Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Haywood County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
12 issues with high priority
County library services and National Library Week
Library Director Kathy Vossler asked the Board to approve closing the Fines Creek branch of the county library system. For residents of that rural community, it means a longer trip to reach library services.
Affordable housing and the revolving loan fund
The loan fund committee recommends $597,000 to Haywood Habitat for Humanity for two affordable homes and to the Waynesville Housing Authority for repairing water-damaged tower units.
Regional healthcare pressure on Mission Health/HCA
Vaya Health briefed commissioners on its merger with Partners Health Management, which manages Medicaid behavioral health locally. State lawmakers have ordered a study that could eliminate LME/MCOs entirely — a threat Vaya says it wants to survive by getting bigger.
2027 Property Revaluation and Schedule of Values
The countywide property reappraisal takes effect January 1, 2027, and the Schedule of Values sets how every parcel gets valued — which directly shapes your property tax bill. A public hearing was held October 19 before the Board's action item.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.