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Randolph County Commissioners

California Opioid Crisis Trial

Commissioners approve select programs for opioid settlement funds

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ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met Monday, July 10, with decisions on opioid settlement funding and project bids as the main items on the agenda for consideration.

The board was first presented with a final update on the design of the Farm, Food and Family Center from HH Architecture, the firm working on the project.

“With all of the updates that we’ve made, we’re still right around a $29.2 million total budget,” said HH Architecture Project Architect Daniel Jencks. “That’s a touch more than the $28.3 that we currently have secured, but it’s important to note that we are within 3.5% of that number which is well within the comfort zone where we would normally recommend folks to go ahead and bid.

“We’ve worked really hard to pull things out of the scope or to dial back to less expensive items, but unfortunately, we’ve really just kept pace with inflation.”

Following the presentation, the board approved the preceding of bidding for the project.

The board of commissioners also approved $900,000 for several opioid settlement funding applications, although much deliberation took place about which ones to approve and the perceived effectiveness of these programs.

The organizations recommended for $50,000 in funding with an option to renew for two additional years each that were approved were the Randolph County Juvenile Day Reporting Center for early intervention practices, Randolph County Detention Center for Naloxone distribution, Randolph County Detention Center for addiction treatment for incarcerated persons and Randolph County Department of Social Services for recovery support services.

Morse Clinic for evidence-based addiction treatment and Community Hope Alliance for Naloxone distribution also passed, but with dissent from Chairman Darrell Frye and Commissioner Kenny Kidd.

“We’ve heard that it is critical to accept people where they are and to build relationships because what’s part of what’s missing in their addiction is relationships and connections is the opposite of where they are, and we’ve not done a good job of that,” said Commissioner Hope Haywood. “We can criticize the way somebody else is doing this, but we haven’t done it. If we had, we would have had a greater impact.”

The recommended programs that failed to get a majority vote from the commissioners were Community Hope Alliance for syringe service programs and Keaton’s Place for recovery support services.

“This is a pretty conservative, common-sense kind of county, and for the average person that I talk to and even I, having studied this and researched it and going and looking at harm reduction and trying to understand that better, I can’t understand how we can say distributing 192,000 needles last year in Randolph County makes sense for Randolph County,” said Commissioner Kenny Kidd. “I don’t care if the other 99 counties in North Carolina are doing it; Randolph County is different.”

In both cases, Commissioners Allen and Haywood were the dissenting votes from the majority, instead voting to approve the programs.

“In attending the opioid summit, listening to commissioners who have had children who have lost their lives to this… to me, it’s the compassion of it,” Allen said. “If we can save a life or two, to me, it’s worth it. We seem to think that this is a moral failing, but people make bad decisions.”

“I would like to point out too that this is a reimbursement,” Allen added. “So, the funds are not being just given. There is a reimbursement process, and there is also accountability after the first year. It’s not as if we’re giving money to an organization, and we don’t know what happens to it. There is accountability for these funds when they’re expended, and it’s not just giving somebody a blank check.”

The board then approved an aging services bid utilizing Block Grant funding and the 2023-24 classification and pay plan.

The board was then presented with the rebid results for the historic courthouse elevator addition.

“The base bid is now just the elevator addition with four alternates,” said County Engineer Paxtor Arthurs. “Alternate 1 was for a preferred brand of door hardware; this is basically just a formality for specifying a single manufacturer. Alternate 2 is raising the landing at the front steps because of a safety issue when the door swings out over a step. Alternate 3 is to upgrade the guardrails on the north steps and also to enclose the west steps when that handicap lift is removed, and Alternate 4 is to replace the HVAC unit up in the attic.”

The low bid went to H.M. Kern Corporation, as their base bid was $1.9 million, and with the other alternates, came to a total of $2,162,000.

“By rebidding the project, we were able to save over $500,000,” Arthurs said.

