Jackson County, NC

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Cullowhee Community Planning Council

This agenda contains only a notice that the Cullowhee Community Planning Council meeting date has been changed. No substantive items, decisions, or discussions are listed for this meeting.

• Change of meeting date notice for 09-08-2026

Jackson County Planning Board

The Jackson County Planning Board is meeting to discuss old business items, including open storage and data center regulations, and to receive planning updates. Public comment is allowed. The agenda is mostly discussion-oriented, with no final votes listed.

• Open Storage Discussion
• Data Center Discussion
• Planning Updates
• Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker)

Cashiers Area Community Planning Council

The Cashiers Area Community Planning Council is meeting on August 26, 2026, after a change of meeting date. The agenda includes a quasi-judicial hearing, indicating the council will act as a decision-making body on a specific matter, though no details are provided in the agenda text.

• Change of meeting date notice
• Quasi-judicial hearing notice

Cashiers Area Community Planning Council

The Cashiers Area Community Planning Council is meeting on August 26, 2026. The agenda contains only a single item: the agenda packet for this meeting, with no listed discussion or action items. The meeting appears to be procedural, with no substantive decisions or proposals detailed in the agenda text.

• Agenda packet for 08-26-2026 meeting

Board of Commissioners

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners is holding a special work session with a single agenda item: Sheriff Doug Farmer will discuss concerns regarding the Sheriff's Office. No decisions are listed on the agenda; the session is for discussion only, followed by adjournment.

• Discussion of Sheriff's Office concerns with Sheriff Doug Farmer

Board of Commissioners

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners will consider several significant items, including a bond order for $105 million in school bonds, a proposed moratorium on data centers, and approval of a detention facility GMP. The board will also vote on the consent agenda and hold a closed session for legal, personnel, and business expansion matters.

• Bond Order for $105M General Obligation School Bonds (Resolution R26-13) with public hearing
• Data Center Moratorium Ordinance O2026-02
• Detention Facility GMP Approval
• Offer to Purchase for Pine Creek Community Building
• Youth Arts Festival Hayride Ordinance O2026-01

Historic Preservation Commission

The Jackson County Historic Preservation Commission is holding its regular monthly meeting. The agenda includes approval of the previous meeting's minutes, public comment, and discussion of Mountain Heritage Day as old business, along with staff updates. No major decisions or public hearings are scheduled.

• Discussion of Mountain Heritage Day
• Approval of July 20, 2026 meeting minutes
• Public comment period (3 minutes per speaker)
• Staff updates

Board of Commissioners

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners is holding a special meeting with a single substantive item: a resolution (R26-12) that makes statements of fact and authorizes an application, presented by Kevin King. The agenda is otherwise procedural, including call to order, pledge, and approval of the agenda.

• Resolution R26-12: Making Certain Statements of Fact and Authorizing the Application

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will meet for a work session to receive reports from county officials. Discussions include Flock cameras and updates from the elections, aging, and social services departments.

• Flock Cameras presentation by Sheriff Doug Farmer
• Elections Report from Director Amanda Allen
• Department on Aging Report from Director Jamie Davis
• Social Services Report from Director Cris Weatherford

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners held a work session with informational presentations only. No formal decisions or votes were taken. The board heard from the Sheriff on Flock ALPR cameras, the Elections Director, the Department on Aging, and the Department of Social Services.

• No formal actions taken; all items were informational

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing regarding Givens Webster Village Housing Bonds. Members will also review a 2025 tax settlement report and requests for future grant public hearings.

• Public Hearing: Givens Webster Village Housing Bonds
• Tax Settlement Report for 2025
• Public hearing requests for Transit Grant and CDBG-DR Grant
• Resolution R26-11: Publication of Notice of Intention
• Resolution R26-12: Authorizing an application

The Board approved a resolution to publish notice of intent for $105M school bonds (3-1), but the resolution authorizing the application to the Local Government Commission failed on a 2-2 vote. Chairman Letson then moved to adjourn and reconvene on August 11 at 6:30 p.m. to reconsider the application, despite Commissioner Hooper's objection. Other actions included approving the tax settlement report, setting public hearings for transit grants and a CDBG-DR grant application, and approving a $3,120 refund for excess revenue stamps.

