s032010Planning RetreatMarch 20, 2010—Planning Retreat
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special session at 8:30 a.m. at the Randolph
Community College Foundation Conference Center for a Planning Retreat. Commissioners Holmes, Frye,
Kemp, Lanier and Haywood were present, as well as County Manager Richard Wells; Finance Officer
Will Massie; County Attorney Darren Allen; Public Works Director David Townsend, III; Stacy Griffin,
County Personnel Director; Cheryl Ivey, Clerk to the Board and Amanda Varner, Deputy Clerk to the
Board. Other County Department Heads were in attendance to make presentations where so noted later in
these minutes.
Chairman Holmes called the meeting to order.
Patsy Foscue, Randolph County Elections Office Supervisor, presented the official results of the
advisory referendum on the'/4-cent sales tax that was held on March 2, 2010, as follows:
Official Canvass Results—Special Election—County
Sales and Use Tax
Precinct
FOR
AGAINST
OVER VOTES UNDER VOTES
01 ARCHDALE 1
25
12
0
0
02 ARCHDALE 2
43
35
0
0
03 ARCHDALE 3
60
51
0
0
04 ASHEBORO ARMORY
211
93
0
0
05 ASHEBORO EASTSIDE
66
38
0
0
06 ASHEBORO LINDLEY PAR
156
74
0
0
07 ASHEBORO LOFLIN
100
58
0
0
08 ASHEBORO MCCRARY
52
32
0
0
09 ASHEBORO NORTH 1
33
38
0
0
10 ASHEBORO NORTH 2
34
49
0
0
11 ASHEBORO SOUTHPOINTE
97
58
0
0
12 ASHEBORO WESTSIDE
171
69
0
0
13 BACK CREEK
66
52
0
0
14 BROWER
37
26
0
1
15 CEDAR GROVE EAST
87
94
0
0
16 CEDAR GROVE WEST
103
88
0
0
17 COLERIDGE
55
63
0
0
18 CONCORD
43
78
0
0
19 FALLS
44
77
0
0
20 FRANKLINVILLE
40
48
0
0
21 GRANT
77
98
0
0
22 LEVEL CROSS
23
33
0
0
23 LIBERTY
48
36
0
0
24 NEW HOPE
29
25
0
0
25 NEW MARKET NORTH
18
19
0
0
26 NEW MARKET SOUTH
43
39
0
0
27 PLEASANT GROVE
12
20
0
0
28 PROSPECT
23
15
0
0
29 PROVIDENCE 1
32
43
0
0
30 PROVIDENCE 2
40
44
0
0
31 RAMSEUR
70
69
0
0
32 RANDLEMAN EAST
82
76
0
1
33 RANDLEMAN WEST
32
36
0
2
34 RICHLAND
59
80
0
0
35 STALEY
43
26
0
1
36 TABERNACLE
36
43
0
0
37 TRINITY EAST
40
37
0
0
38 TRINITY TABERNACLE
26
21
0
0
39 TRINITY WEST
36
30
0
0
40 UNION
39
32
0
0
ONE STOP
0
0
0
0
ABSENTEE
3
10
0
0
PROVISIONAL
0
0
0
0
TRANSFER
0
0
0
0
TOTALS
2334
1965
0
5
Chairman Holmes called on Jeffrey Morotto, who had asked to speak about the referendum.
Jeffrey Morotto said that he was livid when he heard about the election, which was the morning of
the election. He said that he and his wife both work outside Randolph County, as does 50% of Randolph
County citizens, according to Mr. Morotto. He said that RCC's advertising efforts were very ineffective,
specifically noting the billboard design, which, according to Mr. Morotto, is a perfect example of an
advertising technique used when the goal is for the message on the billboard not to be read. In talking to
friends and acquaintances, the Morottos learned that a very small percentage knew about the election. Mr.
Morotto suggested that the County purposely chose the timing of the election in order to "sneak it by the
citizens," since less than 5% of the registered voters of Randolph County voted in the special election. He
said that the County should have mailed out notices to all registered voters. Also, he said that since the
referendum passed by such a small margin, the Commissioners should hold another referendum before
levying the tax. He said that if another referendum is held in May and the referendum passes at that time,
he would have no problem with the Commissioners levying the tax, although he's not sure if he would
vote for the tax. He said that he's not sure if he agrees with RCC's purpose for the renovation of the
Klaussner building, stating that he feels a better use would be for biotechnology. Should the
Commissioners levy the tax without another referendum, Mr. Morotto threatened to institute a "shop
where you work" campaign, which would reduce the County's sales tax revenues because so many
Randolph County citizens work outside Randolph County. He said he has found a law whereby with
enough signatures on a petition, the local sales tax could be reduced by 1%. Mr. Morotto said that he
would draw up a such a petition if the Commissioners levy the tax without another vote.
