[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6220032,"mediaKeyId","3619220-845a6d21666032919299311fdbe283e5","parentId",3619220,"title","Randolph Community College reports enrollment growth, seeks county participation in Liberty Center funding","audioSeconds",1083,"startMs",2379000,"endMs",3462000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3619220-845a6d21666032919299311fdbe283e5&start=2379&end=3462","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3619220-845a6d21666032919299311fdbe283e5/thumbnail_2379000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6220032/Randolph-County/North-Carolina/Randolph-Community-College-reports-enrollment-growth-seeks-county-participation-in-Liberty-Center-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220032-b00429968ceb72f138cd6869724ec43f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775196719&Signature=iAxlpvbqOHhU6-sOoEEyoDjy2P~cFrdggQajEjZKsGqjE4vjG7uDmLx3NHqqyOOSwc2oQM0jLigOmNDyhJ4QT9G1E~T5zd8aTZLNf1d-8QG2eRyu-YwU4Ts27S~lepSN16uE2er16oTfOQDK9oZh6aUpasSksItbO~la6N3Rfw7o7awSr~~rb7h-QnX2OF8VeDo5qXUQvn82XH4JUSyczhVUkM7I5dWS9STTt875mp~HyrI-ncmMX1EBDvI2bV49UHr52Y3jM5lVYDEqRy-civlIcwM6z8f1AAF~-oMDhfiuJRE9BP0FgjJU6DW60zdTC8NdgH8mdqRMh~NTUAlMHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Randolph County, NC","date","2025-05-30T11:04:47Z","article","Randolph Community College President Dr. Shah presented the college’s FY26 priorities to the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, reporting enrollment growth (9,661 students), audited financial cleanliness, and several capital and operating requests including work on a planned Liberty Center.

Dr. Shah said the college had awarded more than 1,600 credentials this year and estimated a broad economic impact for the county. He described an ambitious Liberty Center project with a total estimated Phase 1 cost of $25,000,000, for which the college envisions a three‑way funding model: state one‑third, county one‑third and college one‑third. \"Phase 1 of it will be 25 [million], and we were hoping that you can somehow plan on helping us with $8,000,000 for it,\" Dr. Shah said.

Why it matters: The Liberty Center and other capital priorities (parking expansion, an AI2C center, deferred maintenance at campus facilities) would expand workforce training and industry readiness in Randolph County, but implementation hinges on additional county, state and college funding and on providing infrastructure at training sites.

Dr. Shah noted specific capital constraints: professional designs for the training/wastewater improvements cost about $1.4 million, and the college cannot expand classes at that facility until water and sewer are installed. He described prior county support for land acquisition (the college and commissioners discussed a $1.5 million county contribution for Liberty land last year) and asked commissioners to consider additional support as the county finalizes its budget.

The college emphasized workforce alignment—graduates placed in nursing, truck driving and industry training—and reported progress on the AI2C center and deferred maintenance spending. Dr. Shah also told commissioners that the college employs 52 people whose payroll flows indirectly from county funding and asked the board to consider employee compensation impacts when setting county pay increases.

