November 2, 2026 - 6:00 pm: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Johnston County Board of Commissioners met Nov. 2, 2026. The board opened a conditional‑use hearing for a commercial outdoor storage facility and tabled that case to December amid concerns about truck queuing and stormwater; it approved a separate sand‑mining rezoning and authorized up to $740,000 in RTZ funds for a workforce‑center expansion. A lengthy public hearing on a proposed Unified Development Ordinance drew sustained public comment about agricultural buffers and will return for further work.
Discussion Points
•Applicant agreed to the listed conditions.
•Applicant willing to accept engineering conditions; staff and commissioners prefer engineered plans before approval.
•Area is primarily agricultural; parcel will expand existing mining operations.
•Buffer proposals: three options presented; waiver/recorded agreement mechanism for developer/neighbor compromises.
•Concerns about on‑site queuing, stacking onto Cleveland Road, drainage/contaminant runoff, lighting and hours of operation.
•Legal constraints from state down‑zoning law complicate adoption of larger mandatory setbacks.
•Major UDO changes: district restructuring, ADUs, PUDs, subdivision thresholds and TIA scoping.
•Monthly cash‑flow reports will be provided; staff will prepare financial models for capital priorities such as a DSS building.
•Oakley Collier selected by RFQ to prepare design for grant/financing applications.
•Project is a 12,000 sq ft expansion; total budget estimated ~$8.5M.
•RTZ special‑service district funds (paid by district businesses) proposed to cover design costs phase‑by‑phase.
•Staff and planning board reviewed specific‑use standards and recommended approval.
•Staff recommended denial while planning board recommended approval 8–1.
Decisions
•Funding allocation approved unanimously.
•No vote; UDO returned to staff for revision and further public engagement.
•Rezoning approved with conditions.
•Tabled and renoticed for December rezoning meeting (vote 4–2).
Directions
•Authorize up to $740,000 in RTZ funds for phased design work; proceed with contract execution and grant pursuits.
•Bring revised materials to next board meeting for further discussion before any final vote.
•Record rezoning and ensure conditions are met during permitting.
•Request engineered queueing and drainage plans from applicant; staff to assemble traffic counts and design recommendations.
•Staff to present cash‑flow updates and capital project modeling in future meetings.
•Staff to return with clarified, legally defensible buffer language, draft agreement forms, additional TIAs/scopes and options for livestock/animal feeding operations.
November 2, 2026 - 10:00 am: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Johnston County Board of Commissioners met Nov. 2, 2026 for routine business including proclamations, a public hearing and resolution for a Piedmont Affordable Senior Housing bond financing, two land-conservation easement support requests, tourism and utilities updates, adoption of new public comment rules (effective Nov. 16), and several budget and grant approvals.
Discussion Points
•Bureau has PR placements in national publications, and plans agritourism bus tours starting May; aims to route revenue to participating farms.
•Coal Creek Farm: 68-acre easement, ~85% prime soils, nearly 1 mile of stream frontage, $1.4M easement estimate; county asked for $310,000 matched with ADFP grant.
•Commissioners commended IT team for cybersecurity work.
•County counsel and bond counsel confirmed the county would not borrow, lend, or guarantee repayment.
•Driving JoCo video and podcast series launched with episodes featuring local businesses and attractions.
•Dr. Lindsey Dake described PASSHIP\u0002\u0002s financing approach and compliance requirements under IRC 147(f).
•Estimated $1,020,000 for technical services and easement acquisition to be funded from water development fees; DOT coordination required.
•Howard described the request and said funds existed in Technology Services budget; manager supported the request.
•Industrial users are required to sample and report these parameters under permits; some flows routed via Clayton will be billed to Clayton as the permit holder.
•Project is a transmission main to recombine pressure zones and move water from new plant to western county.
•Proposed surcharges include COD, BOD, TSS, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, TDS and chloride.
•Treadway Farm: 55-acre easement, landowners donating easement value, county request $15,000 for transaction costs; Wake County committed funds.
Decisions
•Board adopted the capital project budget and appropriated funding.
•Board adopted the required resolution to satisfy the IRS public hearing requirement.
•Board approved county commitments of $310,000 (Coal Creek) and $15,000 (Treadway).
•Board approved replacement of the bulk high-strength surcharge with constituent-specific surcharges.
•Board approved the position.
Directions
•Add surcharges to county rate schedule and coordinate notifications with affected permittees and the Town of Clayton.
