Robbinsville – The much-discussed 2026-27 fiscal year budget for Graham County passed Tuesday evening, on a 3-2 vote. Commission chair Meggan Smith and commissioner Natasha Williams voted against the ordinance.
Prior to the passage, however, the board listened to members of the public that attended the meeting and wished to weigh in on the final numbers.
The 53-minute, public-comment session included eight residents speaking on various topics, ranging from the hours of both the Graham County Public Library and the Graham County Pool being reduced; animal control; county salaries; and the increase to the tax rate.
Kaye Davis with the Graham County Women's Club spoke in support of leaving the library accessible five days a week, as the current proposal from the facility will see the hours trimmed down to Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
It was revealed during the meeting that the Nantahala Regional Library had requested an allotment of $172,274 from the county for the library's yearly operations. The county approved $95,000 – or 55% of the amount the system hoped for, despite the amount not dropping from the 2025-26 budget.
"Our community is rural and we have few resources, but the library is a very important one that we have here," Davis said. "To close the library even one day a week will make a big difference. The community will suffer."
Later in the session, Friends of the Graham County Library Treasurer Shaunia Cripe said that the amount will only allow for one full-time and one part-time employee. The regional system has a policy that restricts opening one of its branches without two employees on-site.
Cripe also cited some figures on how the Nantahala Regional Library system – which includes Andrews, Hayesville, Murphy and Robbinsville – has helped saved the area money.
She said the system provides access to 7.9 million items and 90,000 electronic materials – which helped reduce the cost to visitors down $2.6 million in 2023.
"That's potentially $650,000 that it has saved this county alone," Cripe said. "Libraries are so important. The first thing my daughter and I did when we moved here was get a library card. They're important to the education of our children. In the summertime, our programs keep kids occupied and having fun."
Graham County Finance Officer Stacy Carpenter noted that the budget figure is a special appropriation, as the county also provides the building, maintenance and the land the library sets on – a privilege not afforded to other libraries in the system.
"It does net to an amount greater than the $95,000," Carpenter pointed out.
Deborah Cheney with the Red Hat Lady Dragons expanded on the topic of animal control, hoping that the county would amp up its surveillance of those who do not keep vaccines up-to-date.
Cheney proposed a system in which the county required a yearly registration of dogs and cats, with fines levied if the animals do not get a fresh sign-up.
"It makes the owners responsible," Cheney said. "If they don't have it, they will be fined."
Graham County Manager Brady Cody stated that a Memorandum of Understanding could be established soon with the recently-opened P.A.W.S. Bryson City facility. P.A.W.S. has asked the county for patience in getting the new shelter up-and-running before entering an agreement.
Cody said the shelter – which cost $648,882 to build – can hold 12 dogs and 20 cats, and is non-kill. Cheney pushed for a local resolution, saying she would help raise private funds to construct a facility if the county would donate the land.
"Anytime the government and the community can come together to do something, it's a good thing," added commissioner Jacob Nelms.
Resident Scott Hatch said he would be willing to head up a committee that could spearhead efforts to bring more industry and manufacturing to Graham County, astutely observing that the tax base needs growth.
"We don't need the same taxpayers paying more. We don't need the same citizens getting less," said Hatch. "It doesn't cost a penny to put a bunch of smart people in a room and let them brainstorm."
* Next week: More from the meeting, including updates on EcoKing Solutions, sanitation hours and changes to the SRO program.