However, the commissioners vetoed tabling the decision in order to take more time to research the bidder due to concerns over how much cheaper they were than the other bidders.

Finally, the board approved the bid offer for the Northgate wellness center construction. The bid went to Lomax Construction and will have a total project cost of $349,500.

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners will next meet August 7.

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Commissioners approve opening of bids for renovations to Human Services Building and Wellness Clinic

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ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met Monday, June 5, with multiple property matters on the agenda.

The board first approved a waiver of the American Healthcare Systems annual debt with regard to the Rural Healthcare Stabilization loan from UNC Health.

“The terms of the agreement we have with the state are pretty well fixed,” said Assistant County Manager Will Massie. “We owe $1 million a year plus 1% interest. The way the pass-through agreement with the hospital read was that the board would consider the compliance with the terms of the contract.”

The board had initially expressed concerns with the way AHS’ administration had been operating in conjunction with Randolph Health, but after improvements were made to transparency and regulations, the board was satisfied.

“The spirit and intent, I think, has been met,” said Commissioner David Allen. “We want to see everybody succeed. Based on our last meeting, where it was very much the spirit and intent to have a functioning board, I think the spirit of intent has been met with all these requirements.”

The money obtained from the loan is intended strictly for capital purchase and can not be used for daily operations.

The board also approved the final design of the Human Services Building in Archdale from Smith Sinnett Architecture and opened the project up for bids.

The renovations in the base bid involve improvements to the upper level, including 24 private offices – 19 for DSS and five for DPH – a secure DPH suite, shared reception and waiting area, dedicated public restroom, large DSS work room, and shared break room and conference room.

If the base bids come in and funding for alternates is still available, the plan also includes potential options for renovations of the lower level, including 25 additional DSS offices, a break room, a conference room, and a small work area.

The estimated budget cost for the base bid renovations is $1,508,150, the alternate option for renovation to the lower level is $1,043,150, and an alternate option for parking lot seal coat and striping is $25,000, for a total projected construction cost of $2,576,300.

“We think this is a good building to reuse for the purposes,” said Robert Carmac of Smith Sinnett Architecture. “We’ve tried to maximize every possible way. We have strived to find every way in this building to drive the cost down. To reuse, to maximize this building as an asset.”

The project is projected to begin in August or September with an 8-12 month timeline for construction.

Along with the DHS building renovations, the final design of the Wellness Clinic at Northgate was also approved and opened up for bids.

The renovation plan includes an additional five exam rooms, an overflow room, two offices, secure reception and waiting area, supply storage, pharmacy storage, a dedicated lab, a drug screening toilet in lab and a separate public restroom.

According to the plan by SmithSinnett, construction is projected to start in August with a 5-6 month completion window.

“I think it looks like a good location for this,” said Commissioner Hope Haywood. “I think in the long run it’s going to save us dollars, and I think the payoff will be to the benefit of our employees’ health and wellbeing.”

The board then held a public hearing about a potential economic development partnership for the Seagrove I-74 Truckstop, Pump Station and Force Main.

“Love’s Truck Stop has shown interest in this location, however, due to the sewer capacity at Seagrove, they’ve been unable to commit to the site,” said Paxton Arthurs. “If the proposed pump station can be routed to the Uwharrie Pump Station, which is supposed to be sent to Asheboro, then they’ve agreed to move forward with the project.”

Along with the sewer agreement, the proposal also includes an agreement from the county to fund $300,000 of the $800,000 projected total cost for the project through state-issued ARPA funds.

Following the hearing, the board approved the request.

The second hearing was for the county to act to approve the NC Railroad Grant for Ace Avant.

“In addition to supporting our existing industries throughout Randolph County by showing our appreciation for those industries and their commitment to our community, providing workforce development programs, and attracting and recruiting new industry to create jobs and spread that tax base, the EDC is also tasked with identifying potential development of industrial sites and buildings throughout Randolph County for the purposes of attracting new companies to our community,” said EDC Business Recruitment Director Crystal Gettys “The Highway 311 South site consists of 67.6 acres owned by Ace Avant and is already zoned Industrial Use with a potential of being rail served.

