The New Hanover County Board of County Commissioners will hear a contested appeal Monday on whether to revoke a private solid-waste collection franchise after county staff determined revocation was warranted.

County Manager Chris Coudre told commissioners that he "made the determination that the franchise should be revoked." Deputy County Attorney Kent Perhoe will present an overview of the factual history at the Monday hearing, including "the number of times that the franchise owner was contacted," Coudre said. The franchise owner has appealed that determination and "will be able to present their case," Perhoe added.

The item drew forceful comments from commissioners in preliminary remarks during the meeting. One commissioner said the situation was "obscene" and that "citizens [have] reached out to us" and were "at wits end" over the operator's conduct. Another commissioner said they favored allowing the operator to continue under conditions but asked that any wording specify that "any violation that occurs in the 90-day period will mean an immediate revocation of the franchise."

County staff and other officials who worked on the case were thanked during the discussion; the county referenced multiple warnings and contacts with the operator. Joe Sleiman, identified in the record as a staff member involved in the matter, and Perhoe are expected to present statements and information at the hearing.

No final action was taken at the meeting excerpted in the transcript. Commissioners were told they would have the opportunity to hear the full factual record, hear the franchise owner's presentation, and then "make your determination," in the words of the county manager. The county manager's determination and the owner's appeal are the operative decisions before the board.

The meeting record does not state a final vote count or an immediate board motion on the franchise at this session; the revocation determination is scheduled for the Monday hearing where the board will decide after hearing the presentations.