061697June 16, 1997
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special session to hear budget requests at
2:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC.
Commissioners Kemp, Frye, Holmes, Davis, and Mason were present.
Randolph County Schools
Worth Hatley, Superintendent, discussed the problem of growth throughout the county, stating
that Randolph County Schools are getting about 500 new students per year, which is equivalent to
one additional school. He said that they have had to spend so much money on renovations to existing
facilities that they haven't had enough money to build a sufficient number of new schools to keep up
with the growth. Mr. Hatley stated that they will have 45 - 48 mobile classrooms in use systemwide
this fall and that they need to plan for another new school in the Southwest area. He said that
additional funds are needed in both current expense (increased energy costs, salary increases,
additional positions) and capital outlay (reroofing projects) beyond what is in the proposed budget
and that they will have to make up the difference with fund balance.
Asheboro City Schools
Dr. Bob Gordon, Superintendent, stated that growth is also a problem in the city's schools. He
requested that the supplemental tax remain at 14.5¢. He also requested additional current expense
(increased energy costs, salary increases) and capital outlay funds (roof replacements, technology,
furniture) beyond what is in the proposed budget. Dr. Gordon requested that capital outlay funds be
divided between the two school systems by total square footage of facilities rather than by number of
students.
Randolph Community College
Dr. Larry Linker, President, said energy costs are up because of new buildings on campus. He
noted that $30,000 has been included in next year's budget to cover the cost of contracting security
personnel for parking lots. He said the proposed budget includes $350,000 for capital outlay, but it
will cost $700,000 to reroof one building. Dr. Linker briefly discussed plans for RCC's emergency
services training facility, stating that they are almost ready for the architect. He reported that the
JobLink Center will be opening this fall, that a Director of Development has been hired for the RCC
Foundation to do fundraising, that RCC has converted to a semester system for all programs, and that
they will be operating an in-house college transfer program beginning this fall.
Mental Health
Mazie Fleetwood, Area Director, explained that their budget process has two phases: the budget
currently proposed is phase 1; the phase 2 budget will be presented in the fall after the state legislative
session is over and all state funding is known. Major changes from last year's phase 2 budget are 1)
no capital outlay since construction has been completed at the Walker Avenue facility and 2) increase
in Medicaid eligible contracted services. She said they have received a state Crime Control grant to
place a substance abuse counselor in the jail. Currently there is one vacancy on the Mental Health
Board.
The following four agencies made first-time funding requests.
Asheboro Airport Authority
Walter Gordon, Chairman, discussed the economic impact of the airport on the county and said
the City of Asheboro has provided funds for extending the runway and for other improvements. He
told the Board that the airport needs an 8-10' fence around the runway because of deer wandering
onto it, and said that such a fence would cost around $260,000. He requested that the County
contribute $26,000 a year for the next 5 years to pay half the fencing cost. The Authority will apply
for a matching grant from the State to pay the other half.
Russell Walker spoke in support of Mr. Gordon's request.
Christians United Outreach Center (CUOC)
Jerry Hill, Director, described CUOC's Caregivers program and stated that with a $25,000 grant,
CUOC was able to hire a volunteer coordinator to work with the Caregivers program.
Cindy Powers, Volunteer Coordinator for Caregivers, gave additional information on the
Caregivers program.
Mr. Hill made a request that the County contribute $15,000 for 3 years to help pay for the
Caregivers Volunteer Coordinator position. He said CUOC should be able to take over the entire
cost for this position by the end of 3 years.
Northern Moore Family Resource Center
Mary Farrell, volunteer for the Resource Center's occupational therapy program, said that this
program serves children with sensory integration problems. She stated that the program is supported
through private pay, funds raised by the community, Smart Start, and the Moore County
Commissioners. She said that 9% of the children served since the program's inception 2 years ago
are from Randolph County. She requested that Randolph County contribute 9% of their budget, or
$2771.55, plus $230 for printing of informational materials to be distributed in Randolph county.
