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060622 June 6, 2022 The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. in the 1909 Randolph County Historic Courthouse Meeting Room, 145 Worth Street, 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, Deputy Clerk to the Board Sarah Pack, and Clerk to the Board Dana Crisco. Chaplain Michael Mabe from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office gave the invocation and everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Special Recognitions th Larry Poole retired on May 16 from Information Technology with 20 years of service. Mr. Poole was recognized by both Chairman Frye and Information Technology Director Michael Rowland, after which, Chairman Frye presented Mr. Poole with an engraved clock on behalf of the Board. Public Comment Period Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 153A-52.1, Chairman Frye opened the floor for public comment and closed it after everyone wishing to speak had done so. County Attorney Ben Morgan read aloud the Public Comment Rules of Procedure. Tim Saunders, 1402 E. Allred Street, Asheboro, said he is a Vietnam veteran. He commended the staff working at the Board of Elections. He invited attendees to volunteer to work election polls, particularly if there is question regarding the integrity of the vote. He said many people have been killed recently by firearms according to the news. There is no doubt an issue with mental health. Something needs to be done. Pat Chamberlin, 615 Shamrock Road, Asheboro, has been a resident for over forty years. She was moved to speak after, at a previous meeting, the Board voted to leave the confederate monument where is, as is in front of the Historic Courthouse. She is concerned about why the Board deviated from their regular procedure to hold this vote. People all over the country are moving confederate monuments because it’s the right thing to do. She asked the Board to take action to start a committee and investigate legal options to move the monument. David Poe, 637 Anns Court, Asheboro, said his property is at the bottom of a slope. There is flooding already that would be made worse if timber is cut. Erosion in soggy areas will become worse, and possible structural damage is possible. He learned of this action on Friday. Mr. Morgan said he believes there may be a rezoning application before the City of Asheboro regarding this property. There is nothing on the agenda regarding this property. Dwain Roberts, 4654 Rainbow Trail, Ramseur, said southern heritage is not going away. Josh Britton, 1124 Westover Terrace, Asheboro, is an ordained minister and the Executive Director of Mount Shepherd Retreat Center. The community is overwhelmed by an extreme 6/6/22 burden in the foster care system. It is apparent that Social Services is underfunded to serve children th in the community. He asked that, on the 78 anniversary of D-Day, the Board consider requests to move the Confederate monument from in front of the Historic Courthouse. Franklin Suggs, 412 Ivy Rock Court, Randleman, said a Board member called the Confederate monument “just an object” at a previous meeting. Citizens with opinions on both sides of the matter were being patronized. There was a hasty, unanimous vote to leave the monument where it is. This makes citizens feel as if they don’t matter. What kind of threat to the monument would provoke this sort of emotional response? Intelligence and reason should be the driving forces behind decision making. If the monument is “just an object” there should be no issue with moving it to a different location. Ken Rhodes, 712 Stoney Creek Drive, Asheboro, said a property near his home is set to be timbered by the owners who inherited it. The land is sloped, which would cause building challenges. The City of Asheboro would have to annex the land in order to build on it. In a nearby location, there was an abundance of rodents and pests that moved in towards homes with land was clear cut. Mr. Morgan said there is nothing before the Board of Commissioners regarding this topic. If there is an application for this request, it will not come before this Board. Chairman Frye said this is a City of Asheboro issue. Clyde Foust, 3746 Midway Acres Road, Asheboro, asked attendees to think about their children, if applicable. He asked how people would feel if someone came to their home in the middle of the night to take their child as payment. This happened hundreds of times in Randolph County. This was legal in 1857. This was the wrong decision. This is not anything God would want for the United States. The Confederate Constitution said it was illegal to outlaw negro slavery. He asked how people would feel if the County kept a thirty-foot statue in front of the Courthouse when it memorializes a Confederacy that made this law. Brad Barber, 5014 Troy Smith Road, Liberty, passed out information to the Board regarding an appeal. Mr. Morgan asked Mr. Barber not to address a pending appeal. Mr. Barber said he is not here to specifically discuss the appeal. He is unhappy with the way the Tax Department is handling property valuation. His property value increased approximately $50,000, costing an additional $1,200 per year. He feels that the Tax Department made unfair assumptions regarding his basement. The Tax Department is arbitrarily making changes to grades in order to adjust property values. He asked that the Board look into this. Chairman Frye asked if Mr. Barber had appeared in front of the Board of Equalization and Review. Mr. Barber said he had and he had been instructed by council to appear before the Board of Commissioners. 