010504January 5, 2004
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 4:00 p.m. in the
Commissioners Meeting Room, County Office Building, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC.
Commissioners Kemp, Frye, Davis, Holmes, and Mason were present. Rev. Dwight Ayers, Chaplain
with the Randolph County Sheriff s Department, gave the invocation, and everyone recited the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Recognition of Retiree
Chairman Holmes presented an engraved clock to Capt. John Flowers, who is retiring from the
Sheriff s Department with 25 years of service.
Consent Agenda
On motion of Frye, seconded by Davis, the Board voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda,
as presented:
• approve minutes of the December 1, 2003 meeting;
• appoint Garlene Rich and Rosemary Fox to the Adult Care Home Committee;
• appoint Marian Tillman & Nan Kemp to the Nursing Home Committee;
• approve D. O. T. Resolution adding Woodstream Rd. to State Roads System, as follows:
WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation has investigated Woodstream Road in the
Woodstream Subdivision; and
WHEREAS, the subject street has been found to meet minimum requirements for addition.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Randolph County Board of Commissioners that
Woodstream Road in the Woodstream Subdivision be added to the Division of Highways' Secondary Road
System.
• reappoint Sonny Bullard and Tom Kemp to the Randolph County Fire Commission;
• reappoint Issac Ferguson and Randy Kirkman to the Liberty Planning Board;
• reappoint Phil Skeen to the Asheboro Planning Board.
Addition to Agenda
Chairman Holmes announced that Item N. Adoption of Resolution Requesting the Department of the
Navy to Reconsider Its Location of an Outlying Landing Field in Washington County, North Carolina
would be added to the New Business Section of the agenda.
Approve Hiring of Sheriffs Office Employee
Sheriff Litchard Hurley told the Board that according to N.C.G.S. 153A-103(1), the County Sheriff
must obtain approval of the Board of Commissioners before hiring anyone related to the Sheriff.
Jonathan Linthicum, husband of the Sheriffs stepdaughter, will be seeking employment with the
Sheriff s Office in the near future.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Davis, the Board voted unanimously to approve the hiring of
Jonathan Linthicum as a Sheriff's Office employee.
Approval of Expenditure of Local Law Enforcement Restricted Funds for Special Drug Unit
Sheriff Hurley asked the Commissioners to approve the expenditure of $255,293 in law enforcement
restricted monies to start a special drug enforcement unit at the Sheriffs Office. Three new officers
would be hired and placed under the supervision of a veteran officer already on staff The cost of the
program includes salaries (3 new officers), fringe benefits, equipment, vehicles, and operating expenses
for one year. He asked that the Commissioners agree to fund the cost of the special unit beginning with
the second year at a cost of approximately $140,000.00 (salaries, fringe, operating costs).
On motion of Davis, seconded by Mason, the Board voted unanimously to approve the expenditure
of $255,293 in law enforcement restricted funds to start a special drug enforcement unit at the Sheriff's
Office for one year and to review the effectiveness of the new unit during the budget process of the 2005-
2006 Fiscal Year Budget and to decide at that time whether to fund the cost to continue the unit.
Randolph County Economic Development Corporation Annual Report
Bonnie Renfro, President of the EDC, reviewed 2003's economic picture for Randolph County and
said that 2003 was a great year with more than $115 million in new industrial investment and added that
more than 500 new jobs were announced by 17 companies. She mentioned the purchase of the former
Luck's Foods plant by Seagrove Foods, and the Tower Components, Energizer Battery, U1traCraft
Company, Metals USA and Hafele expansions. Ms. Renfro introduced Melissa Foust, Randolph County
EDC's Existing Industry Coordinator, who reported on existing industry in the County.
Adopt New Register of Deeds Retention and Disposition Schedule
Ann Shaw, Register of Deeds, said that NCGS 121-5 mandates that public records may be disposed
of only in accordance with an official records retention schedule. The Records Retention and
Disposition Schedule is written by the NC Department of Cultural Resources in cooperation with the
agency or governing body, and by law must include the official approval of these bodies. A new
Retention Schedule dated August 15, 2003 has been adopted by the Department of Cultural Resources
and requires the recommendation of the Register of Deeds and approval of the Board of County
Commissioners. While all recorded documents and vital records are to be maintained permanently in the
Register of Deeds, financial records and requests/applications for vital records functions do have a shelf
life which ends with audits and when administrative value ends. The Randolph County Register of
Deeds has a history of destroying, and in some instances shredding, records that are subject to
disposition on a regular basis and documenting the destruction of these records.
