LOOKING BACK: Johnston County Commissioners 10, 25 And 50 Years Ago

SMITHFIELD – School construction, road paving, water and sewer projects, emergency services and county spending were among the issues before Johnston County commissioners during August meetings 10, 25 and 50 years ago.

Official meeting minutes from August 1976, 2001 and 2016 provide a look at county government during each period.

50 Years Ago — August 1976

Johnston County commissioners in August 1976 included Chairman Norman C. Denning, Vice Chairman Frank B. Holding and Commissioners Freddie Adams, Howard Benton and Larry Castleberry.

Castleberry was sworn into office immediately before the Aug. 2 meeting.

Wastewater improvements were among the larger financial matters before the board.

Commissioners approved a $16,991.25 contract for work associated with expansion of the Smithfield-Selma wastewater treatment plant.

K&G Healthcare Industries asked the county to extend water and sewer service to property about four miles east of Smithfield on U.S. 70. The company said it eventually planned to construct a 100,000-square-foot building at the site. Commissioners delayed action while seeking assurances about the company’s construction and employment plans.

County employees were receiving 12 cents per mile when using personal vehicles for county business. Several departments requested an increase to 15 cents per mile. Commissioners declined the request and kept the reimbursement rate at 12 cents.

Commissioners also agreed to seek a state grant that would pay 50 percent of the cost of two ambulances for the Clayton and Princeton rescue squads.

County Administrator Kramer Jackson reported Johnston County might qualify for federal public works money. Commissioners identified a livestock arena, school administration building and water lines as possible projects if funding became available.

At a special Aug. 24 meeting, commissioners reviewed a $389,600 secondary road allocation for Johnston County. The projects included $162,000 for work on 3.8 miles of Secondary Road 1148 and $94,500 for Secondary Road 2134. Commissioners also agreed to use reserve funds to help pave approximately 0.17 mile of Secondary Road 2324 near Pine Level.

The rental fee for the Johnston County Agriculture Building remained $35, with commissioners requiring advance payment and establishing an 11:45 p.m. curfew.

25 Years Ago — August 2001

By August 2001, Johnston County commissioners were considering considerably larger capital projects.

Commissioners moved forward with a proposed $75 million general obligation school bond referendum for acquiring, constructing and equipping school facilities.

The board also approved tax-exempt status for a $450,000 loan from Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company to the Archer’s Lodge Volunteer Fire Department for construction of a fire station on Covered Bridge Road.

The Council on Aging was seeking a $225,000 state grant to purchase property and construct a Johnston County Area Transit System facility in Selma. Commissioners agreed to provide the required $25,000 local match.

Public Utilities received approval to purchase a two-ton diesel truck for $36,069.

One of the month’s largest construction matters involved renovation of the former Belk building in Smithfield.

Bids included $912,000 for general construction, $56,083 for plumbing, $351,400 for electrical work, $86,000 for sprinklers and $697,400 for heating and air conditioning. The five contracts totaled $2,102,883.

Commissioners also received a petition signed by more than 1,400 people requesting a referendum on malt-beverage sales in rural Johnston County. A motion to place the question on the November ballot failed for lack of a second.

The board also discussed a possible additional 3-cent tourism tax connected to plans for a convention center. Officials were considering how to address an estimated $1.5 million funding shortfall for the project.

10 Years Ago — August 2016

Johnston County commissioners in August 2016 included Chairman Tony Braswell, Vice Chairman DeVan Barbour and Commissioners Cookie Pope, Allen Mims Jr., Jeffrey Carver, Ted Godwin and Chad Stewart.

Johnston County EMS received approval to accept a $427,728 federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The money was to purchase heart monitors and defibrillators and provide training.

Development was another major subject during an Aug. 1 evening meeting.

County planning officials discussed possible changes to residential development regulations, including reducing allowable housing density in some areas and considering school and road capacity when developments were proposed.

Commissioners also approved a special-use permit allowing Wake Electric Membership Corp. to construct a 300-foot communications tower on Wilder Road in O’Neals Township.

Another case involved 14.69 acres along N.C. 242 in Banner Township owned by GALOT Racing LLC. Commissioners approved rezoning the property from Agricultural Residential to General Business.