6/6/22 Consent Agenda Chairman Frye asked the Board to add Commissioner Hope Haywood as an alternate Voting Delegate for the NACo Annual Conference. Commissioner Haywood called attention to the Library grant that came about thanks to the Community Navigators. This grant is for sensory kits for seniors. Public Library Director Ross Holt said there will be three classes conducted in the County by the North Carolina Dementia Alliance and there will be DVDs available for checkout, as well as 11 sensory kits for checkout by citizens. On motion of Haywood, seconded by Allen, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as amended, as follows:  approve Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting Minutes of May 2, 2022 and Special Meeting Minutes of May 9, 2022;  reappoint Lisa Canoy, Mark Hensley, Ann Hoover, Betty Hunt, Duffy Johnson, Tyler Keziah, Robert Lawler, Elizabeth Mitchell, Tara Aker, Randall Russell, Carolyn Vickrey, and Emma Washington and Appoint Laura Regan, Chad Gurley, and Melody Cummings to the Randolph County Aging Services Planning Committee;  approve Updated Funding for the HCCBG FY22-23 Allocations for Randolph Senior Adults Association and Regional Consolidated Services;  appoint Darby Vereyken to fill the remaining term as the hospital representative on the Local Emergency Planning Committee;  elect Darrell Frye as Voting Delegate and Hope Haywood as Alternate Voting Delegate for NACo Annual Conference in August;  approve Budget Amendment-Emergency Telephone System Fund ($34,409), as follows: 2021-2022 Budget Ordinance General Fund—Budget Amendment #58 Revenues Increase Decrease Appropriated Fund Balance $34,409 Appropriations Increase Decrease Transfer to Emergency Telephone $34,409 System Fund Emergency Telephone System Fund Revenues Increase Decrease Transfer from General Fund $34,409 Appropriations Increase Decrease E-911 System $34,409  approve Budget Amendment-Sheriff’s Office ($170,239), as follows: 6/6/22 2021-2022 Budget Ordinance General Fund—Budget Amendment #59 Revenues Increase Decrease Miscellaneous $11,500 Restricted Intergovernmental $158,739 Appropriations Increase Decrease Sheriff $170,239  approve Budget Amendment-Public Library ($2,902), as follows: 2021-2022 Budget Ordinance General Fund—Budget Amendment #60 Revenues Increase Decrease Restricted Intergovernmental $2,902 Appropriations Increase Decrease Public Library $2,902  approve Budget Amendment-Travel ($7,500), as follows: 2021-2022 Budget Ordinance General Fund—Budget Amendment #61 Revenues Increase Decrease Appropriated Fund Balance $7,500 Appropriations Increase Decrease Governing Body $7,500  approve Budget Amendment-Fibertex Incentive Contract ($50,000), as follows: 2021-2022 Budget Ordinance General Fund—Budget Amendment #62 Revenues Increase Decrease Appropriated Fund Balance $50,000 Appropriations Increase Decrease Other Economic and Physical $50,000 Development Sandhills Center Annual Update th Victoria Whitt, Sandhills Center Chief Executive Officer, said during its March 8 meeting, the Sandhills Center Board of Directors discussed the issue of the County General Budget Request from the 11 constituent counties for FY 22/23. Based on a review of the current fiscal situation that impacts our State and counties, it was decided that the Center would not request an increase in County General Funding from Randolph County. This continues the practice of not requesting an increase for the past 18 years. Importantly, all county funding received is directed in support of local County Behavioral Health Urgent Care Centers and other county designated services/programs. FY 21/22 Current County Allocation: $844,000 FY 22/23 Funding Request $844,000 6/6/22 Ms. Whitt said since beginning the management of Medicaid service dollars in December 2012, Sandhills Center has realized savings and has made a commitment to reinvest those savings in the community. During the past year, Sandhills Center has worked with county and community representatives from each of our 11 constituent counties to identify high priority needs and projects at the county level. Sandhills Center has been able to reallocate local funds and commit Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organizations (LME/MCO) reinvestment savings to numerous projects in each of our counties. Ms. Whitt discussed the opening of a new Sandhills Center building. She shared statistics regarding the Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center. She described the Crisis Center and gave statistics regarding citizens served. She gave an update of future expansion opportunities planned for the Sandhills Center. There are several upcoming events in Randolph County including outreach and training events. Medicaid transformation is still occurring. Sandhills Center staff will continue to meet with County Managers and others to review the use of current county allocations and to identify behavioral health service areas in the county that may have been underserved and identify how available funding could be used to impact those areas. Chairman Frye asked how Medicaid transformation has affected staffing. Ms. Whitt said staffing needs have increased. Vice-Chairman Allen commended Ms. Whitt and her staff. The past seven years has held a lot of uncertainty, but the staff keeps working through the chaos. Commissioner McDowell asked if demographics differ from north to south in the territory Sandhills Center serves. Vice-Chairman Allen said in some more rural counties there can be challenges finding providers but the reflection of mental health needs are essentially the same. Children’s Home Society TogetherWorks Program Trent Staton, Area Director, Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, thanked the Board for the opportunity to submit a three-year proposal to continue partnering with the County. Staff at the Children’s Home Society (CHS) are excited about the opportunity to invest in families in Randolph County. CHS believes that keeping families safely together whenever possible offers the best possible outcomes for children. They also understand the challenges that local communities face in having the autonomy to make decisions that meet their unique priorities. Mr. Staton said in preparation for this proposal, CHS had the honor of interviewing more than 70 residents in Randolph County including 50 parents/caregivers and 20 leaders ranging from school superintendents, government leaders, donors, community organizers, and non-profit CEOs to learn about local