060809June 8, 2009
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special budget session at 5:35 p.m. in the
Commissioners Meeting Room, County Office Building, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC.
Commissioners Holmes, Frye, Kemp, Haywood and Lanier were present.
Budget Presentations
Chairman Holmes announced that any department head satisfied with his/her budget and had no
comments could leave. Others were welcome to stay to discuss their budgets as proposed by the
County Manager and Assistant County Manager/Finance Officer.
Library
Suzanne Tate, Public Library Director, said she was not requesting additional funding, but wanted
to share some statistics of the Library. She stated that the library is more popular as a research
destination, has become important to jobseekers, is inexpensive entertainment, and summer reading
programs keep the children reading while out of school. The great thing about what the library has to
offer is that it is all free, stated Ms. Tate.
Maintenance
James Chriscoe, Maintenance Supervisor, stated that he had nothing to add but thanked the
Commissioners for their support. Commissioner Frye asked about the progress of the new Archdale
facility. Mr. Chriscoe said that it is progressing as scheduled and that new keys have been
distributed.
Public Health
MiMi Cooper, Public Health Director, said that she was satisfied with her proposed budget and
understood the budget constraint circumstances. Ms. Cooper stated that they continue to watch to see
what the State is going to do in regard to public health programs in the State budget.
Register of Deeds
Register of Deeds Krista Lowe stated that she also had nothing to add, but thanked the Board for
their continued support. Chairman Holmes commended and thanked Ms. Lowe for allowing her staff
to assist at DSS during slow times at the Register of Deeds office.
Cooperative Extension
Carolyn Langley, Cooperative Extension Director, thanked the Commissioners for their support,
stating that they were very appreciative of the help during the last few months of the State budget
crisis. Ms. Langley said that they would be affected by the State furloughs. Ms. Langley asked the
Commissioners for support with local legislators regarding the filling of the vacant Livestock Agent
position as quickly as possible, even though hiring has been frozen at the State level. She noted that
the County pays half of the position's salary.
Aging Services
Candie Rudzinski, Aging Services Director, said that her agency has been affected by $37,000 in
cuts to her agency from the United Way and the State, but thanked the Board for their continued
support.
Sheriffs Department
Col. Allen McNeill, Chief Deputy—Randolph County Sheriffs Department, stated that they do
appreciate the job the Commissioners do to try to keep the residents' taxes low and still enable the
department to serve the citizens of this county. Col. McNeill stated they have applied for some
grants for assistance.
Col. McNeill reviewed future needs that will need to be addressed by the Board:
• The jail overcrowding as crime rates are also on the increase;
• Federal government requiring the radio system to be converted to narrowband by 2013. The
current radios used for all of Emergency Services and Sheriff's Dept. will not work after the
conversion. Col. McNeill said they are researching the options, but the State's Viper System
may be the best and most cost effective option at $500,000. The State would be responsible
for maintaining the towers and systems. Grants may be an option, and Col. McNeill will
investigate more.
Col. McNeill reviewed their capital outlay request in the proposed budget and answered questions
from the Board.
Col. McNeill stated that gangs were becoming more organized. Commissioner Haywood stated
that we all owe the Sheriff's office and other law enforcement officers for the jobs they do.
Commissioner Lanier stated that citizens have commented to him how much they appreciate their
presence in the rural areas of the county.
Sheriff Maynard Reid also thanked the Board. He commented that their call volume keeps going
up, but they would hold to the budget the best they can. Sheriff Reid said that as it gets warmer jail
occupancy normally rises.
The Board also discussed the State's proposal to close the local SBI lab in Greensboro that has
been open only eight months. Sheriff Reid stated that twelve Sheriff's agencies used drug seizure
monies to help fund the lab and that this proposed closure would greatly increase turn -around times if
it is closed.
Day Reporting Center
Pam Smith, Day Reporting Center Director, thanked Board members for their support. She said
that, at this point, the State is proposing cuts of around 20% for the Juvenile Day Reporting Center.
Commissioners have heard that the State may not fund the Juvenile and Adult Day Reporting
programs. Commissioner Kemp stated that the DRC programs have saved the County on jail space
and the costs of housing inmates. The DRC and JDRC programs keep many first time offenders out
of jail and give them a chance to change their life's path.
Discussion
Board members informally discussed the proposed budget. They also discussed the need for an
ambulance base on the south side of Hwy 64. County Manager Richard Wells stated he will ask the
Emergency Services Director about the possibility of available grants to local fire departments
willing to assist in housing a base at their stations.
County Manager Wells said that he appreciated each department head's willingness to work with
the Finance Department to maintain their budget.
Will Massie, Assistant County Manager/Finance Officer, presented property tax projections.
Mr. Massie stated that no one knows what the State will do at this point, but predicts Counties will
never again receive ADM monies to help fund school construction and speculates that the lottery
proceeds meant for Counties will be withheld.
Commissioners discussed revisiting the local option quarter cent sales tax referendum.
Commissioners stated that citizens have commented that they didn't understand the proposal and
have asked for it to be brought back to a vote. Some have even offered to help pay for a campaign.
Adiournment
There being no further presentations, the Board adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
J. Harold Holmes, Chairman Darrell L. Frye
Phil Kemp
Stan Haywood
Arnold Lanier
Amanda Varner, Deputy Clerk to the Board