On motion of Kemp, seconded by Frye, the Board voted unanimously to approve the records
retention and disposition schedules (ATTACHED) for the Register of Deeds, as presented.
Bid Award and Budget Amendment for 2004 Digital Orthophotography Proiect
Ben Chavis, Tax Supervisor, said that requests for proposals (RFPs) for the 2004 Digital
Orthophotography Project were received and opened on November 21, 2003. The RFPs requested that
the contractor price the project using both black and white and color orthophotos. The following are the
bids received:
Contractor
Color Photos Bid
Black&White
Photos Bid
Spatial Data Consultants
$111,290
$102,290
Kucera International
$116,840
$91,540
Sanborn Map
$140,250
$121,500
Spectrum
$140,674
$117,752
L. Robert Kimball
$143,880
$117,840
Carolina Resource Mapping
$149,259
$113,903
EarthData International
$167,936
$146,616
The proposals were evaluated in order to determine the lowest overall responsible bidder regarding total
cost, relevant experience and capability of the contractor. It was determined that Spatial Data
Consultants (SDC) is the lowest responsible bidder for the color orthophotography project at a cost of
$111,290. SDC comes highly recommended by their references. They have successfully completed more
than 1,500 Federal, State, County, & City mapping projects since their inception in 1996. Funds are
available from the fund balance of the 911 Emergency Telephone Fund.
On motion of Kemp, seconded by Davis, the Board voted unanimously to award the bid for digital
color orthophotography to Spatial Data Consultants at a total cost of $111,290. (See related Budget
Amendment #36 below.)
Discussion of 6 -Year Tax Revaluation Cycle
Ben Chavis asked the Board to consider a 6 -year tax revaluation for Randolph County and presented
a summary of reasons why the County needs a shorter cycle. The Board considered the request and
tabled this item until the February meeting.
Adoption of New Randolph County Personnel Ordinance
On motion of Frye, seconded by Mason, the Board unanimously adopted the proposed new
personnel ordinance (ATTACHED), as introduced December 1, 2003, to be effective January 1, 2004,
and rescinded the Personnel Ordinance adopted March 4, 1985 and the following stand-alone policies,
which are no longer needed:
• Policy Allowing Transferring Employees the Option of Going onto Randolph County's
Retirement System at the Time of Hiring (adopted 1-3-84)
• Affirmative Action Policy (adopted 3-4-85)
• ADA Grievance Policy (adopted 3-10-92)
• Policy on Health Insurance for Retired Employees (adopted 5-7-90)
• Sexual Harassment Policy (7-10-95)
Request From Interstate 73/74 Association For Funding; Appointment; Budget Amendment
Talmadge Baker told the Board that the North Carolina I-73/74 Association has played a significant
part in securing the two important interstate corridors (I-73/74) that have become so vital to our future
economic and development plans. Recently the Association, which is not a formal group but does rely
on outside funding for support, has become somewhat inactive. In order to insure that our vital economic
and transportation corridors remain top priority in the upcoming federal funding cycle, the Association
needs to be re -activated. Richmond County and the City of Rockingham have contributed a total of
$10,000 in addition to many hours of staff time toward the Association and other counties and
municipalities along the I-73/74 Corridor are being asked to contribute as well.
On motion of Davis, seconded by Kemp, the Board voted unanimously to appropriate $1, 000 to the
Interstate 73174 Association and appointed Talmadge Baker as Randolph County's representative in the
Association and further approved Budget Amendment #33, which appropriates these funds, as follows:
Set Special Meeting Date for Presentation on County Parks & Recreation Master Plan Study
Hal Johnson updated the Board on the status of the proposed County Parks & Recreation Master
Plan Study and asked the Board to set a special meeting date in order to hear a full report. The Board set
a special date for Monday, January 26, 6:30 p.m. for this purpose.
Approve Purchase of Patient Care Reporting Software for Ambulances
Neil Allen, Emergency Services Department Director, said that his staff has reviewed software from
three different vendors that have patient care reporting capabilities. It was concluded that EMS
Consultants, LTD is the only software vendor with the capabilities to interface with our existing EMS
billing software. Their Automated Run Tracking System (ART) will allow us to electronically submit
the required patient data to the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services and to send
patient demographics to the Randolph County Tax Department for insurance billing purposes. The total
cost for this software is $23,000 and it will be used to provide remote access on the ruggidized mobile
computer on each ambulance.
