[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6103242,"mediaKeyId","2798872-c04052ce48555f5d5014a71cd1e9e0de","parentId",2798872,"title","Johnston County commissioners ask staff to commission local fiscal study as UDO update proceeds","audioSeconds",150,"startMs",5846000,"endMs",5996000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2798872-c04052ce48555f5d5014a71cd1e9e0de&start=5846&end=5996","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2798872-c04052ce48555f5d5014a71cd1e9e0de/thumbnail_5846000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6103242/Johnston-County/North-Carolina/Johnston-County-commissioners-ask-staff-to-commission-local-fiscal-study-as-UDO-update-proceeds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103242-e5dff3ba3a940939a104d90a8abcb9c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178317&Signature=Lo~GuAV3amAlSQT-T11Hnaa3aQUaKEV8CqITDzgPxG5YUrwLeYarxPeCXYTA1BaLd44eSB~ap2cIGTAYMW8xA025KWvpK~suI3qdQkHbFAMY-pNU0KBjpZPsiU4N~5F8OUJ3UI2j84KskmffVeMwsSnIWZ-hD5x3mQhVVEQfmFRSxqyd66m0W5A1VtAn2Gssru26A3mfZq6SCysOhHp2Y6oAuUqG7TB9F6i1O9AJ~nwiQ1RFCFn6XUUzQFkSaRs6n0n0Qj5pQ7JX1b-rEd-nqfEC24HwsL07aGz2wzeLdI2aYoHfIzIWEqHUHsH7mZOmblPLi57hwmud9cH2HuTq3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Johnston County, NC","date","2025-03-27T20:11:03Z","article","Johnston County commissioners agreed during a strategic planning session to seek a county-specific fiscal impact (cost-of-services) study to help set land-use policy and to complete the county's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) update.

Commissioners said the study would help them weigh the long-term fiscal tradeoffs among residential, commercial and industrial development as the county updates zoning and subdivision rules.

Why it matters: commissioners and staff said they want numbers tied to Johnston County conditions before adopting rules that steer growth. Several commissioners described last session presenter Dr. Dorfman's national examples as eye-opening but not strictly Johnston County–specific; they asked staff to commission localized analysis so the board can test changes to the UDO against projected service costs.

What the board directed: staff will contact the recommended consultant, discuss scope and timeline within 30 days, and return to the board with a proposed scope and cost for approval. Commissioners asked that municipal leaders be consulted about whether they should be participants in the study or recipients of the findings.

Board members emphasized two parallel tracks: complete the UDO stakeholder process and public hearings on the schedule already underway, and run the fiscal study concurrently so the county can adjust the UDO if the study shows material fiscal impacts. A majority of commissioners said they wanted the UDO adopted this year, but they also said the county should be prepared to revise the new code if the fiscal study recommends different mixes of uses or densities.

Discussion highlights: commissioners stressed the difference between general examples and local evidence. Several said they want the cost study to be broad enough to test multiple growth scenarios (different mixes of housing density, commercial and industrial development, and infrastructure costs). Staff noted the study's timeline will depend on scope and on whether municipalities participate and contribute data.

Next steps and timing: staff will (1) contact the consultant identified by the board for an initial scoping call, (2) draft a proposed scope and schedule for board review, (3) advise the board whether the study should be county-only or a regional/cooperative study with nearby jurisdictions. The board asked staff to bring a recommended procurement and budget allowance back for board action after the scope is settled.

By way of context: commissioners said the UDO completion and the fiscal study are interdependent — the UDO can be adopted as planned, but commissioners want the fiscal findings available so the code can be amended if necessary. Several commissioners also urged outreach to towns early in the process so municipal leaders can provide data and discuss shared impacts.

Ending note: Commissioners framed the work as a long-range exercise — they said the county needs the local data to make zoning and infrastructure decisions that will affect Johnston County for decades.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Johnston County Board of Commissioners Strategic Planning Session- Day Two- Part One: March 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Johnston County commissioners agreed during a strategic planning session to seek a county-specific fiscal impact (cost-of-services) study to help set land-use policy and to complete the county's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) update.","taxTitle","Johnston County, North Carolina","taxId",14192,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6103223,"Commissioners ask staff to build county dashboard and publish org chart to support workforce and transparency",125,5520000,5645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2798872-c04052ce48555f5d5014a71cd1e9e0de&start=5520&end=5645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2798872-c04052ce48555f5d5014a71cd1e9e0de/thumbnail_5520000.jpg","/articles/6103223/Johnston-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-ask-staff-to-build-county-dashboard-and-publish-org-chart-to-support-workforce-and-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103223-0f7cbc794ac413afae489fc5cc45b6ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178317&Signature=fqKj7CBI5~Fbz5qqE3R88hZ7PMskfWoDHpC0FmevhnDaKHIHPCf~2YlGec63z6U8j3qplkHE7CQLDFDm-Nbuaeipd~8WvANcWQ21DhuYGxsaPbuMb-W2uiXhpRTHLYhEFMt8afJErNcim2OPNQspvOiNeqoylcntfX1uc156ssgxKJTYg0V1L9dVhH~1bcOQckFwbqDJju-X3v0dHDP~eZWsI~H7dFZ7U~dw3K0bqyw4a2ySAodTypYyH-BbVu1ibT8tZkhOd2lhgtd5M0L4XwL0l90pz7dMKU-j4cBmrvwrkajeHlQrPHeo4OgvUvbfhCC48aRIU8J~Oc5r9VZBow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Johnston County commissioners asked staff to start a program to build a county management dashboard and to publish an organizational chart on the county website as part of a broader workforce and retention strategy.

