In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, I would like to advise that Macon County is and has been undertaking a diligent effort to ensure that our County is doing everything possible to maintain the health, safety and well-being of our citizens.
This preparation is currently an intense level of coordination between our various departments along with State and Federal guidance to ensure that we are ready to mitigate the potential upcoming hardships. Fortunately, Macon County is in outstanding financial condition due to our past fiscally prudent efforts by leadership and County staff that will undoubtedly help us be prepared for an unexpected event such as this.
I am calling an emergency meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners for 3pm, Tuesday March 17, which will be held in the Commissioner’s boardroom at 5 W. Main Street, Franklin, N.C. The purpose of this meeting will be to communicate the current extremely important action steps that Macon County is undertaking to handle the situation in front of us including consideration of declaring a state of emergency to better accomplish the same. No other county business will be discussed at this meeting.
At the recommendation of public health officials, this meeting will be closed to the general public to safeguard the public health. Credentialed media outlets will be permitted entry. The meeting will be livestreamed and can be accessed by clicking HERE and clicking on the Commissioners Videos icon located at the bottom of the left-hand column on the Macon County homepage. Currently the following steps have taken which I would like to make you aware of:
Robert C. Carpenter Community Building– Closed effective immediately, will re-open no earlier than Wednesday, April 1, 2020.
Macon County Senior Services– All Senior Center activities are cancelled until further notice, as is the Community Resource Center, located inside the Macon County Senior Services Building. Regular scheduling practices regarding congregate meals remain in place. Please call the Macon County Senior Center for details.
Macon County Public Libraries– Macon County Public Libraries in Franklin, Highlands and Nantahala will be closed effective Tuesday, March 17,2020 and will re-open no earlier than Monday, March 31, 2020.
Again, on behalf of myself, the Macon County Board of Commissioners, and County staff, we will continue to monitor, communicate, facilitate and appropriately react to this unprecedented time in our history, and we will have more information at the meeting tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Jim Tate
Chairman, Macon County Board of Commissioners