062209June 22, 2009
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special budget session at 6:00 p.m. in the
Commissioners Meeting Room, County Office Building, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC.
Commissioners Holmes, Frye, Haywood, Kemp and Lanier were present.
Close-out Budget Amendments for FY 08-09
Chairman Holmes announced that no close-out budget amendments would be needed this year.
Addition of Agenda Item: Approval of Southern Health Partners Contract
Chairman Holmes announced that Item B. Approval of Southern Health Partners Contract had
been added to the agenda.
Assistant County Manager/Finance Officer Will Massie stated that the County contracts with
Southern Health Partners to provide medical services for jail inmates. The Sheriff is satisfied with the
services provided and would like to renew the contract for another year. The renewal does not include
a rate increase. Because the total contract exceeds the Manager's authorization limit, Commissioner
approval is required.
On motion of Haywood, seconded by Lanier, the Board voted unanimously to approve the
renewal of the Southern Health Partners contract for the twelve months ended June 30, 2010 at the
base monthly fee of $26,181.40 and authorized the County Manager to sign the contract extension.
Note: Commissioner Haywood asked that the minutes show that the above contract was part of the
presented budget by the Sheriff s Department.
Adoption of Departmental Fee Schedules
On motion of Frye, seconded by Haywood, the Board voted unanimously to leave all
departmental fees unchanged, as requested.
Approval of Fire District Tax Rates
On motion of Frye, seconded by Haywood, the Board voted unanimously to leave all current fire
district tax rates unchanged for FY 09-10, as requested.
Report on County Ambulances
Donovan Davis, County Emergency Services Director, answered questions from the Board about
the need for better positioning of ambulance bases in the county. Currently there are no bases south
of Hwy 64 and response time to remote parts of the county can be as high as 35-40 minutes. Mr.
Davis said that he has already started discussions with various fire departments about the possibility
of partnering with them to use some fire department facilities as locations for ambulances. He said
that there were some Federal Stimulus grants available that such a project might qualify for, but the
grants applications would have to be very carefully written. The Board asked Mr. Davis to do more
research on ambulance repositioning in order to make a report to the Board later in the year.
Discussion and Adoption of School District Tax Rates and FY 09-10 Budget Ordinance
Commissioner Frye stated that he would like to find a way to fund the request for the balance
needed ($58,000) to buy two new ambulances rather than the remounts, which had already been
budgeted (remounts) and the Central Boys and Girls Club request for $25,000. He also said that he
had heard during a State board meeting in Raleigh over the past weekend that although Counties
would be affected by the State's budget, they wouldn't be as adversely affected as feared initially. He
said that if the State imposed a goods and services and recreation sales tax, Counties would get their
share as well, which would provide some much-needed revenue for us. Within two years, the State
will transfer responsibility of roads to Counties. Counties may no longer get ADM funds. He said it
also appears that the State will no longer be paying rent for local Probation and Parole offices, which
would then fall to the Counties to pay.
Commissioner Frye said that the budget process started months ago with the schools. Not
knowing what the State would do, the schools systems included salary increases in their requested
budgets from the County. He asked County Schools Superintendent Donald Andrews if he thought
the State would be including salary increases for teachers. Mr. Andrews responded that he did not
think the State would include salary increases in the State's final budget. If this is the case, the
County Schools could use those funds in other areas or return the money to the County.
Commissioner Frye suggested using some of the funds intended for raises for the schools to fund the
needed ambulances and the Central Girls and Boys Club.
Commissioner Kemp suggested using unused funds from the 2006 COPS financing recently
earmarked for the road realignment project at Providence Grove High School to fund the Central
Boys and Girls Club, the ambulances and debt service on the schools. He said that it appears that the
State would not come through with the $600,000 that it had originally promised for the realignment
project.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Lanier, the Board voted unanimously 1) to reduce the County
Schools proposed appropriation by $66,574 and the City Schools proposed appropriation by $16,426
and use this money to fund the two new ambulances ($58, 000) and the Central Girls and Boys Club
($25, 000); and 2) to set the Asheboro City School District tax rate at $0.1385 and the Archdale -
Trinity School District tax rate at $0.090. The Board also indicated its intention that any unused
monies from the 2006 COPS financing be used for related debt service.
Commissioner Haywood thanked DSS Director Beth Duncan for the letter that her Board had sent
to the Commissioners and said that they would keep the requests in mind and get to them as they
were able to.
