Wilkes County commissioners vote 3–2 to keep new Executive Drive building a County Office Building

The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners voted 3–2 on March 5 to retain the new Executive Drive facility as the County Office Building rather than repurpose it to house the Department of Social Services.

Commissioner Shirley Randleman made the motion to leave the building as originally planned; Commissioners Casey Joe Johnson and Bill Sexton voted in favor and Chairman Hardin Kennedy and Vice Chairman Evan Handy opposed. Commissioner Randleman cited financial calculations, saying an additional $4 million would take roughly 12.9 years to recoup at the projected state/federal facility reimbursement rate. Vice Chairman Handy argued repurposing could be framed as an investment in DSS, while Chairman Kennedy and others raised concerns about binding future boards and financing certainty.

The motion carried, leaving the structure’s intended use unchanged. County staff earlier explained that state/federal participation in facility reimbursement had averaged about 45.29% in recent guidance, but commissioners and commenters noted the phrase “availability of funds” in state guidance and warned that reimbursements are not guaranteed. Commissioners also questioned whether using landfill loan repayments for the upfront retrofit would reduce funds available for future landfill needs.

The action followed an extended public hearing in which DSS staff and residents raised privacy and parking concerns. The single roll-call vote was recorded during the evening session; the Board adjourned at 7:21 p.m.