On motion of Mason, seconded by Frye, the Board voted unanimously to award the purchase of the
ART software to EMS Consultants, LTD., at a cost of $23, 000.
Approve Purchase of Paging Interface Module for Emergency Services
Neil Allen said that Randolph County is now in a position to add yet another feature to our Linked
Information for Emergencies (LIFE) system. An additional software module can be added that will
enhance paging functionality to the existing Computer Aided Dispatch software. This module will
allow the 911 Center to send both automatic and manual text messaging to emergency responders such
as fire departments, ambulances, law enforcement officers and others by way of commercial
alphanumeric pagers, thus eliminating the need for responding units to write down locations. It will also
reduce the need to radio the 911 Center to ask for clarifications or specific times associated with the call.
Furthermore, it will lessen the amount of radio traffic required on our already congested system.
Funding for this project is currently available in the 911 Emergency System fund and complies with
NCGS 62A-8. Spillman Technologies is the only vendor that can offer the needed integration between
their dispatching software and the paging software and have offered the software at a cost of $30,100.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Kemp, the Board voted unanimously to approve the purchase of the
Paging Interface Module from Spillman Technologies, Inc. in the amount of $30,100.
Set New Date for March Regular Meeting
Due to several Board members planning to attend the Legislative Goals Conference in Washington,
DC the first week in March, it is necessary to change the March meeting date. The Board set March 8,
2004 as the new date for the March meeting.
Resolution Requesting the Department of the Navy to Reconsider Its Location of an Outlying
Landing Field in Washington County, North Carolina
On motion of Frye, seconded by Davis, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following
resolution:
WHEREAS, the United States Department of the Navy has decided to construct a practice airfield in
Washington County, North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, this Outlying Landing Field (OLF) will accommodate training for the new FIA 18 EIF Super
Hornet fighters; and
WHEREAS, these Super Hornets are the latest and noisiest jets ever built; and
WHEREAS,pilots will fly from NAS Oceana, Virginia and MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina to
simulate landing on aircraft carriers through repetitive (31,600 annually) touch-and-go practices; and
WHEREAS, according to Robert J. Natter, Commander in Chief of the U. S. Atlantic Fleet, in a
document dated October 30, 2000, that it is precisely because of community (Hampton Roads) concerns over jet
noise that the Department of the Navy is carefully exploring the establishment of an additional OLF to
accommodate Super Hornet training; and
WHEREAS, according to a recent Associated Press article, the jets would create 989 new jobs and have
a $38.8 million economic impact in the Havelock area, not to mention the impact on the Virginia area; and
WHEREAS, there will be no economic benefit to the citizens of Washington County because no military
personnel will be based at the OLF construction will be contracted to large out -of -county companies; and a
large number of jobs related to agriculture will be permanently lost; and
WHEREAS, more than 70 families will be forced to sell their homes and farms at market value or have
them taken through eminent domain; and
WHEREAS, with the Navy's acquisition of the more than 32, 000 acres of prime farmland, Washington
County citizens will either live with reduced county services or shoulder a major tax increase to cover the lost
revenue in an already economically depressed area; and
WHEREAS, the above-mentioned losses cannot compare with the potential loss of life and aircraft due to
the site location's close proximity to the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to a high
concentration of large migratory birds for six months of each year according to Jeffrey J Short, Colonel (ret.)
USAFR and the 'father " of the USAF Bird Avoidance Model.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Randolph County Board of Commissioners requests
the Department of the Navy to reconsider its decision to locate an Outlying Landing Field in Washington County
and to seek a more suitable location where the potential loss of lives and aircraft by migratory birds is not an
issue.
Budget Amendment -2003 Refunding Certificates of Participation
Will Massie, Deputy Finance Officer, said that on December 17, 2003, the County finalized the sale
of $22,325,000 in certificates of participation to refinance certain existing debt, which will save the
County $727,000 in interest costs. This existing debt was installment purchase obligations issued in a)
1995 for county school construction and the acquisition of the Walker Avenue mental health office
building, and b) 2003 for the acquisition of the motel property for Asheboro High School. The new debt
proceeds will be invested in U.S. Treasury securities and held by Wachovia Bank as trustee until June 1,
2005, when all outstanding 1995 certificates will be retired. Debt on the high school was retired on
December 17. A budget amendment is necessary to record the issuance of the 2003 refunding debt,
retirement of the old debt, and the issuance costs associated with the refunding. The refunding process
also resulted in an additional $30,399 in proceeds, which must be used in the Asheboro High School
Capital Project.