•County staff to prepare letters and coordinate match/grant applications.
•Follow-up meeting anticipated in early December with Wake County commissioners for celebration.
•Proceed with design and easement negotiations; coordinate with NCDOT for any corridor work.
•Tourism staff to coordinate with cooperative extension and farm partners and to promote bus tours both to tour operators and county residents.
October 19, 2026: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Johnston County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 19, 2026. The board heard public complaints about an out-of-control Princeton truck/horse show, received updates on farmland-preservation easements, considered a Town of Benson request tied to a Vulcan manufacturing project, accepted a pesticide-container recycling grant, approved construction of a Northside Fire station, reviewed a large Lower Neuse water-supply plan, and directed staff to negotiate a construction-manager-at-risk contract for the DSS building.
Discussion Points
•Commissioners who assisted with interviews were acknowledged.
•Design replication and cost per sq ft; how many apparatus and staffing required.
•Environmental and landfill-space benefits and PPE needs for staff.
•Presentation of the proposed funding package and project timeline.
•Program history, sites and grant funding source (Pesticide Environmental Trust Fund).
•Proposal for intake at Richardson Bridge, ~14-mile raw-water line to county quarry and phased 6–30 MGD treatment plant.
•Questions about access across expanded Highway 42 and possible traffic signals or DOT coordination.
•Questions about funding sources (PUV rollback), ranking, and potential county bond options for preservation.
•Questions from commissioners about whether the company (Vulcan) would contribute and whether the county should provide matching funds.
•Regulatory vetting with state Division of Water Resources, Wildlife Resources Commission and the need to update federal environmental study if federal funding is sought.
•Residents described traffic congestion, accidents, trespass and arrests tied to the event.
•Solicitation received seven qualifications; three firms interviewed and Bordeaux recommended.
•Speakers asked for stronger traffic control, more police presence, and accountability for permit-holders.
•Summary of county funding, matching funds, and number/acreage of closed and pending easements.
Decisions
•Board authorized staff to negotiate with Bordeaux; final award pending board action.
•Grant acceptance approved by voice vote.
•Motion to proceed carried by voice vote.
•No immediate changes to permitting or policy were adopted at the meeting.
•No new funding action or bond decision taken at the meeting; staff to continue ADFP submissions.
•No permitting or financing decision at meeting; staff to continue planning and modeling work.
•Request taken under advisement; no county appropriation approved at the meeting.
Directions
•Board approved acceptance of the grant and authorized staff to expend funds as budgeted.
•Continue design, pilot testing of treatment technologies and regulatory coordination; maintain public website with studies and data.
•Direct staff to negotiate contract terms with Bordeaux and return final contract to board for approval.
•Proceed with construction; staff to coordinate design, financing and DOT access issues.
•Staff and the town to provide additional details on funding mechanisms, timelines and potential county exposure.
•Staff invited landowners to review the county website and pamphlet and continue ranking and application work.
•Staff, sheriff's office and EMS to review the incident and propose improvements.
October 5, 2026 - 10:00 am: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Johnston County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 5, 2026, and approved a series of proclamations, a small food-access pilot, and several water and sewer project steps including design-delivery criteria for the Lower Neuse Water Supply project, a $5 million phase‑1 budget for a new treatment plant, and a reimbursement resolution establishing a $736,000,000 ceiling for potential revenue bonds.
Discussion Points
•A commissioner raised fiscal‑stewardship concerns but did not oppose the pilot.
•Colonel Boyette asked community participation in Operation Greenlight.
•Commissioner Godwin read statistics on veteran transition stress and benefits access.
•Cooperative Extension noted local participation numbers.
•HDR Engineering retained as owner's representative to ensure quality and oversight.
•Market representative described program goals to increase access to fresh foods for SNAP recipients.
•MOU would include condition assessment, integration plan, easements and legal transfer steps.
•Phase‑1 includes bench testing, pilot ozone services, geotechnical investigations, and site master planning.
•Proclamation recognizes 1,000+ county employees across 31 departments.
•Project components include intake, raw water mains, quarry storage, and treatment plant.
•Resolution preserves ability to reimburse pre‑issuance expenditures if revenue bonds are later issued.
•Staff clarified ceiling ($736,000,000) is not a commitment to borrow that amount.
•Staff confirmed funds come from system development fees, not property taxes or existing user fees.
