Randolph County commissioners approve school site purchase, infrastructure contracts and multiple community grants

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners at its April meeting approved a package of actions that included purchase authorization for roughly 90 acres for a future Randleman High School, construction contracts for water and sewer projects, communications and 9-1-1 equipment upgrades, and a set of strategic-plan grants to local nonprofit organizations.

The board voted to authorize the Randolph County School System to enter purchase contracts for about 90 acres for a future Liberty Elementary/Randleman High School site and approved a budget amendment to begin design and site work. School-system representatives told the board the site has constraints from Randleman Lake watershed rules but a civil “test fit” shows a school footprint and 180 days (with an optional 90-day extension) were sought for feasibility and due diligence. The motion carried and was recorded as approved by the board during the meeting.

The board awarded a construction contract for improvements to the Ramsour water-treatment facility to Laughlin Sutton Construction Company, the lone bidder, for $1,191,900. County staff said the project will change the treatment disinfectant from free chlorine to chloramines to allow commingling of the Ramsour system with Asheboro and Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority supplies.

On utilities tied to economic development, the board approved a construction contract for a new pump station and force main at I-74 and New Hope Church Road. Staff said the county…