On motion of Kemp, seconded by Mason, the Board voted unanimously to approve Budget
Amendment #34, as follows:
GENERAL FIND -434
Revenues
Increase
Other Financing Sources Proceeds from 2003 COPS
$23,430,077
Appropria dons
Increase
Other Financing Uses Payment to Escrow Agent
$20,399,336
Debt Service
$3,000,342
Transfer to Asheboro High School Expansion Project
$30,399
Budget Amendment—Asheboro High School Capital Proiect Fund
Will Massie said that the Asheboro High School Expansion Capital Project is nearing completion
and a budget amendment is necessary to authorize final disbursements. There are extra revenues
available, consisting of interest income, sales tax refunds, and a transfer of additional debt proceeds
from the General Fund. The additional monies will be used for further improvements to the Asheboro
High School campus.
On motion of Kemp, seconded by Davis, the Board voted unanimously to approve Budget
Amendment #1 to the Randolph County Capital Project Ordinance Asheboro High School Expansion
Project, as follows:
RANDOLPH COUNTY CAPITAL PROJECT
EXPANSIONPROJECT-41
ORDINANCE—AS EBORO
HIGH SCHOOL'
Revenues
Increase
Decrease
Unrestricted Intergovernmental
$17,900
$566,759
Investment Earnings
$4,200
Other Financing Sources Transfer from
General Fund
$30,399
Appropriations
Increase
Decrease
Architect Fees
$4,768
Miscellaneous
$3,219
Land
$848
Bank Fees
$66
Construction
$53,134
Budget Amendment—Social Services
Jane Leonard, Deputy Finance Officer, said that the Department of Social Services has recently
received 3 funding authorizations from the Division of Social Services. Two are for child day care
programs: Smart Start ($150,000) and Child Care Development ($356,159), which provide services to
children of qualified families for support of employment, education/training, protective services and
other special needs. The third authorization is for the Crisis Intervention program ($60,600).
On motion of Davis, seconded by Frye, the Board voted unanimously to approve Budget Amendment
# 35, as follows:
GENERALFUND-4 35
Revenues
Increase
Restricted Intergovernmental
$566,759
Appropriations
Increase
Social Services
$566,759
Budget Amendment—Digital Orthophotography
On motion of Frye, seconded by Davis, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following
Budget Amendment #36, which appropriates the necessary funds for the Digital Orthophotography
project approved earlier in the meeting.
911 Emergency Telephone Fund Ordinance
Revenues
Increase
Appropriated Fund Balance
$111,290
Appropriations
Increase
Wireline
$111,290
Budget Amendment—Emergency Services
Neil Allen said that the N.C. Office of Emergency Medical Services has awarded a grant to
Randolph County in the amount of $32,759 for the purpose of helping to meet critical benchmarks
defined by the Federal Health Resources and Services Administration. The funds will be used to
purchase surveillance software for patient care reporting and for personal protective equipment for the
EMS personnel. There is no local match required.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Mason, the Board voted unanimously to approve Budget
Amendment #37, as follows:
GENERALFUND-4 37
Revenues
Increase
Restricted Intergovernmental
$32,759
Appropriations
Increase
Emergency Services
$32,759
Rezoning Public Hearing
At 6:30 p.m. the Board adjourned to a duly advertised public hearing to consider rezoning requests.
Hal Johnson, Planning and Zoning Administrator, presented the following requests, and Chairman
Holmes opened the public hearing for comments on each request and closed it before taking action on
each request.
1. KENYON L. DAVIDSON, JR., Asheboro, North Carolina, is requesting that 22.30 acres located on
NC Hwy 42S (across from Brownstone Hills Drive), Asheboro Township, be rezoned to allow a
conventional residential exclusive subdivision overlay. Tax ID# 7770238303. The Conditional Use
Zoning District would specifically allow the development of a 15 -lot residential subdivision for site -
built homes only with a minimum house size of 1,300 sq. ft. The Planning Board considered this request
at a public meeting on December 2, 2003, and recommended unanimously that this request be approved.
Kenyon Davidson, Jr., 1687 Old Buffalo Ford Rd., Asheboro, spoke in support of his request.
On motion of Mason, seconded by Frye, the Board voted unanimously to approve the request of
Kenyon Davidson, Jr.
