Debates heat up at Warsaw over services and community concerns

The Warsaw Board of Commissioners tackled multiple community issues at its March meeting, including the renewal of the town’s garbage contract, the recycling program, and utility billing policies—the discussions were marked by heated debate.

The board discussed the renewal of the town’s garbage collection contract with Tons of Trash, which expires on June 30. The company proposed a standard annual cost-of-living adjustment of roughly 5% tied to the Consumer Price Index, and town manager Lea Turner said the town must notify the company by the end of the month if it intends to rebid the contract.

Recycling was a major topic. Turner noted many recyclables are contaminated with food, wet paper, or plastic lids, making them non-recyclable.

“In my personal opinion, I don’t feel we have enough citizens that are taking advantage of the service,” said Turner. Tensions escalated as residents voiced concerns about missed recycling pickups and the cost of the service. At some point law enforcement had to intervene and the board called for a break.

The board considered whether to remove recycling from the contract or invest in enhanced citizen education. One commissioner cautioned that eliminating recycling could conflict with state and federal landfill reduction mandates.

Utility billing sparked strong debate. The current policy allows residents to carry an unpaid balance for up to two months before service disconnection. Turner said this flexibility often causes confusion, with residents paying one bill thinking they are fully caught up, only to find another bill already issued. She suggested a return to a one-month cycle to simplify billing.

“I just think if we go back to a one-month policy, it would be a lot less confusion and a lot easier for everyone,” said Turner. “You’re making it more difficult for citizens to pay instead of working with them because now they have two bills outstanding, plus a $75 non-payment fee, so I really don’t know that we have done our citizens a service by giving them two outstanding months at one time and another charge.”

Commissioner Ebony Willis-Wells opposed shortening the timeline, noting the grace period helps households, especially those on fixed incomes, avoid undue financial burden.

Another issue raised during the debate involved the number of monthly service disconnections, which the manager estimated typically ranged between 30 and 50 households. Board members asked how those numbers compared to previous years and whether the policy change had improved or worsened the situation.

Mayor Wesley Boykin stressed that the board should rely on historical data and factual analysis before making a major policy change. To gather more input, he recommended staff review the policy further, consult the School of Government, and seek feedback from a small resident focus group. Members agreed utility cutoffs should not fall on federal holidays, a change that could be implemented regardless of other adjustments.

The board voted unanimously to table the utility policy discussion until a later meeting, likely in April, so staff could bring back more detailed recommendations. Members emphasized that they wanted a solution that was both fair to residents and manageable for town staff. The mayor encouraged the public to send comments to the staff if the public wanted to provide input about needs that they would like the board to address during the budget workshop.

Later in the meeting, during board member comments, several commissioners reflected on the broader tone of the meeting and the challenges facing the board. Some members expressed frustration about criticism and speculation circulating in the community and on social media.

Multiple commissioners acknowledged that communication within the board itself needs improvement. One member openly admitted feeling embarrassed by how disagreements have sometimes been handled publicly, emphasizing that while the board members may have strong personalities and passionate views, they all share the same goal of improving the town.

Willis-Wells shared feedback she received from residents who have been trying to sell their home noting that potential buyers expressed concerns about the community’s reputation, citing actions they’ve observed from the board — issues the board is actively working to address.

“As we continue to grow, we want people to want to come to Warsaw, because Warsaw is a beautiful community,” said Willis-Wells.

The mayor’s closing remarks focused heavily on rebuilding trust and improving relationships among officials. He also emphasized the need for adherence to policies, and collaboration among board members and staff.

After final remarks, the board voted to enter a closed session to discuss personnel and legal matters under North Carolina law.