Next steps: The college will provide detailed capital cost breakdowns to county staff and continue discussions with legislators about state matching dollars; commissioners will consider any county contribution in the FY26 budget process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Randolph County Board of Commissioners - May 29th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Randolph Community College President Dr. Shah reported enrollment at 9,661, described campus capital priorities and requested county help toward a proposed $25 million Liberty Center phase 1 (county share suggested at $8 million); the college also flagged a $1.4 million water/sewer need at its training center.","taxTitle","Randolph County, North Carolina","taxId",14195,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220036,"Ashford City Schools requests $8.18 million local current‑expense appropriation, asks county to keep supplemental rate unchanged",737,1463000,2200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3619220-845a6d21666032919299311fdbe283e5&start=1463&end=2200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3619220-845a6d21666032919299311fdbe283e5/thumbnail_1463000.jpg","/articles/6220036/Randolph-County/North-Carolina/Ashford-City-Schools-requests-818-million-local-currentexpense-appropriation-asks-county-to-keep-supplemental-rate-unchanged","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220036-12fe1d5dd4a2ef5c115ce57df230c239/orig.mp4?Expires=1775196719&Signature=Dz4mPjTbCAnMKcTAnZTQYUpS~F9HMKXNQ0dukL937bgyzh1ZWauanXx3jNi2Z4mwsnnuAosu11IUmh4lZmj~levqCYnvG7xvO4Q~NO5MXz93tk89SedF9AXa9nwN4va9wcnYlzPL3FcsksF9-VowpramVAg-ZRFEPp13WJPW2yF-5HH8HNAmXAM77YER0s2lBZ~5E77MHxSXC4SHcRHtWF4pFzeUtgvRivCNDzJOj7qj6sRWleYF3Ut64xS4nOC58O~p4iUt98cdEs3MMYBO~zoexNFVB6g-US9buDxWH6DVRZXD7Ws-yDV-K6wONFLzcH~g58DFzrtCqnFlLLpUdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Woody, superintendent of Asheboro/Asheford City Schools, presented the district’s FY26 budget request to the Randolph County Board of Commissioners and asked the county to maintain the local supplemental tax rate at 11.53¢ per $100 of assessed value.

The district’s total local current‑expense request is $8,177,158, Dr. Woody said, including an estimated $515,000 for continuation costs driven by state salary and benefit increases and $320,000 for a local 1% supplement increase intended to help recruit and retain staff. \"We want to be a district that continues to find the value in saying yes,\" Dr. Woody said, framing the request as an effort to expand opportunities while recognizing fiscal constraints.

Why it matters: The county’s decision on local supplements and capital transfers affects classroom staffing, pay competitiveness, and several large construction projects now underway.

Dr. Woody outlined the district’s capital needs and a recently awarded state grant: Asheford City Schools received a needs‑based public school capital fund grant from state lottery funds totaling $29,728,490 for a renovation at South Ashford Middle School. The grant requires a 15% local match, the superintendent said. The project budget, after bids and design work, is $35,720,423 and includes $750,000 for furniture; the district said the total dropped by about $1.1 million after redesigns eliminated a planned lease for mobile units.

The district’s capital outlay request for FY26 is $1,182,175, an increase of about $100,000 over the prior year’s allocation, Dr. Woody said. He noted the district’s continuing challenges with staffing, retention and rising operating costs, and asked commissioners to consider the district’s requests in light of projected state action on salary increases for educators.

Dr. Woody recognized district finance and HR leaders in the meeting and thanked county staff for their coordination. He also asked for volunteer proctors to assist with upcoming testing dates and described construction sequencing for the South Ashford Middle School renovation including an elevator installation planned during the summer.

Next steps: Commissioners will consider the district’s request during upcoming budget work sessions and the public hearing; final appropriation will depend on the county’s adopted budget and any ADM adjustments from the state Department of Public Instruction.","Ashford City Schools Superintendent Dr. Woody presented a local current‑expense request of $8,177,158, asked the commission to maintain the 11.53¢ supplemental tax rate, and outlined a $1.18 million capital request and a $29.7 million state lottery grant for South Ashford Middle School.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220042,"Randolph County manager rolls out $202 million proposed FY26 budget; no property tax increase proposed",1389,38000,1427000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3619220-845a6d21666032919299311fdbe283e5&start=38&end=1427","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3619220-845a6d21666032919299311fdbe283e5/thumbnail_38000.jpg","/articles/6220042/Randolph-County/North-Carolina/Randolph-County-manager-rolls-out-202-million-proposed-FY26-budget-no-property-tax-increase-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220042-30d1f034da6f994b5ec7491b228f9603/orig.mp4?Expires=1775196719&Signature=KPH221tJIBH~XFQ7O-nm8Ge-O6RCSHynaOQMmZNZ4xoL0PWflwlORT9GL6VLbmcreZSwlK8pC1g-OlftXibZCpo0gzDyovca4gLuGz7oCinx87k2uACzorOq~g21mcMH-fIPsA4tXvhkR122Pz1mW9g5IY0ZUik6eBuIpDS5pCd2htGTvRqymIo7pmNiK0DrRc4KDoPp6hZurdYqgD~UuwTSLd76gMIdsAzUkKGXbiIX06zq7yvrOmpo1yTCrNegdfUeeFfPwErqQ8DrO~ik3g2i3lZ3tVQFHB5DufQ4b685cEvwC9eDaJpDy91Vp1jCAd-gfuoOxGfua2j8kVzOmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a special meeting of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, Assistant County Manager and Finance Officer Will Massey presented the manager’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, a balanced plan totaling $202,056,073 that does not include a property tax rate increase.