strengths, needs, and concerns. CHS also received and analyzed census data (across 27 key indicators), child welfare data, community service data, and financial data. The results, which will be shared with the community by August, indicate that strategic investment in Randolph County has tremendous potential to improve child, family, and community outcomes. Donna Wood, Strategy Director, Institute for Family, said CHS believes in families, in communities, and in the tremendous potential in Randolph County. Investing in families through 6/6/22 prevention is key to reducing the costly impact of a 72% increase in children in foster care that Randolph County experienced over the past five years (up from 172 in FY17 to 296 in FY21). CHS is eager to work with Randolph County agencies toward a shared goal of preventing costly child welfare interventions and ensuring that all children in Randolph County can reach their full potential. There is a clear area of opportunity in the community. Ms. Wood discussed strategies for entering the community and engaging with families to participate. She showed a map with a central area showing concentrated stressors and highly diverse, dense populations. There are four solutions to implement over a two-year period, including 1) launch citizen engagement team, 2) identify local drivers of foster care increase, 3) prioritize solutions, 4) finalize solutions and move forward. TogetherWorks is a resident-driven process grounded in research that brings together families and historical decision makers to: (1) determine the key drivers for child welfare involvement; (2) identify local priorities that can strengthen the community and keep families together; and (3) develop and test solutions to prevent costly child welfare interventions. TogetherWorks is based on research showing that civic participation in addressing shared priorities reduces rates of substance use and violence in communities while improving physical and mental health, all of which are strongly correlated with child welfare involvement. The process also relies heavily on the expertise of families with "lived experience" which has been shown through research to enhance the effectiveness of regulations, policies, and practices. The TogetherWorks process also focuses on research-based strategies that prevent child maltreatment such as economic security and social connections. Matt Anderson, Vice President of Programs and Business Development, Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, said CHS is seeking $200,000 per year for three years to continue TogetherWorks as a public/private partnership in Randolph County. If received, CHS intends to raise and invest an additional $750,000 over the same three-year period. This would position Randolph County as a leader in a national movement towards shifting investments from late-stage interventions to upstream prevention and shifting decision-making authority to communities. Commissioner Haywood asked if this was a request for Strategic Planning funding, which is not taxpayer dollars. Mr. Anderson said that was correct. Commissioner Haywood asked for clarification regarding some of the programs and services that are available in other counties. Mr. Anderson said there are multiple programs in other counties. Commissioner Haywood noted that there are many community partners in the county that have been involved with this program. Partnerships are being developed with agencies that are already active in the county. Commissioner Haywood asked if the funding request was a “not to exceed” for the County and Mr. Anderson said he believed so. The additional funds will be raised separately. Chairman Frye asked for clarification regarding a gap of $400,000 in the funding plan and asked about the opportunities to close that gap. Mr. Anderson said they are working to raise the funds and may use foundations, individual donors, State partners, and more. Chairman Frye said in Randolph County Department of Social Services (DSS) handles foster care. He asked how 6/6/22 Social Services would be benefitted. Mr. Anderson said the increase of children in foster care has overwhelmed DSS. This partnership will ease the burden of an increasing number of children in foster care. Children’s Home Society has an array of services including foster care and adoption. Commissioner McDowell said he is on the Social Services Board and knows that the numbers are accurate and there was an 18-year-old that Randolph County couldn’t place, so this person ended up in Stanly County. There is an issue finding foster care homes in the county. Commissioner McDowell asked if the $350,000 in funding in the Total Project Budget was still pending and Mr. Anderson said yes. Commissioner McDowell asked for clarification regarding the community approach. Mr. Anderson referenced qualitative and quantitative data displayed on previous presentation slides. Commissioner McDowell said Children’s Home Society comes from a place of stability in their strategic plan. Commissioner Haywood asked if CHS will work with local agencies to instill programming that will work for Randolph County and Mr. Anderson said yes. Commissioner Haywood asked where continuation costs will come from at the end of three years. Mr. Anderson said in that time, CHS will be able to analyze data and establish programs by leveraging existing resources. At the end of three years, new solutions will be implemented. Those solutions will impact sustainability over time. Vice-Chairman Allen asked what areas of the county would be covered by services in reference to the size of the focal point. Mr. Anderson said the 27203 zip code is a highly saturated area with stressors for families. The issues in this particular area probably reflect issues throughout the county. Commissioner McDowell asked if the number of children in foster care decreasing is an indicator of success and Mr. Anderson said it would be. Chairman Frye asked how many employees CHS has. Mr. Anderson said there were six. Vice-Chairman Allen asked Mr. Anderson to report back to the Board about their progress and urged him to look into other areas of the county, including more rural areas as opposed to urban. Commissioner Haywood pointed out the success of the Community Navigators in libraries and said ToghetherWorks is a preventative approach as well. Library Director Ross Holt agreed and said sometimes the Community Navigators assisted in crisis intervention. Public Hearings for Fire Tax Districts Associate County Attorney Aimee Scotton explained the need for public hearings regarding the fire tax service districts. It is proposed that the existing districts be abolished and new ones established without a fifteen-cent cap. Climax Fire Department At 7:52 p.m. Chairman Frye opened the Public Hearings. There were no speakers for Climax. 