Randolph County adopts ADA/Title VI resolution, approves zoning fixes and moves forward on courthouse security upgrades
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Summary
Randolph County commissioners adopted an ADA/Title VI resolution and compliance statements, approved corrections to three zoning ordinances (suspending rules for same-day readings), authorized several contracts, and directed design work for courthouse security after a grant denial.
Randolph County commissioners voted to adopt an updated Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI implementation resolution and to sign required statements of nondiscrimination, county staff said, clearing the way to meet federal and state funding conditions.
Mitch Hansel of USI Consultants, hired by the county to draft the documents, told the board the update lists identified accessibility deficiencies and an ordered priority list. "We're hired by the county to put together an ADA transition plan and a Title VI implementation plan," Hansel said, and he said he will deliver both hard and electronic copies to county staff. Joe Copeland, the county's ADA/Title VI coordinator, said state reviewers asked for updated Title VI assurance language and set a near-term submission date.
Why it matters: adopting the plan and signing compliance statements keeps Randolph County eligible for federal and state funds that depend on nondiscrimination and accessibility assurances.
The board quickly moved through several other agenda items. Deborah Jonting, the area planning director, said three recently adopted ordinances inadvertently included an unintended restriction; the board repealed the prior ordinance language and adopted Ordinances 2026-05, 2026-06 and 2026-07 after suspending the rules to allow second and third readings at the same meeting. Jonting also presented a rezoning request (APC 20-26-1-c) for about four acres to be rezoned from Ag Limited to C-3 for a roofing business; commissioners took first reading on Ordinance 2026-04 and deferred final action to the next meeting as is typical for zoning changes.
Contracts and administrative actions: the commissioners approved a county probation office referral to Atlas Collections to pursue older fee cases, accepted a utility agreement recommended by County Surveyor Ed Thornburg for Comcast work at County Road 100 West, and authorized the EMS director to prepare an ordinance amendment to add treat-and-release billing to the county fee schedule so insurance — not residents — absorbs reasonable costs.
Land and events: the board approved allowing Camp Trinity to pursue an option on 6.74 acres and authorized the organization to fund and order a survey and prepare option documents. Tourism staff received approval to appoint Jimmy Wyman to the county tourism commission and to host the 13th annual car show on the courthouse lawn and Bicentennial Plaza on May 23, 2026.
Courthouse security: commissioners said Randolph County did not receive a courthouse-security grant. After discussion they voted to proceed with courthouse security upgrades, directing staff to obtain design quotes (including from Argo Jacobs and May's engineering) and to convene a committee to scope phased work starting with secure points on the ground floor. Funding sources were left open (county edit funds or special edit), and the board asked staff to solicit bids on design and to return with a recommended funding plan.
Expenses and claims: the board approved payroll claims ($360,986.49) and regular claims ($729,751.47) and cleared several vendor invoices, including an airport construction claim that the board approved after confirmation that retainage held by the airport covers outstanding punch-list items.
What comes next: staff will finalize the ADA/Title VI documents for signature, planning will continue work on the rezoning public hearing and ordinance numbers will be assigned by the auditor. The courthouse-security committee will meet to refine scope and funding options.
