The Macon County Board of Commissioners approved the Fiscal Year 25-26 Budget in the amount of $64,817,964 at its June 10 meeting, but not without grappling about whether or not to approve a tax increase to help the Cullasaja Gorge Fire and Rescue (CGF&R) with new equipment purchases before the vote was taken.
Several firefighters, volunteers, and local residents appealed to commissioners to approve a one-cent tax increase over what they viewed as a vital public safety issue. CGF&R board chair Jack Baird led the charge, handing off a petition with 318 signatures, 97 of which were fully verified, following up on the request that was initiated at the May 22 budget work session. The CGF&R board had sought the increase to cover the cost of two replacement trucks that were now approaching 30 years of age. Current budget reserves allowed the first purchase to take place, but additional funds were needed to secure the full cost of the second truck.
Surprised by the request as the last tax increase had taken place in 2022 to cover personnel and construction costs at the new Ellijay substation, Chairman Josh Young originally pushed the conversation to the continued work session on May 28. Commissioners debated options of no increase, a half-cent increase, and a one-cent increase at that session, while lobbing difficult questions at Baird.
the hard part for me is giving an increase on buying a fire truck because you didn’t have enough money to buy a fire truck, which sets precedence for us … because we will bail you out.
Commissioner Barry Breeden
Commissioner John Shearl held a pointed back and forth with Baird and Lt. Chad Stone on June 10, pointing out that of 50-60 constituents to whom he had spoken, none were advocating for the increase. When asked if the current truck had failed any pump tests, Stone responded, “No, not yet.”
During public comments, Don Willis, a former fire marshal, pointed out that the National Fire Protection Association calls on tankers to be removed from front line service after 20 years. Glenda Cook, a CGF&R volunteer, gave a detailed list of safety, service, and insurance reasons why a new truck was warranted. Cook explained how the organization had tested out various makes and models and settled on Toyne as a manufacturer, due to its trucks’ ability to handle uneven mountainous terrain.
Shearl countered that the cost of these vehicles was well beyond moderate pricing and suggested that the county needed to call its various fire departments to look at bulk buys in the future to reduce county costs. He also called upon the CGF&R to conduct a forensic audit of its books before he could support any new increases.
Commissioner Barry Breeden summed up the dilemma for commissioners, sympathetic to community concerns on safety but troubled that the CGF&R had moved ahead with placing an order before funds had been approved.
“I mean, it’s a difficult decision,” he said. “Jack [Baird], you’ve done a great job presenting this for your fire department, for representing your community. You know the hard part for me is giving an increase on buying a fire truck because you didn’t have enough money to buy a fire truck, which sets precedence for us … because we will bail you out.”
Breeden was seconded by Commissioner Danny Antoine, with both voicing concern that an approval would set a precedent for other fire departments to plan purchases before scouring their books and gaining assurance that the commissioners could support additional costs.
Shearl finally called for a vote on the fiscal year 25-26 budget with no increase for the Cullasaja fire district. The motion passed 3-2, with Commissioners Gary Shields and Antoine dissenting.
Other business
Southwestern Commission Executive Director Russ Harris provided the annual update to commissioners on opioid settlement funding and the process for them to determine Macon County’s use of the funds in the coming year. Harris explained the county has been allocated $5.6 million in funds over an 18-year period, of which $450,000 is expected in the coming fiscal year.
Harris explained most rural counties choose “Option A,” in which they can prioritize high impact strategies to counter the opioid epidemic affecting local residents. In that strategy, the top three regional priorities of a post-overdose response team, recovery support services, and naloxone distribution could be covered, along with various other activities to prevent and respond to opioid abuse.
Commissioners conducted a lengthy discussion on how to address the Community Funding Pool (CFP), as the current 13-member board is still holding at only nine approved members. It cannot close out fiscal year 24-25 distributions, and the approximately $75,000 in funds to be distributed will have to roll over for use in FY25-26.
Shearl said he is fully against pulling taxpayer funds to redistribute to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), no matter how laudable their objectives and actions were, and that they should fundraise separately. Breeden cited his concern that CFP board members were not elected officials and called upon the elected board of commissioners to take over these funding decisions. Shields countered that it could be a conflict of interest for some commissioners, such as himself, who also sit on various NGO boards that use grant money to conduct operations.
The commissioners unanimously approved a change to reduce the CFP board to seven members and agreed to set up a non-voting liaison to oversee the discharge of funds to ensure compatibility with board of commissioner priorities.
Regarding appointments, the following actions were taken:
- Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees – Jeff Cloer was re-appointed;
- Commissioners approved the request to utilize the Macon County Soil and Water Board of Supervisors (with three elected and two appointed by the State) to serve in a dual function as the Agriculture Advisory Board for the county;
- Department of Social Services Board – Julie Adams was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Anne Hyder;
- Macon County Library Board – William McGaha was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Kay Rowland; and,
- Fontana Regional Library Board – Kathy Smith was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Kay Rowland.