6/6/22 On motion of Allen, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted 5-0 to approve a Resolution Abolishing the Current Fifteen Cent Capped Climax Fire Protection County Service District and Creating a New Service District Without the Cap, as follows: RESOLUTION ABOLISHING THE CURRENT FIFTEEN CENT CAPPED CLIMAX FIRE PROTECTION COUNTY SERVICE DISTRICT AND CREATING A NEW SERVICE DISTRICT WITHOUT THE CAP WHEREAS, the Climax Fire Protection County Service District was formed under 153A-309.2 for the provision of fire protection services and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services with a tax rate limitation of fifteen (15) cents per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation, said district hereinafter referred to as the “Capped District”; and WHEREAS, increases in the costs of providing fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and first responder/ambulance services have rendered the current service district insufficient to meet the needs of the district with the fifteen (15) cents cap in place; and WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute 153A-306 allows for the current Capped District to be abolished upon a finding that the need for the district no longer exists and a public hearing on the matter; and WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute 153A-301 allows a County to establish a county service district for the provision of fire protection services and for the provision of emergency, medical, rescue and ambulance services within the district that has no cap except for the general rule that all tax rates in the district, taken together, cannot exceed one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation, hereinafter the “Proposed New District”; and WHEREAS, it has been requested that the Board of County Commissioners abolish the current Capped District and create the Proposed New District, said Proposed New District having the same boundaries and containing the same properties as the current Capped District; and WHEREAS, the Board caused a report to be prepared and available for public inspection pursuant as required by North Carolina General Statute 153A- 302, said report attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference; and WHEREAS, the Board set a public hearing on this matter for May 2, 2022 and instructed the Associate County Attorney to mail notice of the public hearing, at least four weeks before the date of the hearing, by any class of U.S. mail which is fully prepaid to the owners, as shown by the county tax records as of the preceding January 1 of all property located within the proposed district; and WHEREAS, the Associate County Attorney certified the mailing of the notice of public hearing referenced above and the public hearing was held on May 2, 2022; and WHEREAS, the Board set an additional public hearing on this matter for June 6, 2022 and instructed the Associate County Attorney to have notice of this public hearing published at least once not less than one week before the date of the hearing; and WHEREAS, the Associate County Attorney certified the publication of the notice referenced above and the June 6, 2022 public hearing was held; and 6/6/22 WHEREAS, the Board has considered the current or future need for the Capped District to be able to request a tax rate in excess of its current limitation, the population of the Proposed New District, the appraised value of property in the Proposed New District, the present tax rates in effect in the Proposed New District, the ability of the Proposed New District to sustain the taxing of the Proposed New District, the call history of the Proposed New District and other matters that the Board deemed relevant; and WHEREAS, the Board, having considered such matters, makes the following findings: 1. The limitation on the tax rate of the Current District have rendered or will soon render it obsolescent to the provision of fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services in the district; and 2. There is a demonstrable need for providing fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services in the Proposed New District; and 3. It is impossible or impracticable to provide these services on a countywide basis; and 4. It is economically feasible to provide these services in the Proposed New District without unreasonable or burdensome annual tax levies; and 5. There is a demonstrable demand for fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services in the Proposed New District. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby abolishes the Climax Fire Protection County Service District that was formed under North Carolina General Statute 153A-309.2 for the provision of fire protection services and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services with a tax rate limitation of fifteen (15) cents per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby creates a new Climax Fire Protection County Service District for the provision of fire protection and emergency, medical, rescue and ambulance services pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes 153A-301 and 153A-302 effective July 1, 2022, with the boundaries shown on the map included as Attachment A to this Resolution and containing the exact same properties that were included in the district being abolished. Franklinville Fire Department There were no speakers for Franklinville. On motion of Allen, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted 5-0 to approve a Resolution Abolishing the Current Fifteen Cent Capped Franklinville Fire Protection County Service District and Creating a New Service District Without the Cap, as follows: RESOLUTION ABOLISHING THE CURRENT FIFTEEN CENT CAPPED FRANKLINVILLE FIRE PROTECTION COUNTY SERVICE DISTRICT AND CREATING A NEW SERVICE DISTRICT WITHOUT THE CAP WHEREAS, the Franklinville Fire Protection County Service District was formed under 153A-309.2 for the provision of fire protection services and 6/6/22 emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services with a tax rate limitation of fifteen (15) cents per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation, said district hereinafter referred to as the “Capped District”; and WHEREAS, increases in the costs of providing fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and first responder/ambulance services have rendered the current service district insufficient to meet the needs of the district with the fifteen (15) cents cap in place; and WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute 153A-306 allows for the current Capped District to be abolished upon a finding that the need for the district no longer exists and a public hearing on the matter; and WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute 153A-301 allows a County to establish a county service district for the provision of fire protection services and for the provision of emergency, medical, rescue and ambulance services within the district that has no cap except for the general rule that all tax rates in the district, taken together, cannot exceed one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation, hereinafter the “Proposed New District”; and WHEREAS, it has been requested that the Board of County Commissioners abolish the current Capped District and create the Proposed New District, said Proposed New District having the same boundaries and containing the same properties as the current Capped District; and WHEREAS, the Board caused a report to be prepared and available for public inspection pursuant as required by North Carolina General Statute 153A- 302, said report attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference; and WHEREAS, the Board set a public hearing on this matter for May 2, 2022 and instructed the Associate County Attorney to mail notice of the public hearing, at least four weeks before the date of the hearing, by any class of U.S. mail which is fully prepaid to the owners, as shown by the county tax records as of the preceding January 1 of all property located within the proposed district; and WHEREAS, the Associate County Attorney certified the mailing of the notice of public hearing referenced above and the public hearing was held on May 2, 2022; and WHEREAS, the Board set an additional public hearing on this matter for June 6, 2022 and instructed the Associate County Attorney to have notice of this public hearing published at least once not less than one week before the date of the hearing; and WHEREAS, the Associate County Attorney certified the publication of the notice referenced above and the June 6, 2022 public hearing was held; and WHEREAS, the Board has considered the current or future need for the Capped District to be able to request a tax rate in excess of its current limitation, the population of the Proposed New District, the appraised value of property in the Proposed New District, the present tax rates in effect in the Proposed New District, the ability of the Proposed New District to sustain the taxing of the Proposed New District, the call history of the Proposed New District and other matters that the Board deemed relevant; and 6/6/22 WHEREAS, the Board, having considered such matters, makes the following findings: 1. The limitation on the tax rate of the Current District have rendered or will soon render it obsolescent to the provision of fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services in the district; and 2. There is a demonstrable need for providing fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services in the Proposed New District; and 3. It is impossible or impracticable to provide these services on a countywide basis; and 4. It is economically feasible to provide these services in the Proposed New District without unreasonable or burdensome annual tax levies; and 5. There is a demonstrable demand for fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services in the Proposed New District. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby abolishes the Franklinville Fire Protection County Service District that was formed under North Carolina General Statute 153A-309.2 for the provision of fire protection services and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services with a tax rate limitation of fifteen (15) cents per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby creates a new Franklinville Fire Protection County Service District for the provision of fire protection and emergency, medical, rescue and ambulance services pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes 153A-301 and 153A-302 effective July 1, 2022, with the boundaries shown on the map included as Attachment A to this Resolution and containing the exact same properties that were included in the district being abolished. Guil-Rand Fire Department There were no speakers from Guil-Rand. On motion of Frye, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted 5-0 to approve a Resolution Abolishing the Current Fifteen Cent Capped Guil-Rand Fire Protection County Service District and Creating a New Service District Without the Cap, as follows: RESOLUTION ABOLISHING THE CURRENT FIFTEEN CENT CAPPED GUIL- RAND FIRE PROTECTION COUNTY SERVICE DISTRICT AND CREATING A NEW SERVICE DISTRICT WITHOUT THE CAP WHEREAS, the Guil-Rand Fire Protection County Service District was formed under 153A-309.2 for the