• Approved amended agenda (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of July 21 meetings (unanimous)
• Approved 2025 Tax Settlement Report (unanimous)
• Set public hearing Sept 1 for Transit 5310, 5311, Capital Projects grants (unanimous)
• Set public hearings Aug 18 and Sept 1 for CDBG-DR grant application (unanimous)
• Approved $3,120 refund for excess revenue stamps (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution R26-11 for notice of intent for $105M school bonds (3-1)
• Failed Resolution R26-12 authorizing school bond application (2-2)

Cullowhee Community Planning Council

The Cullowhee Community Planning Council's regular meeting scheduled for August 3, 2026, has been cancelled because a quorum could not be reached. The board is scheduled to reconvene on September 7, 2026. No other business was conducted.

• Meeting cancelled due to lack of quorum
• Next scheduled meeting: September 7, 2026

Cullowhee Community Planning Council

The council will meet to administer oaths of office and nominate a Chairman and Vice Chairman. The agenda also includes general planning updates.

• Oath of office
• Nominations for Chairman and Vice Chairman
• Planning Council and Planning updates

Cashiers Area Community Planning Council

The council will meet to nominate a Chairman and Vice Chairman. The agenda also includes quasi-judicial training and staff updates.

• Nominations for Chairman and Vice Chairman
• Quasi-Judicial Training

Jackson County Planning Board

The Jackson County Planning Board will meet to discuss two specific land-use topics. The board will hold discussions regarding data centers and open storage.

• Discussion on open storage
• Discussion on data centers

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will discuss several public hearing dates for a data center moratorium, school facility bonds, and the Cashiers Community Water and Sewer District. The board is also considering a resolution for housing bonds and Sheriff's Office employee pay.

• Resolution R26-10 for Givens Webster Village Housing Bonds
• Setting a public hearing for a Data Center Moratorium on August 18th
• Setting a public hearing for a Bond Referendum for School Facilities on August 4th
• Setting a public hearing for Cashiers Community Water and Sewer District on August 18th
• Discussion on Sheriff’s Office Employee Pay and Retention

The Board of Commissioners approved routine reports and resolutions, set public hearings for a $105 million school bond referendum and a one-year data center moratorium, and approved a $9.1 million housing bond resolution. A motion to align library room policies passed 3-1, with the chairman voting no. The sheriff's office pay and retention concerns were discussed as an informational item only.

• Approved Tax Collector and Refund Report for June 2026 (unanimous)
• Adopted Order of Collection Resolution R26-08 (unanimous)
• Approved transfer of service pistol to retired SRO Deputy Thomas Walawender for $1.00 (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution R26-09 Fair Housing Plan and Analysis of Impediments and Equal Opportunity Plan (unanimous)
• Set public hearing for data center moratorium ordinance on August 18 at 6:25 p.m. (unanimous)
• Set public hearing for $105M school bond referendum on August 4 at 6:25 p.m. (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution R26-10 Givens Webster Village Housing Bonds up to $9.1M (unanimous)
• Adopted Sylva library room policies for both locations (3-1, Chairman Letson voting nay)

Historic Preservation Commission

The Historic Preservation Commission will meet to discuss Mountain Heritage Day and receive a presentation on the Heritage Recognition Program. The body will also nominate a Vice Chairman.

• Discussion regarding Mountain Heritage Day
• Heritage Recognition Program presentation by Haven Bryant
• Nomination for Vice Chairman

Board of Commissioners

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners will meet to discuss land acquisition and schedule a public hearing for housing bonds. The body is also appointing a voting delegate for the NC Association of County Commissioners.

• Resolution R26-07: Offer to Purchase Lot 54 Deer Run
• Scheduling of public hearing for Givens Webster Village Housing Bonds on July 21st
• Appointment of NC Association of County Commissioners Voting Delegate

The Board approved the sale of Lot 54 Deer Run to the Deer Run HOA for $300.00. Additionally, the Board scheduled a public hearing regarding Givens Webster Village Housing Bonds.

