to ensure that the county maintains facilities and equipment to avoid costlier repairs or replacements down the road.
Overall, the budget plans for a 2 percent cost of living adjustment, keeps health insurance rates level, and addresses pay grade inconsistencies built up over the years. Part of the need for the pay increases is that the U.S. annual inflation rate rose to 3.8 percent for the 12 months ending April 2026, he said.
Additional key points from Cabe’s presentation:
- Goals for the coming year include Carson Convenience Center renovations, boardwalk replacement on Arthur Drake, electrical upgrades at the Macon County Courthouse, remodeling of the National Guard Armory building, and resurfacing the driving track at Southwest Community College.
- County revenues are projected to be slightly higher due to increases in taxable value of properties, service fees collected, and an increase in sales tax revenues.
Schools budget increase proposed
Macon county schools requested a $3,593,622 increase in operational funding topping off at $14,275,956. To bridge a gap for capital outlay funding, Cabe proposed the county provide a one-time allocation of $1,150,000 from the fund balance. Other options would require tax increases to meet needs.
Library funding was requested at $1,628,276. A significant amount was attributed to the impending Jackson County exit from the Fontana Regional Library system and absorbing the cost of subscriptions and other services that the three county regional system covered.
The commissioners will continue budget discussions at a work meeting called for May 21.