•Staff recommended design‑build for raw water to address permitting and time constraints for a 2031 operational goal.
•Town of Smithfield to review condition data; final transfer requires both boards to approve.
•Youth ambassadors described hands‑on service and community outreach.
Decisions
•Authorization to negotiate MOU approved
•Capital budget for Phase‑1 approved
•Design‑build criteria approved for raw water/intake; design‑bid‑build for treatment plant to proceed separately.
•Pilot approved with county funds not to exceed $2,500
•Proclamation adopted
•Resolution adopted by voice vote
•Resolution approved to preserve future financing options.
Directions
•Authorize negotiations and joint technical committee to evaluate infrastructure transfer.
•Staff to collect metrics and report at fiscal‑year end.
•Staff to prepare RFQ and follow statutory procurement steps; continue small business outreach efforts.
October 5, 2026 - 6:00 pm: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Johnston County Board of Commissioners met on 2026-10-05. The board recognized a youth baseball state champion team, heard multiple public commenters on records access and a proposed 199-foot telecommunications tower (special-use case 26-03), approved the tower after testimony and deliberation, received a CAMPO transit funding/MOU briefing for the Clayton UZA, and reviewed updates to the countys Unified Development Ordinance.
Discussion Points
•Applicant presented balloon tests, FAA determination, letters of intent and an appraisal; residents argued inadequate comparables and topographic visibility.
•CAMPO will use Raleigh as temporary designated recipient to draw 5307/5303 funds for Clayton UZA; funds cover planning, capital and operating with required local matches.
•Cityscape consultant clarified fall-zone setback (219 ft) and structural-array design requirements; staff recommended approval with conditions.
•Johnston County and Clayton agreed to a 50% local match for operating assistance in early proposals.
•Recognition of the 12U team and presentation of challenge coins.
•Resident urged improved public-records workflows, searchable software, and proactive posting of frequently requested documents.
Decisions
•No final action taken at Oct. 5 meeting; staff to return with MOU.
•Resolution adopted
•Special-use permit for case 26-03 approved with conditions.
Directions
•Planning director to follow up on permit recordation and implementation steps.
•Staff to incorporate agreed permit conditions (including no-lighting if desired) and the antenna-array reduction into the final permit language.
•Staff to present MOU for board action on Oct. 19 and refine scope and match responsibilities.
September 21, 2026: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Johnston County Board of Commissioners met Sept. 21, 2026; the board recognized the county Little League world champions, approved routine consent items, held a public hearing and voted to dissolve the Whitley Heights Sanitary District, approved several contracts and an interlocal funding agreement for the Smithfield ballpark, heard a large Unified Development Ordinance briefing with public feedback focused on a 75-foot agricultural buffer, and reviewed a pilot SNAP "double bucks" farmers-market proposal.
Discussion Points
•Apparent low bidder (Wells Brothers) listed bonds/insurance/mobilization at a figure that exceeded the 5% cap in the bid specifications, which staff and counsel considered an unbalanced/material deviation.
•Coats advised the board on required findings: no bonded indebtedness, assumption of any outstanding obligations, and adoption of a plan to continue services.
•Commissioners asked about implementation timeline and whether the county would be a test site; Holloman said the county would not be the first and expected implementation in a couple months.
•Commissioners discussed traffic mitigation and outreach for site users; staff noted the site will not be closed during construction.
•Commissioner sought to clarify that this is not county taxpayer general fund money; McLamb confirmed the funds are state-restricted 9-1-1 funds used to support county communications.
•Commissioner Stovall noted his philosophical objection to using county funds for a private venue and cited a reported increase in project cost to over $16,000,000 and a 10\u0002to\u000215-year recovery estimate for the county's $2M.
•County Attorney Slusser outlined the reimbursement process and duplication-prevention measures.
•County counsel advised caution drafting adequate-public-facilities rules and recommended standards without fees to improve legal defensibility.
•Deputy County Attorney Coats summarized district creation, transfer of infrastructure to the county (2000), and the paid USDA bond debt.
•Holloman explained Stryker is sole-source for specialized EMS equipment maintenance and that the contract has counsel and procurement review.
•McLamb explained the funds come from the North Carolina 9-1-1 Board and the county's restricted fund balance (quoted at $766,990).
•Options presented: reject all bids and rebid (delay ~3 months) or award to ST Wooten as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder (approx. $38,534 difference).
•Other commissioners separated the prior appropriation decision from the present administrative agreement and said the approved document provides necessary controls for reimbursement.
