062397June 23, 1997
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special budget session at 6:00 p.m. in the
Commissioners Meeting Room, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC. Commissioners Kemp, Frye,
Holmes, Davis and Mason were present.
Fire and School District Tax Rates
Neil Allen, Emergency Services Director, informed the Board that Farmer is the only fire department
requesting a tax rate increase. Last year Farmer requested a 2¢ increase, which was denied; this year they
are requesting a 10 increase.
Chairman Kemp asked if anyone from Farmer Fire Department were present to discuss their requested
increase. No one spoke.
Sonny Smithwick, Coleridge, spoke in opposition to the Coleridge Fire Department's purchase of the
old Brower School, which is to be used as a ballfield and a community center. He said this is not a proper
use of tax funds because it has nothing to do with fire protection. He also said that the Coleridge Fire
Department Board of Directors' treasurer writes himself a check every year to audit his own books and
asked that the County's contract with Coleridge require an independent audit. Mr. Smithwick spoke in
favor of reducing Coleridge's tax rate from 8¢ to 7¢.
J.C. Loflin, incoming Chief of Coleridge Fire Department, stated that Brower School had been
purchased with funds earned through fundraisers, not from tax funds, and that its well would serve as the
department's water supply. He said that their board has signed a contract with a CPA for their annual audit.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Mason, the Board unanimously approved fire district tax rates
unchanged from the 1996-97 rate (Bennett 8¢, Climax 10¢, Coleridge 8¢, Eastside 6¢, Fairgrove 4¢,
Farmer 7¢, Franklinville 8¢, Guil-Rand 10¢, Julian 10¢, Level Cross 9¢, Northeast (Liberty) 7¢,
Randleman (Rural) 9¢, Seagrove 10¢, Sophia 10¢, Southwest (New Hope) 10¢, Staley 10¢, Tabernacle 9¢,
Ulah 6.5¢, Westside 8.5¢) and school district tax rates unchanged from the 1996-97 rate (Archdale/Trinity
8.5¢, Asheboro 14.5¢).
Fire Department Contracts
Neil Allen reminded the Board that at their request he had prepared new contracts for all volunteer fire
departments, adding a section requesting that fire departments have an annual audit performed by a CPA.
He said all departments except Sophia had signed the new contract. Sophia sent him a letter stating that
they feel their current contract is sufficient and that they have no intention of signing the new contract. Mr.
Allen noted that there are no contracts for Tiger Country and Northeast Fire Districts because the towns of
Randleman and Liberty provide fire service for these two rural areas, respectively, and audits of these
municipalities include these fire district tax funds.
On motion of Davis, seconded by Holmes, the Board unanimously voted to include the letter from
Sophia Fire Department (ATTACHED) in the minutes of this meeting.
Bill Trogdon, Treasurer of Eastside Fire Department, stated that their bylaws require them to have an
annual audit, which is being done at no cost; if they use a CPA, it will cost $2000-$4000. He said they feel
they can use that amount more wisely on something else.
Troy Powell, Chief of New Hope Fire Department, stated that their board of directors issues a financial
statement every year and asked if that would be acceptable in lieu of an audit by a CPA. He asked if the
Commissioners could recommend a CPA.
Chairman Kemp explained that it would not be fair to recommend any individuals and that this request
is being made because so many citizens had asked Commissioners for an accounting of fire district tax
funds.
Darrell Voncannon, President of the Seagrove Fire Department Board of Directors, said they have
talked to different auditors whose charges would be 1 -3% of their total budget.
Harris Brown, Chief of Sophia Fire Department, said Sophia has nothing to hide; they just don't have
the money to pay for an audit and don't agree with using taxpayers' money for audits.
On motion of Holmes, seconded by Frye, the Board unanimously approved contracts with all
volunteer fire departments except Sophia, who did not sign a new contract.
Landfill Tipping Fee
On motion of Frye, seconded by Mason, the Board unanimously approved the landfill tipping fees at
$24 per ton July 1, 1997 - December 31, 1997. The new fee beginning January 1, 1998 will be determined
at a later date.
Building Inspection Fees
Bill McDaniel, Chief Building Inspector, addressed issues brought up by contractors at the last meeting
and explained the need for the proposed fee increases.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Davis, the Board unanimously approved building inspection fees as
proposed (ATTACHED).
Environmental Health Fees
MMi Cooper, Public Health Director, explained that Randolph County is the only county in North
Carolina not charging for environmental health services. She said the proposed new fees will help them
respond to requests for service in a more timely manner because revenues from these fees will enable the
County to hire three additional environmental health specialists.
