Report: Most County Buildings Rated Good To Fair, But Some Need Major Investment

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — Most Johnston County-owned buildings are in good or fair condition, but a handful of aging facilities will require significant investment in the coming years to avoid more costly repairs, according to a comprehensive facility assessment presented to county commissioners on July 20.

The assessment evaluated the condition of 29 county-owned buildings totaling approximately 680,140 square feet, giving commissioners a long-term roadmap for budgeting maintenance and capital improvements. The study examined the remaining life expectancy of roofs, heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing, electrical systems, building exteriors and other major components while forecasting maintenance needs over the next 20 years.

The report assigns each building a Facility Condition Index (FCI), a measurement comparing the cost of replacing worn or expired building systems to the overall replacement value of the facility. Lower scores indicate buildings in better condition. According to industry guidelines cited in the report, buildings with an FCI between 0% and 5% are considered in good condition, while those between 5% and 10% are considered fair.

Overall, Johnston County’s facilities received a cumulative FCI score of 5, placing the county’s building inventory on the border between good and fair condition. If current maintenance levels continue, that score is projected to increase to 9 by 2030, underscoring the need for continued investment in county facilities.

Among the buildings identified as needing the greatest attention is the Livestock Arena, which received the county’s highest current FCI score at 23, indicating it has the largest backlog of deferred maintenance relative to its replacement value. The report estimates the facility currently has nearly $333,000 in maintenance needs, increasing to nearly $390,000 by 2030.

The Mental Health Building, built in 1954, was another facility identified as needing significant attention. The report estimates more than $2.45 million in current maintenance needs, the highest dollar amount among all county buildings, with repairs projected to exceed $2.67 million by 2030.

Other facilities with relatively high condition scores include the Heritage Center (FCI 14), the Department of Social Services III building (13), the Board of Elections building (13), and the Benson EMS station (12).

Several newer buildings were found to be in excellent condition, including the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office Evidence Building, Public Safety Center, Four Oaks EMS, Princeton EMS, and the Detention Center, all of which had little or no current deferred maintenance identified in the assessment.

Countywide, the report estimates Johnston County currently has approximately $10.49 million in deferred maintenance needs across its facilities. That figure is projected to increase to more than $18 million by 2030 if buildings continue to age under current funding levels.

The assessment is intended to help commissioners prioritize maintenance projects before small issues become expensive repairs. The information has also been incorporated into the county’s computerized maintenance management system to improve preventive maintenance and long-term capital planning.

Johnston County-Owned Buildings Ranked by 2025 Facility Condition Index

FCI Rating Guide

• Good: 0–5
• Fair: Above 5–10
• Poor: Above 10–30
• Critical: Above 30

Source: Johnston County Facility Condition Assessment, July 2026.