County hires new finance officer, begins new fiscal year with goals

ASHEBORO — At its July 6 meeting, the Randolph County Board of Commissioners chose a new finance officer, accepted a partnership to connect industrial land to the highway, and approved a new resolution in support of hiking trails. It also took the next step on public utility improvements.

Along with adopting the new classifications and pay for county employees, commissioners named Michael McKenzie the next finance officer. He succeeds Will Massie, who is retiring, on Aug. 1. 

McKenzie has worked for Randolph County since 2015. County Manager Zeb Holden said he went to Asheboro High School and earned his accounting degree from Wingate University.

In other matters:

■ Crystal Gettys, RC Economic Development Corporation’s Business Recruitment Director, presented a $500,000 grant to improve a site on Highway 311 South. The county has been trying to find a company to buy more than 67 acres in industrial zoning. North Carolina Railroad (NCRR) awarded a grant in 2023 to help with the water and sewer lines, and the county entered a public-private partnership with Ace/Avant, the property owner.

To increase its marketability, Gettys said NCRR has approved a second grant for building an access to Highway 311. The money is contingent on the property going to a company that uses the railroad. The county will get a five-year marketing period.

■ Tax Assessor Debra Hill shared her annual report. She said 2025-26’s overall collection rate was 99.15 percent. Delinquent taxes totaled $1,321,952.90. Thirty-four properties were posted for sale for delinquent taxes.

■ Trails Coordinator Mary Joan Pugh introduced a resolution supporting Piedmont Legacy Trails (PLT). She said North Carolina’s new budget provides $29 million for state trails.

PLT Coordinator DeLaney Yokley said it wants to bring together 12 counties to connect their trails and create a regional network. Pugh said so far, Randolph County has connected 3.25 miles of trails of the Deep River Rail Trail in Franklinville. The goal is five miles.

■ Commissioners voted twice on water and wastewater treatment. Infrastructure Coordinator Chris Hildreth said staff needs to conduct an Asset Inventory and Assessment (AIA) on the Seagrove-Ulah Metropolitan Water District. Two companies responded to the county’s solicitation. Stakeholders rated WithersRavenel the highest. Its services will cost $264,000.

The state of North Carolina is also requiring a study of Seagrove Ulah’s spray field or land application method of wastewater removal. That will likely cost another $100,000.

Hildreth said this is part of the ongoing effort to stabilize and possibly merge the water district. Commissioners authorized signing the contract.

■ Next, they approved an interlocal cooperation resolution with Greensboro and Liberty. County Engineer Paxton Arthurs explained how Liberty has old wells and facilities nearing capacity. The best option, he said, would be to replace the wastewater treatment with a pump station connected to Greensboro services.

Commissioner Lester Rivenbark asked how long it would take to complete the projects. Liberty Town Manager Scott Kidd said water expansion will likely take two to three years. Wastewater is more likely to take three to five years. They are trying to get a federal grant from FEMA.

■ Chair Darrell Frye recognized Tula Schenck, who turned 100 years old. He talked about her years of service as a pastor’s wife, teacher and camp director who inspired others. Commissioner Hope Haywood will deliver a certificate of honor to Schenck at Crossroads Retirement Center.