Johnston Commissioners Review Budget, Approve Rose Dairy Park Land Transfer

SMITHFIELD, N.C. – The Johnston County Board of Commissioners tackled a wide range of issues during its May 18 public meeting, including a proposed $421.9 million budget, future park development, utility infrastructure projects and concerns from residents about housing affordability and hunger.

County Manager Rick Hester presented his proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget, which would keep the county property tax rate unchanged at 52 cents per $100 valuation. The fire district tax rate would also remain at 11.5 cents.

The proposed spending plan totals $421.9 million, a 2.2 percent increase over the current year’s budget. The increase includes new debt payments tied to the Clayton High School rebuild and voter-approved bonds for Johnston County Public Schools and Johnston Community College.

Under the proposal, Johnston County Public Schools would receive $113 million for operations and an additional $3.5 million for capital needs. Johnston Community College would receive slightly more than $10 million for operations and $1.2 million for capital projects.

The budget proposal would also increase the landfill tipping fee from $48 to $50 per ton, while convenience sites would remain free for county residents.

County department heads requested 28 new positions for the upcoming fiscal year, but Hester recommended pausing most new hiring efforts. Public Utilities would still be permitted to add four positions funded through water and sewer revenues.

Commissioners also accepted 308 acres from the Triangle Land Conservancy for the future Rose Dairy Park.

The property, located near the beginning of the Neuse River lowgrounds, is expected to open later this year with walking trails, fishing ponds, picnic areas, wildlife viewing opportunities and educational programming. Johnston County Parks and Open Space will also locate its offices at the site.

Part of the property will continue operating as a farm through Garrett Wildflower Seed Farm. The park is named after the dairy farm that once operated on the land.

County officials noted Johnston County has helped preserve approximately 1,750 acres of farmland since 2018 through conservation efforts.

The board also approved the Health Department’s fee schedule for fiscal year 2026-27. Some fees will increase, others will decrease and many will remain unchanged.

Among the larger increases, environmental health permit fees for smaller septic systems will rise from $500 to $600, while permit fees for larger systems will increase from $575 to $700.

During public comment, several residents urged county leaders to address issues including hunger, affordable housing and financial hardships faced by residents struggling to pay rent and utility bills. One speaker also called for greater transparency in the county’s annual budget process.

Commissioners additionally approved three Public Utilities capital projects. One project is designed to increase water capacity for the growing Clayton and Cleveland communities. Another includes booster pump station and pipeline improvements along King Road north of Selma. The third project will replace a sewer pump station near the Duchess Downs subdivision in the Cleveland area.

In another action, commissioners approved a request to move property tax foreclosures in-house rather than continuing to rely on a private law firm.

County staff said the change is expected to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Officials noted Johnston County historically has not aggressively pursued foreclosures, leaving some delinquent taxpayers years behind on payments. Staff plans to initially focus on the oldest delinquent cases.

The board also proclaimed May 17-23 as Emergency Medical Services Week, recognizing EMS providers for their role in improving survival and recovery rates during medical emergencies.

Commissioners also approved adding $6,482.21 in revenue to the Sheriff’s Office budget from insurance proceeds and collections from the state’s Controlled Substance Tax.