Lede: Commissioners said improved management information — a single dashboard that pulls current metrics (inspections, permits, capital project status, vacancies, response times) — and a clear public organizational chart would support decision-making, succession planning and public access to county services.

Why it matters: Commissioners said they want near-real-time, trustworthy information the board can use without repeatedly asking staff for ad hoc updates. Several commissioners described dashboard projects in peer counties as multi-year initiatives that require careful selection of software and institutional commitment to data hygiene.

Short-term steps: staff was asked to identify candidate software platforms, document what other counties have done (for example, Clayton and Greenville were mentioned as reference points), and come back with recommended scope and timelines. The board asked staff to consider how the dashboard will pull data from existing systems and to identify the key metrics the board wants to see initially.

Organizational chart and workforce: commissioners asked staff to prepare and publish a county organizational chart showing department heads and next-level positions; staff was asked to coordinate that work with a planned website redesign and to include a phased rollout so departmental-level details can be added over time. Commissioners also discussed succession planning for key departments and reiterated the importance of retaining staff and the difficulty of competing in today's labor market.

Timing: staff said a procurement/RFQ process for the website is imminent and that dashboard work could be linked to software choices made for land-use and permitting systems. Commissioners suggested a target of producing a usable dashboard within 12 months and publishing an initial org chart by mid-year to coincide with website work.

Ending: Commissioners viewed the dashboard and org chart as tools to increase transparency for residents and to help leadership make faster, evidence-based decisions.","Board asked staff to identify dashboard software, review examples used by other counties, and prepare an organizational chart for publication on the county website; commissioners said better management information and accessible org charts would aid operations, succession planning and public service.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6103228,"County sets priorities for facilities: DSS complex site prep, judicial annex and administrative relocation top list",4036,7436000,11472000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2798872-c04052ce48555f5d5014a71cd1e9e0de&start=7436&end=11472","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2798872-c04052ce48555f5d5014a71cd1e9e0de/thumbnail_7436000.jpg","/articles/6103228/Johnston-County/North-Carolina/County-sets-priorities-for-facilities-DSS-complex-site-prep-judicial-annex-and-administrative-relocation-top-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103228-7d8b8f28881f39467d40564ea0caad7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178317&Signature=QInzvXrdzJDKq4ZiRQwlp46DoKzzsl-wXvG21tob1s-Rg9lTBNWayehUEVxrhhX8Fkv9P92E5ZoaBntgben-7NrtaRNCS7p-Mpci3wDpV4uF5fdndkXvc8x9Cb63wGUfdwKOFf8RQR-9gN12p-JriEnkKxrZkLtxEcVkalfs0wRKuOIkfsYye06S7JkgOdjDsDhyQzik9B56AHHILNk~rQN209EBgPtBFg6IO9Gvv8JHJ72c3qXYMr-NlR3RV-JqrP2U~3nND5VM~lhHa9V54AwKKxKrHd3T6i-AJBLjsS4f05IcC~XJ2TfS~WPIcqQDCAH7jW~xf1bGpCl7M7rCFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Johnston County commissioners ranked and discussed a set of county facility and capital projects during a strategic planning session and instructed staff to prepare financing, delivery and phasing options for the board's review.

Lede: Commissioners placed on-site and off-site improvements for the planned county campus (the site identified for a consolidated Department of Social Services and other county uses) at the top of facility priorities. Other early priorities included construction of a judicial annex (additional courtrooms), an administrative building to remove nonjudicial county functions from the historic courthouse, and a logistics/warehouse facility for emergency services and fleet support.

Why it matters: Commissioners said several needs — courtroom space, consolidated social services facilities, a modern administrative campus and properly equipped EMS/logistics capacity — are now operational bottlenecks for services. Funding, phasing and sequencing are constrained by budget and by the practical need to provide interim space while major renovations are under way.

