Johnston County Budget Approved; Property Tax Rate Reduced By One Cent

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — Johnston County commissioners approved a $434.9 million budget Monday night that fully funds requests from Johnston County Public Schools and Johnston Community College, adds new public safety positions, and reduces the county property tax rate by one cent.

The spending plan, which takes effect July 1, is substantially larger than the budget proposed by County Manager Rick Hester last month and reflects several changes made by commissioners during weeks of budget discussions.

In May, Hester proposed a $421.9 million General Fund budget that would have maintained the county property tax rate at 52 cents per $100 valuation, delayed most new employee requests, and only partially funded requests from the school system and community college.

The budget approved Monday increases county spending while lowering the property tax rate to 51 cents per $100 valuation.

Commissioners also restored a number of positions that had been omitted from the manager’s proposal, including six deputies for the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, six paramedics for Johnston County Emergency Services, and four telecommunicators for Johnston County 911 Communications.

Education funding was among the biggest changes made during the budget process.

Johnston County Public Schools will receive nearly $121.8 million in local funding, including operational and capital dollars, fully funding the school system’s request. Johnston Community College will receive nearly $17.8 million, including funding intended to help address recruitment and retention challenges for instructors in specialized fields.

The budget also provides county employees with a 3 percent pay increase, with the possibility of additional performance-based raises.

While property owners will see a slight reduction in the county tax rate, residents will face higher costs in several other areas.

Water and sewer usage rates will increase by roughly 10 percent beginning July 1. County officials estimate a typical residential water bill will increase from $45.80 to about $48 per month, while a typical sewer bill will rise from $68.40 to approximately $72 monthly. Landfill tipping fees will increase from $48 to $50 per ton.

Commissioners also approved increasing the recreation fee-in-lieu charged on new residential development from $1,000 to $1,200 per lot.

The countywide fire tax rate will remain unchanged at 11.5 cents per $100 valuation.

Commissioners included funding for several nonprofit organizations, including Harbor Inc., Triangle Land Conservancy, the Boys & Girls Club, Johnston Memorial Hospital Foundation, Partnership for Children, Smithfield Rescue Mission, Special Olympics, and the Johnston County Arts Council.

The final budget comes as Johnston County continues to grapple with the costs associated with rapid growth, including increased demands on schools, public safety, infrastructure, and utilities. During presentation of the proposed budget in May, county officials cited rising health insurance costs and new debt payments associated with school construction projects as major financial pressures facing the county.