022521 Planning RetreatFebruary 25, 2021 — Planning Retreat
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in a special session at 1:00 p.m. in the
Randolph County Office Building, Meeting Room A, 725 McDowell Rd., Asheboro, NC.
Chairman Darrell Frye, Vice -Chairman David Allen, Commissioner Kenny Kidd, Commissioner
Maxton McDowell, and Commissioner Hope Haywood were present. Also present were County
Manager Hal Johnson, Assistant County Manager/Finance Officer Will Massie, County
Attorney Ben Morgan, Associate County Attorney Aimee Scotton, and Clerk to the Board Dana
Crisco. Required social distancing was maintained and face coverings were worn throughout
the meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The public could attend the meeting but the
meeting room capacity was limited by social distancing due to the increase in COVID-19 cases
in the county.
Strategic Planning
County Manager Hal Johnson said the 2016 Randolph County Strategic Planning process was
a countywide effort to identify long-term strategic issues impacting Randolph County's public
health, safety, and well-being. Major social, economic, and other forces are at work shaping what
Randolph County and our communities will be like in the 21" century.
Recognizing the need to plan for future challenges, the Randolph County Board of
Commissioners asked that a process be developed that would help identify and focus on long-term
issues. The Board of Commissioners selected three issues in their belief that the purpose of all
decisions made by a Board of County Commissioners is to enable the protection of the public's
health, safety, and well-being.
Although the goals and strategies embodied in the 2016 Randolph County Strategic Plan are
not binding upon the County or its municipalities, the Board of County Commissioners approved
a specific revenue source that could be used toward implementation of some of the strategic
objectives. The revenue source is the yearly payment to Randolph County from Waste
Management Inc. for the use of county lands to operate one of North Carolina's most modern
Regional Landfills, the Great Oak Landfill.
Since 2017, the Board of County Commissioners have used available funds to establish
programs and proposals that helped support goals and strategies identified during the planning
process. The following is a listing of those projects and funding previously approved by the Board
of County Commissioners:
1. Pathways to Prosperity Initiative: Collaboration among Randolph Community College,
Asheboro City Schools, and Randolph County Schools to provide a seamless pathway from
schools to jobs, specifically, workforce development for advanced manufacturing. A
Golden LEAF grant was obtained with 20% match from Randolph County. ($240,000)
2. Randolph County Child Advocacy Center: Establishment of a Randolph County Child
Advocacy Center under Randolph County Family Crisis Center. This is a multidisciplinary
team project whose goal is to develop a Child Advocacy Center where children can receive
services at one location from all agencies in the investigation and recovery process of child
sexual abuse. The City of Asheboro and Archdale have pledged funding for this project.
Funds approved by the Strategic Planning Implementation Committee and Board of
Commissioners will be used to fund building renovations required for a Child Advocacy
Center. ($100,000)
3. Countywide Health Assessment: This Public Health Department initiative will perform a
county -wide assessment aimed at improved access to healthcare for uninsured and
underinsured residents of Randolph County. ($50,000)
4. Opiate Addiction and Overdose Prevention: Implement an evidence -based model to
address opiate addiction and overdose prevention in Randolph County. Funding will be
used by the Public Health Department to implement strategies to impact opiate addiction
and overdose identified by the Opioid Community Coalition, such as medical provider
education, school-based prevention education, harm reduction strategies, community
education and access to healthcare for those affected. ($100,000)
S. H. Clay Presnell Park Access Initiative - Town of Seagrove: Funding is being used to
improve the access roads into the park and walking trails throughout the park. This will
allow area residents full use of all park facilities. Funding request is in addition to Town of
Seagrove allocations and Presnell Foundation funding opportunities. ($100,000)
6. Creekside Park - City of Archdale: Will be improving playground facilities with specific
emphasis on creating an all-inclusive or "all -play" facility that could be used by all children
regardless of their abilities or special needs. ($100,000)
7. Deep River State Trail - Sandy Creek Bridge Crossing: Portions of the Deep River State
Trail in Randolph County run through the City of Randleman, the Town of Ramseur, and
the Town of Franklinville. Funding is being utilized for design of the Sandy Creek bridge
crossing. The bridge will begin the connection of the Deep River State Trail sections in
Randolph County. ($75,000)
8. Health Coaching Program - Randolph Community College (RCC): Developing a health
coaching program designed to improve access to health and wellness. It will meet the
instructional requirements of the Center for Credentialing and Education's (CCE) Board
Certified Health Coach. Financial Support will ensure RCC has the staff and equipment in
place to start the program. These Certified Health Coaches are a benefit to companies by
helping employees be healthier and in turn saving them money. ($8,900)
9. Community Connectivity Plan - Regional Coordinated Area Transportation System
(RCATS): Funding allows a Community Connectivity Plan study which will address
unmet transportation needs for Randolph County. This includes a possible circular route
between Asheboro and the Archdale/Trinity/High Point areas, while increasing RCATS
transportation availability with the other outlying communities within Randolph County.
