Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Haywood County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
9 issues with medium priority
Clyde Armory emergency shelter and EMS expansion
The county was asked to spend about $1.36 million on emergency medical transport — three new ambulances and a remount — to keep its EMS fleet reliable.
Schools Debt Service Fund Amendments
Two budget amendments move about $2 million of fund balance into the schools' debt service fund — $900,000 for Innovative Middle School renovations and $1.176 million for 13 acres on Hospital Drive in Canton.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.