Commissioners move $480,000 to Strategic Planning agencies

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Commissioners approved $480,000 in appropriations from the Strategic Planning Fund. The action came at the board’s Aug. 5 meeting.

Total requests of outside agencies amounted to $708,255 but the commissioners chose not to take action on a request for $175,000 by the Randolph Heritage Conservancy to help renovate an old mill as a textile museum. A request by Lydia’s Place of $153,255 was reduced by the commissioners to $100,000.

The Strategic Planning Fund was established after the county began receiving annual payments from Waste Management, which runs the county’s regional landfill. 

Leia Stiegmann, strategic program coordinator, told the board members that three new requests had been received since the county budget process ended in June:

— The first new request was by Jeremy Skidmore of RhinoLeap, a professional performing arts organization. Skidmore said RhinoLeap not only puts on performances but also works with school students interested in careers in the arts. He said they are planning a production of “A Few Good Men” at the Historic 1909 Courthouse and asked the county for $20,000 to help address the $65,000 total cost including an advertising campaign. He said the City of Asheboro and other organizations are donating as well.

Putting on professional productions attracts visitors from other counties who spend money here, Skidmore said. He said it’s a way of “generating tourism.”

The commissioners voted unanimously for the request.

— The second new request was from Wanda Pegg of Habitat for Humanity of Randolph County. Her request was for $100,000 to support construction of a home for a family of eight. The project is partially funded by a state grant of $100,000. The commissioners agreed unanimously to fund the request.

— The third new request was by Nikki Hawks of Lydia’s Place, an emergency shelter for women and families. Hawks asked the commissioners for $153,255 from the Strategic Planning Fund to purchase a passenger van and one-time personnel support for a part-time driver and site supervisor.

A larger vehicle is needed as the number of people in the shelter grows from its current 13 to more than 50. Hawks said the van would be used to get clients to places they need to go, such as job interviews or medical appointments.

Darrell Frye, commission chair, said he was “leery” that the request for personnel could be recurring but was agreeable to helping with the vehicle and its maintenance. He recommended, and the board approved, a one-time appropriation of $100,000.

Other requests approved by the commissioners included:

— $50,000 for the Randolph Senior Adults Association.

— $200,000 for the Family Crisis Center.

— $10,000 for OE Enterprises, formerly Vocational Workshop.

The Randolph Heritage Conservancy had requested $175,000 for its textile museum project but Frye expressed the desire to wait until more funds from the state were made available and the renovations were further along. For that reason, no vote was taken.

RCSO gains two deputies

In other business, the commissioners approved two expense requests by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.

The first was for two new deputy positions to expand law enforcement in the City of Trinity.

Chief Deputy Aundrea Azelton said the total cost of two deputies would be $157,630 plus an additional $31,382 for a total of $189,012. She assured the commissioners that Trinity would “fully reimburse” the expenses. 

She added, “Given the City of Trinity’s growing population and increased public safety demands, this additional law enforcement presence would be highly beneficial.”

Azelton also said adding the two deputies to Trinity would not adversely affect the department’s overall law enforcement coverage.

The Sheriff’s Office also asked for the commissioners’ approval to purchase eight 2024 Chevrolet Silverado crew cabs at a total cost of $362,733. Azelton said the funds are in the department’s budget for 2024-25 but that the county’s purchasing policy mandates that purchases exceeding $90,000 require approval from the commissioners.

The purchase will be through a statewide vehicle contract that governs procurement for state agencies, community colleges, universities and local government entities, ensuring cost-effective and fair acquisition of goods and services. The contract has been awarded to Modern Chevrolet.

According to Azelton, “The acquisition of these eight Chevy Silverado vehicles will significantly enhance the operational capabilities of our Sheriff’s Office, particularly in terms of law enforcement tasks that require reliable and robust vehicles. The Chevy Silverado models provide the necessary performance, agility and durability to support our law enforcement efforts effectively.”

The commissioners were unanimous in voting for the request.

Rapid deployment shelters

Commissioners granted two requests by Randolph County Public Health.

Tara Aker, director of Public Health, asked the commissioners to approve the purchase of a “trailer equipped with rapid deployment inflatable shelters and needed accessories. Acquisition of this equipment will facilitate rapid deployment for emergency response for potential use as a health screening/testing area, a mass vaccination area, a temporary command center, to name a few.”