Commissioner Kemp spoke, referring to the Proposed Budget Message. He stated the Message
made it very clear that a significant new revenue source must be identified. He said that the loss of
ADM funds from the State and the opening of the second new high school have added over $3
million to the County's budget needs. Commissioner Kemp added that although the Boards have been
good stewards with the County tax dollar, no one anticipated this bad economy, and he doesn't
believe it will improve soon. He said that the Board committed itself to funding the two new high
schools a few years ago and now it's time to pay. Former County Manager Frank Willis warned us
that the new high schools and water line would cost about 12 cents on the tax rate. Last year,
although Commissioner Kemp wanted a 3 -cent increase, the Board voted for only a 2 -cent increase.
He said that he hoped this Board had the intestinal fortitude to step up to the plate and vote for a 3 -
cent tax increase this year. If the Board doesn't, then at least a 10 -cent increase will be required next
year. Plus, no increase this year will put a terrible strain on our fund balance and will likely put
ourselves in a situation we can't get out of. He argued that for a $100,000 home, a 3 -cent tax
increase would cost a property owner only $30 more a year; it won't create that much of a burden for
folks.
Commissioner Haywood said that he wasn't on the Board of Commissioners when the decision
was made to build the new high schools. He said that he was against a tax increase this year because
the people in his district have told him they can't afford an increase. He said that he had rather we use
our fund balance rather than the State or Federal Government taking it from us.
Commissioner Lanier said that he was also against a 3 -cent increase this year because people are
struggling and can't afford it. If it increases this year, businesses will go under.
Commissioner Frye said that he has had ten times more calls this year asking that the tax rate not
be raised than in prior years. He said that he thinks it's a real possibility that the County may see
some additional revenue from some new sales tax increases that the State is proposing. Plus, he hopes
the economy will improve next year.
Commissioner Haywood said that the County really needs to pass the'/4-cent sales tax referendum
as an alternative to a property tax hike.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Haywood, the Board voted 4-1, with Kemp opposing, to adopt
the FY 09-10 budget ordinance (ordinance follows below), as amended (to include the previous
action above that reduced the county and city schools proposed appropriation thereby adding
funding for two ambulances in the Emergency Services proposed budget and funding for the Central
Girls and Boys Club and set the Asheboro City and Archdale -Trinity School Districts tax rate) and
with the unchanged Ad Valorem tax rate of 55.5 cents/$100 valuation.
Be It Ordained by the Board of Commissioners of Randolph County, North Carolina:
Section 1. The following amounts are hereby appropriated in the General Fund of Randolph County
for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010:
General Government:
Governing Body $ 147,285
Administration 2,739,126
Information Technology 1,408,879
Tax 2,023,227
Elections 378,452
Register of deeds 685,180
Public Buildings 2,329,002
Public Safety:
Sheriff
13, 735, 027
Emergency Services
4,868,961
Building Inspections
852,587
Day Reporting Center
665,194
Other Public Safety Appropriations
243,146
Economic and Physical Development:
Planning and Zoning
606,043
Cooperative Extension Service
428,070
Soil and Water Conservation
172,137
Other Economic and Physical Development Appropriations
1,596,609
Environmental Protection:
Public Works
3,225,861
Human Services:
Section 2
Section 3.
Section 4
Public Health
5,161,182
Social Services
19, 389, 058
Veteran Services
83,294
Other Human Services Appropriations
2,537,561
Cultural and Recreational:
18, 253, 221
Public Library
1,883,940
Other Cultural and Recreational
8,589,399
Appropriations
15,000
Education
28, 683, 506
Debt Service
16, 360, 944
Other Financing Uses:
7,402,270
Interfund Transfers Out
1.442.950
Total
$111,662,221
It is estimated that the following revenues will be available in the General Fund for the
fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010:
Ad Valorem Property Taxes
$ 55, 265, 460
Local Option Sales Taxes
16, 592, 000
Other Taxes
1,314,000
Unrestricted Intergovernmental
456,900
Restricted Intergovernmental
18, 253, 221
Permits and Fees
1,122, 000
Sales and Services
8,589,399
Investment Earnings
510,000
Miscellaneous
432,771
Other Financing Sources:
Appropriated Fund Balance
7,402,270
Interfund Transfers In
1.724.200
Total
$111,662,221
The following amounts are hereby appropriated in the Emergency Telephone System Fund
of Randolph County for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010:
E-911 System
Total
$ 710,000
It is estimated that the following revenues will be available in the Emergency Telephone
System Fund for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010:
NC 911 Board Distributions $ 700,000
Investment Earnings 10,000
Total $ 710,000
Section 5
Section 6.
Section 7.
