One city resident let the city council know that a proposed county landfill was much more than a county issue.

Eddie Carmichael, a local farmer who lives inside the Laurinburg city limits, made clear his opposition to a 3,000 ton per day landfill currently being discussed by the county commissioners, asking the city council if they would help oppose the dump.

"We would like council to protect us from what the county is trying to do to us," Carmichael said. "Will the city make a stand against the landfill?"

The proposed landfill would be the third largest in the state, the farmer said, and leachate from it would wind up going through the city water treatment system and ultimately into the aquifer where Carmichael and others draw their water.

Mayor Matthew Block said the city will keep a watchful eye on the proposal as it may affect tipping fees – the fee charged for using a landfill – and could drive up prices for the city.

Councilman Kenton Spencer said council will look at the impact on Laurinburg and advocate for the best interests of city residents.

Carmichael seemed unsatisfied with the answers.

"They (the county commissioners) are serious about it so you need to get serious about it too."

Law enforcement

Dr. Bill Morgan voiced his concerns about having a city police department and a county sheriff's office.

"Everyone wants to be treated fairly," he said, which is why Morgan believes it is wrong for city residents to pay for two police forces.

People inside the city pay city taxes, which largely pays for the Laurinburg Police Department, and also county taxes, which are used to fund the sheriff's office.

Block agreed with Morgan, pointing to a proposed consolidation of law enforcement that was discussed in a joint meeting between city council and the Scotland County Board of Commissioners about a year ago.

County Chairman J.D. Willis promised at that joint session to arrange a meeting between the municipal mayors and himself to look at the idea.

Since then, the idea has had a cold reception among other mayors as they are unwilling to consider their towns giving up local control to a county board.

Morgan also questioned the current flat fee charged for trash collection, suggesting the city look at ways to charge people based on output.