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061322 Outside agencies, Fire Depts, and Budget Public hearing June 13, 2022-Outside Agencies, Fire Departments, and Budget Public Hearings The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special budget 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, Deputy Clerk to the Board Sarah Pack, and Clerk to the Board Dana Crisco. The meeting was livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. City of Asheboro Mayor David Smith made a presentation for funding help for Phase II of the McCrary Ballpark Renovation Project. Sports has become an economic engine. Phase I was the turf for the field. The request for $1.5 million would help with Phase II. The grandstand and accessory buildings still need total restoration. Randolph Senior Adults Association (RSSA) Mark Hensley, Executive Director, gave an update of the different programs offered at RSSA. The Meals on Wheels service continues to be strong. There have been approximately 90,000 meals served during Fiscal Year (FY) 21-22. He thanked the Board for their continued support. Lydia’s Place Reverand Alexis Coleman, Executive Director, explained the concept of Lydia’s Place and how it would serve homeless women and families. They have a 501(c)(3) status with the federal government. She spoke of the buildings to be used for the shelter and the renovations needed. A case worker will work with guests and direct them to partnering agencies in the community to help move them into a permanent housing situation. Homelessness can have many contributing factors so there will be an array of services. Mayor David Smith made a statement that the Asheboro City Council will make a contribution toward the capital needs of Lydia’s Place. Chairman Frye asked about other funding. Rev. Coleman shared that they have private donors and have applied for two grants, one for operations expenses and one for capital. They will be able to appear before the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness and ask for operating expenses as well. She clarified that the funding that would come from the Commissioners would be used for capital expenses. She mentioned coming before the Board again once the shelter is successful and asking for operating expenses at that time. Chairman Frye asked if men and women would be housed together. Rev. Coleman stated that they would take families and single women. It is important to keep families together. Commissioner Haywood asked Rev. Coleman about her professional experience. Rev. Coleman said she was a corporate project manager. She is now a Certified Trainer in Bridges Out of Poverty and a trained facilitator in Getting Ahead, two programs to move individuals from 6/13/22 poverty to self-sufficiency. She has learned that community collaboration is necessary to create and sustain a successful project. Chairman Frye asked Rev. Coleman how she came to be a Reverend. Rev. Coleman said it was a second career but breaking the homeless cycle is her passion. Commissioner Haywood asked what Rev. Coleman was hearing from schools. Rev. Coleman stated she is part of the Randolph County Housing Coalition. The Dropout Prevention Specialists from the schools are also on this board. At one time, there have been more than 300 homeless children in Randolph County. OE Enterprises Donna Musson, Program Director, explained what OE Enterprises, Inc. does in creating opportunities for personal and professional growth for persons with disabilities and other barriers. OE Enterprises is a thriving business that promotes achievement, self-reliance, life choices, and respect through relationships with community partners. She thanked the Board for their support. Jennifer, a client of OE Enterprises, expressed her love for her job and how grateful she is to have her job. Chairman Frye asked about available Federal grants. Ms. Musson said are some Federal grants available but none of those jobs are in Randolph County. Chairman Frye inquired about who paid the workers. Ms. Musson stated that the companies pay OE then OE pays the employees. OE pays them at least minimum wage. Shelter of Hope Paulette Handy, Assistant Executive Director, thanked the Commissioners for their support and spoke of her appreciation for Lydia’s Place as a women’s shelter in the county. She read a statement from Executive Director Jeff Looney also thanking the Board for their support. Chairman Frye asked if the residents could stay at the shelter during the day. Ms. Handy said that those on disability could stay since they were not eligible to work. Chairman Frye asked where other funding comes from. Ms. Handy mentioned sources such as churches, individuals, and community organizations. Commissioner Haywood inquired as to when the shelter had opened. Ms. Handy stated the official opening was February 1, 2010. Funding started from the County in 2015. Commissioner McDowell asked how many beds were in the shelter and if they fed residents. Ms. Handy stated 32 beds and there is a waiting list. Everyone is fed even if they are not housed in the shelter. They feed approximately 45 people every day. The residents are required to pay rent so they learn to sustain themselves when they find permanent housing. 6/13/22 Commissioner Kidd asked if they housed women and children. Ms. Handy replied no. Commissioner McDowell asked about the set-up of the shelter. Ms. Handy said the rooms are a dorm style. Commissioner Haywood asked if any renovations had been done. Ms. Handy said any renovations have been done by staff and residents. Chairman Frye asked if the residents could do work at the shelter to help pay their rent. Ms. Handy said it depended on their skills and abilities. Randolph Arts Guild (RAG) Mike Miller, Director, had a slide presentation of various events RAG has had over the last year which was shown while he spoke. RAG has worked on outreach to all of Randolph County and has diversified the board with members from different areas of the county. The Arts Guild is working to obtain funding from municipalities. Programs are geared to feature artists with diverse skills. He spoke of other annual events. They are asking for increase because the two biggest fundraisers had to be canceled. The Rummage Sale and Fall Festival