[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6317865,"mediaKeyId","2368916-81305a383ee6515d44ca8051c33974a6","parentId",2368916,"title","Residents urge county to consider impact fees, farmland preservation and delay Raccoon Bike Park expansion","audioSeconds",577,"startMs",237000,"endMs",814000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2368916-81305a383ee6515d44ca8051c33974a6&start=237&end=814","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2368916-81305a383ee6515d44ca8051c33974a6/thumbnail_237000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6317865/Haywood-County/North-Carolina/Residents-urge-county-to-consider-impact-fees-farmland-preservation-and-delay-Raccoon-Bike-Park-expansion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317865-e79e224c739a7655d3a7aa58d38c84f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1774834882&Signature=n79jYoEyeaPGsHOBX0ppptXqRu1y~KozxSsegz1-PDMv~CnPfLnNs8cEB5u2gCpAy8nBQk62gzAAvhkelckB683VzZ12WIGostjr~2K--gnZ1DsciHdJemfT1XqPck6qkXRTwZSEzT1Z-HrwPw6hgmvAOIhIBYPlyQgLXtakSCVlfKKgkf2OdDmugdUKQN2mL1SsEBfcDglLGOQtNztSMYH~QsL1Qzx0BBCDyWD9sjg72RSbTAX5XNj2k94hvmoQCdKdC69gbilNUZ-DDMLakuML2R1sZ4R77zYsY9yyXWpYPLa54b1gC4G-ubEfgc9uf2XMGYzYxyBr6c-ajfbABg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","HAYWOOD COUNTY ","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","Three residents used the Feb. 17 public-comment period to raise development and recovery-related concerns.

Don Smart, who identified himself as a farmer and Farm Bureau member, urged the board to study a developer impact fee or user fee to offset infrastructure costs that heavy new development places on sewer, roads and emergency services. Smart said recent in-migration and short-term visitors have driven land and housing prices up “in the last three years,” and asked the county to consider directing tax-rollback proceeds into a farmland-preservation program to help keep working farms intact.

Nate Roberto urged county leaders to press state legislators to support a proposed state funding package, calling it critical for school rebuilding and job creation. Roberto said federal funding remains uncertain and described the state package—referenced in public comment as a $1 billion proposal—as important for rural recovery and for services such as exceptional-learning classrooms.

Vicki Rogers, a Frances Farm Road resident, asked the board to postpone further development of Raccoon Bike Park phase 2 until adequate planning answers are available. Rogers said she worried the park would be an unsupervised area that could attract “vagrants and trash,” that sewer/percolation on the site is uncertain because the land has held water, and that past incidents (she described finding a dead animal that she believed was a fighting dog) raise safety concerns for nearby ballfields and neighborhoods.

Why it matters: Public comments reflect local tensions between tourism-driven growth and preservation of farmland, concerns about public-safety and sanitation at recreation projects, and the need for clear infrastructure funding mechanisms for new development.

Ending: Commissioners acknowledged the comments; members and staff said some items—such as farmland-preservation funding and impact fees—are matters for state policymakers or multi-jurisdictional study, while the Raccoon Bike Park concerns prompted neighborhood follow-up and an upcoming community meeting referenced by the speaker.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HAYWOOD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During the public comment period, residents raised concerns about tourism-driven land-price increases and called for impact or user fees and farmland-preservation funding; a neighborhood resident asked the board to postpone work on Raccoon Bike Park phase 2 over safety, sanitation and septic/percolation concerns.","taxTitle","Haywood County, North Carolina","taxId",54746,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6317870,"Haywood County honors two retiring deputies and approves canine transfer to handler",1046,2652000,3698000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2368916-81305a383ee6515d44ca8051c33974a6&start=2652&end=3698","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2368916-81305a383ee6515d44ca8051c33974a6/thumbnail_2652000.jpg","/articles/6317870/Haywood-County/North-Carolina/Haywood-County-honors-two-retiring-deputies-and-approves-canine-transfer-to-handler","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317870-b93955861f77fc9ec9fb832976ad7f00/orig.mp4?Expires=1774834882&Signature=L6c8JPYM5fMhrVo5hMqK4G1bLPIu6rbCNzHoMxzRtbijGs~2tEQ5PpjZY28kYY0QyAKwFdYwe7SkJUb6tBLGnuy1W4ULmxrAFXhWwPNdYG1WjdNLAZbSF11A7XH3xvpnHlS8cnXdXcSvNg3yPU8ekbqIgTL7zCfma0s9B3-KMEVqgIazCm0uUSip~OT8kpBnGxxtqlc7Z8idn-JjW20Tvxfh-ycgUbE0KiGsAPRTw2qTxBwEBOv3FDqF1tBCfKSotqbf5QWHe4~zKTypTpZI7EjJBUAmizsKOgYf9TRBqFc6tpks-ZZeF~yWNbqvVkWEbaSmDUKFAa9SeevEfUeT8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Haywood County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 17 approved resolutions recognizing two long-serving deputies and authorizing the sheriff to transfer issued badges and service weapons to them at no charge, and it authorized the disposition of a retired K-9 to its handler.

