Haywood County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Haywood County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Town Manager Appointment
Waynesville just picked a new town manager, and the upside is that they already know the area. That matters because this person runs daily town operations and helps set the tone for budgets, development, and services—so the hire can affect how the town works day to day.
County fiscal pressures from Hurricane Helene and lost papermill tax base
Recovery remains a years-long effort, with 87 home acquisitions in the pipeline, 25 already approved, plus elevation, landslide, generator and infrastructure projects awaiting state and FEMA review.
2027 Property Revaluation and Schedule of Values
Haywood County is undergoing its first property revaluation since 2021, with new values effective January 1, 2027. After six years of market growth, many values will rise — though not all equally — and the market has recently slowed. A public hearing is set for October 19 and the Board votes on adoption November 2.
Waynesville Charity Horse Show Donation to Meals on Wheels
The Waynesville Charity Horse Show donated $13,500 in proceeds to Meals on Wheels, a program that delivers both food and companionship to homebound residents. Organizers said the show will return next year.
Economic Development and Workforce Training Wins
Commissioner Best presented data showing unemployment back down to 3% after Helene, nearly 400 new small businesses since 2020, broadband reaching all but 121 homes, and major job additions from employers like Drake Software and Velocity Truck Centers.
Grant-funded Health and Human Services Programs
The county is adding four staff to its substance use program — a director, a prescriber, and two peer support workers — all funded by opioid settlement money, to help clients get to appointments, jobs, and housing.
Recycling ranks #1 in the state
Haywood jumped from 6th to 1st among North Carolina's 100 counties for recycling in fiscal year 2025. New hauler registration and facility-use rules take effect October 1, and the county is exploring styrofoam recycling.
Haywood Working Lands Fund
A proposed fund that would dedicate rollback taxes from farmland leaving present-use value to support conservation easements and farm preservation, rather than flowing to the general fund. Adoption is set for August 17, and commissioners are exploring bigger funding options like a dedicated property or sales tax.
Outdoor flood siren system
The county installed 18 electronic flood sirens focused on the Cruso, Lake Logan and other flood-prone corridors, activated by river gauge data or fire departments. If you hear the high-low tone, leave on foot for higher ground immediately — don't drive.
Free industrial park land for two local businesses
The county is giving land to Pisgah Electrical Services (38 jobs) and Willow Hill Soap Company (8 jobs), with clawback agreements to make sure the promised jobs and wages materialize.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Expansion
Haywood now leads the state in recycling, and a new policy requires commercial haulers to register annually and route waste to the correct facilities to protect the aging MRF and landfill.
Canton-Clyde-Waynesville emergency water interconnect
After years of boil-water advisories and storm damage, the three towns are building a seven-mile pipeline so they can send water to each other during emergencies. It's mostly state-funded, and construction could start soon once easements are secured.
Affordable housing and the revolving loan fund
The HOME Consortium is shifting returned funds into rental construction and running a disaster rental assistance program for Helene-affected households, with about ten applications in the pipeline. A $1.96 million HOME-ARP allocation is coming for homelessness services.
Justice Center bag prohibition
Starting August 1, you can't bring purses, backpacks or similar bags into the county Justice Center, with exemptions for attorneys, jurors, employees and medical needs.
Regional healthcare pressure on Mission Health/HCA
Haywood County joined other western North Carolina counties in a resolution pressing HCA and Mission Health to sit down with local governments about healthcare access, staffing and patient care problems across the region.
$3M school funding request and potential property tax increase
The school system is asking the county for $3 million more next year — $1.3 million for raises for bus drivers, custodians and other non-certified staff, $700,000 to stop draining fund balance, and about $1 million to keep teaching positions the state won't fund. Commissioners signaled a tough budget decision ahead and hinted a tax increase may be needed.
Planning Board vacancies
The Planning Board has an open at-large seat and a farmer position that has gone unfilled for months because no applicants applied specifically for the farmer role. The Board interviewed seven candidates to move toward filling the seats.
Farmland preservation funding squeeze
Speakers asked the county to dedicate present-use value rollback taxes to a farmland preservation fund, citing the Queen Farm's $3 million sale as an example. Commissioners support the idea but note state funding lags land values and private money is needed.
Brown Hollow conservation easement violation
A Brown Hollow property covered in junk and debris violates a conservation easement the owner granted to the Soil and Water Conservation District years ago. Enforcement requires a civil lawsuit by the district, with possible separate public health violations if campers are discharging waste.
Little East Fork camper encampment and illegal discharge
Residents near Little East Fork say a camper encampment discharging waste into the stream has gone on for a year, with slow response from the Sheriff's Office. The county attorney says a June 29 injunction hearing is set, but if the occupants are confirmed squatters, criminal trespass enforcement could resolve it faster.
Jail expansion costs and 'jails over schools' debate
Sheriff Wilke walked through how the department replaced expired body armor, deployed body cameras, tasers, and drones, and tracked it all with new software — mostly with grant and donation money. He tied the modernization to a 40% drop in thefts and faster response times, which means fewer stolen lawnmowers and quicker help when you call.
Septic permitting complaint
An 86-year-old disabled veteran with 30 years of septic experience criticized Environmental Health's handling of his septic system permit, saying he was told to hire a soil scientist he doesn't need.
Clyde Armory emergency shelter and EMS expansion
Two CDBG grants that paid for Phase 1 of converting the old Armory into an emergency shelter were formally closed out. The facility sheltered over 100 people during Hurricane Helene, and a $2.2M next phase will expand EMS garage and storage space.
