Johnston Commissioners Hear Fire Station Study, Budget Requests

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — The Johnston County Board of Commissioners received a long-range fire protection study, held a public hearing on the proposed 2026-27 budget, and denied a rezoning request during its June 1 meeting.

A countywide fire station location study identified a dozen areas where new stations will likely be needed as Johnston County continues to grow. Proposed future locations include Browns Pond Road and Dogwood Drive near Selma; multiple sites in the Clayton area including N.C. 42 East, Amelia Church Road, Covered Bridge Road, Lee Road, and Little Creek Church Road; Lassiter Road near Four Oaks; White Memorial Church Road near Angier; South Bright Leaf Boulevard in Smithfield; 50 South near Benson; and the Wolfpack Lane-East Peedin Road area near Smithfield.

Commissioners also conducted a public hearing on County Manager Rick Hester’s proposed $421.9 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27. During the hearing, representatives from Johnston County Public Schools and several nonprofit organizations requested funding support.

The proposed budget maintains the county property tax rate at 52 cents per $100 valuation and the fire tax rate at 11.5 cents. It includes $113 million for public school operations and $3.5 million for school capital needs. Johnston Community College would receive more than $10 million for operations and $1.2 million for capital expenses.

While county departments requested more than 30 new positions, the budget proposes only four additional employees, all within Public Utilities. Commissioners could adopt the budget as early as June 15.

The board unanimously denied a rezoning request for 2.5 acres at 6232 Raleigh Road in Elevation Township. The applicant sought to rezone the property for business use to accommodate indoor RV storage. Neighbors opposed the proposal, arguing it was incompatible with the surrounding residential and agricultural character of the area.

Commissioners also reviewed options for constructing a new Department of Social Services building. One option would follow the traditional design-bid-build process, while the second would use a construction manager-at-risk approach that could accelerate the project schedule. The discussion comes as county leaders continue planning for several major capital projects, including a new DSS facility, additional courthouse space, and future EMS stations.

Financial advisors told commissioners the county remains in a strong position to finance the projects through debt if needed.

Commissioners also approved several appointments to county boards and committees. Appointed were Kristi Nelson and Mary Heilig to the Child Fatality Prevention Team; Serreda Jenkins to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council; Joshua B. Holloman, Paul Whiteburst, and William Gerald Fowler to the Local Emergency Planning Committee; Donna Hinnant to the Nursing Home/Adult Care Home Community Advisory Board; Angelique Legette to the Social Services Board; James Thomas Vinson Jr. and Myron Smith to the Voluntary Agricultural District Advisory Board.

Commissioners also approved a request from Celebrate Cleveland organizers to temporarily close a portion of Cleveland Road from 9:45 a.m. until 11 a.m. on July 4 for the community’s annual Independence Day parade.

The board proclaimed July 6-11 as Summer Learning Week in Johnston County and June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Commissioners also extended the contract of Denise Hogan, who transcribes board meeting minutes, through June 30, 2027. Under the terms of a contract that began July 1, 2024, the County pays Hogan $90 per recorded meeting hour but no more than $10,000 per year. The contract extension is through June 30, 2027.

Following a closed session to discuss a personnel matter, commissioners took no action.