070620July 6, 2020
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.
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, County Attorney Ben Morgan, Clerk to the Board Dana Crisco, and Deputy
Clerk Sarah Pack. Finance Officer Will Massie was absent. Chairman Frye gave the invocation
and everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Required social distancing was maintained
throughout the meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was livestreamed on
Facebook The public could attend the meeting but the meeting room capacity was limited to 50
people.
Special Recognitions
Barry Hazelton retired from the Sheriffs Office with 25 years of service. Aundrea Azelton
read a short biographical summary about Mr. Hazelton and the Chairman presented him with an
engraved clock recognizing his service to the County.
Kesha Andrews retired from the Sheriff s Office with 18 years of service. Aundrea Azelton
read a short biographical summary about Ms. Andrews and the Chairman presented her with an
engraved clock recognizing her service to the County.
James "Jim" Sparks retired from the Sheriff s Office with 16 years of service. Aundrea Azelton
read a short biographical summary about Mr. Sparks and the Chairman presented him with an
engraved clock recognizing his service to the County.
Public Comment Period
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 153A-52.1, Chairman Frye opened the floor for public comment and
closed it after everyone who wished to speak had done so.
Wesley Fennell, 741 E. Salisbury St., has been a resident of Randolph County for over 45
years. He is shocked and embarrassed by a post made by Sheriff Seabolt on Facebook He finds
the message in the post to be profoundly dangerous. There are too many police killings of unarmed
black people in this country. Why is the Sheriff promoting killing or hating people based on his
religious beliefs? Dr. Fennell believes that the post borders on a criminal act and asked the Sheriff
to apologize to the citizens. He said that Sheriff Seabolt fails to see the error in the post. He asked
the Commissioners to demand the Sheriff s immediate resignation.
Chairman Frye said that the Sheriff is an elected official and serves at the pleasure of the
citizens.
Consent Agenda
Chairman Frye announced the addition of an item to the consent agenda. Approval of the
purchase of a Tek 84 High -Security Detection Body Scanner at a cost of $139,000 is being
considered. The scanner will eliminate the need for body cavity searches and will help Detention
Officers in locating contraband on inmates. It will allow for social distancing during body searches
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which is necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The scanner will be paid for using funding
provided by Coronavirus relief funds.
Commissioner Haywood asked what the wait is on the Tek scanner. Major Phillip Cheek said
the lead time is approximately 4-6 weeks.
Commissioner Allen asked if there are ongoing costs associated with the scanner. Major Cheek
said the scanner is under warranty for two years and is being purchased at a discount price.
On motion of McDowell, seconded by Allen, the Board voted unanimously to approve the
Consent Agenda, as amended, as follows:
• approve Regular Meeting Minutes of June 1, 2020 and Special Meetings of June
8, 2020, June 11, 2020 (2), June 15, 2020, and Closed Session Minutes of June
11, 2020;
• elect Chairman Frye as Voting Delegate for NCACC Annual Conference in
August;
• appoint Kevin Franklin and Terence Franklin to the Regional Partnership Workforce
Development Board;
• reappoint James Gouty to the Randolph Community College Board of Trustees;
• reappoint Pat Newsom to the Randolph County Nursing Home Community
Advisory Committee;
• reappoint Megan Carver and Suzanne Dale to the Randolph County Juvenile
Crime Prevention Council;
• approve Bud-aet Amendment P -Card Encumbrances ($357.265), as follows:
2020-2021 Budget Ordinance
General Fund Budget Amendment #1
Revenues
Increase
Appropriated Fund Balance
$357,265
Appropriations
Increase
Administration
$16,100
Information Technology
$12,000
Tax
$14,000
Elections
$7,000
Register of Deeds
$4,000
Public Buildings
$148,000
Sheri
$28,700
Animal Services
$9,000
Emergency Services
$17,700
Building Inspections
$3,500
Adult DRC
$500
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Juvenile DRC
$3,000
Planning and Zoning
$1,300
Cooperative Extension
$8,715
Soil and Water
$1,500
Public Works
$2,000
Public Health
$37,100
Social Services
$15,500
Veteran Services
$150
Child Support Services
$1,000
Public Library
$26,500
• approval of Purchase Tek 84 High -Security Detection Body Scanner
($139,000).
Tax Assessor/Collector Matters
Debra Hill, Tax Assessor/Collector, presented the collection settlement reports (real and
personal property) for FY 2019-2020, as required by G.S.105-373 before being charged as a Tax
Collector for the current year.