What the board directed: staff to proceed with planning and to model capital-financing options and operating impacts for the top-ranked projects. Commissioners asked that staff show how projects would affect the county's borrowing capacity and operating budget, what could be accomplished in the near term, and whether existing buildings left vacant could meet interim needs (for example, whether an existing building could temporarily host health services or veterans services).

Discussion highlights: commissioners emphasized two constraints: (1) the county should identify turnkey site infrastructure needs (roads, water, sewer, fire flows, turn lanes) before vertical construction, and (2) moving county administrative offices out of the courthouse — a step that frees space for judicial uses — will require additional relocation planning (vaults for register of deeds, appropriate space for tax and treasury functions). The board also discussed reusing or renovating vacated buildings (veterans office, planning offices, etc.) and asked staff to consider operational impacts (utilities, maintenance and staffing) when proposing capital plans.

Next steps and timing: staff will prepare cost and financing options keyed to the board's draft priority list; commissioners asked for those options in time to inform the budget cycle. For the DSS campus the board directed immediate work on site-preparation scoping because site readiness will be required in any near-term building schedule. For judicial and administrative needs staff will explore sequencing that minimizes court disruption and examines temporary accommodations for court schedules during any courtroom renovation.

Ending: Commissioners said the board will use the ranked list as a working capital plan that staff will refine with costs, delivery methods and timeline options so the commission can set budget priorities in the coming months.","At a strategic planning retreat commissioners ranked county facility projects, placing site preparation for the planned DSS complex first and a judicial annex and administrative building among early priorities; staff was asked to return with financing options and phasing tied to the upcoming budget.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6103233,"Commissioners press for clearer school maintenance plan and evidence before approving steady $12 million funding",8290,1665000,9955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2798872-c04052ce48555f5d5014a71cd1e9e0de&start=1665&end=9955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2798872-c04052ce48555f5d5014a71cd1e9e0de/thumbnail_1665000.jpg","/articles/6103233/Johnston-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-press-for-clearer-school-maintenance-plan-and-evidence-before-approving-steady-12-million-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103233-8e96248b3e7ac0d26490b63c323cc2d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178317&Signature=BMnMNCT6-HM20l94uu6sc~o8zB7avTR99WriLU58iN1TKOZ9PXvgxwXeMmEf3elByEf8Z8vFR9PLibyuZSm-Irw5R11T0hIZS8-o0S6zDVHt8LATdApoeRjcUVKQI9PXVAt6Uhbs-7pymUudolpEQGSMKy~i2geh7Kpd-tiIyWxCTADaMmuBcJEKfm5slU8TO0pc5soZy1xYvHSDg2cnWwfDpLQQGln06ImFsHz5yxrcCED-hgkO00sZ3JSWOX3Am5-PWlIGOOcz3Ow3EV95H8gjxvsoE0BC6hlzXJ4mWi7VKV16WqEerAopJipJn3pSrIqt6tX0QZtTJ0w1Lp-ySg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Johnston County commissioners told county staff and school leaders they want a clear, measurable plan from the Board of Education that justifies any large, recurring maintenance allocation before the county commits to steady multi‑million-dollar transfers.

Why it matters: Education funding is the single largest expense in the county budget. Commissioners said they must weigh requests for recurring capital or maintenance dollars against other county priorities and want tangible, auditable plans from the school system that show how funds would be spent and what outcomes would result.

What commissioners asked for: Several commissioners said they would be willing to provide stepped funding but want the school system to submit a prioritized, phased maintenance plan tied to the facilities asset inventory the school system completed. Commissioners suggested commitment to an annual, predictable funding amount could follow demonstrated capacity to execute projects and to spend funds within the fiscal year.

Discussion highlights: Commissioners and staff recounted that the school system has provided an asset inventory and that school leaders have requested roughly $12 million a year for “small capital” and deferred maintenance. Several commissioners said they were surprised by the depth of deferred maintenance problems that showed up in the facilities inventory, including aging HVAC chillers using phased-out refrigerants; they urged a combination of near-term remediation and longer-term, measurable commitments rather than a single, large recurring pledge without tracking and accountability.

Next steps: Staff will continue to work with the Board of Education on a maintenance execution plan that includes prioritized projects, spending schedules and milestones. Commissioners asked staff to bring back a clearer, itemized proposal with project phasing, expected costs, and proposed reporting to the commission so the county can evaluate what funding can be reasonably committed now versus phased over future budgets.

