Johnston County Manager Rick Hester has released his proposed 2022-2023 fiscal year budget. The $301 million spending plan keeps the 73 cents per $100 valuation property tax rate unchanged. The new spending proposal is up 4.8 percent over the 2021-2022 budget of $287.4 million. The new budget includes adding a number of new employees and miscellaneous fee increases.
The proposal includes 51 new full-time positions in the following departments:
Animal Services – 1
Building Inspections – 3
Building & Grounds – 1
Cooperative Extension – 1
Department of Social Services – 8
Detention Center – 11
Emergency Medical Services – 8
Human Resources – 1
Parks, Greenways & Open Space – 1
Planning – 2
Public Health – 6
Public Utilities – 6
Solid Waste – 2
Funds are included for a salary increase in July 2022 followed by a performance pay increase in October 2022. The amount of the increases will be released in upcoming budget meetings, Mr. Hester stated.
Fee Increases
New fees and fee increases are proposed for Building Inspections. They are for non-emergency after hours inspections ($125/hour with a two hour minimum), a residential plan change fee of $200, and an initial $1,000 fee due at the time of submittal for commercial plan reviews for projects over $500,000. The $1,000 would be credited to the total permit fee at permit issuance.
The Department of Public Utilities is proposing a comprehensive list of fee adjustments. For example, the application fee for water service will increase from $25 to $30 and the application fee for water and sewer combined will go from $40 to $45.
Water tap fees (3/4 inch tap) will increase from $600 to a minimum of $800. The amount could be higher. It will be charged at cost plus 10 percent. The water meter fee (3/4 inch tap) will climb from $240 to $260.
The base retail month water rate will remain at $21.00/month, however the cost per 1,000 gallons will increase from $4.15 to $4.40 per 1,000 gallons (up to 4,000 gallons/month). The cost for 5,000 – 9,000 gallons of water per month will increase from $5.10 to $5.40 per 1,000 gallons.
Residential retail sewer rates (3/4 inch tap) will remain at $31.00/month. The retail commodity charge will go from $6.90 to $7.25 per 1,000 gallons.
The budget includes a $4 per ton tipping fee increase for the Department of Solid Waste. It would increase the cost from $40 to $44 per ton for trash disposal at the county landfill. A $30 increase in the asbestos disposal fee is included for a total of $75 per ton.
JCPS Funding
Johnston County Public Schools is requesting $91.2 million in current funding for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Hester’s budget proposal includes $80 million for current expense.
JCPS is also wanting $6 million in Capital Outlay plus an additional $4.5 million for future land purchases ($10.5 million total). Hester has proposed giving JCPS $1.25 million for capital outlay. Traditionally, in years past, Johnston County Commissioners have purchased land for future school sites.
JCC Funding
Johnston Community College is seeking $6 million in current expense funding plus $1.1 million for Capital Outlay. The proposed budget includes $5 million for current expense and $525,000 for Capital Outlay.
In a memo to county commissioners, Mr. Hester said, “Based on April 30, 2022 financial projections, the June 30, 2022 fund balance percentage is expected to be comparable to other similar-sized North County counties with outstanding credit ratings… I look forward to discussing the proposed budget at the upcoming budget meetings.”
Budget Meetings & Public Hearing
Three budget meetings have been scheduled. The first budget meeting and a public hearing on the spending proposal will take place June 6 at 10:00am during the regularly scheduled Johnston County Commission meeting. A special scheduled meeting will be held June 13th at 6:00pm. The final budget meeting with anticipated adoption will take place June 20th at 6:00pm. All three meetings are open to the public.
And they shouldn’t go up. With all of the new housing being built I would think that would raise the tax revenue and there would be no need to raise rates. Unless, all of the new housing actually cost taxpayers money due to increased infrastructure costs? Might want to think about slowing growth.
Nash and Wayne Counties lookin’ really good right now. No intrusive vehicle inspections either
Is there money in the budget for an armed policeman at every school
How many property tax payers wrote a smaller or same size check at the tax office? You didn’t you wrote a larger amount because the revaluation increased your taxes even thow you didn’t sell your home. Now this is going to happen every four years instead of the eight years required by state law just to capture those extra dollars four years earlier.
https://jocoreport.com/commissioners-accelerate-future-property-revaluations/
After another school shooting what is johnston county doing to protect our school kids
At the very least they should have the doors locked and single entry point. I know they had that in place several years ago. Let’s hope they are continuing to do that. As for all the mobile units being used there is no protection there like there should be.
Why aren’t any school security issues being budgeted?!!!! I don’t want to be on the national news like Ulvarde, parkland, sandy hook…. Don’t our children matter?!! You can budget 11 new detention officers, hardly anything for public health or social services and nothing for school security/safeguards. Unbelievable.