“The North Carolina Railroad Grant is a performance-based grant, and so the property must ultimately be conveyed to an industrial rail user. If the property is sold to a non-rail user, the grant provisions require the repayment of all or a portion of the grant.”

However, Ace Avant has already agreed to be responsible for any paybacks should the sale not go through to a rail user.

With that stipulation, the board agreed to grant the grant following the hearing.

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners will next meet July 10.

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Commissioners approve construction of onsite medical clinic for employees

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ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met Monday, May 1, with multiple budgetary requests on the agenda.

The board first approved a $10,000 grant for the George Washington Carver College, Inc. after-school program.

“What we did was team up with Communities in Schools, Asheboro City Schools and the City of Asheboro,” said George Washington Carver Community Enrichment Center Chairman Clyde Faust. “We got Communities in Schools to go and help us find retired teachers that would help create a foundation for developing those study habits. Some professional teachers who are going to come in and who are going to help these middle school kids get those study habits that are so important.”

“The second part of the day is bringing in professional artists. In theater, we work with RhinoLeap Productions, and they bring in professionals in the theater department. We work with artists from UNC Greensboro who brought in professionals that teach dance. We brought in professional painters who are painting a mural for Russell Murphy, who was a community leader back in the 1970s and 1980s, and people in our after-school program are actually helping to create that mural. And why the arts? The arts teach you how to think outside the box. The arts teach you how to be original, how to speak up for yourself, how to have self-confidence.”

According to Faust, the program costs parents just $25 every three months and includes professional training from teachers and artists, a hot meal and a snack, and the Carver Center is a designated bus stop for both South Asheboro and North Asheboro Middle School.

The board also approved a contract renewal with Mediko, Inc for inmate medical services.

“As a part of the contract renewal, we are requesting an additional licensed nurse practitioner,” said Chief Deputy Aundrea Azelton. “This additional position would be responsible for completing medication distribution and medical screenings during intake. There is currently only one LPN who does those duties in addition to doing the daily inmate medical sick calls and attending to emergent medical needs of inmates. The new position would provide additional coverage Monday through Friday.”

The contract’s total cost is $1,420,762 for the year, which is a $26,000 increase from the base contract price last year.

The board also approved a new Human Services Planner/Evaluator II position.

“As the opioid settlement funding work has progressed, it has become very clear that Randolph County could benefit from having a human services planner or evaluator that would provide support for the settlement funds project, including implementation of strategies and compliance with the North Carolina Memorandum of Agreement and any activities approved by this board,’ said Public Health Director Tara Aker. “The HR planner or evaluator will work closely with the organizations that apply for and receive funding.”

The board then approved the abolishment and subsequent reformation of the Farmer Fire Tax District in order to remove the $0.15 cent tax cap that had previously been put on the districts.

Farmer is the final district to be approved for the change, which will not affect the area of service, nor is it an actual tax increase.

The board also approved the funding and construction of an on-site medical clinic at Northgate Wellness Center for employees and their dependents that Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist will staff.

“There are many advantages to having an on-site medical clinic,” said Wellness Administrator Sam Varner. “Number one, probably the most important, is reduced healthcare costs which will save the county money. It will also improve employee productivity. Having an on-site medical clinic will definitely improve the retention of our current employees. It will improve access to quality medical care, especially for our at-risk employees. It will also reduce the annual biometrics screening cost.”

The approved cost from the county is $405,000, with a $50,000 startup cost. The design for the clinic will be done by Smith-Sinnett Architecture.

“All in all, the research from four independent studies states that for every dollar we invest in an on-site medical clinic, we will save $3 on healthcare savings,” Varner said.

Finally, the board approved a renewal of its Microsoft 365 contract totaling $888,600.

