110722
November 7, 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. 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, and Clerk
to the Board Dana Crisco. Chairman Darrell Frye was absent. Chaplain Michael Trogdon 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
Governor’s Volunteers of the Year for 2022 Phil Brown, Annika Bestmann, Kyle Martin,
Kenita Matthews and Joanne Bostic, Drew Maerz, and Sandra Lail were recognized by Elizabeth
Mitchell and Senator Dave Craven.
Public Comment Period
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 153A-52.1, Vice-Chairman Allen 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.
Sharon Castelli, 207 Eagle Lane, Asheboro, Superintendent of Uwharrie Charter Academy
(UCA). She updated the Board on things going on at UCA. She thanked the Board and the City
of Asheboro for helping UCA to solve sewer issues for their new building.
Dwain Roberts, 4654 Rainbow Trail, Asheboro, commented on some new businesses in
Asheboro. He was illustrating how the Confederate Monument had not deterred new business in
the County.
Consent Agenda
Vice-Chairman Allen read aloud the Proclamation for Adoption Awareness Month in
November.
On motion of Kidd, seconded by Haywood, the Board voted 4-0 to approve the Consent Agenda
as presented, as follows:
approve Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting Minutes of October 3, 2022,
Special Meeting Minutes of October 10, 2022 and October 17, 2022, and Closed
Session Minutes of October 3, 2022;
approve Fidelity Bond Increase;
approve the appointments for the Firefighter’s Relief Fund;
adopt Proclamation Recognizing November 2022 as Adoption Awareness Month,
as follows:
ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH-NOVEMBER 2022
WHEREAS, November is celebrated nationally as ADOPTION AWARENESS
MONTH to express the right of every child to grow up in a permanent, secure, and
loving family; and
WHEREAS, the adoptive experience provides the foundation for a happy,
productive adulthood; and
WHEREAS, the Randolph County Department of Social Services currently
serves 237 children in substitute care who live apart from their birth families and
adoption is the permanent plan for 108 of these children; and
WHEREAS, Randolph County actively promotes the timely adoption of these
children and has finalized 38 adoptions since July 1, 2021, some of whom have
special needs; and
WHEREAS, children waiting for adoptive families and those families who have
adopted these children require and deserve community support.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Randolph County Board
of Commissioners recognizes November 2022 as ADOPTION AWARENESS
MONTH in our county and we urge our citizens to recognize and support this
observance.
approve Budget Amendment – LATCF Grant ($50,000); as follows:
2022-2023 Budget Ordinance
General Fund—Budget Amendment #32
Revenues Increase Decrease
Restricted Intergovernmental $50,000
4245,154
Appropriations Increase Decrease
Administration $50,000
appoint Barry Bunting to replace Wayne Joyce as a voting member on the Randolph
County Planning Board;
appoint Danielle Corona and Reappoint Amy Williams, Carri Hampton, Robert
Brown, and Ryan Snipes to the Randolph County Board of Health;
approve Budget Amendment – Public Health ($38,321); as follows:
2022-2023 Budget Ordinance
General Fund—Budget Amendment #33
Revenues Increase Decrease
Restricted Intergovernmental $38,321
4245,154
Appropriations Increase Decrease
Public Health $38,321
reappoint Michael Ayers and Michael Somero to the Randolph County Board of
Equalization and Review;
reappoint Michael Somero to the Randolph County Tax Commission;
reappoint Peggy Hinshaw, Judy Kirkman, and Wanda Hilton to the Randleman
Planning Board and Board of Adjustment;
approve Budget Amendment – Sheriff’s Office ($41,925), as follows:
2022-2023 Budget Ordinance
General Fund—Budget Amendment #34
Revenues Increase Decrease
Restricted Fund Balance Appropriated $41,925
4245,154
Appropriations Increase Decrease
Sheriff $41,925
approve Budget Amendment – Social Services ($23,782), as follows:
2022-2023 Budget Ordinance
General Fund—Budget Amendment #35
Revenues Increase Decrease
Restricted Intergovernmental $23,782
4245,154
Appropriations Increase Decrease
Social Services $23,782
reappoint Donnie Lassiter to the Seagrove-Ulah Water Authority;
appoint Linda Covington to the Randolph County Nursing Home Community
Advisory Committee;
approve Budget Amendment – Sheriff ($4,700), as follows:
2022-2023 Budget Ordinance
General Fund—Budget Amendment #36
Revenues Increase Decrease
Miscellaneous $4,700
Appropriations 4245,154Increase Decrease
Sheriff $4,700
approve Budget Amendment – Public Health ($1,158), as follows:
2022-2023 Budget Ordinance
General Fund—Budget Amendment #37
Revenues Increase Decrease
Restricted Intergovernmental $1,158
4245,154
Appropriations Increase Decrease
Public Health $1,158
approve Chairman Darrell Frye as the Voting Delegate for the NCACC Legislative
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Conference on November 17;
reappoint Hal Johnson, Brian Arrington, and Patrick O’Hara to the Randolph
County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council;
appoint Dr. Minter to the Randolph County Animal Services Advisory Board to Fill
the Veterinary Seat.