• Approved Resolution R26-07 to sell Lot 54 Deer Run to Deer Run HOA for $300.00 (unanimous)
• Scheduled public hearing for Givens Webster Village Housing Bonds for July 21 at 6:30 p.m. (unanimous)
• Approved agenda
• Approved minutes of June 08, 2026 Special Budget Work Session and June 16, 2026 Regular Meeting

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will conduct a work session to review reports and policies. Discussions include the management of the Revolving Loan Fund and a new payment vendor for tax administration.

• Revolving Loan Fund Management presentation by Sequoyah Fund, Inc.
• Review of new Tax Administration payment vendor
• Health Department report
• Veterans Services report
• Library Room Utilization Policy

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners held a work session and reached consensus to move forward with a Memorandum of Understanding for the Revolving Loan Fund and to begin the process of creating a water and sewer authority in the Cashiers area. All other items were informational, including reports on tax payment vendor, health department, veterans services, and library room policies.

• Consensus to move forward with a Memorandum of Understanding for the Revolving Loan Fund
• Consensus to move forward with the process to create a water and sewer authority in the Cashiers area

Cullowhee Community Planning Council

The regularly scheduled meeting for July 6, 2026, has been cancelled. The Board is scheduled to reconvene on August 3, 2026.

Jackson County Planning Board

The Planning Board will meet to discuss open storage as old business. The agenda also includes planning updates and the administration of an oath of office.

• Discussion on open storage
• Planning updates

The Planning Board reviewed proposed development standards for open storage and discussed the text amendment process for the Unified Development Ordinance. Staff provided updates on down zoning, data centers, and an upcoming housing strategy. No final votes were taken on these policy items.

• Approved the meeting agenda (9-0)
• Approved May 28, 2026 minutes (9-0)
• Administered oath of office to new members Lynn Cochran, Lisa Kelly, and Alexandra Watson

Cashiers Area Community Planning Council

The council will meet to discuss nominations for Chairman and Vice Chairman and receive planning updates. The agenda also includes a detailed procedural guide for conducting quasi-judicial hearings regarding special use permits.

• Nominations for Chairman and Vice Chairman
• Discussion of Quasi-Judicial Procedures for special use permits
• Planning Updates

The Council administered oaths of office to four members and approved the meeting agenda. The board tabled the nomination and vote for Chairman and Vice Chairman until the next meeting. Staff reported that the Recodify Cashiers project is currently on hold due to changes in state statute.

• Administered oath of office to Sandy Jennings, Judy Zachary, Joshua Helms, and Kenneth Fernandez
• Approved agenda (4-0)
• Tabled nomination and vote for Chairman and Vice Chairman

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will discuss the FY 2026-2027 Budget Ordinance and related budget amendments. The meeting includes a decision on a final bid for the Singing Ridge Property and a review of library room policies.

• FY 2026-2027 Budget Ordinance
• Resolution R26-05: Final bid for Singing Ridge Property
• Resolution R26-06: Closing out capital projects
• CDBG-NR Compliance Plan approval
• Library Room Utilization Policy

The Board approved a balanced General Fund Budget of $108,790,581 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The budget represents a decrease of $1,296,143 over the previous amended budget. Other actions included approving CDBG-NR compliance plans and closing out a capital project.

• Adopted FY2026-27 Budget Ordinance and fee schedules (3-2)
• Approved CDBG-NR Procurement Plan, Section 504, Local Jobs Initiative, and Language Access Plan (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution R26-05 to sell 1.00 acre off Singing Ridge for $7,000.00 (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution R26-06 to close out Indoor Pool Facility Capital Project (unanimous)
• Approved May 2026 Finance, Tax Collector, and Refund reports and six budget amendments (unanimous)
• Tabled Library Room Utilization Policy (unanimous)

Historic Preservation Commission

The commission will meet to review old business regarding Mountain Heritage Day and receive planning updates. The remainder of the agenda consists of procedural items.

• Discussion of Mountain Heritage Day
• Planning updates

Board of Health

The Board of Health will review customer satisfaction and community input survey results. The meeting includes a closed session for the Health Director's annual performance evaluation and job description review.

• SOTCH Report presented by Meagan Cagle
• Customer Satisfaction and Community Input Survey Results
• Health Director Annual Performance Evaluation (Closed Session)
• Health Director job description review (Closed Session)

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will hold a work session to review updates on affordable housing and middle school funding. The meeting includes presentations from local organizations and a discussion on hunting regulations on private property.