($50,000)
10. Shelter of Hope: Asheboro Shelter of Hope is a homeless shelter for men in Randolph
County that provides shelter, clothing, washer and dryer, meals, and referrals to service
agencies for the men using their services. Transportation to work for men with jobs is also
provided. The Shelter has a capacity for 32 men. ($20,000)
11. Project Safe Neighborhoods: Funding provides a local partner for a nationwide initiative
that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors,
and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a
community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. ($20,000)
12. Partnership for Children — The Basics: Funding allows the Randolph Partnership for
Children to conduct research, facilitate county -wide and community -specific planning, and
allocate/leverage funds to support programs which benefit young children 0-5 years of age
and their families. The Partnership serves as the central source of information and technical
assistance to improve the quality of child care in Randolph County and educates the
community on the critical needs of young children and the importance of early education.
($5,715)
13. City of Asheboro — Zoo City Park: Funding will provide a link between the City, the
Randolph -Asheboro YMCA, the Central Carolina Soccer Club, and Zoo City Lacrosse to
provide a sports complex for youth across the state and a space for other events and
activities, increasing tourism dollars for the County. ($100,000)
14. Juvenile Crime Prevention Council — Gang Crime Impact Study — $30, 000
15. Healthy Communities Request — Trails/Natural Heritage
a. Deep River Trail $125,000
b. Archdale -Trinity Middle School Greenway $24,000
c. Seagrove Sidewalk Project $17,000
Economic Development Grants:
1. West Randleman Business Park — Loan Payoff. This loan has been paid off in the
amount of $297,208.
2. Seagrove Ulah Metropolitan Water District Loan: This loan is in the amount of
$300,000.
Public Information and Communications
County Manager Hal Johnson said with the world changing to a more virtual platform for news
and information, the Board may wish to consider adding a position of Media Communications
Specialist to the Classification Plan. A draft job description had been sent by email earlier in the
week. Not only would the person in this position address the social media presence of Randolph
County Government, they would also help Associate County Attorney Aimee Scotton with the
numerous public Records requests she receives.
Commissioner Haywood commented that there is a lot of misinformation out in the public and
this would be an important position.
Commissioner Allen said that there is no newspaper presence any longer.
Chairman Frye stated that he had been interviewed at length by a reporter from the paper but
nothing was ever published.
Capital Proiects Update
Will Massie, Assistant County Manager/Finance Officer, gave an update on the Capital
Improvement Plan. He said Capital Improvement Plan is normally reviewed at the annual retreat
in case there are changes that impact the upcoming budget process.
At the March meeting, a Public Hearing for the 2021 Limited Obligation Bonds (LOBS) to
finance the renovations to Asheboro High School and Randolph County Detention Center will be
held.
The following is a list of LOBS issued and projected:
2018
• Asheboro City Schools - Asheboro High School Addition $17,235,000
2019
• Randolph County Schools - Trinity Middle School $31,550,000
• Detention Center Addition $24,530,000
2021 Projected
• Asheboro High School Renovation $28,200,000
• Detention Center Renovation $ 9,690,000
Outstanding debt as of June 30, 2021 will be $108,960,860. Projected debt service drops
significantly in ten years.
New factors of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks have become important to
bond investors. These factors are now used by rating agencies in their evaluations. Environmental
considerations include the impact on climate change, natural resources, and pollution and waste.
Social components include demographics, labor and income limitations, educational attainment,
housing, and health and safety. Governance elements include institutional structure, policy
effectiveness, transparency, and financial management.
Commissioner Kidd was asked if he was seeing these factors play a part in financial planning.
He said that he had not seen it in Randolph County at this point but it is out there. He felt that for
Randolph County Government the governance portion would not be an issue but the other two
components will become more prevalent in the next two years or so. Use of these aspects could
lower ratings in the future.
Paxton Arthurs, County Engineer, gave an update on construction of County projects at the
Detention Center, Northgate Commons, the Courthouse, and the Animal Shelter.
Commissioner Kidd asked if the renovation of the courthouse was on track. Mr. Arthurs said
it was. There had been a move of the high density filing to redistribute the weight and lessen the
impact on a courtroom.
Commissioner Kidd asked if there was any leeway for the costs to be changed without Board
approval. Mr. Arthurs said the County Manager can approve a 5% change but any more would
come back to the Board for approval.
