There is a place called Highlands. It is disputed territory, with Jackson and Macon counties wanting to claim the revenue-generating portion and wishing to give the service-demanding portion to the other. Reportedly, it consists of 332 parcels with a combined value of $445 million. Macon County Commissioner Jim Tate said Jackson County collects $1.2 million from properties mainly serviced by Macon County, and Macon spends about $160,000 a year on them. The properties, while in Jackson County, are connected to the rest of the world only by roads that go through Macon County. Jackson County Manager Chuck Wooten said he didn’t know Macon County was picking up the tab for trash hauled out of the country clubs.
Tate said the county line dispute was brought to light several years ago when a constituent asked why he was being taxed for 8 acres in Jackson and 5 acres in Macon when he only owned 10 acres of property.
It is hoped a peaceful resolution will be reached by, you guessed it, setting up a fire district.