Commissioners honor retiring deputies and approve $346,671 IT capital reallocation

The Haywood County Board of Commissioners on June 1 unanimously approved two retirement resolutions and a capital budget allocation for information technology equipment.

The board authorized Sheriff William Wilkey to transfer the badge and issued service firearm to Deputy Keith A. Beasley in recognition of 25 years of service, and approved a parallel resolution for Sergeant Timothy (Tim) Miller, who was not present for family reasons. The resolutions cite North Carolina statute permitting retiring county law-enforcement employees to receive their badge and issued firearm under county guidance; both motions passed on unanimous voice votes.

Separately, Finance Director Christian Owen asked commissioners to close five completed capital projects and use $346,671 in project savings to replace 255 end-of-life computers countywide. Owen said this purchase uses savings from prior projects and avoids drawing additional funds from the operating budget. Commissioners approved the capital budget ordinance unanimously.

The retirements were recognized publicly and the county will coordinate transfer of issued equipment in keeping with state law and county procedures; the IT purchases will move forward as a capital procurement.