County addresses UCA traffic, Food, Farm, and Family post

Janet Imrick

Randolph Hub

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Commissioners began the 2025 year with audits, updates and funding for emergency equipment. 

At their Jan. 6 meeting, they heard about Uwharrie Charter Academy’s new traffic layout and sought to clarify the responsibilities for a position at the upcoming Food, Farm, and Family Agricultural Center.

New school traffic pattern

Dr. Sharon Castelli, superintendent for Uwharrie Charter Academy, told commissioners the campus’ mini roundabout was completed and pending final inspection. 

She said they have heard complaints about the new traffic pattern on social media as the school year began, which she wanted to address. Monday, Jan. 6, was the first day back from the holiday break, and the first day the buses had to drop off and pick up there.

Castelli said the roundabout sustained some damage from an accident over the break, which will need to be repaired before it can pass the inspection.

According to Castelli, the NC Department of Transportation recommended the mini roundabout to support the growth of the three schools without hurting nearby businesses. Commissioner Hope Haywood asked about traffic signs and whether it would help to add more.

New job classifications

The county plans to add an Agricultural Center Coordinator position to help manage the Farm, Food, and Family Education Center. County Manager Zeb Holden said that person will handle programs and the arena events, as they are already getting inquiries about using the space. The center is under construction near the Salisbury Street-US 64 East intersection and expected to open this summer.

Commissioner David Allen said he got some calls that the position caused some confusion about who runs the center. He suggested they change the job summary to make clear that this is for the training and events center, not the resource center, and NC Cooperative Extension and Department of Soil and Water will still control their facilities. Holden agreed that this job is to coordinate all the different events run by different organizations.

Social Services Director Tracie Murphy asked to reclassify two positions. She said they need staff dedicated to training the newly hired staff working with Medicaid recipients. Commissioners approved her request to raise one Income Maintenance Caseworker I position to Income Maintenance Caseworker III and one Child Protective Services Social Worker to Child Welfare Social Work Supervisor.

Equipment and property auctions

Emergency Services said they found a way to save money on hardware for the new VIPER Tower coming to Randleman. Deputy Chief Jared Byrd said they learned Motorola planned to provide the radio microwave dish equipment from a third party, Aviat U.S., Inc., and it would cut costs to buy directly from Aviat. Commissioners approved the purchase of $117, 240. The rest of the equipment purchases from Motorola were approved last month.

The Sheriff’s Office received $500,400 to purchase new vehicles, computers and a new X-ray machine for the courthouse. Sheriff Greg Seabolt said that delays meant they were not able to upfit some vehicles before the end of the year, and a few computers crashed that were not accounted for in their budget. He said the current X-ray machine at the courthouse is now 23 years old.

Associate County Attorney Aimee Scotton asked commissioners to approve a public auction for property on Link Court in Trinity, as they have an interested buyer. 

Annual updates

Commissioners received annual reports for the county audit, the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and United Way of Randolph County. April Adams, engagement director of Cherry Bekaert, LLC, reported no issues with the audit for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

- TDA Director Amber Scarlett said tourism numbers kept climbing since the drop in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

Based on a destination survey for 30 attractions, TDA estimated they had 1.5 million visitors, up 10 percent from 2022. In 2023, she said visitors spent $189.5 million, a 6 percent increase. Sales tax revenues translated to $89.75 in savings for county residents.

She highlighted the Year of the Trail in 2023 enticing more visitors to outdoor destinations in Randolph County. She said occupancy tax revenues, which cover hotels, campgrounds, Airbnbs and other lodgings, is getting closer to 2019’s pre-COVID levels.

- Randolph County United Way Executive Director Samantha Baker gave the 2023-24 annual report. Baker said they allocated $477,226 to non-profits and local partners, which impacted about 51,000 county residents. The county government was one of their top 5 employer partners for financial support.

Baker concluded by discussing the goals for the coming year. She said they anticipate economic pressures and nationwide trends in charitable giving to impact them locally. She said they hope to focus on expanding their volunteer center and explore fundraising efforts that will strengthen United Way’s stability.