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Johnston County adopts FY2026–27 budget, trims tax rate to 51¢; boosts school and college funding
Summary
The Board of Commissioners on June 15 adopted the FY2026–27 budget, lowering the property-tax rate from 52¢ to 51¢ per $100 valuation and approving supplements to Johnston County Public Schools and Johnston Community College, pay adjustments, and new public-safety and service positions amid concern about pending state tax changes.
The Johnston County Board of Commissioners adopted its fiscal year 2026–27 budget on June 15, approving a package of increases for education, county employees and public safety while lowering the county property-tax rate from 52¢ to 51¢ per $100 of assessed value.
Board members spent more than an hour debating trade-offs and long-term risks before approving a manager-led budget with a series of adjustments. The board’s action included supplemental current-expense and capital outlay appropriations for Johnston County Public Schools and Johnston Community College, a 3% pay adjustment effective in July (with a possible 2% performance-based increase in October), and funding for 24 new general-fund positions slated to begin Oct. 1.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the package balances near-term needs — including recruitment and retention of staff, school facility work and public-safety staffing — with the county’s long-term financial health. Several members cited the county’s AAA bond rating as vital to keeping borrowing costs low for the capital projects the county is pursuing.
Key details: The budget adopted by the board reduced the property-tax rate to 51¢ per $100, and included targeted appropriations for schools and the community college. The board also added one-time and recurring allocations to support public-safety staffing, 911 communications and emergency services, and included modest increases to certain fees. The board recorded the budget as adopted by voice vote.
What commissioners said: During the meeting, commissioners repeatedly stressed the uncertain state and federal policy environment — including pending constitutional amendments and bills in the General Assembly that could limit local tax authority — and said they had factored that uncertainty into budgeting choices. Several commissioners thanked county staff for producing multiple “what-if” scenarios and noted the results they expect from investments made in workforce training and school facilities.
Next steps: Staff will publish the adopted budget documents and update operational plans and hiring timelines. Commissioners said they plan to continue public engagement on capital planning and budget priorities during the coming year, and to move the county’s budget calendar earlier in 2027 so residents and partner organizations have more opportunity to review requests before the board’s final decisions.