She reviewed the County's collection rates and said it has been an unusual year. Due to the
pandemic, there were no enforced collections in April or May.
Chairman Frye confirmed that wage garnishments were stopped in light of the pandemic and
Ms. Hill agreed.
Ms. Hill discussed the delinquency tax amounts for the 2019-20 fiscal year. She explained
outstanding amounts that the Tax Department is working to collect, and those that collections
cannot be enforced upon. She compared Randolph County statistics to North Carolina state
statistics.
Commissioner McDowell commented on the remarkable rate of collections by the Tax
Department. Ms. Hill said that 95% of citizens pay their taxes timely. There were citizens who
brought in their stimulus check and paid not only their 2019 taxes, but their 2020 tax bill as well.
Chairman Frye read Ms. Hill the Charge to Collect 2020-2021 Taxes, as follows:
NCGS 105-321(b) CHARGE TO TAX COLLECTOR
To Debra P. Hill, Tax Collector of the County of Randolph:
You are hereby authorized, empowered and commanded to collect the taxes set forth
in the tax records filed in the office of the County Assessor and in the tax records
herewith delivered to you, in the amounts and from the taxpayers likewise therein set
forth. Such taxes are hereby declared to be a first lien upon all real property of the
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respective taxpayers in the County of Randolph, and this order shall be a full and
sufficient authority to direct, require, and enable you to levy on and sell any real or
personal property of such taxpayers, for and on account thereof, in accordance with
law.
Request for Adoption of 2020-2021 Classification and Pay Plan
Jill Williams, Human Resources Director, thanked the Board for approving a 1% Cost of Living
Adjustment for County employees. She asked the Board to approve the 2020-2021 Randolph
County Classification Plan to be effective July 1, 2020. The Board's approval is required pursuant
to the Randolph County Employee Policies and Procedures Manual and in order for the County to
be in compliance with the Office of State Human Resources requirements for filing the Pay Plan
under General Statute 126 provisions known as the State Human Resources Act. The pay ranges
are being increased 1% to reflect the 1% Cost of Living Adjustment that was approved at the June
25, 2020 Board of County Commissioners meeting with an effective date of July 1, 2020. The
proposed plan includes the following changes:
POSITION TITLES ADDED/REMOVED
• Added:
Animal Adoption Coordinator, Grade 109
• Added:
Animal Care Attendant, Grade 108
• Added:
Animal Services Coordinator, Grade 108
• Added:
Animal Services Manager, Grade 120
• Added:
Business Operations Manager, Grade 120
• Added:
Field Operations Manager, Grade 120
• Added: Paralegal I, Grade 115
• Removed:
Animal Adoption Coordinator I, Grade 108
• Removed:
Animal Adoption Coordinator II, Grade 109
• Removed:
Animal Shelter Attendant, Grade 108
• Removed:
Animal Shelter Coordinator I, Grade 108
• Removed:
Animal Shelter Coordinator II, Grade 109
• Removed: Election Clerk, Grade 100
• Removed: Lead Election Clerk, Grade 101
• Removed: Poll Worker, Grade 100
TITLE CHANGES AND GRADE REASSIGNMENTS
The following job title changes and grade reassignments are being recommended for the 2020-
2021 fiscal year. Three of these classifications are part of the Tourism Development Authority
(TDA) Classification Plan for 2020-2021 and have been approved by the Tourism Development
Authority Board. These TDA changes are being presented for informational purposes: Chief
Executive Officer, Director of Office Administration, and Tourism Marketing Coordinator.
Classifications with a title change, a grade reassignment or both (listed alphabetically)
Current Classification Grade Recommended Classification Grade
Animal Adoption Coordinator II 109 Animal Adoption Coordinator 109
Animal Control Supervisor 117 Field Operations Manager 120
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Animal Shelter Coordinator I 108
Animal Services Coordinator 108
Animal Shelter Attendant 108
Animal Care Attendant 108
Animal Shelter Coordinator II 109
Business Operations Manager 120
Chief Executive Officer 327
Executive Director 324
Director of Office Administration 316
Director of Office Administration 320
Tourism Marketing Coordinator i 308
Tourism Marketing Coordinator 310
On motion of Haywood, seconded by Allen, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the 2020-
2021 Classification and Pay Plan.
Business and Municipality COVID-19 Response Update
Chairman Frye commended Sam Varner, Wellness Administrator, for his work as a mediator
between businesses, the community, and the County during the pandemic. Mr. Varner thanked
Chairman Frye and said Randolph County is leading the pack with response efforts.