“With all the hacking that’s going on today, it’s a protection for our employees and the citizens of this county too,” said Chairman Darell Frye. “There’s a lot of records that are kept in this county. A lot of personal records are in our system here.”

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners will next meet June 5.

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Commissioners approve new departmental positions and reclassifications

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ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, January 3, with a full agenda to kick off the new year.

The board was first presented with its annual audit report, which was conducted by Cherry Bekaert LLC.

“We issued what we call an unmodified opinion on your financial statements,” said April Adams, a partner at Cherry Bekaert LLP who oversaw the audit. “That is otherwise known as the clean opinion. That’s the opinion that you want. It’s the highest level of assurance that we can give you as an audit firm that your financial statements are free from material misstatements.”

Adams stated that the audit found no issues with any of the financials for the county, and the only thing they found was one non-material, noncompliance which was issued for the single audit for one of the 60 employees tested where there were inconsistencies with how they reported their time.

The board was also presented with an update on the Business Gym program they previously approved funding for.

“The Business Gym is basically a learning portal for anyone and everyone, and it’s free, and it’s on-demand training,” said Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce President Linda Brown. “Just the meat and potatoes, five to eight minute videos, quick, downloadable information packets that they can take, and the beauty of it is it is available 24/7, 365. It’s the same information every time, so it’s very consistent.”

The Business Gym’s purpose is to standardize and streamline the information given to businesses and to be easier to access to a wide array of people.

“We had a 62.5% increase in new business startups in Randolph County, and historically as much as 70% of those businesses will fail if they don’t have some sort of support or assistance. So, we had a two-fold problem, not just people trying to start new businesses, but people who had existing businesses that struggled through COVID and were trying to rebuild and become sustainable once again.”

The board also approved four funding requests, one for $152,265 for the Randolph Heritage Conservancy, Inc., to pay for an engineering study, an environmental study, and a rendering of what architects think the rebuilding outside of the Textile Museum would look like. In addition, the board also approved a $25,000 request for the Trinity Museum, $416,501 for the Sheriff’s Office to purchase nine new vehicles (three 2023 Chrysler 300 Touring and six 2023 Ford 150s), and $161,450 to Dbm Construction for the paving the parking lot of the Sheriff’s Office Fleet Maintenance Garage.

In order to keep funding from the Duke Endowment Grant for a school-based oral health program, the board approved subcontracting the grant to Kintegra Family Dentistry, with whom the board had previously approved entering into a partnership with to take over the county dentistry services. 

“In late 2020, early 2021, our public health dental clinic team applied for a Duke Endowment grant,” said Public Health Director Tara Aker. “The intent of that grant was to be used for us to implement a school-based oral health program to do preventive services on-site at schools. In the summer of 2021, the county was awarded that grant for $375,000, and the intent was for us to do it. But as you may recall, we entered into a partnership with Kintegra Family Dentistry to take over the dental services for the county since we were unsuccessful in finding a dentist. We want those funds to stay here and for Kintegra to assume those funds and implement that school-based oral health program.”

According to Aker, the Duke Endowment is aware and supportive of the plan for Kintegra to assume the funding.

The board approved a request by county staff to add a few departmental positions and reclassify some others.

“Our staff and employees are the ones that provide services that our citizens require more now than they ever have required from county government,” said County Manager Hal Johnson. “The whole role of county government, and in particular Randolph County government, has also been transformational in the last decade, and the citizens turn to the county for so many issues that they didn’t use to do in those earlier years, and this all falls back onto our employees.”

The request approves a $355,307 budget amendment to add 12 new positions and 12 position reclassifications to specific county employees.

Finally, the board approved two building reuse grants for Kraftsman Trailers and Mid-State Trailers, with $140,000 passing through the county for Kraftsman with 20 new jobs being required and $100,000 passing through for Mid-State with 19 new jobs being required, and approved an amendment to the I-74 Sewer Line grants to reflect a change in funding. 

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners will next meet February 6.