Randolph County adopts $202.34 million FY25-26 budget, holds tax rate at 50¢ per $100

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners approved a $202,339,523 fiscal year 2025–26 budget and set the county ad valorem tax rate at 50 cents per $100 valuation during a June budget meeting.

The budget vote folded several year-end “close out” adjustments and transfers into the ordinance, including recognition of federal timber receipts earmarked for the two county school systems, capital transfers to cover previously committed school‑related costs and a $300,000 set‑aside for a future pay‑as‑you‑go capital project. Commissioners also voted to recognize and amend the budget for an opioid settlement allocation and to authorize budget adjustments tied to a state environmental grant and other capital projects.

County leaders emphasized the budget’s focus on salaries and core services. “Almost half of this budget goes to pay salaries,” said the chairman, noting the proposed budget includes $91,829,867 for salaries and benefits (about 45.4% of the total). The board added several new positions, a longevity pay component and a targeted 2% pay increase for 911 operators. The 911 pay change increases personnel costs by $57,509.90, the manager said. The board also restored $225,860 of funding to the two school systems (allocated $173,528 to Randolph County Schools and $52,332 to Asheboro City Schools) to bring them to continuation funding.

The county manager and finance staff presented a package of close‑out budget amendments that included: accruing a $50,000 performance‑incentive liability under a contract; an additional $30,000 to cover late invoices for bills received after the initial estimates; recognition and distribution of timber receipts that state law requires be paid to the two school systems; and a transfer of capital‑designated fund balance to satisfy earlier commitments to school projects. The manager described a planned transfer to fund the county match for a school project referenced as the “Sam’s school” (about $7.1 million) and a roughly $8.1 million commitment related to Randolph County Schools; those amounts will be reflected by moving capital‑designated balances into project accounts rather than increasing debt service in the operating budget.

The board also acted on a postponed resolution tied to the opioid settlement. Under an earlier memorandum of agreement (MOA), the county’s opioid abatement allocation required an original $300,000 allocation; county spending to date totaled about $177,000 in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, leaving roughly $76,000 unspent and a requested carryforward of another $300,000 to cover collaborative strategic planning and administrative work tied to the abatement fund.

Commissioners voted to amend the emergency telephone system (911) fund budget after the county received notice of a $227,006.25 distribution; the change reduced the planned use of fund balance and recognized the state allocation without changing the fund’s total appropriation.

Chair and staff framed the budget as conservative and service‑focused. “We don’t spend money we don’t have, and we don’t go into a lot of debt,” the chairman said, arguing the budget preserves county services — ambulances, 911, public health and social services — while addressing salary retention and school commitments.

The ordinance passed unanimously.

The board also approved routine fee schedule changes submitted by the health department and approved an appropriation of $70,000 to the Communities and Schools agency after Commissioner Daryl recused himself from that vote because of his board affiliation.

What happens next: Staff will finalize the budget ordinance paperwork and implement the line‑item transfers and grant recognitions approved by the board.