County prepares for new projects

Janet Imrick

Randolph Hub

ASHEBORO – Randolph County Commissioners began their July 8 regular meeting with recognizing two newly retired staff before they laid the groundwork for future projects, including celebrations for the United States' 250th anniversary celebration in 2026.

Retiring staff

Dana Nance and Damon Brown were honored for 22 years and 32 years respectively working for social services and child support services. They received clocks, the traditional parting gifts for retiring staff.

Library Director Ross Holt listed Nance's accomplishments as both an adoption social worker and then as a community navigator with Randolph Public Library. She completed 143 adoptions, not counting other custody arrangements.

"She was especially successful in finding families for children with special needs, which required a high level of specialized care, and sibling sets," Holt said.

Board Chairman Darrell Frye read the accomplishments of Brown. After serving in the Navy, he became an agent of the North Carolina Child Support Enforcement Agency, becoming a supervisor before the agency was taken over by the county.

Frye praised Brown's dedication to serving the most disadvantaged, saying, "Lots of other things he could have done with his time, education. But to serve child support services, to work to make life better for people in this county with special needs. That's what I've come to know and understand about Randolph County. It's a caring people who want to make life better for other people."

America 250 NC

Randolph County will form a committee to join a statewide initiative known as America 250 NC. It will help organize celebrations in 2026 to mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

Commissioners passed a resolution after hearing from Cam Mills, office representative for Rep. Richard Hudson.

Mills said each committee will bring together local organizations who want to contribute. He said, "They serve as the local conduit to the statewide commemorative program amplifying the rich history of our state and communities."

Frye said County Manager Zeb Holden is already working with the board to create ideas.

Capital Project Funding

Commissioners accepted a $400,000 grant for the I-74 Industrial Center site development to help build a new distribution center for Ross Stores.

Financial Officer Will Massie told commissioners that the road improvements will cost about $2.9 million. Ross Stores will pick up the costs but asked the county for help where it can, and the Economic Development Corporation secured a $400,000 Golden LEAF grant to go toward reimbursements.

Watershed Agreement

The county agreed to draft an interlocal agreement on watersheds with the city of Asheboro. This will allow Asheboro to request some of the county's watershed development acreage so they can proceed with building projects.

Asheboro's City Council approved a resolution to enter into the interlocal agreement in June. The county has similar agreements with Archdale and Trinity.

Tax Collection Report

The county tax assessor Debra Hill gave her annual report before the board authorized her to collect payments for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Hill told them that the overall collection percentage for all tax districts was 99.14 percent for real estate, business and individual personal property. Collection percentage for the county was 99.09 percent.

Hill said that was Randolph County's lowest tax collection rate in several years, but due to growth, they collected more overall. The delinquent tax was $1,149,786.17.

"We have worked very hard. We had a full staff this year, working on wage garnishments and attachments," Hill said. "I think people already, with the inflation, have prioritized other things over paying property tax. We are working hard and steady to collect what we can."

Commissioner Maxton McDowell said, "Having seen a lot of municipalities, 99.14 percent is excellent. I've seen towns and even counties in the 80s."