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County manager proposes $402 million budget, recommends 3-cent tax-rate cut; commissioners signal close review
Summary
Manager Rick Hester presented a $402 million proposed budget that would lower the property tax rate from 67¢ to 64¢ while funding school and county priorities; commissioners raised questions about growth, service demand and workforce additions as budget deliberations begin.
Johnston County Manager Rick Hester presented the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 county budget to the Board of Commissioners on May 19, proposing a $402 million package and a recommended property-tax-rate reduction from 67 cents to 64 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Hester said the proposed budget reflects the board’s priorities — education, infrastructure, public safety, financial stewardship, land use and county employees — and includes planned additions across county departments. He told commissioners the proposal will be available online and that formal appeals to the revaluation remain ongoing.
Hester summarized major budget components: $107,120,000 in current expense funding and $3,500,000 in capital outlay for Johnston County Public Schools; $7,750,000 in current expense and $1,200,000 in capital outlay for Johnston Community College; an increase in debt service driven by prior voter-approved school construction borrowing (including a one-time $9 million premium applied to debt service); and multiple new positions across emergency services, social services, parks, public health, 9-1-1, register of deeds, soil and water and building inspections. He said the proposed general fund would include pay adjustments and the alternate-year pay review the board requested.
Commissioners raised several themes in response. One commissioner noted that while past revaluations and growth allowed prior rate reductions, residential growth often brings service demands that outpace revenue in the near term; another warned that residential development without matching job-producing growth can strain county finances. Commissioners also asked for close scrutiny of capital versus maintenance in partner education budgets and signaled careful review of proposed personnel additions (staff noted some positions would be phased for October 2025 or later).
Hester and staff said some items remain fluid: formal tax appeals, pending school construction approvals from the Local Government Commission and the potential timing of new positions. The board set public hearings and target dates for considering the budget: a public hearing on Monday, June 2 at 10:00 a.m., an evening budget meeting possibly June 9, and a proposed adoption on Monday, June 16 at 6:00 p.m.
What this means: The manager’s proposed tax-rate cut does not finalize the board’s decision. Commissioners said they will analyze the proposal, balance service demands and affordability for residents (particularly in areas with high revaluation increases), and may adjust positions, capital projects or the tax rate before adoption.
Next steps: Staff will provide department-level detail and follow-up analyses during budget work sessions; the board will take public comment at scheduled hearings and is expected to deliberate further before a final vote.