Children’s Home Society Study Results
Commissioner Hope Haywood said back in November of 2021, the Randolph County
Partnership for Children requested funding from the County for an early childhood development
survey in order to more effectively identify the needs of children and caregivers in Randolph
County. The partnership used the Institute for Families, a division of The Children’s Home Society
of NC, to complete this study. This organization has had a presence in Randolph County for over
40 years, and their reputation is stellar. Tonight, Donna Woods, Strategy Director, is with us to
present those findings. Commissioner Haywood told those who joined virtually to follow along
with the presentation being shown here by clicking the link posted to the Randolph County
Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages.
Ms. Donna Wood, Strategy Director for the Institute for Family, said that three main
conclusions came out of the study. First, families in Randolph County are increasingly
overburdened. Second, the increased needs of families are driving child welfare, foster care, and
county expenses up. And third, Randolph County residents can come together to change this
pattern. In this study, community strengths, community needs and opportunities, community
dynamics and readiness for change, and child welfare data were all analyzed.
The following recommendations came from the research:
o Enhance relationships between overburdened caregivers and historical
decision makers.
o Expand shared decision-making processes that include caregivers that are the
most overburdened and co-create new solutions.
o Invest in addressing the economic hardships and transportation issues that
families are experiencing.
o Shift investments toward preventing families from entering the child welfare
system.
o Assess history to identify how past policies, practices, and investment
patterns may link to present conditions.
o Prioritize resources in areas with lower community health and wellness
scores.
o Support the digitization of Social Services data to increase efficiency,
information access, data-driven decisions, and ability to measure change over
time.
o Build community awareness about factors that overburden families and how
the community can help.
Vice-Chairman Allen stated that it would be interesting to see statistics with Randolph County
communities compared to other similarly sized rural counties. He asked if certain stressors such
as COVID caused effects that could not be controlled. Ms. Wood stated families are definitely
experiencing more stress because of COVID. In this type of case, the community should think
about strategies that could be implemented now to help address abuse and neglect. Sometimes the
simple strategies are ones that are easy to implement and connect parents and children with others.
Commissioner Haywood said that foster care has increased but Medicaid has not kept up. Ms.
Wood agreed and said that child welfare problems are increasing greatly.
Commissioner Haywood asked about digitization data at the State level. Tracie Murphy,
Social Services Director, stated that 30 counties have purchased another form of data management
but the state will no longer allow cost sharing even though their software is not working.
Waste Management Annual Update
Bob Peeler, Waste Management Governmental Relations, and Mike McFeeley, District
Manager of the Great Oak Landfill, presented their annual report. Mr. Peeler remembered that
former Commissioner Stan Haywood stated he wasn’t in favor of the landfill but if Bob Peeler is
involved, it will be done right. Mr. Peeler highlighted that nineteen residents were employed by
the Great Oak Landfill. He said since June 2014, Waste Management has contributed $12,792,304
in fees and $5,776,203 in taxes to Randolph County. The Citizens Advisory Committee has begun
to meet regularly again.
Mr. McFeeley said that construction of cells 6 and 7 were added this year. Six convenience
sites are continuing to operate throughout the county.
Vice-Chairman Allen had received a call about not being able to drop off used tires. Mr.
McFeeley said trailers had been delivered regularly. When trailers were requested recently, they
were misdirected by their vendor. The situation has now been resolved and trailers were delivered.
There should not be additional problems.
Commissioner McDowell had received calls in the past regarding the tire disposal and
convenience sites. He hasn’t heard any complaints about the convenience site in Farmer in a while.
Vice-Chairman Allen has not had complaints about convenience sites either. He mentioned
that the money paid by Waste Management would be used to fund projects such as Strategic
Planning Initiatives in the community.