Sheriff Greg Seabolt gave an update on the Detention Center construction and renovations.
Major Phillip Cheek said the population was at 170 inmates due to COVID-19. There are enough
detention officers for the population they have. People are being trained currently to fill additional
positions.
Chairman Frye asked about the applicants for those positions. Major Cheek said they are
finding good applicants but sometimes the money they can offer them is an issue. Sheriff Seabolt
said ten of the 19 positions from this year's budget are filled.
Commissioner McDowell asked where the applicants were coming from. Major Cheek stated
that they are mostly from Randolph County.
Chairman Frye inquired if the applicants were both male and female. Major Cheek confirmed
that they were both male and female.
Personnel Initiatives
Sheriff Greg Seabolt and his staff gave updates on the personnel needed for the Sheriff's Office.
Captain Derrick Hill explained the need for a Records Clerk to help with the increase of gun
permits. Sergeant Joshua Hartong spoke of the needs of four detective positions; one for human
trafficking, one for forensic and computer crimes, one for violent crime to work with Project Safe
Neighborhood, and one for internet crimes against children. Detective Chris Sapp requested that
three Detective positions and one Detective Sergeant position be reclassified to Criminal
Interdiction Team (CIT) Detective positions.
Commissioner McDowell commented that human trafficking does occur in Randolph County.
The casualty found deceased on Old Lexington Rd. was a victim of human trafficking.
Chairman Frye commented on Project Safe Neighborhood and said that a mother had reached
out to him about getting her son who was being released from jail into that program.
Chief Donovan Davis, Emergency Services, said he wanted to thank the Board for their
continued support and for recognition of the critical importance of transitioning EMS employees
from 24-hour to 12 -hour shifts. To date, all but two ambulance bases have been transitioned.
Employees who have made the transition are elated with the change.
He requested the final three (3) positions that will be needed in July 2021 to complete the
transition. If approved, the final modification for the Erect and Uwharrie ambulances will be
made, completing the conversion. The total cost for the three (3) paramedic positions will be
$185,172 annually including benefits.
Chief Davis stated that recruitment, training, and Medicaid changes coming in July were all
difficulties faced by Emergency Services.
Commissioner McDowell inquired if there was a limited pool of applicants. Chief Davis said
there was and commented that another county was offering a $16,000 sign -on bonus for
recruitment.
Randolph Health Update
Chairman Frye stated that American Healthcare Systems was the high bidder for Randolph
Health in the bankruptcy auction. The application for the Rural Healthcare Stabilization Fund had
been submitted to UNC Healthcare. UNC had responded with concerns about the plan submitted.
Mike Sarian, Founder of American Healthcare Systems, was going to send a response to their
concerns. The Chairman said the UNC Healthcare committee that reviewed the application would
meet again on March 2, 2021 to review the responses to the letter.
Commissioner McDowell asked if the cover letter was coming from the County or the hospital.
Chairman Frye said the letter would be from the County and would include the response from Mr.
Sarian.
Chairman Frye expressed his disappointment with the process. The Commissioners have had
no control in dealing with the problem, suggesting a solution, and vetting the loan.
Randolph Room/Museum Update
Ross Holt, Library Director, updated the Board on the status of the Randolph Room/County
History Museum project, discussed the potential for reprioritizing the project so that planning can
proceed for the Randolph Room/museum, and shared some thoughts about how the museum can
tell Randolph County's story in a concrete way.
The project was envisioned in three phases with the Randolph Room prioritized. Phase 1 would
include a feasibility study and cost estimate to renovate the old administration building for the
Randolph Room and a staffing analysis for separating the Randolph Room from the library and
establishing a museum. Phase 2 would include renovation of the administration building,
relocation of the Randolph Room, and museum planning. Phase 3 would include completion of
the museum.
Phase 1 was completed, with a staffing analysis showing that 1.5 full-time employees, including
a full-time museum curator, would be needed to move into Phase 2 and a finding that relocation
of the Randolph Room would be feasible, at a total estimated project cost of $961,091. Due to
Randolph Room renovation cost and disruption caused by the pandemic, the project was placed
on hold.
In the meantime, another potential option for the Randolph Room has been considered and may
prove to be a better solution. At the same time, there continues to be significant community interest
in the museum. It might be more valuable to forge ahead with the museum while further studying
options for the Randolph Room.
A quote was received from Hobbs Architects of Pittsboro of $23,500 for a preliminary design
and cost estimate study for conversion of the first floor of the Historic Courthouse to a history
museum and exhibit space. In addition, the study would include an assessment of ADA
considerations, which is an identified need for the building regardless of any new use.
