County occupancy tax framework to be in place soon

pressreporter@thefranklinpress.com

Macon County commissioners will likely determine the make-up and appointments for Tourism Development Committees at their upcoming August and September meetings.

The decision to form TDCs in Franklin and Highlands for the promotion of travel and tourism was a recommendation of the occupancy tax advisory committee formed earlier this year by commissioners to review the collection and most effective use of the county's occupancy tax monies. Macon County collects a 3-percent room-occupancy tax that is added to lodging stays for visitors.

Commissioner Brian McClellan, who is the liaison to the occupancy-tax advisory committee, asked the board to set dates for establishing the TDCs so they could move forward by their extension deadline. He also asked county attorney Lesley Moxley to discuss the contracts process.

The board voted earlier this year to approve a 90-day extension from July 1 to give themselves more time to appoint TDC committee members and develop legally-binding contracts, which should be in place by Oct. 1.

According to McClellan, the proposed TDC structure would consist of seven voting members and one non-voting member: the chamber of commerce executive director (a non voting position), a chamber member, a commissioner representative from the TDC district, a town representative, a small accommodations representative (less than 10 rooms), a large accommodations representative (more than 10 rooms) and two tourist-driven businesses (could potentially be restaurants, retail, etc).

Franklin's TDC makeup may be slightly different than Highlands, since it will feature a representative from Nantahala. That community has declined to form its own TDC, instead asking to be part of the Franklin committee for the time being.

The TDC members will be appointed by the board of commissioners.

County attorney Lesley Moxley said she had spoken with county manager Jack Horton and finance director Evelyn Southard and they agree that since the TDCs will be comprised of volunteers and not staff, they suggested commissioners use the group in an advisory capacity.

The TDCs will make recommendations and screen requests about how tourism should be promoted and bring suggestions before the board, which will weigh their input. The county would then likely contract with the chamber to provide services. The county will continue to collect the occupancy tax.

Moxley said she had already begun working on the framework and structure of the contracts.

McClellan asked that the board vote on the makeup and format of the TDC during their Aug. 19 meeting and present candidates for TDC membership at September's meeting.

Commissioner chairman Charlie Leatherman said the board would take McClellan's requests under advisement.

Animal control update

County manager Jack Horton said conceptual plans for an animal shelter have been developed. County representatives have spoken with other counties of a similar size who have shelters and will be visiting some of these shelters as well, he said.

Horton said getting sewer to the proposed animal control building near the Macon County Detention Center had initially been a problem, but he believes they have resolved the issue. Water is not an issue.

This location will require only minimal grading work, Horton said.

The reason they have sited the building adjacent to the sheriff's office is for the potential volunteer labor pool, he added.

Money has been appropriated in this year's budget for animal shelter construction and animal control operations

Horton said a next step is to move forward with the county's animal control ordinance, set a public hearing date and get a document adopted.

The update was given in response to Macon resident John Grist's comment in public session about a recent dog attack in the Watauga Vista area and the need for animal control.

Grist commended Sheriff Robbie Holland for his department's "wonderful job" in handling the situation in the absence of animal control and no place to take the dog.

He encouraged progress on the animal control shelter and asked that commissioners advance their plans as quickly as possible since it will benefit both people and animals in the county.

Macon TRACS to launch soon

Representatives from a group in the process of starting a nonprofit corporation called Macon TRACS (Therapeutic Riding for Adults and Children's Success), presented information on their organization to commissioners Aug. 4.

The group will serve adults and children with a variety of disabilities and challenges and programs will be geared towards individuals to meet the unique needs of their participants.

Their goal is to meet the needs of any participant, regardless of disability or challenge.

They are members of NARHA, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, which is providing them with training for their instructors, standards for administrative procedures and safety and facility requirements.

Macon TRACS will have NARHA certified instructors and expects to be a fully accredited NARHA center by 2009.

They will be located at the Macon County Fairgrounds horse facility.

Macon TRACS will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13 at the Fairgrounds.