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 previously agreed to a $300,000 contribution under an economic incentives agreement to offset developer costs; the low construction bid for the needed pump station, force main and gravity sewer was about $1.9 million. The board approved a resolution and project amendment to proceed; as staff noted, the county’s direct obligation remains $300,000 and other parties and property owners are contributing additional funds.

The board approved a memorandum of understanding that creates demonstration beehives at the county AgCenter and authorizes the county manager to sign the MOU with Randolph County Cooperative Extension and the Beekeepers Association of Randolph County. Extension staff said the demonstration hives will be used for beginner beekeeping classes, pollinator education and youth outreach; the beekeepers will retain any honey produced.

Two communications and public-safety projects were approved: (1) Mount Shepherd tower structural modifications and related work for the county’s VIPER radio network, awarding a bid to Bilt Consulting for $185,845; and (2) purchase and installation of antennas and coaxial lines for the new Randleman tower under state contract with Engineered Tower Solutions for approximately $128,078. County staff said the county will turn the completed tower and equipment over to the state’s VIPER system after the ARPA maintenance period ends and the state will assume long-term maintenance.

The board also approved replacement and software upgrades for the 9-1-1 audio/video recording system for primary and backup centers at a total cost of $252,130. Staff said nearly all of that cost will be paid from the emergency telephone system fund, a user fee fund derived from phone service charges.

Engineering and construction adjustments to the AgCenter project were approved. The board authorized a change order totaling approximately $55,917 to raise roadway grades, relocate a water line along Highway 64 and regrade an outdoor greenhouse area so the facility meets drainage and ADA requirements; staff said the work is budgeted within the AgCenter capital project.

Personnel changes were approved for the county IT department to rename and realign seven positions to reflect current duties and to establish a clearer succession framework. County IT leadership told commissioners that most title changes do not alter pay grades, though one role reclassification will be covered by lapsed salary and any pay change would be addressed in the fiscal process.

The board considered and approved distribution of leftover strategic-plan funds (landfill host-fee dollars) among local nonprofits and municipal requests. After discussion and a separate vote on one applicant, the board approved the recommended slate of awards. The meeting record shows one contested vote where a motion to deny funding for Keaton’s Place failed 3–2, and a subsequent motion to approve Keaton’s Place funding passed 3–2. The larger slate of awards then passed on a 4–1 vote. The board also separately approved $23,988 to Lydia’s Place, a shelter program, from the remaining strategic funds.

Public comment at the meeting included a series of statements from residents about a privately operated gun range on Full Mill Road. One resident, Isaac Hoffman, asked the board to take responsibility to address noise from the range, arguing earlier suggestions that private residents file lawsuits are insufficient. Another commenter, Amy Wang, described a recent State Board of Equalization and Review decision that she said ordered a 25% reduction to her property valuation because of proximate gun-range impacts and said the county could face hundreds of thousands of dollars in reduced property valuations if more appeals follow. Wang cited North Carolina General Statutes she said give counties authority to abate nuisances and to enact ordinances for public health and safety; commissioners did not vote on regulatory changes at the meeting but heard the public concerns.

Before adjourning to closed session, the board read into the record a consent-agenda resolution accepting a $10,000 America250 grant to the Randolph County Library to serve as fiscal agent for county events and a resolution commemorating the country’s upcoming semiquincentennial.

The board entered closed session to consult with county attorneys about an item related to ongoing AgCenter matters; the chair said a brief action or decision may follow when open session resumes.