On motion of Davis, seconded by Holmes, the Board unanimously approved environmental health fees
as proposed (ATTACHED).
Budget Amendment - Public Buildings Maintenance
Frank Willis, County Manager, stated that the Safety Committee and Safety Officer have identified
areas of safety improvements that need to be made in various County buildings, at a cost of $35,000. Also,
the air conditioning system at the 911 Center is very old and needs to be replaced, at a cost of $9,400.
Funds are available from other departments (Legal, Medical Examiner, Debt Service) to fund these projects.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Davis, the Board unanimously approved Budget Amendment #37 to
the FY 1996-97 Annual Budget, as follows:
REVENUES
INCREASE
DECREASE
Public Buildings - Maintenance
$44,400
$435
Legal
Level Cross Fire District
$10,500
Medical Examiner
Taxes: Current Year -
$7,000
Debt Service
Climax Fire District
$26,900
Budget Amendment - Fire Districts
On motion ofHolmes, seconded by Mason, the Board unanimously approved BudgetAmendment#38
to the FY 1996-97 Annual Budget, as follows:
GENERAL FUND
REVENUES
INCREASE
DECREASE
Taxes: Current Year -
$435
Level Cross Fire District
Taxes: Current Year -
$45
Climax Fire District
Taxes: Current Year -
$355
Eastside Fire District
APPROPRIATIONS
INCREASE
DECREASE
Tax Collections Remitted -
$435
Level Cross Fire District
Tax Collections Remitted -
$45
Climax Fire District
Tax Collections Remitted -
$355
Eastside Fire District
Budget Discussion
Commissioner Frye stated that he is concerned about the growth in the schools and said he had asked
County Schools Superintendent Worth Hatley to report on capital and current needs as they relate to what
the County has done.
Mr. Hatley said that since 1989, County Schools have received about $80,000,000 for capital needs
from County bond funds, COPS financing, and State bond funds. Also since 1989 the County has
appropriated $3,250,000 each year ($1,000,000 for current capital and $1,250,000 for construction capital).
Mr. Hatley said current expense needs have grown because of increased energy costs from new schools
built and air conditioning existing schools.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Holmes, the Board unanimously approved releasing the County
Schools' allotment of State ADMfunds in excess of what their debtpayment is for the COPSprojects each
year.
Chairman Kemp stated that he had asked Personnel Director Hal Scott, Jr. to calculate how much
additional money it would take to give employees not being reclassified under Salary Plan A their 2'/2%
increase on July 1 rather than on individual anniversary dates.
Mr. Scott reported that, having received this request just an hour prior to the meeting, he was able to
do only a quick analysis and that he estimates an additional $94,000 will be needed. He noted that since
Salary Plan B cost $12,000 more than Salary Plan A, we would need only an additional $82,000 to fund
Salary Plan A.
Commissioner Frye requested that the reclassification chart be changed to show that the Clerk to the
Board is Assistant County Manager. The County Manager stated that the correct title is Assistant to the
County Manager/Clerk to the Board. Commissioner Frye discussed the Sheriff's proposed salary increase
and the County Commissioners proposed salary increases.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Davis, the Board unanimously voted to leave the Chairman's
increase as proposed; cut the Vice Chairman's increase by $1200; cut the other three Commissioners'
increase by $600 each, for a total savings of $3000; use $1514 of these funds to give an additional step
increase to the Sheriff beyond his proposed salary increase; and hold the remaining $1486 in contingency,
based on further motions.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Holmes, the Board unanimously approved Salary Plan A and agreed
to appropriate $200, 000 of fund balance, to be distributed as follows: $80, 514 for a one-step salary
increase (2112%) effective July I for employees not being reclassified under Salary Plan A and who are at
standard job rate or above ($82, 000 needed, less the $1486 remaining from savings from decreasing
Commissioners' salaries); $94, 717 to the Randolph County Schools for current expense; and $24, 769 to
the Asheboro City Schools for current expense.
Adoption of FY 1997-98 Annual Budget
On motion of Frye, seconded by Holmes, the Board unanimously adopted the 1997-98 Fiscal Year
Budget Ordinance (ATTACHED) with tax rate remaining at 46.5¢, totaling $54, 444,180 for the General
Fund, $442, 340 for the 911 Emergency Telephone System Fund, $3,446, 000 for the Public Works Fund,
and $10, 916,152 for the Mental Health Fund, all of which incorporate the changes voted on and outlined
earlier in this meeting.
Phil Kemp, Chairman
J. Harold Holmes
Robert O. Mason
Darrell L. Frye
Robert B. Davis
Alice D. Dawson, Clerk to the Board