Johnston Commissioners Hear Updates On Water, Farmland Preservation, Growth

SMITHFIELD – Johnston County Commissioners received updates Monday on the county’s future water supply, farmland preservation efforts and several major infrastructure projects while also hearing concerns from residents about a large event near Princeton.

Future Water Supply

County Engineer Kim Rineer told commissioners Johnston County’s effort to develop a second water supply from the lower Neuse River began about 20 years ago with a series of studies.

Those studies determined the lower Neuse could provide an ample and reliable water source, in part because of the number of creeks feeding the river in that area. State and federal regulators have since endorsed the county’s plans, she said.

The county selected a site near Richardson Bridge Road because it provides the easiest access to the river.

Under the proposal, Johnston County would draw water from the Neuse as long as river flow exceeds 198 cubic feet per second. When flows drop below that level, the county would draw water from a nearby quarry it owns.

The quarry can hold more than 800 million gallons of water. Rineer said the risk to neighboring wells would be minimal because the county plans to draw water only from the upper portion of the quarry.

Johnston County is moving forward with plans for the new river intake and a water treatment plant near Princeton. The plant would initially produce 6 million gallons per day and could eventually be expanded to 30 million gallons daily.

Rineer said the expanded capacity should meet the county’s water needs for decades.

Farmland Preservation

Commissioners also heard from the Johnston Soil and Water Conservation District about efforts to permanently preserve farmland.

Since 2023, conservation easements have been secured on 226.95 acres. Another 362 acres are fully funded and awaiting final state and federal approval, while another 445.9 acres are expected to close in early 2027.

Together, completed easements and those fully funded and awaiting closing total about 1,100 acres that will remain in agricultural use permanently.

The county has appropriated $1.1 million toward conservation easements, which Soil and Water officials said has helped leverage another $11 million in state and federal funding.

Applications have also been submitted seeking funding to preserve an additional 398.39 acres.

Vulcan Elements Water Request

In another matter, commissioners took under advisement a request for county funding to enlarge a water line serving Vulcan Elements and other properties in an industrial park in Benson.

Vulcan Elements, a manufacturer of rare-earth magnets, needs greater water capacity for its production process. The Town of Benson cannot afford the project.

Commissioner Bill Stovall questioned why the need had not been identified when Vulcan announced plans last year to locate in Benson.

Harold Keen, president of the I-95/I-40 Economic Development Alliance, said Vulcan is taking over and expanding a speculative building originally expected to be occupied by a distribution company, which would have required significantly less water.

The project could cost as much as $1.7 million, with funding potentially coming from a state grant and the Johnston County Economic Development Office.

Concerns Over Princeton Event

Commissioners also heard from residents living near the site of the annual Caballos & Trokas horse and truck show near Princeton.

Neighbors complained about problems surrounding this year’s event, including trespassing, public urination and vehicles blocking driveways.

One resident said a break-in during the event caused his 18-year-old daughter to flee their home in fear. He told commissioners he wanted the county to address the problems before residents felt compelled to take matters into their own hands.

New DSS Building, Fire Station

Commissioners agreed to begin negotiations with Bordeaux Construction Co. to manage the design and construction of a new Johnston County Department of Social Services building. The selection followed interviews with several construction companies.

The board also approved a request from North Side Fire Rescue to build a new fire station at 4370 N.C. 42 East in the Flowers Plantation community near Clayton.

Fire Chief Phillip Driver said the approximately 12,500-square-foot station is expected to cost about $4 million. Plans call for three drive-through apparatus bays and sleeping quarters for six firefighters.

The building will also include space for an EMS crew and ambulance if a study determines additional emergency medical coverage is needed in the area.

Other Business

Commissioners accepted a $12,117.34 grant from the North Carolina Pesticide Environmental Trust Fund for Johnston County’s Pesticide Container Recycling Program.

The money will be used to replace an older open-top recycling container. Since 1998, the program has helped farmers and commercial applicators recycle more than 300,000 pounds of plastic pesticide containers, saving an estimated $600,000 in landfill space.

The board endorsed an N.C. Department of Transportation request to add several subdivision streets to the state maintenance system.

They include Pebberdam Street, Wilderness Trail and Rowsham Street in Avery Landing subdivision in Boon Hill Township, along with Weatherford Drive, Clear Brook Court, Song Breeze Circle, Morningside Lane and Summer Rain Court in Weatherford subdivision in Pleasant Grove Township.

Commissioners also declared a 2015 GMC Sierra with 189,075 miles surplus. The pickup will be sold at public auction.

The board approved an agreement allowing Johnston County Area Transit System to access federal funding for public transit services in the Clayton area. The money for planning and operations will flow through the City of Raleigh because JCATS is not currently structured to receive federal urban transit funding directly.

Commissioners amended an agreement with M. Durwood Stephenson & Associates, which advises the county on construction projects. Because the county plans to hire a construction manager for the new DSS building, Stephenson & Associates will no longer perform that role on the project.

The board granted NCDOT a temporary easement on the county-owned Rose Dairy Farm property to install an 18-inch pipe beneath Interstate 95.

Commissioners proclaimed November as Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness and Caregivers Month, noting more than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and nearly 12 million family members and friends serve as unpaid caregivers.

The board also issued a formal written order documenting its Oct. 5 approval of a cellphone tower at 435 Taylor Road in the Cleveland community.

Three budget amendments were approved, including a $7,394 state grant for maternal health services, $10,142 in investment income, fines and fees for the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield to purchase books, and $153,249 carried over from the previous budget for an Inspections Department software subscription.

Commissioners approved the Town of Selma’s request to appoint Gray Sasser to the Moccasin Creek Service District Board.

The board took no action following a closed session concerning a real estate matter.