One Step Further
Anthony Gibbons, Director, explained that this program is a community penalties program for
non-violent offenders pleading guilty and that 15% of the funding must come from the community.
The other 85% comes from the Administrative Office of the Courts. Offenders may be referred to
this program by probation officers, judges, etc. Mr. Gibbons said that he works with an advisory
board which includes an attorney and a judge. He asked for a $4000 contribution from the County.
Budget Discussion
The Board discussed the following issues:
• Could the Tourism Development Authority (proposed for creation through a local bill) address
the need for a natural heritage inventory? The County may have higher priorities.
Should we give funds to agencies that provide services similar to agencies already being funded
by the County? Some requests heard today seem to fall into this category.
• Should we contribute funds to the Asheboro Airport Authority in a lesser amount than was
requested, contingent on state matching funds?
Public Hearing - 1997-98 Proposed Budget
At 7:30 p.m. the Board adjourned to a duly advertised public hearing on the proposed budget.
Daryl Alexander, 3505 New Hope Church Road, Asheboro, stated that he was speaking on
behalf of the Randolph County Electrical Association. He said he agrees that proposed increases for
building inspections will bring Randolph County in line with other counties, except for the rejection
fee. He said other counties give one free reinspection before imposing a rejection fee and asked the
Board to consider doing the same. He asked about the proposed double fee for permits issued after
work commences. The County Manager told him state law requires a contractor to obtain a permit
before beginning work.
Joe Thomas, Thomas Electric & Signs, said rejection notices are put on the temporary power
sign and the contractor won't see it or know about it if he doesn't go back to the site. He said the
County should notify the contractor by phone of any rejections.
Earl Greene, 1453 Greene Oak Road, Asheboro, commented that opening the new jail increased
the number of employees there by 40+ and the yearly operating budget by $1 million. He said the
County should provide free building inspections because young people getting started have a hard
time financially. He also said the County should spend more money on schools to keep the number of
mobile classrooms down.
Cliff Maness, 1119 N. Rockridge Road, said he works as a building contractor in several
counties and a rejection fee is usually charged only after a contractor has been given a chance to
correct a problem and he doesn't do so. He suggested that inspectors be given cell phones so that
contractors can call them in their vehicles.
Keith Lambeth, Colonial Drive, Thomasville, County Board of Education member, said some
schools are starting to look like trailer parks and that we have to stay aggressive on building projects.
He said there is not enough money in the County Manager's proposed budget for current expense or
current capital for the County Schools.
Tom Boyd, 5434 Old Greensboro Road, Randleman, Vice President of Randolph Home Builders
Association, said he felt the same as others speaking tonight about the rejection fees. He asked for
clarification on the temporary power and temporary certificate of occupancy.
Judy Saunders, 1402 Allred Street, Asheboro, asked if County Commissioners were receiving a
raise in the proposed budget. Chairman Kemp read the proposed increases to her. She stated that
someone in her circumstances would not get a raise for almost 2 years under Salary Plan A.
Personnel Director Hal Scott, Jr. explained that the last across-the-board raise was July, 1996. Ms.
Saunders' review date is March, so her next increase would be effective March, 1998.
Lynda Petty, Randleman, County Board of Education member, said that the County cannot
continue to provide all the services it does without raising taxes and that with all the growth and
schools' needs, the Commissioners should consider raising taxes.
Arnold Lanier, County Board of Education member, said per -pupil funding for County Schools
is very low. He also stated that county water and sewer should be considered.
Chairman Kemp closed the public hearing. He noted that a 16¢ increase on the current tax rate
would be necessary to make Randolph County Schools per -pupil expenditures equal to that of the
Asheboro City Schools.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Phil Kemp, Chairman
J. Harold Holmes
Robert O. Mason
Darrell L. Frye
Robert B. Davis
Alice D. Dawson, Clerk to the Board