Johnston County names communications top priority; PIO to return with dashboard and outreach plan

Johnston County commissioners on the afternoon of the priority-setting session designated communications as their top short-term priority, asking county public information staff to return with a concrete plan to launch a publicly visible dashboard and expand outreach tools before the FY27 budget. "Implement the dashboard project," a commissioner said during the discussion, and staff reported the dashboard contract is expected to reach completion within the next four months.

The board stressed multi-pronged outreach aimed at residents who do not rely on web-based channels. Commissioners suggested utility-bill mailers, postcard invitations to subscribe to county alerts, targeted inserts explaining how tax dollars are used and trial text-alert systems for time-sensitive notices. One commissioner proposed a citizen‑ambassador approach and a citizens academy to broaden participation in advisory boards; another urged the use of existing programs such as Leadership Johnston to expand public education and recruitment for boards.

County staff were instructed to evaluate resources, including whether the PIO office needs additional personnel or technology to implement the dashboard and the broader communications plan. Kevin Leonard, the executive director assisting the facilitation, told the board staff would consolidate the session’s ideas into prioritized action steps that can be sequenced and resourced.

The board’s immediate deliverables are: (1) PIO to return with a proposed dashboard deployment timeline and the outreach techniques staff recommend; (2) PIO to assess whether additional staff or tools are required to deliver the plan; and (3) staff to explore low-cost distribution channels (utility insert, partner organizations) to reach unincorporated households ahead of budget season. The session recessed with the request that staff bring back concrete implementation options for the next meeting.