The first commission meeting of December after an election usually comes with a change in leadership, and such was the case for the Macon County Commission at its Dec. 2 organizational meeting. 

In the coming months, the Macon County Commission will consider waiving environmental health fees, and possibly building inspection fees, after Commissioner Paul Higdon broached the topic at an October meeting. Macon County Public Health Director Kathy McGaha said the move could have unintended consequences. 

At its October meeting the Macon County Commission said goodbye to long-time County Manager Derek Roland and announced its selection of interim County Manager Warren Cabe. 

The Macon County Commission decided this month to delay consideration of changes to its watershed and floodplain ordinances until at least the new year, in part due to the organization of a Water Quality Advisory Committee and its new report on the state of Macon County waterways. 

After more than a decade of leadership in Macon County, Derek Roland announced last week that he intends to resign his position as county manager.

Despite increasing cost estimates, Macon County is in a good financial position to move forward with both the Franklin High School project and the Highlands School project.

Emergency federal funding provided quick relief to school systems burdened by costs incurred during the COVID-19 Pandemic. For Macon County Schools, some of that funding provided the opportunity for additional art teachers. Now, with that federal funding coming to an end, those additional art positions could be in jeopardy. 

Macon County residents will see the quarter-cent sales tax referendum on the ballot this November after commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to put the decision to voters again. 

The Macon County Commission will see one new member seated in December after Barry Breeden beat incumbent Paul Higdon to represent district three. 

Without discussion or stated reasoning, Macon County commissioners decided not to allow Franklin to use county property for its proposed social district.