Tropical Storm Fred Unmet Needs grant appropriation
The board adopted an ordinance to spend the remaining $2.5M of a $3.5M state grant for Fred recovery — with a tight 60-90 day spending window if new public safety projects are approved.
Animal welfare and Haywood County Animal Services practices
Four residents told the board the starvation deaths of horses Sam and Buster were preventable, citing repeated ignored complaints since 2023, and asked that the case go to the district attorney. Chairman Ensley defended Animal Services Director Howard Martin, saying the county followed the law.
County property tax authority resolution
Commissioners formally opposed any constitutional amendment or state action that would cap or restrict the county's property tax authority, warning it could force service cuts and higher fees.
Jonathan Creek Convenience Center relocation
A $2.5 million state grant will move the flood-prone Jonathan Creek convenience center to a bigger site outside the floodway — though the county's solid waste fund must buy the land itself.
Haywood Community College FY 26-27 budget request
HCC asked for a 6.81% increase ($268,243) to cover salaries, utilities, a rebid custodial contract and insurance — plus capital requests for bathroom renovations and a fleet vehicle. The college also celebrated six state-champion SkillsUSA students and its new arboretum designation.
Tax Collector vacancy and interim appointment
The county has collected 92.95% of this year's $50.5 million levy, with $4.33 million outstanding. Delinquent taxpayers will be advertised April 15 unless they pay by April 9 online or April 10 in person.
Tourism Development Authority board appointments
Tourism brought $357 million in visitor spending, supports 2,200+ jobs, and saves households about $900 in taxes. 2025 set occupancy tax records despite Hurricane Helene, aided by the "Open Haywood" recovery campaign.
County library services and National Library Week
The library reported 80,000+ visitors, expanded digital resources, a completed Waynesville HVAC renovation, and a $14,000 grant for landscaping. National Library Week runs April 19-25 with events across all branches.
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and The Arc's 50th anniversary
The board proclaimed March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, celebrating The Arc of Haywood County's 50 years of group homes, employment support, and community programs serving about 100 people annually.
America 250 founding documents unveiling
The county will unveil permanent displays of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights at the Justice Center on April 12, built from reclaimed Haywood County barn wood.
Veterans services grant
A $20,000 state grant will fund community outreach and supplies for the county's veterans office.
FY2025 audit results and FEMA fund overage
The county got a clean audit, but the FEMA hurricane cleanup fund was overspent by $3.6 million due to late contractor invoices during the switch to the state debris program. Auditors and the county manager stressed it was a one-time timing issue, not a budgeting problem.
Data center and crypto-mining restrictions
A resident proposed strengthening the county's high-impact development ordinance — adding farm protections, noise limits, public hearings, and transparency rules around data center non-disclosure agreements.
Waynesville Branch Library HVAC and roof project
The project is nearly done and the branch reopens February 23. Switching from electric to gas heat could save about $4,000 a month, and the library foundation chipped in $20,000 for flooring.
Courthouse grounds expression and chalk ordinance
A resident arrested for chalking on the courthouse courtyard — a charge later dismissed — asked the county to clarify or protect public expression on courthouse grounds.
Code of Ordinances recodification and higher civil penalties
Two public hearings are set for February 2: one on HUD housing consortium action plans and one on amendments to the full county code ahead of recodification. Chapter 150 (Building Regulations) will be voted on for adoption February 16.
Board of Equalization and Review appointments
The board was also scheduled to interview candidates for the Board of Equalization and Review — the panel that hears property tax valuation appeals. Appointments here affect how residents' tax appeals are handled.
Campaign sign placement on private property
Chairman Ensley reminded candidates that state law requires permission before placing signs on private property, and property owners can remove unauthorized signs. Several constituents had called unsure of their rights.
Animal cruelty investigation procedures
Longtime animal welfare advocate Evelyn Coltman asked the county to appoint a committee to review and improve its animal cruelty investigation protocols after a recent case involving a dog named Zoe. The county has made major progress since the 1960s, but she says the ordinance and procedures need another look.
Commissioner tax payment dispute
A resident accused commissioners of grandstanding over Commissioner Ramey's tax payment plan while using agricultural deferments themselves. Chairman Ensley admitted he owed $156.67 due to a misdirected bill and paid it online during the meeting; Commissioner Best clarified the "loophole" is a legitimate agricultural deferment for working farmland.
Helene debris cleanup on Janet Lane
Commissioner Long raised a letter about unaddressed Hurricane Helene debris at 42 Janet Lane; the county manager agreed to follow up.
Broadband expansion nearly complete in Haywood County
Federal and state programs have cut unserved locations from about 5,000 in 2020 to roughly 131. Most remaining builds finish by end of 2026; the hardest-to-reach spots wait on the Stop Gap program and satellite service through 2030. Residents should check the FCC map and challenge inaccurate listings.
Municipal Election Results
Haywood County's towns have new mayors and council members after the 2025 municipal elections. These are the people who'll set your property tax rate, weigh in on housing, and run the services you use every day — so it's worth a quick check on who actually won in your town.
city-sanctioned LGBTQ pride festival
Waynesville just held its first city-sanctioned Pride festival, Haywood Pride on Main. It’s a real shift in what local government formally backs, whether you’re cheering it or raising an eyebrow. The practical effects are mostly about visibility, city services, and downtown foot traffic.