Aker said temporary COVID-19 funds received by her department will be used to purchase the trailer, sheltering equipment and auxiliary items. After two bid periods, a lone bid was submitted by ProPac, Inc., for $107,411.41. The request was unanimously approved.

The second Public Health request was for construction of an air-conditioned storage building to take the place of current prefab storage units that are not air-conditioned. Paxton Arthurs, county engineer, said Public Health needs a storage building that can hold items that are limited by temperature conditions.

Arthurs said Smith Sinnett Architects designed such a storage building and bids were received by three contractors. The low bid was by Garanco, Inc., for $211,600, which was higher than estimates. Arthurs said he asked Garanco for potential cost savings.

The result was a cost reduction of $18,000, to $193,550. Total cost is $215,050, which the commissioners approved.

Recidivism update

Commissioners received an update from the Randolph County Reentry Council concerning its efforts to reduce recidivism among those released from prisons.

Tanya Smith of Brightview and Rodney Trogdon of Project Safe Neighborhoods led a discussion of efforts to organize a Reentry Council implementation plan. Such a council coordinates community resources to provide assistance for returning individuals and their families to facilitate a successful transition from incarceration back into society.

Smith said the NC Department of Corrections facility in Asheboro has been designated a reentry facility offering the Reentry Strategic Engagement Plan, or R-STEP. The program works with inmates prior to their release. 

Reentry simulations are being held at the Randolph Correctional Facility to educate inmates. But other simulations have been held for the public to see how difficult it can be for released inmates to succeed once released back into society.

Smith said a number of employers have expressed interest in higher released inmates and have met with the Reentry Council.

Greenway projects get support

The Commissioners voted to support four trail/greenway projects in Randolph County.

Mary Joan Pugh, Randolph County trails coordinator, told the board that the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority has agreed to allow a road and river access below the Randleman Dam and the City of Randleman has agreed to improve two access points along the Randleman section of the Deep River State Trail for a two-mile blueway. Also, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission will provide the preliminary design and cost estimate for the project.

Pugh said the preliminary cost estimate is $125,000 and that a Recreational Trail Program grant would be appropriate. Such a grant would be a maximum of $100,000 with a $25,000 match. She asked that the county pay the match from the $1 million account for the trails along Deep River State Trail.

The second trail request was for a bridge across Harlan Creek in Ramseur to connect two completed sections of the Deep River State Trail. Pugh said the county has a contract with Wetherill Engineering for five bridges along the trail, including Harlan Creek. The cost estimate for design and engineering for the Harlan Creek Bridge is $261,226. A grant request requires a 50 percent match, or $87,500, which Pugh said could be taken from the $1 million account.

The third request was for design/engineering for the City of Archdale’s addition of a 1.2-mile section connecting Bradford Downs to Creekside Park. Archdale is applying for a grant and asked the county for a resolution of support.

Finally, the commissioners voted to sign a resolution of support for the City of Asheboro’s grant application for the preliminary design for the proposed North Asheboro Greenway. The grant would be for $135,000 with a local match of $65,000.

Other business

Commissioners:

— Heard an update from Sheriff Greg Seabolt on the Invictus Project.

The Invictus Task Force is now fully staffed in a four-county area of operations, Seabolt said, and is seeking out those who would harm children in the community, particularly focusing on child exploitation and human trafficking.

Seabolt said the task force has conducted 25 enforcement operations, resulting in 34 arrests and 139 felony charges.

— Adopted a resolution in support of legislative goals by the NC Association of County Commissioners.

— Agreed to the list of appointments to the Randolph County America 250 Committee. 

The committee will recommend to the commissioners events to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding with the Declaration of Independence.

The members are L. McKay “Mac” Whatley, Dan Warren, Warren Dixon, Hal Pugh, Ryan Beeson, Ross Holt, Kathie Thompson, Lisa Brown, Kendra Lyons, Amy Rudisill and Cam Mills (ex officio).

— Honored Kevin Loggains, who has retired after 30 years at Randolph County Emergency Services. 

— Were introduced by Lewis Dorsett, Archdale mayor, to Matthew Christian, the new city manager. He comes to Archdale from a similar position at Hamlet but grew up in the Archdale/High Point area. He replaces Zeb Holden, who left Archdale to become Randolph’s county manager.