•Peregrine software will integrate data across EMS, emergency management and fire marshal divisions to enable real-time operational decisions; staff confirmed vendor references in Raleigh and Cary.
•Pilot proposed to launch Oct. 31 at Clayton Farm & Community Market with $2,500 estimated cost and $30 per-cardholder per market-day cap.
•Program involves token/certificate redemption, bilingual materials, volunteer training and finance oversight; Extension will track participation and report back at fiscal-year end.
•Public comment and many comment cards favored a 75-foot agriculture buffer; staff said the down-zoning statute and recent case law constrain some local options.
•Staff confirmed approximately 125 freeholds within district boundaries, below the 500-freehold statutory threshold for dissolution.
•Staff read raw comment cards and summarized major themes from a Sept. 9 drop-in: subdivision review thresholds, open-space requirements, adequate public-facilities questions, vape-shop buffers and agricultural compatibility buffers.
Decisions
•Award contract to ST Wooten; start construction in October if scheduling permits.
•Board approved both sole-source procurements.
•Board approved the interlocal agreement establishing reimbursement procedures.
•Board approved the requested fund transfer by voice vote.
•Board voted to dissolve the Whitley Heights Sanitary District; the motion carried by voice vote.
•No formal policy vote taken; board encouraged continued public engagement and staff revisions.
Directions
•County to assume responsibility for remaining district obligations and adopt plan for continuation of services.
•Emergency Services to execute contracts, coordinate with Technology Services and provide updates on integration milestones.
•Extension to proceed with pilot planning and outreach if the board supports initial steps and to report pilot metrics after the fiscal year.
•Finance to move $325,000 per the board motion and to ensure disbursement follows agreement scope and state restrictions.
•Finance will review disbursement requests and ensure reimbursements align with the approved project scope and funding rules.
•Procurement and Solid Waste to finalize award paperwork and prepare public notice and traffic advisories prior to construction start.
•Public Utilities and Finance to coordinate tax removal and service transfer.
•Staff to continue refining UDO language to balance agricultural protections and legal constraints and to post materials and accept further comments at a Sept. 23 drop-in session.
September 8, 2026- 10:00 am: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Johnston County Board of Commissioners met Sept. 8, 2026; the board adopted memorial and proclamation resolutions, approved a consent agenda and an open-space purchase, recognized community service and retirees, and received a detailed broadband project update that highlighted timing and ARPA reimbursement concerns.
Discussion Points
•Austin Cross outlined parcel attributes (48 acres; ~1,000 ft river frontage) and its role for trail connectivity; commissioners asked about setbacks (50–100 ft) and crossing the river to connect communities.
•Brewer provided build and funding status (34,400 addresses target; 24,800 serviceable today; 73% complete overall; 36% subsidy-side); he explained reengineering from aerial to underground and permit dependencies.
•Chair described consent agenda items and budget revision amounts; Commissioner Godwin moved approval and motion carried.
•Chair read Baker’s biography and emphasized the award as the county’s highest honor; Baker offered remarks and copies of his book to veterans.
•Commissioner Godwin read the resolution describing Mims’s years of service; chair asked for prayers and requested that the resolution be recorded in minutes.
•Commissioners discussed ARPA deadline risks and alternatives (amend contract vs. expend from general fund or identify other ARPA-eligible projects).
•Staff described a proposed amendment to Exhibit J to change county contribution timing to allow earlier reimbursement against previously submitted match-eligible expenditures; county has submitted ~$2.4M to NCDIT awaiting approval.
•Williams presented FY25–26 metrics and the planned Sept. 26 seat-check event; commissioners moved and adopted the proclamation.
Decisions
•Authorize $330,000 in open-space funds for acquisition; staff to coordinate purchase.
•Consent agenda approved.
•No binding amendment adopted at this meeting; the board received the update and will consider future action.
•Proclamation adopted.
•Resolution adopted and to be spread upon the minutes as perpetual memorial.
Directions
•Staff to host and report on Seat Check Saturday event.
•Staff to monitor NCDIT review and return to board with recommendation; coordinate with Bridlespeed on amendment language if necessary.
September 8, 2026- 6:00 pm: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
The Johnston County Board of Commissioners approved a conditional rezoning for 51.75 acres at 2959 Cornwallis Road to allow a light-industrial/warehouse distribution campus, approving conditions including a 100-foot buffer; the planning board had recommended denial and residents raised traffic, environmental and safety concerns.
