Randolph County approves sheriff vehicles, K-9, two SROs and $1.1M in facility maintenance

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners approved a series of budgeted purchases and staffing actions at its September meeting, including vehicle purchases for the sheriff's office, a narcotics K‑9, two elementary school resource officer (SRO) positions, agricultural equipment purchases funded by a Golden Leaf grant, and a $1,115,700 county facility maintenance budget adjustment.

Chief Deputy Nunn (speaker 12) told commissioners the sheriff’s office seeks to buy eight Chevrolet Silverados and two Chevrolet Tahoes through the North Carolina Sheriffs Association contract at a combined cost of $537,932; he said the amount was included in the FY25–26 budget but exceeds the $90,000 threshold requiring board approval. "The total cost for all of them is $537,932, which was appropriated in our budget for the 2526," Nunn said. The board approved the purchase by voice vote.

The board also approved using $9,600 in restricted law-enforcement funds to buy a single-purpose narcotics-detection K‑9 and the included eight‑week handler class. Nunn said the department acquires dogs that are already trained for narcotics detection and that the county training focuses on the handler’s work with the dog.

On school safety, the board approved two deputy SRO positions for Randolph County elementary schools. Chief Deputy Nunn and Superintendent Gainey (speaker 14) said the North Carolina Stronger Connections federal grant will cover part of the cost; staff estimated $116,494 for the remaining portion covering October 2025 through May 2026, and staff said the school system would reimburse much of the ongoing cost (an estimated $145,616 for the next fiscal year covering ten of 12 months).

Cooperative Extension and the agricultural center presented a Golden Leaf grant-funded equipment request; Cooperative Extension representative Lauren (speaker 15) said the grant covers purchases for demonstration and a rental program for farmers. The board approved equipment purchases totaling $376,721.

Facilities staff (speaker 16) requested $1,115,700 from leftover AgCenter contingency funds to address county maintenance projects. Staff provided a project breakdown that included a design estimate of $40,000 and an approximate $500,000 replacement for a Shaw Building chiller and controls, a pump-station repair of about $69,300, and other repairs; the board approved the budget adjustment and associated amendment.

Most votes were voice approvals recorded as "aye" in the minutes; no roll-call tallies were recorded on the transcript. Board members moved and seconded each item and approved the motions in sequence.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda — approved (voice vote). - Fleet: 8 Silverados & 2 Tahoes — approved; $537,932 (mover: Commissioner (speaker 11); second: Chairman (speaker 3)). - K‑9 narcotics detection dog — approved; $9,600 from restricted funds (mover: Commissioner (speaker 5); second: Chairman (speaker 3)). - Two elementary SRO positions and budget amendment — approved; initial 8‑month cost $116,494 (mover: Commissioner (speaker 5); second: Chairman (speaker 3)). - AgCenter part-time classification addition — approved (mover: Commissioner (speaker 11); second: Commissioner (speaker 10)). - Cooperative Extension Golden Leaf equipment purchases — approved; $376,721 (mover: Commissioner (speaker 11); second: Chairman (speaker 3)). - County facility maintenance projects and budget amendment — approved; $1,115,700 (mover: Commissioner (speaker 10); second: Chairman (speaker 3)).

Next steps: staff will proceed with procurement and the requested budget amendments; commissioners did not call for further public hearings on these items at this meeting.