Projects already funded get go-ahead approval from county

ASHEBORO — Ten new vehicles and a new K-9 got approval during the short Randolph County Commissioners meeting on Sept. 8. The county also added new part-time positions to help run the Agricultural Center.

Trucks, K-9, SROs get green light

Randolph County Chief Deputy Steven Nunn asked the commissioners to approve eight 2025 Silverados and two 2025 Tahoes from Modern Chevrolet. Altogether, they will cost 

$537,932. The sheriff’s office had asked for the money when putting together the budget for the fiscal year, but they must have commissioners approve any purchase more than $90,000.

Next on the agenda, Nunn requested spending $9,600 to get a new K-9 lab. He said the dog will be dedicated to detecting narcotics. An eight-week training for the law enforcement handler is included in the price. The money will come from law enforcement restricted funds, often referred to as civil forfeiture.

Nunn’s final request was to create two new school-resource officer (SRO) positions for Randolph County Schools. Superintendent Stephen Gainey explained that a North Carolina Stronger Connections Grant will pay to increase the number of SROs in the elementary schools for the eastern, southwestern and Randleman zones.

Ag Center staff and equipment

Commissioners agreed to create a part-time event support job position for the Agricultural Center. The center’s coordinator, Taylor Wright, told them that they hope to hire three or four temporary employees who can help set up and break down events and provide general guest services or operational support. 

The hiring rate will fall between $19.92 and $30.63. Those funds were also factored into the fiscal year budget.

Cooperative Extension Director Lauren Langley provided a list of John Deere tractors and other farm equipment they wished to buy. She said farmers will be able to rent them when the center is not using them. A Golden Leaf Foundation Grant will cover the total cost of $376,720.93.

They will buy the following from James River Equipment:

■ 5095M Utility Tractor and attachments.

■ 324G Skid Steer and attachments. 

■ Two John Deere Gators.

County Engineer Paxton Arthurs received approval to move some of the Agricultural Center’s unused contingency funds to other maintenance projects:

■ Replace the aging fire alarm panel in the courthouse.

■ Design, bid and construct a replacement chiller at the Shaw Building.

■ Replace broken sewer pumps at the solid waste facility.

■ Build space for Backup 911 to move into the Northgate building.

■ Replace terracotta sewer pipes at Northgate.

Commissioners approved moving $1,115,700 of the $2,620,782 contingency in the Agricultural Center fund into the public buildings fund.

Capitalizing on methane

County Manager Zeb Holden said they have a chance to make money off methane gas coming from the landfill. He explained that the 2017 contract with Waste Management lets Randolph County retain the rights to the methane. He told commissioners that his staff has created a Request for Proposals, and they plan to have a list of potential partners to review next month.

Allen receives award

At the end of the meeting, Holden congratulated Commissioner David Allen for receiving the M.H. “Jack” Brock Outstanding County Commissioner Award. The NC Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) announced the honor at their conference in August.

Holden said his involvement with NCACC and the National Association of Counties helps keep Randolph County’s interests front and center in the state. He said, “Having Randolph County visible and involved in all the programming and offerings that they have, but also at the table for the decisions that are being made for how our statewide board runs and advocates for the counties and the state. It’s a well-deserved honor.”