provision of fire protection services and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services with a tax rate limitation of fifteen (15) cents per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation, said district hereinafter referred to as the “Capped District”; and WHEREAS, increases in the costs of providing fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and first responder/ambulance services have rendered the current service district insufficient to meet the needs of the district with the fifteen (15) cents cap in place; and 6/6/22 WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute 153A-306 allows for the current Capped District to be abolished upon a finding that the need for the district no longer exists and a public hearing on the matter; and WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute 153A-301 allows a County to establish a county service district for the provision of fire protection services and for the provision of emergency, medical, rescue and ambulance services within the district that has no cap except for the general rule that all tax rates in the district, taken together, cannot exceed one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation, hereinafter the “Proposed New District”; and WHEREAS, it has been requested that the Board of County Commissioners abolish the current Capped District and create the Proposed New District, said Proposed New District having the same boundaries and containing the same properties as the current Capped District; and WHEREAS, the Board caused a report to be prepared and available for public inspection pursuant as required by North Carolina General Statute 153A- 302, said report attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference; and WHEREAS, the Board set a public hearing on this matter for May 2, 2022 and instructed the Associate County Attorney to mail notice of the public hearing, at least four weeks before the date of the hearing, by any class of U.S. mail which is fully prepaid to the owners, as shown by the county tax records as of the preceding January 1 of all property located within the proposed district; and WHEREAS, the Associate County Attorney certified the mailing of the notice of public hearing referenced above and the public hearing was held on May 2, 2022; and WHEREAS, the Board set an additional public hearing on this matter for June 6, 2022 and instructed the Associate County Attorney to have notice of this public hearing published at least once not less than one week before the date of the hearing; and WHEREAS, the Associate County Attorney certified the publication of the notice referenced above and the June 6, 2022 public hearing was held; and WHEREAS, the Board has considered the current or future need for the Capped District to be able to request a tax rate in excess of its current limitation, the population of the Proposed New District, the appraised value of property in the Proposed New District, the present tax rates in effect in the Proposed New District, the ability of the Proposed New District to sustain the taxing of the Proposed New District, the call history of the Proposed New District and other matters that the Board deemed relevant; and WHEREAS, the Board, having considered such matters, makes the following findings: 1. The limitation on the tax rate of the Current District have rendered or will soon render it obsolescent to the provision of fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services in the district; and 2. There is a demonstrable need for providing fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services in the Proposed New District; and 6/6/22 3. It is impossible or impracticable to provide these services on a countywide basis; and 4. It is economically feasible to provide these services in the Proposed New District without unreasonable or burdensome annual tax levies; and 5. There is a demonstrable demand for fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services in the Proposed New District. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby abolishes the Guil-Rand Fire Protection County Service District that was formed under North Carolina General Statute 153A-309.2 for the provision of fire protection services and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services with a tax rate limitation of fifteen (15) cents per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby creates a new Guil- Rand Fire Protection County Service District for the provision of fire protection and emergency, medical, rescue and ambulance services pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes 153A-301 and 153A-302 effective July 1, 2022, with the boundaries shown on the map included as Attachment A to this Resolution and containing the exact same properties that were included in the district being abolished. Westside Fire Department There were no speakers for Westside. Chairman Frye closed the Public Hearings at 7:53 p.m. On motion of Haywood, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted 5-0 to approve a Resolution Abolishing the Current Fifteen Cent Capped Westside Fire Protection County Service District and Creating a New Service District Without the Cap, as follows: RESOLUTION ABOLISHING THE CURRENT FIFTEEN CENT CAPPED WESTSIDE FIRE PROTECTION COUNTY SERVICE DISTRICT AND CREATING A NEW SERVICE DISTRICT WITHOUT THE CAP WHEREAS, the Westside Fire Protection County Service District was formed under 153A-309.2 for the provision of fire protection services and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services with a tax rate limitation of fifteen (15) cents per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation, said district hereinafter referred to as the “Capped District”; and WHEREAS, increases in the costs of providing fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and first responder/ambulance services have rendered the current service district insufficient to meet the needs of the district with the fifteen (15) cents cap in place; and WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute 