BY MILES LAYTON
SWAN QUARTER – The Hyde County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a new solid waste ordinance aimed at shifting trash disposal costs from the property tax base to a user fee system — but not before hearing pointed criticism from one resident.
Eye catching photo comes from when me and my son learned about feeding crackers to the seagulls — not a good idea — while traveling the ferry enroute to Ocracoke a few years ago.
Anyway, during the Commission’s most recent meeting on Aug. 4, Commissioners implemented a fee of $180 per year for homes and a $400 per year fee for businesses. Presently, the money to pay for solid waste disposal comes from property tax revenue.
County Manager Kris Noble explained that the ordinance is the product of months of budget workshops, public meetings, and a July 28 public hearing. It establishes a solid waste availability fee for residential and commercial structures, with enforcement by the county manager and solid waste supervisor. Side Note: A change to the Master Fee Schedule reduces the Solid Waste Haulers License Fee from $50 to $25.
The measure also includes penalties and fines in line with other counties — as Woodsy the Owl would say, “Give a hoot, don’t pollute.” The Solid Waste Supervisor, and County Manager are primary enforcement officers, with assistance from the sheriff and the Health Department. Violations of the ordinance can result in fines of up to $500 and/or imprisonment for up to 30 days, with each day of violation considered a separate offense.
A letter with each tax bill will explain the fee system and exemptions, including for households served by private haulers. Eligible households will receive decals — typically two per residence — to present at disposal sites.
Long and short of it, Noble said a user fee model vs a tax model works better to handle costs associated with solid waste disposals.
During public comment, a man who folks seemed to know, but he either didn’t offer his name or I couldn’t hear it, accused commissioners of misleading the public about planned fee exemptions, claiming residents had been told that households earning less than $37,000 or already paying for private trash pickup would be exempt from the county’s new fees.
Noble debunked that assertion, saying no such exemption exists and clarifying the confusion over income thresholds.
“I have never heard the number $37,000. There is an exemption for people determined by the Department of Social Services to be indigent, as many other counties do. The $37,000 figure did not come from me.”
No matter how you cut it, the man was not happy about the trash fees, threatening to organize resistance to the new fees.
“If I have to, I’ll get a list of every taxpayer and do a mass mailing asking them not to pay their taxes until January 1 to get your attention.”
Not paying your taxes is like feeding seagulls on a ferry — not a good idea.
Addressing fairness concerns
Commissioner Jan Moore said some residents worry the fees are unfair to smaller households that produce little trash compared to larger ones.
Noble responded that the biggest inequity is that residential taxpayers are currently subsidizing commercial waste disposal. Removing commercial trash from the residential tax burden is the first step, she said, and the system can be refined over time.
Commissioners also noted that while some residents initially felt blindsided by the change, more people are now accepting it after learning the details.
Moore acknowledged the public relations challenge: “Here it’s because we’re small and we talk, and information doesn’t always get out. But as we share more information, it smooths the waters.”
Sheriff’s Office to lease new trucks
The board also approved the Hyde County Sheriff’s Office request to acquire five 2025 Ford F-150 4×4 trucks through Capital Fleet Solutions at a total cost of $401,215. Commissioners selected a six-year financing plan with annual payments of $83,706.05 at a 6.82% interest rate.
Chief Deputy Joey Williams said the trucks will be undercoated to slow rust damage and that the lease arrangement will allow the county to rotate vehicles every six years, keeping the fleet in better condition.
Commission Chairman Randal Matthews supported the move.
“I think that’s great. I appreciate it. I think that’s a good price and a good idea considering the climate,” he said.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Rates Increase
Commissioners approved rate increases from Non-Emergency Medical Transportation.
“These rate adjustments reflect the significant time commitment and personal expense drivers incur, especially on long trips that can take 9–10 hours. The increases are intended to improve driver retention, incentivize availability, and help offset incidental costs such as meals during extended travel,” the agenda packet said. “It is anticipated that as clients become aware of the increased mileage reimbursement, more may choose to coordinate their own transportation, potentially reducing the demand for county-provided driver services.
Recap: On Monday, July 21, 2025, the Hyde County DSS Board approved proposed rate
increases for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) services provided through Hyde County DSS in July. These expenses are 100% reimbursable to the County through Medicaid.
Hyde County DSS currently provides transportation to medical appointments for eligible residents or reimburses mileage when a client has access to their own vehicle or a friend/family member willing to transport them—an essential service due to the lack of private providers in our area. To better align with neighboring counties and encourage client self-transportation, DSS proposes an increase in the mileage reimbursement rate for clients from the current amount to $0.35 per mile, which is half of the State’s standard reimbursement rate of $0.70 per mile.
Additionally, DSS is requesting an increase in the daily rates paid to contracted drivers, as follows:
● Standard Day Trips: Increase from $100/day to $120/day
● Dialysis Trips: Increase from $140/day to $160/day
● Long-Distance/Out-of-State Trips: Increase from $150/day to $225/day
Other Items
Because the lease between Hyde County and the state for the Mattamuskeet Lodge property has been finalized, the property needs to be added to the existing Hyde County Mowing Contract with John & Tammy Investments, LLC. Commissioners approved an additional $2,625.00 for mowing services — an increase the total mowing contract total from $53,550 to $56,175.
In other discussion, commissioners reflected on the county’s improved property assessment process. With an in-house appraiser now on staff, reassessments can be conducted more frequently and property records kept up to date, avoiding the long gaps that contributed to sharp increases in the past.
Commissioners agreed that while no one likes higher taxes, staying current on valuations and improving transparency on major policy changes — like the solid waste overhaul — will help the county maintain public trust.
For more Commission news, see last Tuesday’s article that mentions the county’s America 250 project—funded by a $10,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.