On motion of Kemp, seconded by Frye, the Board voted unanimously to approve a resolution levying
a 1/4 -cent sales and use tax in Randolph County, effective 7/1/10, as follows:
RESOL UTIONLEVYING AN ADDITIONAL ONE-QUARTER CENT (1/4¢) COUNTYSALES AND USE
TAX
WHEREAS, The General Assembly has authorized county boards of commissioners across the State of North
Carolina to levy a one-quarter percent (25%) county sales and use tax under the Current Operations and Capital
Improvements Appropriations Act of 2007, contingent on an advisory referendum in which the majority of those
casting ballots voted for the levy of the tax; and
WHEREAS, on December 7, 2009, the Randolph County Board of Commissioners directed the Randolph
County Board of Elections to conduct an advisory referendum on March 2, 2010 on the question of whether to levy
the One -Quarter Cent (114¢) County Sales and Use Tax in Randolph County; and
WHEREAS, the ballots were cast 54.29% FOR and 45.71 % AGAINST the levy of the One -Quarter Cent (114¢)
County Sales and Use Tax; and
WHEREAS, the Board has provided the required 10 days public notice of the Board's intent to consider this
resolution to levy the tax; and
WHEREAS, the Randolph County Board of Commissioners hereby finds that the levy of the One -Quarter Cent
(1/4¢) County Sales and Use Tax is necessary to help address and alleviate fiscal constraints within Randolph
County; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Randolph County Board of Commissioners:
(1) There is hereby levied within Randolph County the One -Quarter Cent (1/4¢) County Sales and Use Tax,
authorized in the One -Quarter Cent (1/4 cent(s)) County Sales and Use Tax Act, Article 46, Subchapter 08
of Chapter 105 of the North Carolina General Statutes.
(2) Collection of the tax by the North Carolina Secretary of Revenue, shall begin on and continue after the Ist
day of July, 2010.
(3) The net proceeds of the tax levied herein shall be distributed by the Secretary of Revenue to Randolph
County in accordance with Article 39 Chapter 105 of the North Carolina General Statutes.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 39 of Chapter 105, the additional One -Quarter Cent (1/4¢)
County Sales and Use Tax does not apply to the sales price of food that is exempt from tax pursuant to
N. C. G. S 105-164.13B. The Secretary shall not divide the amount allocated to a county between Randolph
County and the municipalities within Randolph County.
(4) This Resolution is effective upon its adoption, and a certified copy hereof shall be forwarded to Kenneth R.
Lay, Secretary, North Carolina Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 25000, Raleigh, NC 27640, along with a
certified copy of the Randolph County Board of Election results from the advisory referendum.
Commissioner Haywood said that he took offense to Mr. Morotto's accusation that he did something
underhanded since he has been assured by his County Attorney that everything was done according to the
law regarding this election.
Dr. Robert Shackleford, RCC President, via PowerPoint presentation, reviewed recent and current
capital projects at the college, which included the Building Trades Center, Early College High School,
Richard Petty Education Center, Cosmetology Center, Chevy Center, among others. He outlined plans for
future needs and projects, including moving the old automotive facility to the A/E building; making
improvements to the recently purchased Klaussner Furniture building to transform it into a continuing
education and industrial center; moving and expanding the school's Welcome Center; expanding RCC's
presence in all the towns in Randolph County; and improving the Photography department facilities and
the Alton Cox Learning Center.
Donald Andrews, Randolph County Schools Superintendent, commended and congratulated Dr.
Shackleford on the successful sales tax referendum and thanked the Commissioners for the opportunity
for everyone to come together to present their capital needs so that everyone is aware of all the needs,
which would promote working together and eliminating competition. He presented the County Schools'
updated ten-year growth plan. He said that the plan originally recommended three new high schools: one
in northeast Randolph, one in northwest Randolph and one in southwest Randolph. With the opening of
the new Providence Grove and Wheatmore High Schools, the Board of Education decided to take a new
approach in addressing their capital needs to save money. Rather than building the third new high school
in the southwest area, they now propose building a new southwest area middle school, which would
replace the current Southwestern Randolph Middle School. This would allow the Southwestern Randolph
High School to expand into the current middle school located next door. Other new construction projects
include: new Archdale -Trinity area middle school, new eastern area elementary school, new Randleman
area elementary school, and a new Randleman area middle school. Renovations are proposed for the
following schools: Braxton Craven, Ramseur Elementary, Eastern Randolph High School, Randleman
High School, Southwest High School and Trinity High School. Mr. Andrews said that the current capacity
of existing facilities is 19,973. The proposed plan would increase capacity by approximately 3,500. The
projected enrollment for 2017-2018 is 20,586. The proposed plan's cost is approximately $107.6 million
as compared to the old plan (with building the 3rd high school in the southwest area) with an estimated
cost of $125 million.
Dr. Diane Frost, Asheboro City Schools Superintendent, presented the City Schools' prioritized
needs. She said that the greatest need is at the old Balfour/Early Childhood Development Center. Due to
the age of the structure (80+ years), fire safety concerns, handicapped accessibility issues, old and
damaged roof, structural issues, asbestos concerns and inadequate parking, the recommendation is to
demo the existing building and rebuild at an estimated cost of $5,25,000. The second priority is for an
addition and renovations to Asheboro High School—estimated cost of $20,000,000. An addition and
upgrades at North Asheboro Middle School at a cost of $6,412,566 ranks third on the priority list. The
City Schools' long range facilities plans calls for the construction of a new elementary school by 2017 at
an estimated cost of $13,100,000. Estimated cost for infrastructure and systems upgrades, which include
roof, HVAC, window and lighting replacements; asbestos removal; electrical upgrades; kitchen
renovations and water conservation is $14,665,902. Athletic facilities upgrades are estimated at
$1,755,000. The total estimated cost of all Asheboro City School capital needs over the next ten years is
$61,558,468.