Discussion Points
•Applicant emphasized employment, tax base, and compatibility measures including a 100-foot buffer and berm.
•Commissioners balanced neighborhood impacts against county tax-base considerations.
•Commissioners weighed countywide tax-base benefits versus neighborhood compatibility before moving to approve.
•Engineers asserted wet-pond SDMs and dam-safety design features would be applied and permitted, and that mandatory riparian buffers apply where streams are perennial.
•Engineers stated stormwater designs must meet 100-year-event standards and dam-safety rules; riparian buffers apply.
•NCDOT will determine whether turn lanes or signalization are required based on warrants and future traffic volumes.
•Planning board recommended denial (7-0) but had not reviewed applicant's later site-plan revisions and updated conditions.
•Planning director summarized planning board recommendation to deny (split vote), citing inconsistency with Envision Johnston 2040.
•Public commenters argued for denial citing plan consistency, traffic and environmental concerns.
•Residents argued the conceptual plan lacked mandatory 100-foot buffers and required stormwater attenuation for the 100-year event.
•Residents raised traffic, environmental, and property-value concerns; traffic engineer estimated 1,190 daily trips and ~20 peak-hour trucks.
•Two driveway alternatives were studied; applicant is pursuing a Cleveland Road access to reduce impacts at Cornwallis/Cleveland intersection.
Decisions
•Board approved rezoning despite planning-board recommendation to deny.
•No separate board action to require a revised TIA was recorded in the transcript; applicant agreed to pursue required permitting.
•No separate denial or permit decision recorded; rezoning was approved and engineering/permits remain as the regulatory compliance path.
•Rezoning request 26-O2 approved with applicant conditions; motion carried by voice vote.
Directions
•Applicant to secure NCDOT driveway permits and update traffic impact analysis if trip thresholds are exceeded.
•County to continue public engagement via drop-in sessions and follow-up communications.
•Developer to pursue driveway permit and coordinate NCDOT turn-lane/signal requirements as part of permitting.
•Final buffer locations and stormwater design to be determined through engineering and county/state permitting.
•Planning Department to finalize conditional zoning ordinance language and coordinate implementation with permitting agencies.
August 17, 2026- 6:00 pm: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met Aug. 17, 2026. The board approved the agenda and consent items, heard public comments urging an update to the county agricultural plan and raising public-safety concerns for firefighters, adopted a resolution to join the C-PACE program, approved a CDC-related health-department budget revision, approved a partial reimbursement to First Baptist Church, and took a proposed mass-gathering ordinance under advisement while calling a public hearing on dissolving the Whitley Heights Sanitary District.
Discussion Points
•Benefits of Smart Start and early-childhood workforce training
•County eligible to apply to update 2010 Agricultural Development Plan
•County should prioritize readiness rather than buildings
•Equipment, apparatus replacement, and training are needed to protect responders
•Letters of support from Visitors Bureau and Clayton
•Local pilot funding under Senate Bill 257
•Minimal county risk and low staff burden
•NCADFP grant cycle open with Aug. 31 intent deadline
•Original allocation $588,501; $140,160 spent
•Public threats posted to county webpage
•Purpose of C-PACE (energy efficiency, resiliency, water conservation)
•Remaining $447,541 to be used for capital and training; grant ends Oct. 2027
•Request to hand IP addresses to prosecutors
•Residents can report safety concerns and staff should follow up
•Soil and Water has secured $4.6M and preserved ~1,043 acres; seven parcels pending
Decisions
•Board gave informal support for submitting an intent to apply during public comment
•Budget revision approved by voice vote
•No formal action at meeting; commissioners discussed outreach and monitoring measures
•No formal board action taken during meeting
•Proclamation adopted by voice vote
•Resolution to join C-PACE adopted by voice vote
Directions
•Partnership staff to continue outreach and update board as needed
•Staff to bring further spending plans and project details to board
•Staff to coordinate implementation with EDPNC and report back if county-level changes needed
•Staff to follow up with law enforcement/contact county attorney
•Staff to make guidance available and coordinate with emergency services about large events
•Staff to prepare grant proposals and return to board if the board wishes to proceed
August 17, 2026: Work Session – Unified Development Ordinance Discussion
Johnston County Board of Commissioners held a special work session on Aug. 17, 2026 to discuss the proposed Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Commissioners and staff debated density calculations (gross vs. net), paper districts and rural crossroads language, lot-size rules in environmentally sensitive areas, farm/animal rules, agricultural buffers, subdivision review thresholds and other regulatory changes; staff will post a revised draft for public review.
