The propriety of Macon County disbursing tax dollars to private organizations has been questioned. To resolve concerns, it has been proposed that a (likely tax-subsidized) bureaucracy be set up to launder the money first.

Macon County has been collecting a 3% hotel tax. Last year, it disbursed $141,653 to Franklin, $243,039 to Highlands, and $19,628 to Nantahala. It also kept $71,442 for administration. The funds are given to the Highlands and Franklin chambers of commerce. Since the budgets of these private organizations are not made public, it has been alleged that the disbursements are a violation of state law. Creating a tourism development authority (TDA) to receive tax dollars and distribute them to the chambers would solve the problem.

But first, there must be a study. A nine-member team has been created “to develop a plan of action for the creation of a TDA and the allocation of the money.” Secondly, tax dollars need to be spent to hire advertisers to market Macon County to tourists.