Council approves purchase of parking-lot lighting materials for JCC; town to recoup cost through monthly lease payments

The Town of Smithfield approved an expedited purchase of parking-lot lighting materials for three Johnston County Community College parking lots so the campus contractor can meet a summer schedule.

Electric staff said the college is replacing or repaving three parking areas along College Road and requested that the town procure poles, bases and luminaires to meet an aggressive timetable. The town obtained a low quote from WESCO for 95 bases and poles and 152 LED luminaires at a total quoted price of $226,492.92; staff requested council permission to fund the purchase from electric contingency so materials could be ordered immediately rather than waiting for July budget availability.

Staff explained the town historically provides lease lighting to the college and invoices Johnston County Community College monthly for the equipment and energy; the manager said the added capacity and new lights would increase the town’s billable lighting revenue by about $8,900 per month (roughly $107,000 per year), producing a roughly two‑year payback of the materials outlay. Staff noted consumption is expected to be a relatively small part of the monthly bill because LED luminaires are energy efficient.

Council asked whether the town should budget similar lease-lighting capital outlays as regular capital items in future budgets; members noted this purchase could be treated as a capital investment recovered through lease payments and discussed whether the college’s reimbursement terms should be revisited in any future agreements. Council approved the immediate purchase as presented and directed staff to proceed with procurement and to charge the college under the existing lease-lighting arrangement.