Haywood County commissioners approve tax advertising date, buy river gauges and radios, and confirm a health-board appointment

The Haywood County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 approved routine business and several items that set near-term county operations and emergency capabilities.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: approved unanimously.

- Item 1 — Unpaid-tax annual report and advertising date: The board accepted the tax collector’s required annual report under North Carolina General Statutes §105-369(a) and approved an advertising date of April 16, 2025, for delinquent 2024 real-estate taxes. Tax collector Sebastian Cothern reported the amount delinquent as of the legal delinquency date (Jan. 7) was $7,790,871.58, representing a fiscal-year collection rate of 84.69%; he said collections had since reduced the outstanding balance to $3,866,567 and raised the collection rate to 92.84% as of the morning of the meeting. The board said it scheduled the later advertising date to give residents affected by recent flooding more time to pay; the last day to pay to avoid advertising was set as April 10 at 5 p.m.

- Item 2 — Purchase of seven river gauges: The board approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of seven river-level gauges under an exception to competitive bidding for a total of $108,792.25. Emergency Management Coordinator Zach (surname redacted in the record) said the gauges are funded through an Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) grant and will replace five U.S. Geological Survey gauge sites and add two additional sites (Allens Creek and Jonathan Creek). The gauges are integrated into the state’s Flood Inundation Mapping Network (NC-FOMIN) and were used during recent storm response to monitor river levels and warn responders and residents.

- Item 3 — Purchase of radios for emergency services: The board approved a resolution to purchase 50 Kenwood VHF/UHF DMR/P25-capable radios under state contract (North Carolina Department of Information Technology, contract 325GS) at roughly $287,000 (amount reported in the meeting as approximately $287,000.69). The radios will replace aging units and allow EMS and other responders to operate on VIPER, VHF and UHF band plans and maintain interoperability with statewide responders. The county’s emergency coordinator said the purchase was budgeted.

- Appointments: The board confirmed Leah Merez to a four-year public-member term on the Haywood County Health and Human Services Board; the appointment was approved unanimously.

Each of the regular-agenda items passed on voice votes with no recorded opposition.

What commissioners said

Commissioners thanked staff for the work on the tax-collection process and for advancing public-safety capabilities. Commissioners and staff noted how river gauges and interoperable radios supported response during the recent storm and recommended residents and local responders review the NC Flood Inundation Mapping Network site for alerts and height-based warnings.

Meetings and next steps

- Tax-advertising notices will appear per the approved April 16, 2025, advertising schedule; individuals seeking to avoid advertising must pay by the county office deadline of April 10 at 5 p.m. - The emergency management office will take delivery of the new gauges and radios per procurement timelines and manage installation and programming with state partners.