Randolph County Tax Assessor reports on 99 percent tax collection rate amid challenges

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners convened on July 7, 2025, to address several key issues, including tax collection rates, budget amendments, and community concerns regarding taxation.

The meeting began with public comments, where a resident expressed dissatisfaction with the recent tax increase for the Randleman Sofia Fire District. The speaker urged the board to reconsider the 2-cent tax increase, arguing that it was not instituted fairly and emphasized the need for the board to protect residents from excessive taxation.

Following public comments, the board approved the meeting agenda, which included a new item concerning a budget amendment for the Agricultural Center. This amendment was deemed urgent due to ongoing construction and the need for legal approvals.

Deborah Hill, the county's tax assessor, presented the annual tax settlement report. She highlighted that the overall tax collection rate for the 2024-2025 fiscal year was 99.12%, slightly down from the previous year. Hill reported a total of $1,266,973.27 in delinquent taxes for the year, with a cumulative total of $3,160,008.59 in delinquent taxes dating back to 1994. She noted that the collection of property taxes had been particularly challenging this year, despite efforts to engage with delinquent taxpayers directly.

The board discussed the methods employed to collect overdue taxes, including door-to-door visits by tax officials accompanied by deputies for safety. This approach sparked a debate among commissioners about the appropriateness of such measures in Randolph County, with some expressing concern over the aggressive nature of the tactic.

In addition to tax collection discussions, the board addressed the ongoing issue of farm audits conducted by a private firm, which has been a point of contention among some commissioners. The board agreed to further investigate the procedures and implications of these audits.

Overall, the meeting underscored the board's commitment to addressing community concerns while navigating the complexities of tax collection and budget management. The commissioners plan to continue discussions on these topics in future meetings, ensuring that residents' voices are heard in the decision-making process.