Discussion Points
•Administrative review increases efficiency but may reduce public hearings and visible deliberation.
•Board asked for quantitative thresholds.
•Competing public/stakeholder views on buffer width (35/50/75/150 ft).
•Distinction between bona fide farm operations and small-scale residential activities.
•Farm stakeholders requested vegetated buffer plus reserved open area; developers emphasized land-take and costs.
•Legal risk of redefining density methodology post-adoption of prior ordinances.
•Neighbors' quality-of-life complaints versus government overreach into backyard activities.
•Notification and neighborhood meetings remain important tools.
•Objective measurable standards (water/sewer, schools, roads, emergency services) are needed to make short-circuit administrative approvals legally defensible.
•Operational impact on emergency access and on-street parking raised by commissioners.
•Practical constraints (septic, wetlands, ROW) often limit net yield regardless of calculation method.
•Proposed intent language blurred different place types.
•Regional mixed-use centers have much higher intensity (e.g., 125,000 sq ft) than rural crossroads.
•Senate Bill 445 changes ADU regulation; ADUs still constrained by other development regulations.
•Staff to explore incentives (fee-in-lieu, open-space credit) and waiver options.
•State law now prohibits local minimum parking requirements.
Decisions
•Board consensus to eliminate the entire section addressing animals and small-scale on-site retail in residential subdivisions.
•Board directed staff to return with a tiered administrative/quasi-judicial matrix and objective metrics for adequacy.
•Board placed a 35-foot placeholder agricultural buffer in the draft UDO for public review.
•No immediate change; staff to return with legal options.
•Staff to revise language and return with suggested thresholds for public draft.
•Staff to update the draft to conform with state law and present operational guidance.
Directions
•Insert 35-foot buffer as placeholder in draft UDO for public review.
•Keep gross-calculation approach in public draft; add explanatory language to show how net yield is realized at final layout.
•Remove prohibited parking minima from draft UDO.
•Remove the proposed animal-keeping and greenhouse restrictions from the UDO draft.
•Separate district language for rural crossroads and regional center; add scale thresholds and clearer intent statements.
•Staff to develop public-notice triggers and a public-facing matrix for the draft.
•Staff to draft a tiered review matrix (suggested: small administrative; mid-size planning board; large projects to commissioners) and propose measurable adequacy criteria.
•Staff to ensure bona fide farms retain protections and to outline other enforcement options for nuisance or animal-welfare cases.
•Staff to prepare analysis of ADU impacts on impervious area, parking and emergency access and propose implementation language.
•Staff to prepare legal memo on downzoning risk and precedents.
•Staff to return with refined language on plantings, reserved uses, incentives and waiver mechanism.
August 3, 2026: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met to approve routine business and took action on several items including approval of time-and-attendance software, a utility-service determination for a proposed industrial annexation in the Town of Wilson Mills, acceptance of the county's tax settlement, discussion of expanding the county fire protection service district, a proclamation designating Child Support Awareness Month, and a resolution related to airport project financing flexibility.
Discussion Points
•Collection rate of 99.73% for FY 25-26.
•Commissioners requested oversight on renewal terms and license additions.
•Developer bears responsibility for capacity analysis and upgrades, including reimbursement obligations.
•Emphasis on establishing "right-sized orders" to ensure collectability and family stability.
•History and purpose of the county fire protection service district (established 10/15/2024).
•Little Creek Water District has water capacity; wastewater treatment capacity available but transmission capacity downstream may be constrained.
•Need to standardize time reporting across departments.
•Office staffing, caseload (4,874 open cases), new orders (319), and collections ($15,465,078.69) for FY 2025-26.
•Process for billing and payment options for property owners.
•Project described as speculative warehouse (approx. 224,000 sq ft) with estimated demand 3,400 gpd.
•Property tax relief eligibility and deadlines set by state Department of Revenue.
•Proposed outreach and hearing timetable through early 2027.
•Requests received from towns of Kenly (7/13) and Micro to explore inclusion.
•Software will provide real-time leave balances and simplify payroll.
Decisions
•Board accepted the settlement and ordered collection for 2026.
•Board adopted proclamation designating August 2026 as Child Support Awareness Month.
