Airport Control Tower, New DSS Building Among Major Items Before Johnston Commissioners

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — Funding for a new air traffic control tower at Johnston Regional Airport, the first look at plans for a new Department of Social Services building and discussions about future road improvements are among the major items Johnston County commissioners will consider during their meeting Monday evening.

The Johnston County Board of Commissioners will meet at 6:00 p.m. Monday, July 20, in the Commissioners Meeting Room at the Johnston County Courthouse in Smithfield.

Airport Seeking $4.5 Million for Control Tower

One of the largest funding requests on the agenda comes from Johnston Regional Airport, where officials are seeking $4.5 million in county funding over the next two fiscal years to help construct an air traffic control tower.

The request includes $2.75 million during the 2026-27 fiscal year and $1.75 million during the 2027-28 fiscal year.

Airport officials say the tower is needed as Johnston Regional Airport has grown into one of the busiest airports in North Carolina.

New DSS Building Plans to Be Unveiled

Commissioners will receive their first look at schematic designs for a new Johnston County Department of Social Services building.

In addition to reviewing the conceptual plans, commissioners will be asked to decide how they want to move the project forward.

The county’s architect will present two options. The traditional design-bid-build method calls for completing the building’s design before seeking competitive construction bids. The second option, known as Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), brings a construction manager onto the project during the design phase to provide input on costs, scheduling and constructability before later serving as the general contractor while guaranteeing a maximum project price.

County Buildings Under Review

Facilities Director Daniel Clifton will present commissioners with an update on the condition of county-owned buildings.

County leaders plan to use the report to prioritize maintenance needs and develop a long-term strategy for maintaining county facilities.

Transportation Priorities

Commissioners will discuss highway projects they may ask the North Carolina Board of Transportation to include in the next 10-year State Transportation Improvement Program.

Among the possible projects are widening portions of Cornwallis Road and Cleveland Road. The recommendations were developed by the metropolitan and rural planning organizations that serve Johnston County.

The board will also consider a request from the North Carolina Department of Transportation to add several subdivision streets to the state’s maintenance system.

The roads include Mahogany Way, Bonsai Way, Mangrove Court, Everwood Drive, Cherry Tree Lane, Orange Grove Lane and Apple Grove Lane in the Everwood subdivision in Elevation Township; Ivey Hollow Court in the Bright Ridge subdivision in Pleasant Grove Township; Streamside Drive, Autumn Breeze Court, West Spring Showers Trail and East Spring Showers Trail in the Weatherford subdivision in Pleasant Grove Township; and Johnson Ridge Way in the Johnson Ridge subdivision in Elevation Township.

JCATS Ridership Continues to Grow

Commissioners will hear a presentation from the Johnston County Area Transit System (JCATS), where ridership has increased approximately 26 percent over the past three years.

The presentation will provide an update on the county’s public transportation system and its continued growth.

Water, Sewer and Economic Development

Public Utilities officials are seeking approval of an agreement with the Town of Clayton to provide retail water and sewer service to properties along Castleberry Road.

Under the proposed agreement, Clayton would install master meters and make improvements to two pump stations at the town’s expense.

Commissioners will also consider supporting North Carolina’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program. The program allows commercial property owners to obtain long-term private financing for energy-efficient improvements, including HVAC systems, solar panels, renewable energy projects and water conservation measures.

Public Safety Requests

Emergency Services has several funding requests before the board.

Commissioners will consider allowing the Antioch, Bethany, Four Oaks, Micro and Princeton fire departments to each purchase a new tanker truck at a cost of $644,337.

The board will also consider allocating $152,054 in fire district tax revenue to the Benson, Clayton, Four Oaks, Selma and Smithfield fire departments to reimburse municipalities for services they provide to the rural fire districts.

In addition, commissioners will review a request from the Wilson’s Mills Fire Department to spend a portion of its fund balance.

Budget and Financial Matters

Commissioners are expected to consider a proposal from Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co. to conduct the county’s required annual financial audit.

The proposed audit contract totals $91,750, approximately $4,000, or 4.5 percent, more than last year’s contract.

The board will also review several budget amendments, including $37,030.39 for the Sheriff’s Office, $72,807.80 for Social Services, $12.4 million in fire district and vehicle tax revenue, $120,836 for the Johnston County Tourism Authority and a $41 million transfer from the county’s General Fund to support public school and Johnston Community College capital projects. The General Fund will be reimbursed through future bond proceeds.

Commissioners will also consider revising the county’s federal grant policy. The current policy, adopted in 2023, applies to federal COVID-19 relief funding. The proposed revision would expand the policy to govern the spending of all federal grant awards received by Johnston County.

Additional Business

Other agenda items include a request to declare a county-owned solid waste compactor surplus and authorize its sale through the online government auction website GovDeals.

Commissioners will also consider scheduling a public hearing on proposed amendments to Johnston County’s mass gatherings ordinance. Among the proposed changes is a requirement that organizers obtain a permit before hosting a mass gathering.

The meeting is open to the public.