Johnston County Manager Rick Hester released his proposed 2018-2019 fiscal year budget to Johnston County Commissioners Thursday afternoon. The $227.1 million spending plan keeps the current 78 cents property tax rate unchanged for the 15th consecutive year. The new budget is 1.9 percent higher than the current $222.8 million budget.
The new budget includes funding to make the second debt payment for the $30 million Johnston County Schools capital improvement program to make repairs at older schools last year. “Since 2013 – only a 5-year time span – Johnston County has planned for $148 million in capital projects for Johnston County Public Schools and $22 million for Johnston Community College,” Hester said.
The breakdown is as follows:
2013 Bond Referendum – $57 million for Johnston County Public Schools and $7 million for Johnston Community College.
2016 $30 million Loan – Funding for Johnston County Public Schools to complete major renovations and repairs to older schools.
2018 November Bond Referendums – $61 million for Johnston County Schools and $15 million for Johnston Community College
The proposed budget includes a 3 percent increase in funding for Johnston County Schools and Johnston Community College. That represents $1.8 million more for public schools and $132,000 more for the college. Most of the funding increases are recommended to be designation for non-recurring school safety related expenses.
Employee Raises
The proposed budget includes a 2.1% salary increase for county employees in July and performance pay adjustments up to 1.4% this fall based on employee reviews. Funds are also included for salary adjustments based on a recent salary study.
23 New County Positions
Hester’s budget proposal includes 23 new positions. They include 2 new sheriff’s office telecommunicators, one 911 Communications System Analyst, 6 EMS positions, 1 Environmental Health Specialist, 2 positions for Behavioral Health, 1 Administrative Support Specialist, and 1 Wellness Coordinator and 1 internal auditor for the Finance Department. 8 positions have been proposed for Public Utilities with different starting months.
Fee Increases
The Department of Public Utilities is proposing several fee increases. Click here to see complete list.
The Department of Solid Waste Services is proposing a $2 per ton tipping fee increase at the county landfill for municipal solid waste and $3 per ton fee increase for construction and demolition waste and the land clearing/inert debris-tipping fee.
