Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Haywood County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
4 issues in environment
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.
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.
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.