Commissioner Haywood said that the driveway going into Clay Presnell Park was paved using
Waste Management funds. She stated that over the weekend all of the softball fields were filled
and generating revenue in Seagrove.
Commissioner Kidd appreciated everything that Waste Management does for Randolph
County.
Community Funding Allocations
Senator Dave Craven said that large projects like the Farm, Food, and Family Education Center
had received funding from the State. Senator Craven said one of his priorities was to address some
of the needs for smaller projects. He listed the programs and amounts of State funding he was able
to obtain for specific projects.
Commissioner McDowell said Your Choices Randolph really needed the funds and he was glad
they would receive the money.
Commissioner Kidd stated how much he appreciates Senator Craven bringing tax dollars back
to Randolph County.
On motion of Haywood, seconded by Allen, to approve the funding allocations provided by
Senator Dave Craven as outlined above and approve the associated Budget Amendment, as
follows:
2022-2023 Budget Ordinance
General Fund—Budget Amendment #38
Revenues Increase Decrease
Restricted Intergovernmental $10,000
4245,154
Appropriations Increase Decrease
Cooperative Extension $10,000
Amount Public Purpose
Experience Liberty $ 25,000 economic development / program support
Your Choices Randolph $ 50,000 human services / program support
Randolph County United Way $ 50,000 human services / agency support
Farmer Civitan Club $ 10,000 human services / community support
RC Family Crisis Center/Emmy's House $ 20,000 human services / program support
Asheboro Downtown Development $ 10,000 economic development / program support
Randolph County Sheriff's Office $ 20,000 public safety / law enforcement
Randolph County Crime Stoppers $ 20,000 public safety / law enforcement
Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen $ 10,000 human services / program support
Randolph County Animal Shelter $ 20,000 public safety / program support
Honoring Our Veteran's $ 20,000 human services / program support
Asheboro Raiders Youth Football $ 5,000 human services / program support
Ramseur Food Pantry $ 5,000 human services / program support
Randolph County Honor Guard $ 5,000 human services / program support
Petty Family Foundation $ 20,000 human services / program support
Habitat for Humanity $ 10,000 human services / program support
Municipal and Volunteer Fire
Departments $ 200,000 public safety / fire protection
$ 500,000
100 Healthiest Workplaces in America Award
Commissioner Hope Haywood said Randolph County hired its first Wellness Director, Sam
Varner back in 2015. Since that point in time, Sam has initiated programs and built community
partnerships that have immensely benefitted the health and well-being of our employees. Each of
the past three years Randolph County has been named to the list of 100 Healthiest Workplaces in
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America, with higher rankings each consecutive year. This year we moved up to 14 on that list,
which is quite an accomplishment.
Randolph County’s focus on the health and well-being of our employees shows how much we
value each employee. We not only have a healthier workforce, but we are contributing to the health
of our 900+ employees. One does not fully realize just how valuable the gift of health is, until it is
lost. I am thankful to Sam Varner and the community partnerships he has built to offer services to
our employees. Most importantly, I am thankful to our employees to being as healthy as possible.
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Wellness Officer Sam Varner stated that Randolph County was the 14 Healthiest Workplace
in the nation. The key to the program in Randolph County Government is showing the employees
how much they and their families are valued. He added that the County was the number one
organization in North Carolina.
Vice-Chairman Allen said he appreciates what Mr. Varner does to help healthcare savings.
Also, the Wellness Benefits are very tangible in recruitment especially with the competitive job
market that exists today.
Proposed Schedules, Standards and Rules for the 2023 Reappraisal
Debra Hill, Tax Assessor, stated that this is the second phase of the reappraisal process.
Tonight, the Board will have a Public Hearing on this issue.
Public Hearing
At 7:35 p.m., Vice-Chairman Allen opened the Public Hearing and closed it after no one wanted
to speak.
Vice-Chairman confirmed that next month the Schedule of Values will be voted on by the
Board.
RFID Bid Results
Ross Holt, Library Director, announced that the Liberty library had won a grant to help feed
school children in the summer.
He said the library has planned a project to implement Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
for items in the library collection to further automate materials handling, provide self-checkout
capability and free staff for more substantive interactions with patrons. The project is funded by a
federal Library Services and Technology Act grant and a local match.
A formal bid was issued. All the vendors presented credible systems; mkSolutions Inc. of York,
PA, was low bidder both in terms of initial equipment and installation, and ongoing maintenance
costs. Mr. Holt respectfully requested that the Board award the bid to mk Solutions Inc. and
authorize the County Manager to sign the contract. The low bid came in at $15,450 over the amount
available in grant and local match funding; we will make up the difference using funds from the
one-time SFRF State Aid distribution.