• Affordable Housing Strategy Update
• Regulation on Hunting on Private Property
• Middle School Funding
• Presentation by Cashiers Valley Preschool
• Presentation by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina

The Board of Commissioners held a work session featuring informational presentations on local preschool and mentorship programs, a comprehensive housing strategy, and hunting regulations. The Board discussed a potential $30 million bond referendum for Smoky Mountain Middle School athletic fields but made no formal decisions.

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will discuss a purchase contract for property in Whittier and a fireworks display request. The meeting includes a vote on Library Board Resolution R26-04 and appointments for multiple county boards and commissions.

• Offer to Purchase and Contract for 190 Quin Holcombe Road, Whittier
• Library Board Resolution R26-04
• Fireworks Display Request from Tony Elders
• Appointments for 20 different boards and commissions, including the Planning Board and ABC Board
• Military Order of Purple Heart Proclamation

The Board approved the $1,000,000 purchase of 21.07 acres in Whittier for use by the 4-H Club, FFA Shooting Sports, and the Livestock Club. Other actions included approving fireworks display requests and filling numerous board and commission vacancies. The Board also accepted a $300 bid for Lot 54, Deer Run, to begin a 10-day upset bid process.

• Approved $1,000,000 purchase of 190 Quin Holcombe Road for 4-H and youth programs (Unanimous)
• Accepted $300 bid for Lot 54, Deer Run to start 10-day upset bid process (Unanimous)
• Approved Library Board Resolution R26-04 (Unanimous)
• Approved fireworks display requests for July 3rd, 4th, and 5th (Unanimous)
• Appointed Lauren Baxley as Chair of the Library Board (3-2)
• Appointed Janice Stiens, Linda Potter, Beth James, Emily Fisher, David Parker, and Lori Richards to the Library Board (Unanimous)
• Reappointed David Noland as Chair of the ABC Board (Unanimous)
• Appointed Lynn Cochran, Tim Holloran, Lisa Kelly, Alexandra Watson, and Robert Young to the Planning Board (Unanimous)

Cullowhee Community Planning Council

The regular monthly meeting scheduled for June 1, 2026, has been cancelled. The Council is scheduled to reconvene on July 6, 2026.

Jackson County Planning Board

The Planning Board will meet to discuss open storage under old business. The agenda also includes planning updates and the approval of previous meeting minutes.

• Discussion regarding open storage

The board discussed draft regulations for non-residential outdoor storage, including setbacks and buffer requirements. No formal vote was taken on the open storage language. The board approved the agenda and previous meeting minutes.

• Approved meeting agenda (7-0)
• Approved January 22, 2026 and March 26, 2026 minutes (7-0)

Cashiers Area Community Planning Council

The regular monthly meeting of the Cashiers Area Community Planning Council scheduled for May 25, 2026, has been cancelled. The body is scheduled to reconvene on June 22, 2026.

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will discuss the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27. The meeting includes reports from public schools and Southwestern Community College, as well as a resolution regarding property tax authority.

• FY26-27 Proposed Budget
• Resolution opposing modifications to County Property Tax Authority
• Budget Ordinance Amendments
• Library Board Resolution R26-04
• Project Rise discussions

The Board of Commissioners approved the April 2026 Finance Report, two Budget Ordinance Amendments, and the Tax Collector and Refund Reports. The meeting included informational updates on library surplus funds, public school budget requests for 2026-27, and funding requests from Southwestern Community College.

• Approved agenda (carried)
• Approved May 05, 2026 Regular Meeting and Work Session minutes (carried)
• Approved April 2026 Finance Report and two Budget Ordinance Amendments (unanimous)
• Approved April 2026 Tax Collector and Refund Reports (unanimous)

Historic Preservation Commission

The commission will meet to discuss Mountain Heritage Day and receive an update on the Historic Preservation Month art contest.

• Update on Historic Preservation Month Art Contest
• Discussion regarding Mountain Heritage Day

The Commission approved the meeting agenda and previous minutes. Staff provided an update on the Historic Preservation Month art contest and discussed potential participation in Mountain Heritage Day.

• Approved agenda (6-0)
• Approved April 20, 2026 minutes (6-0)