were not held due to COVID. They are rebuilding their programming now. Arts factor into the quality of life and economic development of a community. Commissioner Allen asked about the Liberty Arts Guild. Mr. Miller said they had been supportive of them and are helping them get started. Communities in Schools Paula Owens, Executive Director, thanked the Board for the opportunity to present to the Board. She gave statistics of the number of students that had been served. She detailed the programs that were implemented or continued during the school year. Pinnacle Bank has asked to be a partner with them. Pinnacle employees will be reading buddies. Ash-Rand Rescue Larry Pugh, outgoing President, and Eddie Goodwin, incoming President, asked for additional funding for a paid position. They are struggling to get volunteers during the work-week. They have held fundraisers but have not received enough money to cover a paid position. Chairman Frye asked if they were still able to get volunteers. Mr. Pugh responded that they had volunteers for weekends. They are competing with other emergency responding agencies throughout the county. Commissioner McDowell asked how many calls they responded to per year. Mr. Pugh said it was close to 300. Family Crisis Center (FCC) Dare Spicer, Executive Director, introduced Board Vice-President Stephanie Phillips and District Attorney Andy Gregson. FCC has historically served women in abusive situations but now they also help human trafficking victims. They are asking for $75,000 which generates 6/13/22 $400,000 in matches. She is very appreciative for the support. Emmy’s House, the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) has been helpful in treating children who have been abused. There is a small meeting room in Emmy’s House that won’t allow the whole team to meet together in the same room. The request of $95,000 is for an addition to serve as a multi-purpose room for large internal meetings, audits, and children’s and caregiver support groups. DA Gregson spoke regarding the number of cases of child sex offenders. There are also others coming into the court system. He has never seen this number of offenders before. His colleagues are experiencing an increase in offenders too. He spoke of how well the CAC has done treating the children. Ms. Phillips spoke about the fact that virtual meetings were not as efficient for the type of discussion and confidential information that occurs when investigating these cases. She advocated for the addition of this room. Boys and Girls Club of High Point Floyd Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer, introduced Chairman Gary Parks from their board. He thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak. He spoke of the different programs they offer to their clients. The children are helped with their school work and have after school care and snacks. The clients are not charged for the services. He spoke of the possibility of a second location in Ramseur. Climax Fire Department Chief Gary McGee explained why his department was seeking an increased tax rate. He said that volunteers were harder to find and they needed to be able to pay staff members. They also struggle with retaining them because they don’t have the financial resources available. The demand for the services of the department have increased. Aging equipment needs to be upgraded and more employees are necessary to continue to maintain their Insurance Rating and possibly move to a 3 rating. They also need to be prepared for the Toyota facilities. Commissioner Allen asked what moving from a 4 Insurance Rating would mean. Chief McGee said it would benefit commercial property. Residents have the lowest insurance rate at a 4 rating. Commissioner Kidd asked if the tax rate they are requesting is the same rate they asked for in Guilford County and if he had heard any feedback on the requested increase. Chief McGee confirmed that it was the requested rate with Guilford County and he has not heard any negative feedback about an increase. rd Commissioner Allen said Climax Fire Department’s budget was the 3 highest in the county but seventh in call response. Chief McGee said the difficulty they are seeing in hiring and the equipment need is the reason for the request. Farmer Fire Department Chief Tracy Boyles said he agreed with everything Chief McGee had said. All of the departments are having the same set of problems. Farmer has had the lowest tax rate for many, many years. They are asking for an average tax rate. To keep their Insurance Rating, they need 6/13/22 newer, larger equipment. Chief Boyles is the only full-time employee. Pay has to be higher to keep their people. Their building is in need of renovation. It was built in the 1970s. Randolph County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Kevin Franklin, President, said he appreciated the opportunity to speak and the support over the years. This year has been a banner year with the announcements of economic development and growth by Toyota Battery Manufacturing and Technimark. Mickey Truck Bodies and Kraftsman Trailers also had growth. He asked for a 10% increase in funding, the first increase request in five years. The municipalities were also asked for a 10% increase. Workforce development will be extremely important in the upcoming year. Commissioner McDowell commended the EDC on their hard work. EDC Appropriation Public Hearing Chairman Frye said pursuant to Section 158-7.1 of the North Carolina General Statutes, the County intends to consider appropriating Three Hundred Sixty-Seven Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty Dollars ($367,950.00). At 8:12 p.m., Chairman Frye opened the Public Hearing and closed it after no one wanted to speak. Budget Public Hearing At 8:13 p.m., the Chairman stated that pursuant to NCGS 159-12 the governing board must hold a public hearing on the proposed budget. All individuals who wish to address the budget must be afforded an opportunity to speak. He opened the public hearing and invited citizens to speak concerning the Proposed Budget and closed it after no one wished to speak. Budget Discussion There was no discussion. Adjournment At 8:14 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 Dana Crisco, Clerk to the Board 6/13/22