The proposal, Massey said, relies primarily on ad valorem property taxes and the local option sales tax and uses $3.7 million in appropriated fund balance for one‑time items. He warned the board that the county must “get ourselves off of that revenue source” referring to the state Medicaid “hold harmless” payments, which have declined since fiscal year 2023 and are not a stable foundation for ongoing operations.

Why it matters: The budget frames near‑term service and staffing decisions for public safety, human services and education while accounting for a growing but uneven property tax base tied to recent large industrial development. Commissioners will review departmental presentations and hold a public hearing before adopting the ordinance.

Massey said the county’s revenue picture is concentrated: “Between [property tax] and local option sales tax, that is 75% of our total revenue budget.” He noted normal property‑tax growth excluding the Toyota battery development and reported an overall 10.2% increase in the county’s assessed base for the upcoming year driven by the Toyota assessment. Massey estimated Toyota’s assessment will generate about $12,000,000 in property tax revenue, with approximately $8.6 million committed back to incentives under a performance‑based agreement.

County staff described how the budget addresses the Medicaid hold harmless decline: the county received about $5,000,000 in FY23; the following year the county saw a reduction (roughly $3.1 million), and projections for next year are much lower. The manager’s office included $1,000,000 of Medicaid hold harmless in the FY26 revenue projection and recommended planning to eliminate reliance on that line in future budgets.

The proposed budget uses recurring dollars to fund compensation initiatives: a 3% market and cost‑of‑living adjustment across county staff (totaling about $2,160,000) and an additional 2% retention increase targeted to sheriff’s office employees. The package responds to “hiring challenges” and retention pressures that staff said threaten service continuity.

On positions and capital, the manager noted 20 new positions were requested by departments; the proposed budget includes seven new full‑time positions (three tied to an agricultural center) and multiple reclassifications. Capital outlay funding is higher than recent years to address aging vehicles and equipment; the county will fund some capital from fund balance. Debt service obligations next year include roughly $16,000,000 for school and county projects and other obligations.

On education funding, staff proposed $1,400,000 in additional current‑expense support for the county’s two public school systems combined and a $500,000 increase in support for Randolph Community College; staff cautioned final distributions will adjust after state Department of Public Instruction average daily membership (ADM) certifications. The assistant manager said the budget document presents a balanced financial plan and reiterated the schedule: school systems and the community college will present to the commission in early June, followed by department presentations and a public hearing before final action.

Next steps: The commission will hear additional presentations (including the county’s other school system and the community college), hold a public hearing on the budget, and later consider adoption and fee resolutions. No formal adoption or tax rate change occurred at the meeting.","County leadership presented a proposed $202,056,073 fiscal year 2026 budget that relies on property taxes and sales tax growth, uses $3.7 million of fund balance for one‑time needs, and seeks to wean the general fund off unstable “Medicaid hold harmless” payments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Randolph Community College reports enrollment growth, seeks county participation in Liberty Center funding

Ashford City Schools requests $8.18 million local current‑expense appropriation, asks county to keep supplemental rate unchanged

Randolph County manager rolls out $202 million proposed FY26 budget; no property tax increase proposed