153A-306 allows for the current Capped District to be abolished upon a finding that the need for the district no longer exists and a public hearing on the matter; and WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute 153A-301 allows a County to establish a county service district for the provision of fire protection services and for the provision of emergency, medical, rescue and ambulance services within the district that has no cap except for the general rule that all tax rates in the district, taken 6/6/22 together, cannot exceed one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation, hereinafter the “Proposed New District”; and WHEREAS, it has been requested that the Board of County Commissioners abolish the current Capped District and create the Proposed New District, said Proposed New District having the same boundaries and containing the same properties as the current Capped District; and WHEREAS, the Board caused a report to be prepared and available for public inspection pursuant as required by North Carolina General Statute 153A- 302, said report attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference; and WHEREAS, the Board set a public hearing on this matter for May 2, 2022 and instructed the Associate County Attorney to mail notice of the public hearing, at least four weeks before the date of the hearing, by any class of U.S. mail which is fully prepaid to the owners, as shown by the county tax records as of the preceding January 1 of all property located within the proposed district; and WHEREAS, the Associate County Attorney certified the mailing of the notice of public hearing referenced above and the public hearing was held on May 2, 2022; and WHEREAS, the Board set an additional public hearing on this matter for June 6, 2022 and instructed the Associate County Attorney to have notice of this public hearing published at least once not less than one week before the date of the hearing; and WHEREAS, the Associate County Attorney certified the publication of the notice referenced above and the June 6, 2022 public hearing was held; and WHEREAS, the Board has considered the current or future need for the Capped District to be able to request a tax rate in excess of its current limitation, the population of the Proposed New District, the appraised value of property in the Proposed New District, the present tax rates in effect in the Proposed New District, the ability of the Proposed New District to sustain the taxing of the Proposed New District, the call history of the Proposed New District and other matters that the Board deemed relevant; and WHEREAS, the Board, having considered such matters, makes the following findings: 1. The limitation on the tax rate of the Current District have rendered or will soon render it obsolescent to the provision of fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services in the district; and 2. There is a demonstrable need for providing fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services in the Proposed New District; and 3. It is impossible or impracticable to provide these services on a countywide basis; and 4. It is economically feasible to provide these services in the Proposed New District without unreasonable or burdensome annual tax levies; and 5. There is a demonstrable demand for fire protection and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services in the Proposed New District. 6/6/22 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby abolishes the Westside Fire Protection County Service District that was formed under North Carolina General Statute 153A-309.2 for the provision of fire protection services and emergency medical, rescue and ambulance services with a tax rate limitation of fifteen (15) cents per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby creates a new Westside Fire Protection County Service District for the provision of fire protection and emergency, medical, rescue and ambulance services pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes 153A-301 and 153A-302 effective July 1, 2022, with the boundaries shown on the map included as Attachment A to this Resolution and containing the exact same properties that were included in the district being abolished. Library Contract with Ramseur Ross Holt, Public Library Director, said the operation of public libraries in Randolph County is a cooperative venture between the County and the municipalities. Over time, governance arrangements between individual libraries and the County have changed. The system is now comprised of four libraries operated by the County with significant municipal support (Asheboro, Archdale, Franklinville and Seagrove), and three libraries operated by their municipalities with significant County support (Liberty, Ramseur, and Randleman). The Town of Ramseur has asked the County to take over operation of the Ramseur Public Library. While beloved in the community and continuing to provide excellent library service to the people of Ramseur and the surrounding area, the library has been perennially underfunded and understaffed. Mr. Holt said an agreement has been reached with the Town for the County to take over operation of the Ramseur library. As was the case when the County took over the Archdale library in 1991, an infusion of County funding will be required to implement this agreement. This funding is requested in our 2022-2023 County budget proposal; if approved, the agreement will take effect July 1. Highlights of the proposed agreement include:  The County provides new funding for the salaries of the two full-time staff on the County pay plan as Librarian II (branch manager) and Library Technician.  The Town reimburses the County for two new positions, a part-time library assistant (19 hours per week) and a housekeeper (five hours per week).  The Town reimburses the County for expenses including a significantly increased book budget, a new programming budget, and other expenses (copier lease, supplies, etc.).  The Town retains responsibility for the building and grounds.  