Sheriff William Bill Wilkie read the resolutions recognizing Lieutenant Douglas Wayne Carver, who retired after 31 years of service, and Major Jason Floyd Smiley, who retired after a total of 30 years in law enforcement. Each resolution cites North Carolina General Statute 20-187.2 as the authority permitting the sheriff, at his discretion, to transfer an issued sidearm and badge to a retiring deputy at a price determined by the board. The board approved both resolutions by voice vote.

The board also approved, on the consent agenda, a resolution declaring retired patrol/detection canine Rico surplus and authorizing sale of the animal to its trained handler, David Geo Cates, for $1, with the handler assuming all liability and responsibility for the retired canine’s care. County staff described the transfer procedure as consistent with the county’s surplus- property policy as stated in county documents.

Why it matters: The actions formalize retirement honors and follow statutory procedures for disposition of county-issued equipment and retired service animals. County leaders emphasized gratitude for long service; speakers at the meeting praised both deputies’ professionalism and public-safety contributions.

Ending: The board’s actions were procedural and ceremonial; no additional policy changes were made at the meeting.","The board approved resolutions allowing the Haywood County sheriff to transfer badges and issued sidearms to Lieutenant Douglas Wayne Carver and Major Jason Floyd Smiley under North Carolina law, and declared retired canine Rico surplus to permit transfer to handler David Geo Cates for $1.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6317875,"Board approves $3.71 million in state recovery funds to repair schools damaged by Hurricane Helene",137,3755000,3892000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2368916-81305a383ee6515d44ca8051c33974a6&start=3755&end=3892","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2368916-81305a383ee6515d44ca8051c33974a6/thumbnail_3755000.jpg","/articles/6317875/Haywood-County/North-Carolina/Board-approves-371-million-in-state-recovery-funds-to-repair-schools-damaged-by-Hurricane-Helene","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317875-a3a1cc402eb7c1567419d9eb7cbea47d/orig.mp4?Expires=1774834882&Signature=a5Eg0rFyiCPgGLAQgU4ALjfKQjwKvSRMUqj7pycuOoWR52cUSsdZtYkz1VECgsiwYLFbhC9afbxi4TPvdRNWQI6Yn4Ntb44CTdpHqVNqJ8CgDdEv8hGFi6kr4J7ffErPoOfnd0qSd3hmQFQhzYLZ9dmVrK9s7DBGKZrKHK86ZZ-45AhyvU930uTOPK0dQGzav-lpRgpljdFAFdK8xxwJMSNS3YdKRwvpeCw7BFuGgX3X~WETQ8rAzmQjuNixFRdUcW6d2njtRqrWrESouE23DCsylzemuIPf21RhLphc3XJEgzwNY6qcZMiRZmGBkff9osVfkprg8eoWNci4G55ohQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Haywood County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 17 to adopt a project ordinance that appropriates $3,713,067 from the Hurricane Helene Capital Recovery Fund to repair public school facilities damaged in the storm.

Christian Owen, Haywood County finance director, described the ordinance as funding “all the repairs to the school facilities that were approved by the newly established Hurricane Helene Recovery Fund,” and noted that any insurance or federal reimbursements must be returned to that fund after they are received.

Graham Haines, assistant superintendent for Haywood County Schools, attended the meeting as the schools seek to complete repairs without pulling local capital. Owen and others said the appropriation stems from the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 (Senate Bill 743), which included a $50 million allocation for school repairs in federally designated disaster areas. Owen thanked local legislators for enabling upfront access to these funds to avoid long delays while awaiting insurance and FEMA payments.

Why it matters: The appropriation allows school repairs to proceed immediately rather than waiting for reimbursement, which county and school officials said will reduce cash-flow pressure on local budgets and speed rebuilding of damaged facilities.

The board moved and approved the project ordinance during the regular agenda; the motion passed without recorded opposition.

