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Commissioners add $140,000 to edit plan for blighted-home demolitions; staff to draft eligibility policy
Summary
Randolph County commissioners voted to add $140,000 to the edit plan as seed funding for a blighted-property demolition program, discussed $10,000-per-property caps and matching approaches, and tasked staff to draft program criteria and equitable distribution for towns and cities.
Commissioners discussed widespread blighted properties across small Randolph County communities and debated how to distribute county funds to support demolition. Commissioners favored a modest per‑property cap (a working figure of $10,000 per property was proposed) and discussed matching share arrangements (e.g., 60/40) or a fixed-per-community allocation.
Commissioner Missy and others argued for a policy that ensures the county’s funds remove unfit structures rather than subsidize repairs; discussion included asbestos abatement as a potential large cost driver for some demolitions. Commissioners agreed to seed the program by adding $140,000 to the county’s edit plan and directed staff to draft eligibility criteria, maximum per‑unit assistance and distribution logic so cities and towns can present projects for consideration.
Staff acknowledged the complexity of tax‑sale and property‑acquisition statutes and said counties and cities have different paths to take ownership; commissioners asked staff to return with a formal policy and resolution for the next meeting.