The Library Trust Fund has $10,000 remaining from money approved for the Randolph Room
/museum project by the Library Board of Trustees. To move ahead with museum planning, an
additional $13,500 will be needed.
Commissioner Allen stated that many things will need to be done to upgrade to ADA standards.
Commissioner McDowell asked if a consensus about the museum was needed. He noted that
he has many people ask about Randolph Room. Mr. Holt replied that a museum and the Randolph
Room would work in conjunction with each other. He would bring the issue back to the
Commissioners at the April meeting.
Economic Development Funding
Will Massie, Assistant County Manager/Finance Officer, said he has presented the topic of
economic development funding at previous retreats, but no firm decisions were made. With lack
of sites throughout the county still a major issue, this is a good year for the Board to discuss some
topics such as:
➢ What is Randolph County's role to encourage the development of new, competitive
industrial sites? (EDC priority)
➢ What is Randolph County's role in promoting the development of water and sewer
infrastructure systems in certain areas of the county?
➢ Where does the County desire to see industrial and commercial development?
➢ Is the Economic Development Reserve still a useful tool to finance various economic
development initiatives?
➢ Do we continue to use the available reserves for performance-based incentive
commitments, or just site development?
➢ How much funding does the Board want to accumulate in the Reserve?
➢ What is the appropriate revenue source to fund the Reserve for future projects?
Chairman Frye commented that Samet Corporation had put their construction projects on hold
due to steel prices going up 60-70% in the last few weeks. He said the EDC has money they are
using for Phase I environmental studies. Liberty Mayor Filmore York, former City Manager Will
Doerfer, and the Chairman had discussed a potential water line that could run down Old Hwy 421
to Liberty in order to get some of Randolph County's water allocation from the Piedmont Triad
Regional Water Authority to Liberty.
Commissioner Allen asked about waste water treatment for that area. Chairman Frye stated
that Randleman plans to expand their water treatment facility.
Commissioner McDowell said Liberty is getting water from Greensboro. Randolph County
has excess water and in the future it will be as valuable as gold.
Mr. Massie, suggested that the Economic Development Reserve can be used for one-time
payments while recurring funding could come from the General Fund using Tax Collections.
GASB 84 Fiduciary Funds and Bud2etin�
Will Massie, Assistant County Manager/Finance Officer, said the Government Accounting
Standard Board (GASB) released their Statement 484, effective during this fiscal year. As a result
of that reporting standard, specific County trust and agency funds will now be reported as special
revenue funds and budgeted annually.
This implementation of GASB Statement 484 was presented at the retreat to inform the
Commissioners on these changes to budgeting and reporting processes. At the March I" regular
meeting, the County will need to create the following six funds by amending the 2020-21 Budget
Ordinance:
Social Services Representative Payee Fund
Fines and Forfeitures Fund
Deed of Trust Fund
Library Resources Fund
School Districts Tax Fund
Tourism Development Authority Fund
Chairman Frye asked if this will affect the cost of the yearly audit. Commissioner McDowell
stated that they are already in the financial statement.
Open Discussion
Commissioner Allen asked about financial reserves that would exist after the funding priorities.
Mr. Massie said there will be no excess money. He reminded the Board that there has been no tax
increase in the last five years.
Commissioner Allen asked if there is still CARES Act funding. Mr. Massie said there was and
asked what the best use of that money would be.
Commissioner Kidd asked the Board about their thoughts on the Capital Projects.
Chairman Frye stated that the Detention Center construction was necessary. Commission Allen
agreed and mentioned the inmates being sent to other facilities due to the overcrowding at the
Randolph County facility.
Commissioner Haywood asked for clarification on 5% that was mentioned earlier. Mr. Massie
stated that the County Manager can approve changes up to 5% of the cost.
Commissioner Kidd confirmed that he wanted to know how much authority was needed to
make changes causing an increase without the approval of the Board.
Commissioner Allen agreed that costs have increased greatly from the anticipated expenses for
the last four years.
Commissioner Haywood felt that the increases in the Detention Center project were partly due
to different leadership in the Sheriff's Office.
Commissioner Allen used an example of a project three years ago being anticipated at $80
million and now that the Board has endorsed the project and moved forward it has increased to
$120 million.
Commissioner Kidd said he is disappointed that the Board will be paying for temporary
classroom trailers during the Asheboro High School renovation. That is a cost that cannot be
recouped.
Adjournment
At S: 30 p.m., on motion ofAllen, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn.
Darrell Frye, Chairman David Allen
Kenny Kidd
Hope Haywood
Maxton McDowell
Dana Crisco, Clerk to the Board