Sparks flew numerous times on Tuesday night as the Macon Board of County Commissioners (BOC) considered serious structural changes to county institutions, deciding to forestall one decision on public health while closing off further options for the Burningtown-Iotla Fire Department.
In July, commissioners called for public comment on the “consideration of assuming powers and duties of the Macon County Board of Health (BOH) pursuant to North Carolina General Statute §153A-77” to address a number of workplace issues that had been brought to their attention.
Commissioner Barry Breeden opened the Sept. 9 session stating flatly, “The Board of Commissioners taking over the Board of Health and moving them to an advisory role is not an option. That is not on the table.”
Tammy Keezer, human resources director/deputy clerk to the board, further explained that since 2012, North Carolina has allowed counties to create Consolidated Human Services Agencies (CHSA) that are either governed by an appointed board or by the board of county commissioners. While different variations were possible, commissioners would be entertaining the following option that could be completed by January 2026:
- Commissioners create a CHSA and appoint board
- County Manager Warren Cabe hires CHSA director with advice and consent of CHS board
- CHSA director appoints person with health director qualifications
If this plan were to be approved, current members of the Board of Health would be added to the new CHSA board and employees in the Public Health Department would move from state human resources rules and regulations to county personnel systems.
County Attorney Eric Ridenour provided commissioners and the public with a draft resolution that would create a CHSA to “improve administrative efficiency, enhance services, and strengthen oversight.” He noted during give and take with commissioners and speakers that if Human Services were to be part of the consolidation, an approach often taken by other counties, outreach to its board would need to take place before a CHSA could be organized.
Twelve local citizens spoke to commissioners, with many changing their prepared remarks on the fly as the consolidation proposal had not been a topic of conversation in the prior county meetings. Many considered it an option with merit as Richard Brady, of Franklin, pointed out, “It could be a win-win” for both employees and local citizens.
The majority of speakers asked commissioners to take additional time to study all potential options to ensure any new structures fully met the needs on leadership reform and allowed trained medical professionals to continue oversight of medical and policy decisions.
Constance Neely, who resides in the Scaly Mountain area, said, “I just want to underscore that we need to put science and patient care above anything that even sniffs of political decisions.” She added later, “How are we going to evaluate if this new consolidated approach works?”
Jessica Jones and Jamie Waldroop presented joint remarks on behalf of BOH staff, thanking commissioners and the BOH for listening to employee concerns. Jones said, “We have arrived at this meeting tonight as a result of ineffective leadership over the years, leading to the loss of valued staff, poor morale, [a] toxic work environment, and working conditions that have at times put our licensure at risk. It has been a difficult time and emotionally taxing for all involved.”
Waldroop added, “We simply want accountability in leadership and confidence that fair and appropriate solutions to problems can be found.”
Chairman Josh Young summed up the commissioners’ decision to hold off on making immediate and significant changes. “I think the timing … the optics couldn’t be worse. Last month we’re talking about complete takeover; now we’re talking the second-best option. I do think consolidation would work. I think it needs to be looked at in a more comprehensive manner,” noting the intense public interest. “[I’ve] had more phone calls on this issue than any other to date.”
Later in the meeting, commissioners approved Ava Ammons and Michael Toedt to fill the two open positions on the BOH.
Department contract ended
While commissioners “put the brakes on” BOH changes, as Commissioner Gary Shields opined, they decisively ended Macon County’s contract with the Burningtown-Iotla Fire Department (BIFD) in a 5-0 vote. Commissioners Breeden and Danny Antoine had attended a Sept. 5 exercise of the BIFD, during which firefighters were expected to demonstrate a state requirement to set up a water source and deliver a continuous stream of 250 gallons of water per minute within five minutes of the first engine’s arrival at a structural fire.
While respecting the work and dedication of the volunteers, both Breeden and Antoine said they no longer had confidence that the BIFD could continue to meet contract requirements. Cabe explained that the current contract called for the BIFD to remain in a Class 7 rating. The inability to demonstrate this haul and pumping action would drop it to a Class 8B.
Fire Marshal Jimmy Teem confirmed that the vote on Tuesday effectively terminated the county’s relationship with BIFD on Sept. 9. The Cowee Fire Department will continue responding to fire and medical emergency calls in the Burningtown district, as it has been doing for months while the BFID remained on probation. The county will create a new contract with Cowee to handle the additional coverage.
Vickie Sanders, current BFID board chair, said in a written statement, “We appreciate the hard work and the support of the volunteers and the community. We have worked hard to provide the best service to our community since 1980. The County Commissioners chose to cancel our contract and our financial support.”