Ending: Commissioners said they want a joint, transparent approach that balances school facility needs with county financial stewardship and provides confidence that additional funds will be spent responsibly and produce measurable improvements.","Board members said the county needs a tangible, phased plan from the Board of Education showing how proposed recurring maintenance funding would be spent before committing to a large, multi-year recurring allocation; staff and commissioners said stronger transparency and a multi-year asset-management plan are required.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6103237,"Commissioners push staff to pursue short-term water options while studying long-term regional solutions",5609,2576000,8185000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2798872-c04052ce48555f5d5014a71cd1e9e0de&start=2576&end=8185","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2798872-c04052ce48555f5d5014a71cd1e9e0de/thumbnail_2576000.jpg","/articles/6103237/Johnston-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-push-staff-to-pursue-short-term-water-options-while-studying-long-term-regional-solutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103237-2fa2ecb0fa282be9ad1e6253266460b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178317&Signature=BwVjUHz78wR979mU6mdex2IeIV7q5LkSP3JM~mql517JdxoOWLA3ZSuaE5NO27g9kdSZLqex8DraPIi8PS5OWnPfUEcinIRSf8ggDfgZAjrP8gI3N39GpLbERfAk1OoWthrTwN6h214AbiSzPZ3apdhXL7AtHV4R1g7QdqNBa3X7NbATyKr3MslVU9BxZROSJhM49XlJ~pAxo09ANjBnQqGRI53ar4V3L7KzQZCJ1YmdRZ7L-P~i2fHzgMzHIG4zVIxQqIWJlj~moku6oLPiw0cCbDXRIJ5IKolS~~GJtj2EJ7zLBECW5GxFGennrspZlOE8lDNR6maMea09xGDHZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Johnston County Board of Commissioners directed staff to move forward on short-term steps to secure water and to study longer-term regional water solutions after extensive discussion at a strategic planning session.

Lede/nut graf: Commissioners told staff to obtain an engineering report being prepared for the county, expected in late spring, and to return with interim options for purchased or leased water capacity. At the same time the board asked staff to continue to pursue longer-term regional partnerships and to review county sewer allocation and residential sewer-service policies.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the county faces a hard limit on water capacity the county controls directly and that long-term plans to build new intake and treatment infrastructure are engineering-feasible but potentially expensive to ratepayers. Securing short-term capacity or buy-in arrangements is essential to keep economic development opportunities and some planned growth moving while the county evaluates larger systems-level solutions.

Short-term steps: Staff will meet with the consultant engaged by the county (referred to in the meeting as Mr. Solomon) and return with interim acquisition and purchase options for water, with a target to present options and recommended next steps to the board in May–June. Commissioners stressed affordability and asked staff to prepare options that illustrate customer cost impacts and financing approaches.

Regionalization and partnerships: Commissioners broadly supported pursuing regional partnerships, including interlocal agreements with towns and exploring multi-jurisdictional options. The board asked staff to evaluate a recently received proposal (Central Pines regional study/proposal) and to meet with towns participating in that proposed scope. Staff will also continue the existing interlocal and bulk-wastewater agreements work, including an active proposal with Clayton for utility-service-area matters.

Sewer allocation and policy: Commissioners asked for a short-term report to the board (within two weeks) that summarizes the county's current residential sewer-service policy and the draft sewer-allocation policy so the board can see how those rules interact with UDO changes and growth policy. Commissioners discussed reserving capacity for commercial/industrial uses but noted any reservation has budget and rate impacts because capacity must be paid for.

Discussion highlights: Utility staff explained the county can directly treat about 17 million gallons per day under present infrastructure and can only buy roughly 10.5 million gallons per day from external suppliers when available; long-range plans discussed included a larger intake on the Neuse River with treatment and storage that could cost in the hundreds of millions and would increase rates if funded solely by the utility's customers.

Next steps and timing: staff will (1) receive the consultant's report and present interim water-supply options to the board in May; (2) bring recommended board direction/action in June (timing synchronized with budget if requests require funding); (3) provide commissioners with residential sewer-service policy and the draft sewer allocation policy for review within two weeks; and (4) review the Central Pines proposal and convene town staff discussions about possible interlocal arrangements.

Ending: Commissioners framed the work as a two-track effort: secure short-term capacity and affordability while aggressively pursuing regional partnerships and governance options that could provide more resilient, long-term sources of water and sewer capacity.","Board asked staff to receive and consider an outside engineering consultant's report on water-supply options, seek interim bulk-purchase arrangements and develop policy on sewer allocations while studying regionalization and partnerships with towns and industry.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Johnston County commissioners ask staff to commission local fiscal study as UDO update proceeds

Commissioners ask staff to build county dashboard and publish org chart to support workforce and transparency

County sets priorities for facilities: DSS complex site prep, judicial annex and administrative relocation top list

Commissioners press for clearer school maintenance plan and evidence before approving steady $12 million funding

Commissioners push staff to pursue short-term water options while studying long-term regional solutions