Ending: County staff said the schools’ repairs are subject to later reconciliation with insurance and FEMA; the board’s action authorizes the county to accept and expend the recovery funds so work can proceed.","The county approved a project ordinance to accept $3,713,067 from the Hurricane Helene Capital Recovery Fund to repair Haywood County school facilities; insurance and FEMA reimbursements must be returned to the recovery fund as they are received.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6317879,"Haywood County manager previews FY26 budget, flags jail debt and personnel costs",739,1291000,2030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2368916-81305a383ee6515d44ca8051c33974a6&start=1291&end=2030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2368916-81305a383ee6515d44ca8051c33974a6/thumbnail_1291000.jpg","/articles/6317879/Haywood-County/North-Carolina/Haywood-County-manager-previews-FY26-budget-flags-jail-debt-and-personnel-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317879-6c8bb9d76134cfba088bb16700a6085e/orig.mp4?Expires=1774834882&Signature=iZEHCohzdUdr-u5NSsXKVPs70i4WTIcMeEOvcD1j9~MP0jgtT0BnB64TwV3-julhmUbG9wR~UgaNvoUZ6PlLH66~~Rd50xNt9cvz3N74pyfHSfqixy9kg2SVQNusoJYMarY4yAGLgJRScIqVbmwNCpmf1YeVr71WUxW6iF9mE2tJNE8~m5jDO5LbthGpJ~3mEWVE2T~6x62pvATuSIUjD5n34P23UiKpSWXwoHu5XgLz~0s5~PfASNK5~XVDWKsHvnjSR6HXfKfmOMKTAE55yNoaqH71zBmeqkSEfw8kJ3OrTO0lLIrMzkz33WWzRp56TyEK8INSUjUEX8ldV9GHyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bridal Moorhead, Haywood County manager, presented an unaudited financial preview for fiscal 2026 at the Feb. 17 Board of Commissioners meeting, saying the county closed the prior year with roughly $7.5 million added to fund balance and that S&P had upheld the county’s AA+ credit rating despite regional storm damage.

Moorhead said the county “ended last year, with revenues, outperforming expenditures and transfers of about $7,500,000,” and warned that a full year of principal and interest on the jail expansion will increase the county’s debt service in FY26 by about $623,000. He also identified personnel costs as a major driver: “Each 1% raise per year costs us about $500,000,” Moorhead said, counting payroll-related costs such as FICA and retirement.

The manager framed those pressures against other revenue trends. Property-tax collections remain strong, with collection rates in the high 98 percent range, while sales-tax receipts were down about 1.3% for July–November compared with the prior year. Investment earnings outperformed expectations and have helped offset some sales-tax shortfalls, Moorhead said.

Why it matters: The presentation lays out the principal constraints that the board will negotiate as it prepares the FY26 manager’s recommended budget: rising debt service from the jail expansion, recurring salary and retirement cost increases, and the uncertain trajectory of sales-tax revenue after Hurricane Helene.

Inverted-pyramid details: Moorhead said the county used fund balance for storm-related debris removal after the disaster and has maintained a fund-balance cushion of roughly $45 million in undesignated reserves. He described the FY26 debt increase as the result of moving from interest-only payments to full principal and interest; the jail expansion debt will remain on the books for about 20 years.

Moorhead also outlined capital needs that will factor into budget deliberations: replacement of 12 public-safety vehicles (10 for the sheriff’s office, two for inspections), two ambulance remounts for EMS, IT replacements, and facilities maintenance across roughly 700,000 square feet of county buildings. He estimated school- and college-related operating support next year at roughly $400,000–$450,000 and noted that employee medical-insurance cost assumptions remain under review.

Board members asked for additional detail as the process continues; Moorhead said the manager’s recommended budget will be presented Feb. 19 with a public hearing set for June 2 and an anticipated adoption on June 16.

Ending: Moorhead described the presentation as high-level and invited board members to schedule follow-up work sessions. No formal budget decisions were taken at the meeting; the presentation was informational and will feed the formal budget development process.","County Manager Bridal Moorhead gave an unaudited financial update showing a $7.5 million increase to fund balance, an upheld AA+ credit rating, a FY26 debt payment bump tied to the jail expansion, and personnel and benefits costs as major budgetary pressures for the coming year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge county to consider impact fees, farmland preservation and delay Raccoon Bike Park expansion

Haywood County honors two retiring deputies and approves canine transfer to handler

Board approves $3.71 million in state recovery funds to repair schools damaged by Hurricane Helene

Haywood County manager previews FY26 budget, flags jail debt and personnel costs