Darrell Frye

Randolph County budget holds property tax rate steady

Randolph County budget holds property tax rate steady

Despite $3 million shortfall, commissioners won’t raise taxes ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Commissioners plans to hold property tax rates steady, after a series of meetings during the last two weeks brought commissioners to a total budget of just below $192 million. The rate will remain at $0.50 per $100 valuation thanks to growth in the tax base as well as higher than anticipated sales tax collection. The county had to work around a $3.3 million Medicaid Hold-Harmless shortfall from the prior year and, instead of raising taxes, budgeteers aimed to redirect some recurring financial resources to the…
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Holden sworn in as Randolph County manager

Holden sworn in as Randolph County manager

Zeb Holden, left, was sworn in as Randolph County manager earlier this month as county commissioners look on. (Photo courtesy of Randolph County) Zeb Holden was sworn in as Randolph County manager by the Randolph County Board of Commissioners at its May 6 meeting. “We have always promoted a county manager from within,” said board chairman Darrell Frye. “This time, we did a search. This was the first time we’ve ever posted a job and did a search for a county manager.” The county received some 37 applications from more than a half-dozen different states, including from as far away…
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Randolph Community College gears up for growth with strategic plan

Randolph Community College gears up for growth with strategic plan

Linda Brown of Randolph Community College makes a presentation to Randolph County commissioners, from left, Kenny Kidd, interim county manager Will Massie, chairman Darrell Frye, David Allen and Hope Haywood. (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – Randolph Community College could be on the move in a variety of ways. RCC’s strategic plan includes the possibility of an additional campus and offering of emerging programs. “We believe that by aligning our instruction and training with the evolving needs of industries, we can empower our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing job market,” RCC president Shah Ardalan…
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Asheboro/Randolph Chamber relishes retreat, seeks new leader

Asheboro/Randolph Chamber relishes retreat, seeks new leader

Linda Brown (Courtesy photo)   ASHEBORO – This month’s Asheboro/Randolph Chamber retreat came at a time of transition. President Linda Brown is leaving the group for another job in Randolph County. The annual retreat was held across three days in Myrtle Beach, S.C., dubbed a success with an array of community leaders and a healthy sharing of ideas. There were 93 registered to take part. “A good group of business and community leaders,” Brown said. Three Randolph County commissioners, including longtime attendee and board chair Darrell Frye, took part. State Sen. Dave Craven, City of Asheboro leaders and other elected…
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RCC president Ardalan takes part in signing event for AdvanceNC charter

RCC president Ardalan takes part in signing event for AdvanceNC charter

SANFORD – Randolph Community college president Dr. Shah Ardalan took part in last week’s ceremony at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford for a signing event for the AdvanceNC charter. Nine other community colleges are among the partners. Gov. Roy Cooper participated as well. The consortium recently applied for funding and designation of central North Carolina as an Economic Development Administration “Tech Hub.” If successful, the proposed project — known as the Central Carolina Cleantech Hub (C3H) — will strengthen the region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy critical clean energy technologies. Several university and workforce boards are also involved…
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North Carolina Zoo takes next steps for Asia exhibit

North Carolina Zoo takes next steps for Asia exhibit

NC Zoo director Pat Simmons, center, high-fives state Sen. David Craven Jr., who reaches over Randolph County commissioner Darrell Frye, during Wednesday's groundbreaking. (Scott Pelkey/North State Journal) ASHEBORO – North Carolina Zoo is moving closer to Asia after the groundbreaking for a new exhibit. The 10-acre Asian expansion is a few years away from being opened, but the next steps were evident when regional and state officials gathered Wednesday for the ceremonial start to the process. “Asia has been a long time coming,” said Walker Moffitt, chair of the North Carolina Zoo Council and Asheboro mayor pro tem. This is…
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Commissioners review infrastructure requests

Commissioners review infrastructure requests

Proposed enhancements for water, sewer projects become focus of meeting ASHEBORO — Finding the best way to distribute funds for infrastructure projects was the focus of a special meeting of the Randolph County commissioners this month. Most of the presentations were centered on water and sewer topics. The county will receive $28 million federal funds that will be designated for certain projects. “Now we have more requests than we have monies,” commissioners chairman Darrell Frye said. “Our plan is to take advantage of every dime we can that will build and better secure the future of Randolph County.” Randy Tedder,…
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County set to buy emergency equipment

County set to buy emergency equipment

ASHEBORO — Randolph County commissioners approved more than $1 million in purchases for the emergency services department at its August meeting. There were unanimous votes for two ambulances at a total of $489,548 and 16 cardiac monitor/ defibrillators at a total of $534,869. Both purchases will come from budgeted funds. The 2021 model ambulances could be in place by December. As for the defibrillators, emergency services chief Donovan Davis said a trade-in of 11 monitors means there’s a savings of about $137,000 that’s calculated into the purchase. Battle joins council Alvin Battle, who was a member of North Carolina State’s…
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