Randolph County commissioners approve audit, sheriff funding, personnel and equipment requests; auction set for foreclosed parcel

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners voted on several budget, personnel and procurement items during its Jan. 6 meeting, approving the county’s annual audit and a series of funding, staffing and equipment requests.

The board unanimously accepted the June 30, 2024 financial statement audit. April Adams, engagement director for the audit firm, told commissioners the firm issued “unmodified opinions” on the county financial statements and on federal and state compliance testing. Commissioner Jerry Becker moved to accept the audit; the motion carried.

The board approved the sheriff’s request for additional funding for computer replacements, vehicle upfitting and a courthouse x-ray machine. The sheriff’s office requested an additional $500,400 to cover computers, mobile data terminals, outstanding vehicle upfits and a replacement courthouse x-ray unit; the board approved the request and associated budget amendment.

Commissioners approved two Department of Social Services position reclassifications: an income-maintenance caseworker I to income-maintenance caseworker III and an investigative/treatment assessment social worker to child-welfare social work supervisor. The county manager and DSS director said the reclassifications are intended to improve training and staff capacity to handle increased caseloads, including work generated by Medicaid expansion.

The board added a classified position for an agricultural center coordinator at grade 120 to the county classification plan, to support the new Randolph County Agricultural Center’s arena, events and program scheduling. Commissioners said the facility will remain focused on agricultural programming and that the coordinator’s role will be to assist with event management and interdepartmental coordination.

The board also authorized a public auction to sell a county-owned tax-foreclosed parcel; the county attorney said state statute requires advertising at least 30 days prior to sale and a 5% deposit by the high bidder. The earliest possible sale date under the paper-publication schedule was Feb. 17; commissioners said they would review any winning bid at the March meeting and retain discretion to proceed or not.

Finally, the board approved a purchase of microwave backhaul equipment for the Randleman Viper tower project. Deb Berg told commissioners the microwave dishes will link the new tower to the state system; the board approved the $117,240 purchase from Aviat US Inc.

Several votes at the meeting were voice votes with no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript. Commissioners and staff said that some purchases are covered in existing budgets or will be handled via a budget amendment approved at the meeting. No items were tabled.