Johnston County Budget Hearing, Fire Station Study Among Monday Commissioner Agenda Items

SMITHFIELD, N.C. – Johnston County Commissioners will hold two meetings on Monday, June 1, including a morning work session focused largely on the proposed 2026-27 budget and an evening meeting featuring a rezoning public hearing and capital improvement updates.

Morning Meeting — 10 a.m.

One of the major items on the morning agenda is a public hearing on County Manager Rick Hester’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget.

Under Hester’s proposal, the county property tax rate would remain unchanged at 52 cents per $100 valuation, while the fire service tax would stay at 11.5 cents.

The proposed budget allocates $113 million to Johnston County Public Schools for operations and an additional $3.5 million for capital needs. Johnston Community College would receive just over $10 million for operations and $1.2 million for capital expenses.

Although county departments requested more than 30 new positions for the upcoming fiscal year, the proposed budget includes funding for only four new employees — all within Public Utilities, which is funded through water and sewer revenue rather than property taxes.

Commissioners are also expected to hear funding requests Monday from the school system and several nonprofit organizations.

Other items on the 10 a.m. agenda include:

• Presentation of a county study identifying future fire station needs as Johnston County’s population continues to grow.
• A presentation outlining options for construction of a new Johnston County Department of Social Services building. One option would follow the traditional process of designing the building, seeking bids, and awarding a construction contract. Another option would use a “construction manager at-risk” model, allowing the county to hire an architect and builder simultaneously to potentially accelerate the project timeline.
• Consideration of a proclamation recognizing Summer Learning Week, July 6-11. The proposed proclamation highlights concerns about student learning loss during summer breaks and encourages parents to read with their children and promote independent reading.
• Consideration of a proclamation recognizing Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. The proclamation urges residents to watch for and report warning signs of elder abuse, including physical harm, withdrawal, depression, anxiety, fear, and lack of basic necessities.
• A request from Celebrate Cleveland to temporarily close Cleveland Road from 9:45 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, for the community’s Independence Day parade.
• A staff request to extend the county’s contract with Denise Hogan, who transcribes Board of Commissioners meeting minutes. Under the current agreement, which began July 1, 2024, Hogan is paid $90 per recorded meeting hour, not to exceed $10,000 annually. The proposed extension would continue the contract through June 30, 2027.
• Budget amendments adding $39,759.68 in federal revenue to the Sheriff’s Office budget and $1,283.42 in miscellaneous revenue to the jail budget. Another amendment would allocate $92,000 for Law Enforcement Officer Separation benefits, a state-mandated benefit for qualifying early retirees in law enforcement.
• Appointments to several county boards and committees, including the Child Fatality Prevention Team, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Firefighters Relief Fund Board of Trustees, Local Emergency Planning Committee, Nursing Home/Adult Care Home Community Advisory Board, Social Services Board, and Voluntary Agricultural District Advisory Board.

Evening Meeting – 6 p.m.

During the evening session, commissioners will hold a public hearing on a rezoning request involving 2.586 acres at 6232 Raleigh Road in Elevation Township.

Property owner and applicant Kurtis Farrell is seeking business zoning approval to allow indoor recreational vehicle storage on the property near West Johnston High School.

The proposal replaces an earlier request for a scaffolding business at the site, which drew opposition from nearby residents.

Commissioners will also receive an update on the county’s Capital Improvement Plan, which includes proposed new facilities for the Department of Social Services, County Administration, Public Health Department, and Planning Department.