Mr. Varner said County Manager Hal Johnson asked him to join the response effort in the
Emergency Operations Center to serve as a liaison and coordinate resources and assistance for all
businesses and municipalities in Randolph County. Mr. Varner works with the Corporate -
Municipalities Wellness Coalition that was started three years ago to network with businesses.
The Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Cooperation have been assets in this
effort. Public Health and Emergency Services, along with related businesses, worked to create a
personal protective equipment (PPE) list for businesses and the community. There is a weekly
COVID-19 report that is distributed to businesses and municipalities. The report is designed to
provide PPE resources, strategies for combating COVID-19, important governmental contacts, et
cetera. Employee safety, return to work protocols, building entry strategies, and more are included
in the report as resources for employers. Information has been disseminated in both English and
Spanish. Mr. Varner and his team are working to make the executive orders from the governor
easy to understand and easy to locate for employers. A toolkit for businesses was created that is
chock full of resources and strategies for conducting normal business practices during the
pandemic.
Mr. Varner is working with Mr. Massie to utilize C.A.R.E.S. Act money that is available to
municipalities. In May, the "Need a Mask, Just Ask" campaign was launched in order to provide
masks to those who may not be able to afford them. Over 2,000 masks were donated from local
businesses for this community assistance effort. In June, Mr. Varner worked with Public Health
Educators to create a 45 -minute virtual education program for businesses regarding safety
practices during the pandemic. A distribution program was created in late June for masks.
The EOC has received over 3,000 phone calls. Mr. Varner has worked directly with over 150
businesses and municipalities. Randolph County is the only county in the Piedmont who has a
specifically designated contact to assist businesses and municipalities. Mr. Varner is extremely
proud of the team he is working with, including employees from the Health Department,
Emergency Services, and Administration. He thanked the Board for allowing him to be part of a
team that can serve the community with pride.
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Commissioner Allen asked Mr. Varner what his biggest challenge has been. Mr. Varner said
the biggest challenge has been following up with "teeth" when a complaint is received about a
business violating executive orders.
Commissioner Haywood asked if the calls come from citizens. Mr. Varner said 80% of the
calls he is fielding are regarding business complaints.
Chairman Frye said in other areas, executive orders are being followed to the nth degree. It's
a different environment than is in Randolph County. Mr. Varner said the only way we can slow
the spread is to band together and follow protocol.
Commissioner McDowell said Mr. Varner provided him with a list of businesses that supply
items like masks and hand sanitizers for citizens that may need them. Mr. Varner is an excellent
resource for employers and citizens alike. He commended Mr. Varner for his work.
Chairman Frye said that Randolph County did not put any additional protocols in place beyond
what the State established. We cannot make the orders any less severe. The Board met with city
mayors and managers who gave their emergency responsibility to the County. The most recent
C.A.R.E.S. money requires that 25% be distributed to municipalities.
Mr. Varner said that when the crisis is over, we will have a strong foundational relationship
with businesses and municipalities to create a culture of wellness in Randolph County.
County Manager's Update
County Manager Hal Johnson said that Mr. Varner's work is such a good example of the
services that County government employees provide. The County Government and its employees
are viewed as first responders during the COVID-19 crisis. He is very proud of County employees
for serving and protecting and showing dedication during the pandemic. Local government is
critical in protecting the public's health, safety, and well-being.
Mr. Johnson said that educational videos have been produced twice a week since March 24th
He commended Doug Moore from Information Technology and Jared Byrd from Emergency
Services for their work in producing these videos. The purpose of the videos is to provide
information to citizens. Public Health gave regular updates, as did Chairman Frye. As the process
continued, different County agencies made video appearances to discuss their response efforts.
The 27 videos have a combined total of over 25,000 views. Mr. Moore and Mr. Byrd created a
video montage combining moments from all 27 prior videos. Mr. Johnson commended Chairman
Frye for his comments in the videos. He thanked the Chairman for his words during the conclusion
of the video, as they exemplify the true spirit of Randolph County employees.
Mr. Johnson played the montage video for the Board and the audience. Ross Holt, Library
Director, will archive the videos as part of the permanent record of response to the pandemic by
the County.
Chairman Frye thanked everyone for their work during the pandemic.
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Commissioner Updates
The Commissioners did not have any updates.
Adjournment
At 7:17 p.m. on motion of Allen, seconded by Haywood, the Board voted unanimously to
adjourn.
Darrell Frye, Chairman David Allen
Kenny Kidd
Hope Haywood
Maxton McDowell
Sarah Pack, Deputy Clerk to the Board