•Board approved county utility service to the parcel consistent with the interlocal agreement.
•Board gave consensus to proceed with outreach; no binding decision to include towns was made.
•Motion to approve passed; staff to implement and return renewal terms with budgets.
Directions
•Accept settlement and order collection for 2026 taxes.
•Approve purchase not to exceed stated amount; include renewal in future budget process.
•Public Utilities Director to sign and issue written determination and submit to Town within 10 days.
•Staff to open informational conversations with interested towns and report back in October.
August 3, 2026 - 6 pm: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Public hearing on a proposed amendment to the county's mass-gathering ordinance dominated the Aug. 3 Johnston County Board of Commissioners meeting, with farmers and public-safety professionals debating whether lowering the threshold from 4,000 to 2,500 people and lengthening application timelines would create undue burdens on landowners and improve emergency planning.
Discussion Points
•Board consensus to hold work session to reconcile UDO issues before public release.
•Commissioners supported outreach and student poster contest as useful interventions.
•Deputy County Attorney explained changes: threshold lowered to 2,500 for outdoor gatherings; application window extended to 90-180 days; permanent structures exempt; provisional permit issued within 30 days; mass gathering permit issued after inspection.
•Landowners urged delay and economic-impact analysis before adopting a lower threshold.
•Major contested items include farm buffers and setback distances; Stovall advocated for a 75-foot buffer configuration.
•Public-safety professionals urged planning and pre-notification so EMS and law enforcement can stage resources.
•Read to Grow presented attendance work and cited school-level decreases in chronic absenteeism.
•Residents and venue owners argued the change would burden farms, reduce agritourism, and that the 1,500-foot setback and lengthy application timeline are impractical for many events.
•Staff clarified perimeter measurement and waiver provisions are in the existing ordinance; parking may be considered part of an event footprint depending on proximity.
Decisions
•No ordinance action taken; matter continued for additional staff analysis.
•Proclamation adopted by voice vote.
•Public hearing closed; matter taken under advisement with no vote on the ordinance amendment.
•Work session scheduled Aug. 17 morning; evening meeting will proceed as regular scheduled meeting.
Directions
•Board to consider additional public input and legal/impact analysis before returning ordinance for a vote.
•Clerk/communications to post proclamation and distribute program materials.
•Planning staff to compile outstanding changes, provide redline copy and areas needing direction prior to Aug. 17 work session.
•Staff to prepare legal justification, impact assessment, and potential administrative guidelines to limit discretionary enforcement.
•Staff to provide further analysis of threshold justification, comparisons to peer counties, statutory citations, and potential fee structure.
June 15, 2026: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Johnston County Board of Commissioners meeting on 2026-06-15. Board approved the FY2026–27 budget (cutting the tax rate from 52¢ to 51¢), heard a long presentation on a cost-of-community-services study and a dynamic fiscal-impact model, approved opioid-settlement spending priorities, and discussed utility/service and personnel items. Public comment included objections to proposed changes to school nondiscrimination policy and requests for transparency about looming state revenue changes.
Discussion Points
•Board debated trade-offs among school funding, employee pay, public safety staffing, and capital needs.
•Board sought to provide more calendar time and public engagement in future budget cycles.
•COCS study findings: residential generally costs more in services than property-tax revenue alone covers under current ratios.
•Commissioners cited state-level uncertainty (pending amendments limiting taxes) and the importance of maintaining AAA bond rating.
•Commissioners raised policy questions about housing mix, utility capacity and preservation of farmland/open space.
•Model is dynamic and staff-updateable; more precise student-generation inputs from the school system were requested.
•Public expressed opposition to recommended language removal from Policy 7,100.
•Speakers asked for an explanation of the school policy committee's rationale and requested transparency.
Decisions
•Adopt FY2026–27 budget; reduce tax rate to 51¢; appropriate supplemental funds for schools and community college; implement 3% July pay adjustment with possible 2% October performance pool; add 24 general-fund positions with earliest start Oct. 1.
•Model to be posted and used as a decision-support tool for project review; no binding policy change adopted at this meeting.
•No county action taken on the policy at this meeting; the matter remains with the school system and its policy process.
Directions
•Board to continue to hear public comment and to coordinate with the school board for explanation; citizens plan to present a transparency resolution July 20.
•Consultant and staff to provide supplemental math clarifications and to train county staff on the fiscal-impact model.
