Rather than appoint new Funding Pool Task Force members, the Macon County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to form a subcommittee to review nonprofit funding requests.
The county allocated $75,000 in 2024-25 for non-profit funding, however, because the task force did not have enough members to meet, the funds were not awarded.
The Community Funding Pool Task Force was established in 2020 as a way to help the commissioners allocate tax-generated funds to local nonprofits in a fair and efficient way. In June the commissioners voted to reduce the number of task force members from 13 to seven.
The $75,000 was rolled over into the 2025-26 budget year, which began July 1. The county had advertised for seven openings on the committee and received 14 applications. Applying to serve on the committee were Darlene Asher, Scott Baste, Caleb Brown, Bobbie Contino, Diane Cotton, Georgann Farrell, Jim Gaston, Debi Gedling, Kim Leister, Kathy McGaha, Shawn Pack, Becky Peeling, Bonnie Potts and Karen Wallace.
Commissioner John Shearl halted the process before the vote to appoint task force members took place during the July 8 commissioners meeting.
Shearl said after this cycle the county needs to stop funding non-government organizations. “As I’ve stated before, it’s not the role of the government to tax its citizens to give to non-profit or non-government organizations.” He said he did not see a reason to go through with appointing the task force members if the county is going to stop funding NGOs.
“You take all these people here and let’s form a group and let’s figure out ways to do fundraisers,” Shearl said. “You’ll get a lot more than $75,000.”
Commissioner Gary Shields explained how nonprofits can leverage local government funding when they are applying for grants, but Shearl said he had not been able to verify that. He also pointed out that having the Community Funding Pool gets members of the public involved in the process.
Shields made a motion to appoint the Community Funding Pool task force to review nonprofit requests and make a recommendation for allocating the $75,000. The motion failed 2-3 with Shields and Chair Josh Young voting in favor.
Shearl then made a motion to appoint a subcommittee to review the requests. That motion passed 3-2 with Shearl, Young and Barry Breeden voting in favor. Breeden and Antoine were appointed to serve as the subcommittee.
Young said whether to fund the non-profits in 2026-27 will be a discussion when the board starts working on next year’s budget.
Franklin Planning Board
The July 8 agenda also included appointments to two seats on the Franklin Planning Board to represent the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). The Franklin Town Council recommended the reappointment of Janet Greene, who serves as Planning Board chair, and Debbie Tallent. Richard Brady also applied to serve on the board. All five commissioners approved Tallent’s reappointment. Only Shields voted for Greene and the other four voted for Brady.
According to Town attorney John Henning, Brady has received three “cease and desist letters” from the Town of Franklin citing “incessant, unwelcome and harassing communications with town employees.” The letters were sent on June 6, 2025; May 17, 2022; and Nov. 11, 2011.
On July 15, County Manager Warren Cabe said they were made aware of that after the meeting and did not know how it would impact the commissioners’ vote. Young also said he was unaware of the situation prior to voting and would like to poll the board.
Airport Authority
Three people applied for the two seats on the Airport Authority - Pete Haithcock (reappointment), Natalie Alison and Janet Shuler. Haithcock and Shuler were unanimously selected.