At 10:40 a.m., the Board took a short recess.
Paxton Arthurs, County Building Inspections Supervisor, gave an update on renovations at the
historic courthouse. He projected the second floor improvements will be complete by November of this
year. He said that funding for the project is from the $300,000 timber sales.
Sheriff Maynard Reid and Allen McNeill, Sheriff's Dept. Business Manager, advised the Board that
the jail is exceeding capacity and will likely worsen. They recommended a two-phase jail expansion, with
the first phase beginning this year for a dorm conversion ($43,000) and the construction of a
covered/secure courtyard ($99,925). This would add 12 beds and allow the reclassification of a housing
pod that would effect a capacity increase of 24 more beds. The second phase would add a new dorm for
48 inmates, reconfigure an existing pod and expand the booking/intake area at a cost of $5.1 million.
Total cost for both phases would be $5,249,806.
MiMi Cooper, Public Health Director, urged the Commissioners to consider building a new animal
shelter in the near future, due to overcrowded conditions and disrepair of the current shelter. Ms. Cooper
said that she is researching the cost of building a new facility.
Donovan Davis, Emergency Services Director, said that the State has mandated that all licensed
ambulances must be equipped at paramedic certification level immediately. Estimated cost is $75,000. He
said the cardiac monitors/defibrillators purchased over six years ago are quickly becoming outdated and
worn. Cost for 11 replacement monitors is estimated at $330,000. One replacement SUV response vehicle
is needed at a cost of $35,000. The ES Department's automatic vehicle location devices need to be
replaced due to the company no longer supporting the technology. Estimated cost for replacement of 17
units is $17,000. Mr. Davis said that three fire inspector trucks will need to be replaced over the next three
years. He recommended that the first one be purchased in 2011-2012 and estimated the cost at $28,000.
One response vehicle that is shared by the EMS supervisors needs replacing at a cost of $35,000. He
recommended replacing the mobile data computers for the ambulances by 2013, at a cost of $45,000. Mr.
Davis said that the 911 Center needs to be expanded to accommodate growth and additional positions.
The Liberty ambulance base needs major renovations or replacement. The Asheboro ambulance base
needs renovations and more space. EMS medical supplies storage is needed and if additional crews are
added to cover the southern part of the county, we will need two bases there. Mr. Davis said that the
newly formed radio upgrade committee will meet on March 24 to determine the best solution to the
federal mandate requiring that all frequency license holders adhere to narrow -banding requirements by
January 1, 2013. Depending on which system we use, this could cost from $3-7 million. Mr. Davis asked
that his department be allowed to use the remaining profits of the Randleman ambulance base sale to
purchase a replacement ambulance at a cost of $125,000 and to supplement their immediate capital needs.
James Chriscoe, County Maintenance Supervisor, said that most of the County buildings were in
good shape, but warned that the parking lot at the Ira McDowell Center would soon need to be repaved at
a cost of $170,000.
David Townsend, III, Public Works Director, said that the $550,000 Federal Stimulus Grant will be
used to install solar panels at the jail to offset energy costs. He said he is still trying to locate property to
build a convenience site for trash collection in the Archdale/Trinity area.
Will Massie, Assistant County Manager/Finance Officer, said that the County has $126 million in
existing debt. The next time the County can issue substantial debt will be 2015, and only $20 million can
be issued. He provided a sample debt policy and a sample fund balance policy to the Board for
consideration at a later date. Mr. Massie reviewed the following available revenue options: general
obligation, including Build America Bonds (referendum required); installment purchase agreements;
grants; pay-as-you-go; and capital reserve funding via end -of -year General Fund savings, designation of a
penny on the tax rate, or using excess fund balance over 24%.
David Townsend, III proposed using the 300 unused acres at the solid waste facility to build a new
regional landfill. He said that such a landfill could bring significant revenue for the County. In order to be
successful, the County would need to commit to a 30 -40 -year program. The permitting process could take
3-4 years and then the actual construction would take roughly six months to build. A better road to the
existing transfer station would need to be built and a separate entrance for commercial haulers would also
be needed. He said the important question is whether Randolph County citizens would object to receiving
solid waste from other counties.
The Commissioners were receptive to the idea of a regional landfill and asked that the press help get
the word out that the County is considering this. They asked that citizens call the Commissioners or the
County Manager's Office with their opinions.
Having no further business to discuss, the Board adjourned at 1:07 p.m.
J. Harold Holmes
Phil Kemp
Arnold Lanier
Darrell L. Frye
Stan Haywood
Cheryl A. Ivey, Clerk to the Board