Johnston Commissioners Advance Airport Tower, New DSS Building

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — Johnston County commissioners approved funding for a new digital air traffic control tower, advanced plans for a new Department of Social Services headquarters and recognized a longtime community leader during their July 20 meeting.

Commissioners presented the County’s first Cypress Legacy Award to Sherrill Stevens, honoring his lifetime of service as a World War II veteran, former Army Reserve chaplain and longtime pastor. The new award is the county’s highest honor and recognizes individuals whose leadership and service have made a lasting impact on Johnston County.

The board also committed $4.5 million toward construction of a digital air traffic control tower at Johnston Regional Airport, with $2.75 million budgeted for fiscal year 2026-27 and $1.75 million for 2027-28. Johnston Regional Airport is the third busiest airport in North Carolina. Unlike a traditional control tower, the new facility will use high-definition cameras and sensors to provide air traffic controllers with a live digital view of airport operations.

Commissioners also agreed to move forward with the full design of a new home for the Johnston County Department of Social Services. The agency currently operates from five separate buildings. The board also selected the construction manager at risk method for the project, allowing a construction manager to work alongside designers to provide cost estimates, scheduling input and constructability reviews before bids are sought.

The board endorsed several transportation projects it hopes the N.C. Department of Transportation will include in its next State Transportation Improvement Program. Among the priorities are widening portions of Cornwallis and Cleveland roads, adding a center turn lane on U.S. 70 Business in Smithfield, constructing an airport access road and hangars at Johnston Regional Airport, extending greenways between Wilson’s Mills and Smithfield and from Smithfield to the Rose Dairy Nature Preserve near Four Oaks, and building a sidepath along Cornwallis Road.

Commissioners also received an update on the Johnston County Area Transit System. Director Josh Jensen reported ridership has increased 26 percent since 2023 but said demand for transportation services for elderly and disabled residents is growing faster than available funding. He also announced plans to expand the JCATS QuickRide service into Clayton and Flowers Plantation.

The board adopted a resolution declaring its intent to participate in North Carolina’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy, or C-PACE, program, which allows commercial property owners to obtain long-term private financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation improvements. A public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 17.

Commissioners delayed a decision on a request from the Wilson’s Mills Fire Department to use reserve funds toward the purchase of a new ladder truck rather than paying off an existing station mortgage. Board members said they wanted additional financial information before making a decision.

The board approved requests from the 50-210, Antioch, Bethany, Four Oaks, Micro and Princeton fire departments to purchase new tanker trucks at a cost of $644,337 each. Commissioners also approved allocating $152,054 in fire district tax revenue to Benson, Clayton, Four Oaks, Selma and Smithfield to reimburse the towns for services they provide to local fire departments.

Commissioners approved agreements with the towns of Clayton and Wilson’s Mills regarding future water and sewer service. The Clayton agreement covers previously annexed property along Castleberry Road, while the Wilson’s Mills agreement outlines how water and sewer service will be provided both within town limits and to certain future annexations.

The board recognized 13 county government summer interns representing Cooperative Extension, Emergency Services, Finance, Human Resources, Public Health, Public Utilities, Soil and Water, Technology Services and Veterans Services.

Commissioners also appointed Commissioner Ted Godwin as the county’s voting delegate to the 2026 N.C. Association of County Commissioners Conference.

Planning staff updated the board on work to adopt a new Unified Development Ordinance. The latest draft will be posted online by Aug. 4, followed by a public drop-in meeting Sept. 9 at the Johnston County Agricultural Center.

The board also scheduled an Aug. 3 public hearing on proposed changes to the county’s mass gathering ordinance. The revisions would require organizers of events with 2,500 or more attendees to obtain a county permit to help ensure adequate public safety resources are available.

Other action included accepting additional subdivision roads into the state maintenance system, hiring Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co. to perform the county’s annual financial audit for $91,750, revising the county’s policy governing the expenditure of federal grant funds, declaring a surplus solid waste compactor for sale, and approving several budget amendments, including a $41 million transfer from the General Fund to support public school and Johnston Community College construction projects.