040395County Commissioners Minutes - April 3, 1995
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 4:00 p.m. on April 3,
1995, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC. Commissioners Kemp, Frye, Comer, Davis, and
Holmes were present. Invocation was given by Rev. Steve Martin, West Bend United Methodist
Church.
Retirement Plaque for Bill Elliott
Chairman Kemp presented a retirement plaque for Bill Elliott, who is retiring from the
Sheriffs Department with 7 years of service.
Consent Agenda
On motion of Frye, seconded by Comer, the Board unanimously approved the consent
agenda, as follows:
° approve minutes of 3/13/95;
° reappoint Jim Routh to County Planning Board;
° adopt proclamation (ATTACHED) for Volunteer Appreciation Week;
° adopt proclamation (ATTACHED) for Gun Safety Month;
° reappoint Kathryn Phillips, Maxton McDowell, and Jimmy Loflin to the Industrial Bond
Authority;
° adopt resolution (ATTACHED) for economic development for the City of Randleman.
County Schools and Mental Health Financing
Worth Hatley, Superintendent of Randolph County Schools, presented a request for the
County Commissioners to finance several school construction and renovation projects totaling
$26,000,000. He explained that their needs have grown tremendously since 1994, when County
Commissioners agreed to finance $14,000,000 of County Schools projects and pay debt service from
state and local funds. He said student population is increasing rapidly, building costs have escalated,
and smaller class sizes have been mandated. All these factors have greatly impacted the budget for
the current construction projects. Mr. Hatley stated that there are also eight optional projects they
need funding for now because there will not be available funds for them for several years. Collect-
ively, all project needs total $26,000,000.
Lynda Petty, Randolph County Board of Education Chairman, stated that their board is in
total agreement about their construction needs. She asked for the Commissioners' support in
financing the proposed projects.
Woody Younts, Randolph County Board of Education Vice Chairman, said their board is in
agreement about the proposed method of financing.
Dr. Ann Suggs, Mental Health Board Chairman, discussed the need to consolidate their
services, which are now housed in seventeen different locations. She asked the Commissioners'
support in financing the Black & Veatch property that Mental Health wants to purchase for
$1,157,000.
Joanne Peterson, Mental Health Crisis Services Director, said that this proposed purchase
would allow them to consolidate six of their current programs. She provided information on the
building, projected renovations, and revenue sources for debt service.
Steve Schemmel, Vice President with Alex. Brown & Sons, explained long-term certificates
of participation (COPS), the proposed method of financing the County Schools and Mental Health
projects. He said that COPS is a common tool for funding various capital projects, such as schools
and jails, and is authorized under NCGS 160A-20 and NCGS 153A-157. With COPS, the projects
being financed serve as collateral for the financing. He identified sources of funds for repayment
(schools: state ADM funds, annual County contribution for construction capital and current capital;
Mental Health: rental savings, annual County contribution). Mr. Schemmel also stated that,
although Alex. Brown & Sons will structure the long-term COPS issue, Southern National will
develop and implement interim financing for the projects. He noted that the North Carolina Local
Government Commission must approve the COPS financing provisions before this project can go
forward.
Louis Loyd of Southern National spoke to clarify his role in the financing.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Davis, the Board unanimously adopted a resolution
(ATTACHED) confirming the finance team and declaring official intent to proceed and set a public
hearing on the interim financing for 5 p.m. on May 1, 1995.
Budget Amendment - Elections (Voter Registration Grant)
Maria Bliss, Elections Supervisor, explained that the Randolph County Board of Elections has
received a Voter Registration Grant of $10,500 from the State. She recommended that 25% of the
funds be allocated to Social Services, Public Health, and Mental Health, since these agencies are
required to participate fully in voter registration activity. She would like to use the remaining 75%
for a computer and printer.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Comer, the Board unanimously approved Budget
Amendment #42 (ATTACHED), which increases the Elections budget by $7,875 and increases
Social Services, Public Health, and Mental Health by $875 each.
Regional Consolidated Services Annual Report
Mike Lee, Private Industry Council member, highlighted the RCS annual report and noted that
RCS has consistently exceeded performance measures in 5 of the 6 areas graded by the State.
Chamber of Commerce Promotional Brochures
George Gusler, Executive Vice President of the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce,
presented samples of their recently printed brochures promoting tourism in Randolph County. He
thanked the Board for funding this project and said 12,000 copies are in circulation.
East Side Improvement Association Request for Funding for Gym Roof
Addie Luther of East Side Improvement Association requested $18,695 (based on a quote
from McRae Roofing) from the County for a new gym roof on the old Central School. She said
their Phase V target population is 8-16 year old youths, who have no space in the community for
activities. If the gym can be made available for this group, it will help to keep them off the streets.
Ms. Luther said the gym is also regularly used by the Asheboro community-at-large, mostly for
basketball. She stated that the City of Asheboro allocates about $18,000 per year for ongoing
programs at the old Central School site.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Holmes, the Board unanimously approved Budget
Amendment #44 (ATTACHED), which allocates $18,695 from contingency to East Side
Improvement Association.
Audit Contract Award for FY Ending 6/30/95
On motion of Comer, seconded by Holmes, the Board unanimously awarded a contract to
Strand, Skees, Jones & Company to perform the independent audit of the County for fiscal year
ending 6/30/95, for an amount not to exceed $27,000.
Legislative Briefing in Raleigh
All Commissioners, the County Attorney, and the County Manager indicated they would
attend this event on May 3.
Budget Amendment - Social Services
On motion of Comer, seconded by Davis, the Board unanimously approved Budget
Amendment #41 (ATTACHED), which increases the Social Services budget by $2,034 from State
grant funds for Carolina Power & Light Project Share
Repeal of Capital Reserve Ordinance & Budget Amendment - County Schools
On motion of Frye, seconded by Comer, the Board unanimously voted to repeal the Capital
Reserve Ordinance adopted October 3, 1994, that accumulated funds to be used for paying debt
service on a financing plan for Randolph County Schools construction projects, and that the funds be
transferred from the Capital Reserve Fund to the General Fund, and approved Budget Amendment
#43 (ATTACHED), which effectuates the transfer of these funds, totaling $421,449.
Closed Session - Judicial Action Titled Leak Patterson vs. Randolph County and Acquisition
of Real Property
On motion of Frye, seconded by Davis, the Board unanimously voted at 7:10 p.m. to go into
closed session to consider and give instructions concerning a judicial action titled Leak Patterson
vs. Randolph County, pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3); and to establish or instruct the staff or
agent concerning the negotiation of the price and terms of a contract concerning the acquisition of
real property, pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(5). At 8:15 p.m. they returned to regular session.
Settlement - Leak Patterson vs. Randolph County
On motion of Frye, seconded by Comer, the Board unanimously authorized the County
Attorney to act as attorney and agent for the County to approve a settlement recommendation by the
County's liability insurance carrier in the matter of Leak B. Patterson vs. Randolph County with the
limitation that no additional County funds be expended in this lawsuit.
Approval of Closed Session Minutes
On motion of Holmes, seconded by Davis, the Board unanimously approved three sets of
minutes for closed sessions from the March 13, 1995 meeting (items M, N, and P under New
Business).
Unseal Closed Session Minutes
On motion of Frye, seconded by Comer, the Board unanimously authorized the unsealing of
one set of closed session minutes from the March 13, 1995 meeting (item M under New Business).
Adiournment
On motion of Frye, seconded by Davis, the Board adjourned at 8:30 p.m.