Section 8
The following amounts are hereby appropriated in the Landfill Closure Fund of Randolph
County for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010:
Landfill Post -Closure Expenditures
$ 86,500
It is estimated that the following revenues will be available in the Landfill Closure Fund
for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010:
Investment Earnings $ 23,000
Appropriated Fund Balance 63,500
Total $ 86,500
The following amounts are hereby appropriated in the Fire Districts Fund for the
fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010:
Tax Distributions
$ 6,224,479
It is estimated that the following Fire District revenues will be available during the
fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010:
Ad Valorem Property Taxes
$ 6,224,479
Section 9. There is hereby levied for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30,
2010, a County -wide tax rate of $ 0. SSS per $100 valuation of estimated taxable property
situated in the County. The ad valorem tax is based on a total estimated property
valuation of $10,100, 000, 000, with an expected collection rate of 97.2%.
Section 10. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010, there is hereby
levied in the County of Randolph a dog license fee at the rate of $3.50 per dog.
Section 11. There is hereby levied for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30,
2010, the following School District tax rates per $100 valuation of estimated taxable
property situated in the special district. These levies are for the purpose of raising
revenues to supplement school programs within each respective district.
Fire District
Net Valuation
Tax Rate
Estimated
Approved
Asheboro School District
$ 2,133, 556, 095
$ 0.1385
Archdale -Trinity School District
$ 2, 322, 091, 566
$ 0.0900
Section 12. There is hereby levied for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30,
2010, the following Fire District tax rates per $100 valuation of estimated taxable
property situated in the special district. These levies are for the purpose of raising
revenues for fire protection within each respective district.
Fire District
Net Valuation
Tax Rate
Estimated
Approved
Bennett Fire District
$ 42, 000, 000
0.070
Climax Fire District
$ 461, 000, 000
0.100
Coleridge Fire District
$ 223, 500, 000
0.073
Eastside Fire District
$ 480, 000, 000
0.080
Fairgrove Fire District
$ 365, 000, 000
0.065
Farmer Fire District
$ 196, 000, 000
0.075
Franklinville Fire
District
$ 460, 600, 000
0.085
Guil-Rand Fire District
$ 2, 030, 000, 000
0.100
Julian Fire District
$ 87, 600, 000
0.100
Level Cross Fire District
$ 227, 200, 000
0.100
Northeast Fire District
$ 133, 300, 000
0.090
Randleman Fire District
$ 239, 000, 000
0.100
Seagrove Fire District
$ 184, 700, 000
0.100
Sophia Fire District
$ 131, 500, 000
0.100
Southwest Fire District
$ 61, 500, 000
0.100
Staley Fire District
$ 153, 800, 000
0.100
Tabernacle Fire District
$ 260, 000, 000
0.100
Ulah Fire District
$ 490, 600, 000
0.061
Westside Fire District
$ 643, 600, 000
0.090
Section 13. Pursuant to the requirements of North Carolina General Statute §159-9, the County
Manager is appointed to serve as Budget Officer. The County Manager and the Assistant
County Manager, as his designee, are hereby authorized to transfer appropriations as
contained herein under the following conditions:
a. The Budget Officer, or his designee, may transfer amounts between line item
expenditures within a department without limitation and without a report being
required.
b. The Budget Officer, or his designee, may not transfer amounts between
departments of the General Fund or between funds, except as approved by the
Board of County Commissioners in the Budget Ordinance, as amended.
Section 14. The Budget Officer, or his designee, may make cash advances between funds for periods
not to exceed one hundred eighty days without reporting to the Board of Commissioners.
Any advances that extend beyond one hundred eighty days must be approved by the
Board. All advances that will be outstanding at the end of the fiscal year must be
approved by the Board.
Section 15. Copies of this Budget Ordinance shall be filed with the Clerk to the Board of
Commissioners of Randolph County and furnished to the Assistant County
Manager/Finance Officer for direction in the collection of revenues and the expenditure
of amounts appropriated.
Section 16. This Budget Ordinance will be effective on July 1, 2009.
Upon motion of Commissioner Frye, seconded by Commissioner Haywood, the foregoing
Budget Ordinance was passed with the following vote:
Ayes: Commissioner Harold Holmes
Commissioner Darrell Frye
Commissioner Stan Haywood
Commissioner Arnold Lanier
Noes: Commissioner Phil Kemp
I, Cheryl A. Ivey, Clerk to the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Ordinance was duly adopted by the governing body of Randolph County at a special meeting
on June 22, 2009, a quorum being present.
The 22nd day of June, 2009.
Clerk to the Board
There being no further business, the Board adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
J. Harold Holmes, Chairman
Phil Kemp
Arnold Lanier
Darrell L. Frye
Stan Haywood
Cheryl A. Ivey, Clerk to the Board