Endowments and bequests to the library held by the Town can be turned over to the Randolph County Public Library Trust Fund.  Net new cost for the County is $113,896; the Town would save about 62 percent of its current expenditure on the library. 6/6/22 County operation of the Ramseur library would constitute a best practice and is in keeping with goals outlined in the Randolph County Public Libraries’ new 2021-2026 strategic plan. Consider Sewer Design for Seagrove County Engineer Paxton Arthurs welcomed Mike Walker and Donnie Lassiter of Seagrove – Ulah Metropolitan Water District. Mr. Arthurs said several months ago, Seagrove – Ulah Metropolitan Water District submitted an application for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for an expansion of their Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) to 120,000 gallons per day. As part of the Water – Sewer Master Plan Study, Wooten Company has recommended that the County proceed with this project based upon its impact to Economic Development. Wooten Company went a step further by recommending that the capacity be increase to 175,000 gallons per day due to anticipated development. Currently, there are several projects that are being developed that will use up all of the available capacity and this expansion will be needed for this and future growth. Last month, the County assisted the Seagrove – Ulah Water District with issuing a Request For Qualifications from engineering firms for the design of this expansion. Only one company submitted a response. Luckily, that company was LKC Engineering, who has previously done work for the District and has a very favorable history with their Board. Mr. Arthurs said the District’s Board reached out to Bill Lester, who is the principal engineer with LKC and asked him to prepare a proposal for engineering services. Mr. Arthurs asked that the Board:  Award a contract to LKC Engineering for design, bidding, and construction administration for the Expansion of the WWTP at a cost of $343,500, and authorize the County Manager to sign the contract.  Approve the associated budget amendment in the amount of $343,500 to initiate the project using ARPA funds. On motion of McDowell, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted 5-0 to award a contract to LKC Engineering for design, bidding, and construction administration for the Expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, authorize the County Manager to sign the contract, and approve the associated budget amendment to the Coronavirus Recovery Grant Fund in the amount of $343,500, as follows: Coronavirus Recovery Grant Project Ordinance Budget Amendment #4 Revenues Increase Decrease None Appropriations Increase Decrease Seagrove WWTP Expansion $343,500 $343,500 Contingency Addendum to Contract with Wooten for I-74 Industrial Site Sewer Design 6/6/22 County Engineer Paxton Arthurs said at the March Commissioners Meeting, the Board awarded a contract to Wooten Company for design, bidding and construction administration of the sewer to serve the I-74 Industrial Site. Since that time Wooten has begun preliminary design of the system. The have indicated that the capacity of the proposed industrial site is estimated at 150,000 gallons per day. Several years back, Wooten assisted the County along with the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority, Archdale City, and Randleman City in a service area study for Highway 311. At that time, they estimated that the capacity of the Randleman Sewer basin was 350,000 gallons per day. Rather than sizing the forcemain for just this project, the line could serve the entire sewer basin to accommodate future development. This will involve increasing the size of the pump station, enlarging the diameter of the pipe, and extending the length of the forcemain to tie in at a different point in Asheboro’s sewer system that can accommodate this increased capacity. Mr. Arthurs requested that the Board:  Approve the amendment to the contract with Wooten Company, at a cost of $82,350, for additional design services associated with the increase in capacity of the sewer for the I-74 Industrial Site, and authorize the County Manager to sign the amendment.  Approve the associated budget amendment in the amount of $82,350 to the project using ARPA funds. On motion of Haywood, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the amendment to the contract with Wooten Company, authorize the County Manager to sign the amendment, and approve the budget amendment to the Coronavirus Recovery Grant Fund in the amount of $82,350, as follows: Coronavirus Recovery Grant Project Ordinance Budget Amendment #5 Revenues Increase Decrease None Appropriations Increase Decrease I-74 Sewer Line $82,350 $82,350 Contingency County Manager’s Update County Manager Hal Johnson said one of the requirements of the Opioid Settlement Funds was that the County facilitate a meeting with municipalities and community partners. This is an th opportunity for input from the county. The meeting is scheduled for June 15 at 10:00 a.m. at AVS Banquet Center. Emergency Services and Public Health will give an update on the impact of opioids in the county. This will be the first of required annual meetings for the distribution of opioid funds. Commissioners Update Chairman Frye said the Workforce Development Realignment situation is still being addressed. The decision date has been extended to July 1, 2023. The budget for Piedmont Triad Regional Council is over 48 million dollars. Grants make up 87% of the budget. Dues from counties only provide 2.5%. 6/6/22 th Vice-Chairman Allen reminded everyone there is a County budget meeting on June 9. Adjournment At 8:24 p.m. on motion of Allen, seconded by Haywood, the Board voted 5-0 to adjourn. ________________________________ ________________________________ Darrell Frye, Chairman David Allen ________________________________ _________________________________ Kenny Kidd Maxton McDowell ________________________________ _________________________________ Hope Haywood Sarah Pack, Deputy Clerk to the Board 6/6/22