2. CLINTON & LINDA ALLEN, Asheboro, North Carolina, are requesting that 11.28 acres (out of
70.39 acres) located on the corner of Ross Harris Road/Fairview Farm Road, Grant Township, be
rezoned to allow a conventional residential exclusive subdivision overlay. Tax ID# 7677467494. The
Conditional Use Zoning District would specifically allow the development of a 7 -lot subdivision for
site -built or modular homes with a minimum house size of 1,300 sq. ft. The Planning Board considered
this request at a public meeting on December 2, 2003, and recommended by a 5-1 vote that this request
be approved.
Jerry King, surveyor, spoke in support of this request. He said that the current property owners
would continue to live across the road from the site. He said the land lies well on this site. There will be
site -built and off -frame modular homes with individual wells and septic tanks. He said the property
owners are not sure what they will do with the balance of the land. They have removed all 70 acres from
tax deferred farm status.
Nick Richardson, 2217 Ross Harris Rd., said that he was an adjoining property owner. He bought
his property 3-4 months ago and was told that these 70 acres were going to be divided into 3 lots, not 7.
He has well and septic concerns. He would like the area to remain as rural as possible.
Clifford Williams, Ross Harris Rd., said that this road was already unsafe because it is a gravel
road. It has become a shortcut from Hwy 13 to Cox Rd and traffic has increased. He has safety concerns
for children playing because cars have a difficult time stopping suddenly because of the gravel surface.
He has well and septic concerns. He and his family like the quiet rural life and would like the area to
remain as rural as possible.
Dustin Kiser, 4595 Fairview Farm Rd., said that he owns 4'/2 acres near the proposed site. He is
concerned that his property value will decrease because of the old age of his house. He also has safety
concerns because of the gravel road. There is already a lot of dust in the summer. He has well and septic
concerns also.
Richard Mahe said that he owns 5 acres with a pond below the proposed site. He plans to build a
house on his property. His family visits his property often for recreation purposes. The road is being
used more often now by Randolph Telephone personnel and zoo visitors. He said it doesn't seem right
that this land got subdivided so quickly and he won't build his house there if these houses are built.
Sherry Williams, corner of Ross Harris and Fairview Farm Roads, said that she had all the same
concerns as her neighbors who had already spoken. She said that seven homes built so close to one
another would not be good. She said that she did not want this neighborhood to become another "Danny
Bell Road situation." She said she would not have a problem with 2 or 3 homes, but 7 are just too many
for the site. She said that DOT couldn't pave the road because the Allens would not give them an
easement across their property.
After much discussion, on motion of Frye, seconded by Mason, the Board voted unanimously to table
the decision to rezone the Clinton and Linda Allen property indefinitely so that the neighbors and the
Allen could negotiate a right-of-way deal with DOT to have the road paved.
3. CHARLES POWELL, Sophia, North Carolina, is requesting that 6.43 acres (out of 21.36 acres)
located on Beeson Farm Road (just off Hwy 311), New Market Township, be rezoned to allow a
conventional residential exclusive subdivision overlay. Parcel ID# 7745360918. The Conditional Use
Permit would specifically allow a 10 -lot residential subdivision for modular or site -built homes only
with a minimum house size of 1,500 sq. ft. The Planning Board considered this request at a public
meeting on December 2, 2003 and recommended unanimously that this request be denied. The Planning
Board expressed concern for the large number of driveway connections being added to the existing road.
The Planning Board also felt the applicant should provide the Board with information on how the
remainder of the property would be developed or used.
Jerry King, surveyor, said that the developer plans to use 2 of the remaining 15 acres near the
railroad tracks for commercial use and the balance for growing hay. Each of the proposed lots will have
its own well and septic tank.
Larry East, 311 N., Sophia, spoke in support of the request. He said that 1 or 2 of the lots are
wetlands and can't be developed because they won't perk. He said he had a petition of 20 names of
neighbors who support the subdivision.
On motion of Davis, seconded by Frye, the Board voted unanimously to table the decision to rezone
the request of Charles Powell in order to allow the developer to reconfigure the site plan to reduce the
number of driveway connections on Beeson Farm Rd. and to use more of the total 21 acres in the plan.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the Board adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
J Harold Holmes, Chairman Darrell L. Frye
Phil Kemp
Robert B. Davis
Robert O. Mason Cheryl A. Ivey, Deputy Clerk to the Board