On motion by Haywood, seconded by Kidd, to 1) award the bid for the RFID project to mk
Solutions in the amount of $125,875 and 2) allow the County Manager to sign the contract.
Four New Deputy Sheriff Positions for the Randolph County Elementary Schools
Justin Brubaker, Sheriff’s Office Business Manager, introduced Captain Brian Arrington who
is responsible for the School Resource Officers (SROs). Capt. Arrington stated that when he was
in school, there was no need for SROs. The program started in 1994. Now there is a need in
Elementary Schools for SROs.
Mr. Brubaker reviewed the funding of the Sheriff’s Office and Randolph County Schools.
Vice-Chairman Allen asked Dr. Gainey to speak on the issue. Dr. Gainey said that the new
SROs will keep the elementary schools safe and leave the other officers at their respective schools.
He stated that the Sheriff’s Office and Randolph County Schools are great partners.
Vice-Chairman Allen asked what the SROs do when school is out. Capt. Arrington said that
these individuals run youth camps during the summer and when not at camps are placed in other
divisions of the Sheriff’s Office.
Commissioner McDowell stated that the cost of one incident is much more than the cost to
protect the staff and students.
Commissioner Kidd thanked the Sheriff’s Office for keeping the schools safe.
Vice-Chairman asked Mr. Massie where the funds would come from. Mr. Massie said it would
be from tax collections.
On motion of McDowell, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted 4-0 to 1) approve the additional
Deputy Sheriff positions for Randolph County Elementary Schools, 2) allow the County Manager
to sign the contract, and 3) approve the associated Budget Amendment, as follows:
2022-2023 Budget Ordinance
General Fund—Budget Amendment #39
Revenues Increase Decrease
Sales and Service $119,007
Fund Balance Appropriated 4245,154$264,997
Appropriations Increase Decrease
Sheriff $384,004
Purchase of Fifteen Sheriff’s Office Vehicles
Justin Brubaker, Sheriff’s Office Business Manager, introduced Major Steven Nunn to speak
about the vehicles.
Major Nunn explained that vehicles are still hard to come by but it is getting better. Ten Dodge
Chargers are at the dealership and available. The five Ford Police Interceptors have been ordered
and are being produced.
Vice-Chairman Allen asked if this was the first group that were approved in the budget. Major
Nunn agreed.
On motion of Kidd, seconded by McDowell, the Board voted 4-0 to approve the purchase of
five Ford Police Interceptors and ten Dodge Chargers in the amount of $528,745.
Property Purchase
Paxton Arthurs, County Engineer, had been asked by the Commissioners to negotiate the price
for 2.5 acres of land that would serve the entire sewer basin. The City of Randleman will extend
their sewer lines to service the site. The County Manager issued a letter of acceptance for the
owners.
On motion of Haywood, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted 4-0 to approve the negotiated price
of $76,398 for 2.5 acres for a pump station at the I-74 Industrial Site and allow the County
Manager to sign the contract.
Annual Joint Meeting with Asheboro City Schools
Vice-Chairman Allen stated that the Asheboro City School Board would be meeting with the
Commissioners on February 9, 2023 for their Annual Joint Meeting.
On motion of Kidd, seconded by McDowell, the Board voted 4-0 to set the annual joint meeting
with the Asheboro City School Board of Education for February 9, 2023 at 6:00 pm.
County Manager’s Update
County Manager Hal Johnson stated that there will be a Crisis Communications Event on
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November 15.
Commissioner Updates
Vice-Chairman Allen reminded the Board of the Legislative Goals Conference that will be held
in Raleigh. He said that Chairman Frye will represent Randolph County.
Closed Session
At 8:10 p.m. on motion of Kidd, seconded by McDowell, the Board voted 4-0 to enter into
Closed Session pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6) to consider the qualifications, competence,
performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment and NCGS 143-318.11(a)(4) to discuss
matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by
the public body.
Regular Session Resumed
At 8:53 p.m., Regular Session resumed.
Adjourn
On motion of Haywood, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted 4-0 to adjourn the meeting.
________________________________ ________________________________
Vice-Chairman David Allen Kenny Kidd
________________________________ _________________________________
Maxton McDowell Hope Haywood
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Dana Crisco, Clerk to the Board