061101June 11, 2001
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
Kemp, Frye, Davis, Mason and Holmes were present.
Chairman Kemp announced that all department heads satisfied with their budgets could leave.
Computer Services
Annette Crotts, Computer Services Director, stated that the small increase in her budget is due to
additional virus protection software in the County=s computers.
Elections
Mark Coakley, Elections Supervisor, discussed proposed legislation in the General Assembly which would
allow Ano -excuse absentee voting= for all elections. During the presidential election of 2000, voters were
given the opportunity, for the first time, to vote early, with no excuse, at a designated absentee one-stop
voting site. In Randolph County, this site was at the Elections office, and 2970 voters took advantage of this.
Mr. Coakley said this new service placed a burden on his staff, who accrued 53 8 compensatory hours. He also
had to adjust his part-time salary budget from under $8,000 to over $31,000 without requesting additional
funds from the County.
Mr. Coakley requested a new position of Election Technical Specialist to supervise and sponsor programs
in the certification of precinct officials. He also proposed adding two additional early voting sites for future
elections, beginning May, 2002. The total cost for the new position, training and salaries for part-time poll
workers at the new sites, and equipment would be $56,818.
Mr. Coakley explained the requested increase and the recommended decrease in his postage line item.
There are two mailings required by the state that go out to voters. The County Manager asked him to combine
the two mailings, which will save several thousand dollars. Mr. Coakley said he concurs with this plan.
Library
Richard Wells, Library Director, stated that all branch libraries except Franklinville receive $10,000 from
the County each year. Franklinville, which has been receiving $7,000, has requested that they also receive the
$10,000. He asked permission to grant Franklinville $10,000 from his 2001-2002 budget, assuming he could
find sufficient funds to do so.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Davis, the Board unanimously gave permission for the Franklinville
library to receive $10, 000 from the 2001-2002 budget if sufficient funds can be found to do so.
Mr. Wells discussed Seagrove=s need for a new library building. He said the land and architectural
services have been donated, but the building will cost $500,000. He asked that any money left over from the
Courthouse project be designated toward the Seagrove library building.
Mr. Wells stated that the new Archdale library, which is triple its original size, will open in January, 2002.
The new library will need more staff. He said he had requested in his budget that one staff member at the
Archdale library go from 30 to 40 hours per week and that one additional librarian position be added there,
effective December 1. The cost for this request would be $20,369. These changes were not included in the
Manager=s proposed budget.
Planning and Zoning
Hal Johnson, Planning and Zoning Director, asked the Board to support his request for two new positions
which were recommended in the proposed budget. He said a planner and a planning information specialist
would be needed if the proposed growth management plan is adopted. He also asked that funding for a new
statistical profile be added back to his budget. This document, which would be done by the Piedmont Triad
Council of Governments, would cost $7800. The Manager cut this line item to $1000.
Cooperative Extension
Lynn Qualls, Cooperative Extension Director, made a plea for a secretarial position which she had
requested, but which was not recommended. She explained the work of the professional staff which
necessitates more clerical support. This position would cost $24,440 and would be 100% County money.
Sheriff and Jail
Major Allen McNeill stated that they are asking for only what the Manager recommended. He said they
will need all the new staff requested for the opening of the new Courthouse. He added that a grant which has
funded two deputy positions has run out; if these positions are kept, they must be funded totally with County
dollars.
Personnel
Kim Newsom, Personnel Director, asked for three items requested but not recommended. He requested a
3% cost -of -living increase for all employees. Only 22% was recommended. The extra 2% would cost
$99,664. Mr. Newsom also asked for $145,000 for some classification changes, market adjustments, and
department head increases. In addition, he requested $144,000 to provide 401K for all employees. That
amount would cover a I% contribution by the County (no match required) for the entire year or 2%, beginning
in January. These requests total $388,664.
The Board briefly discussed the budget and then adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Phil Kemp, Chairman
J. Harold Holmes
Robert O. Mason
Darrell L. Frye
Robert B. Davis
Alice D. Dawson, Clerk to the Board