For over a decade the Macon County Commissioners District 1 seat has been occupied by Jim Tate.
Following three successful terms, Tate decided not to run for re-election in 2022. He will ultimately be replaced by either Jerry Moore (Una.) or John Shearl (Rep.) following the general election on Nov. 8.
While reflecting on his years of service, there were multiple initiatives that stood out as things Tate was most proud of.
“There are a number of capital projects that I’m proud of, with Highlands School and other school buildings, Parker Meadows, and various county facilities, but one thing that maybe doesn’t get the attention it should is also near the top of the list,” Tate said. “When you look at where our county debt was when I came on the board 12 years ago, and where it is now, and how we’ve improved our credit rating during that time I view those as big successes.”
Tate, who has served as the board’s chairman for a county record eight years, called it “an honor” to represent his native Highlands and thanked his fellow board members for their hard work during his tenure. His hope is that the board’s new members, who will be decided on Election Day will continue to work in the best interest of the county as a whole.
“Over the past 10 years, we have really worked hard to put ourselves in a position financially where we could afford to build a new Franklin High School,” Tate said. “And now, with this election, that project is essentially on the ballot. If the quarter cent sales tax increase doesn’t pass, and board members are elected that choose not to go forward with the Franklin High School project, it will set that project back a minimum of 10 years.”
Tate added that along with paying off the county’s debt, and achieving the top credit rating available to county governments, Macon County has also built a strong fund balance of nearly $33 million to ensure fiscal viability throughout the building of a new high school campus – which is expected to cost approximately $110 million.
Tate noted that kicking the can down the road by a decade would only lead to higher construction costs and could negatively impact Macon County’s overall economic climate.
“In my opinion, now is the time to step up and make that project a reality,” Tate said. “We are in as good a financial position as we can possibly be in, as a county, right now.”
During Tate’s tenure Macon County has completed $21.1 million worth of school expansions, renovations and remodels. Aside from the capital expenditures, overall annual operating funding for Macon County Schools has increased 33 percent while Tate has been on the board, according to county finance statistics.
“The great thing about being on the board with Jim is that he always voted in the best interest of the people of Macon County,” Commissioner Ronnie Beale said. “He didn’t care if something was a Republican idea, or a Democrat idea, he committed his vote to what was best for the county. He has been a smart, steady, leader during his time on the board and it has been a pleasure to serve with him.”
Beale pointed to the decade worth of education projects, along with a long list of parks and recreation improvements Tate helped move forward, as just some of his contributions to Macon County’s overall growth.
Since Tate was elected to the board, the county has built the Parker Meadows Rec Complex, Macon County Dog Park, completed a total renovation of the Robert C. Carpenter Community Building, expanded Zachary Park, purchased the Nantahala Library, contributed to the renovation of the Highlands Civic Center and added lights to the pickleball courts at the Highlands Rec Center. The total investment of those projects is more than $7 million.
“I feel like we’ve done a lot of good in the past 12 years and I’m happy with how I am leaving things as I step away from the board,” Tate said.
While Tate acknowledged his need for a break from public service, he did not close the door on running for office again in the future should the right opportunity arise.
“Just in the past couple of years things have been extremely busy with my business, and with my family, and I feel like it’s a good time to take some time off,” Tate said. “I’ve really enjoyed my time on the board, working with my fellow commissioners and our excellent county staff, seeing the inner workings of local government, and getting to know so many amazing people. It’s been a lot of work, but I’ve had a lot of fun too.”