•Staff to provide follow-up materials and scenario math requested by commissioners.
•Staff to publish the adopted budget and implement pay and hiring timelines.
•Staff to pursue student-generation rate details from the school district for improved model precision.
June 1, 2026 - 6:00 pm: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Johnston County Board of Commissioners met June 1, 2026. The board denied a conditional rezoning request for indoor RV storage near West Johnston High School after extensive public opposition focused on traffic, safety, and compatibility; the meeting also reviewed the county's capital improvements plan and approved contract and budget items including a Kimley-Horn UDO contract amendment and a $5.5 million health-insurance appropriation.
Discussion Points
•Affirmation of two AAA ratings and recent successful bond issuances.
•Applicant emphasized indoor-only storage, maximum of 16 RVs, no outdoor storage, no repairs, and hours limited to 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
•Board approved the appropriation and invited continued engagement with the club.
•Boys & Girls Club presented program results and upcoming Smithfield facility.
•Commissioners debated internal capacity versus consultant expertise and requested more detailed cost transparency.
•Commissioners questioned public interest and reasonableness under conditional zoning criteria.
•Finance director asked for $5.5M appropriation for FY26 health insurance.
•Planning director summarized case details and planning board recommendation.
•Recommendations to phase CIP debt issuances and monitor state-level tax policy risks.
•Residents and technical witnesses raised traffic-safety, school proximity, wetlands/buildability and inconsistency with surrounding residential uses.
•Review of fund-balance trends and debt-service metrics.
•Staff presented expenditure history and rationale for amendment.
June 1, 2026 - 10:00 am: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Public hearing and presentations at Johnston County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 1, 2026 covering the proposed FY 2026–27 county budget (major school funding requests), nonprofit funding requests (Harbor, Isaiah 117 House, Brightmind), a request from the Visitors Bureau for Placer AI data, proclamations, a discussion of delivery methods for the DSS facility project, and a countywide fire-station location study.
Discussion Points
•Commissioners asked about trade‑package bidding, guaranteed maximum price negotiation and transparency implications of a qualifications‑based selection.
•County staff confirmed the cost would be annual and that departments and towns already use Placer insights for planning and grants.
•DBB provides sealed-bid price certainty and is widely used by the county; CMAR provides earlier contractor input and could speed schedule for complex or phased projects.
•EMS co-location and equipment/vehicle standardization are encouraged to improve operational efficiency.
•Facilities needs include aging HVAC/chiller units; three chiller replacements cost roughly $1.9M (about $633k each) and replacing 52 units could cost ~ $33M.
•Harbor flagged a steep decline in federal/state victim fund support (cited figure from $103M to $24M).
•Harbor reported 3,165 clients served last year, rising service demand and a reduced operating budget from $1.7M to $1.4M.
•Michael Sims presented an economic-impact analysis using Jamie Kimble Foundation work to argue for taxpayer savings via prevention.
•Officials warned that state low-wealth funding could decline in 2027–28 by an estimated $6–9M following property revaluations, which would affect teacher funding.
•Project team judged the DSS facility to be a relatively conventional office building that may be suitable for DBB; prequalification of general contractors was discussed as a mitigation measure.
•School leaders described a $6.3M current-expense request; $4M of that is for pay/supplements and $1.4M for Wilsons Mills HS operations and initial staffing.
•Study split county into planning zones and scored risk, population and call demand.
•Visitors Bureau described Placer AI's uses for parks, festivals and tourism marketing and asked the county to cover half of a $66,500 annual license.
Decisions
•Board deferred selection of delivery method to June 15; no contract awarded or procurement method selected at this meeting.
•No immediate capital appropriation adopted at this meeting; study accepted for consideration and next steps.
•Public hearing opened and closed; no appropriation adopted at this meeting.
Directions
•Board to continue budget deliberations at scheduled additional meetings (June 1 evening session and June 15 anticipated adoption).
•Commissioners requested follow-up documentation on study methodology, data sources and specifics about how county dollars would be used and measured.
•Present report to Fire Commission and incorporate feedback; use findings to prioritize capital-budget requests and grant applications.
•Staff to prepare additional comparative materials, including sample contract terms, prequalification criteria and projected schedule/cost scenarios for DBB vs CMAR for review before June 15 decision.
•Staff to provide commissioners a break‑down of how many positions are paid from state, local and federal funds and follow up budget numbers on request.
•Visitors Bureau and county staff to finalize cost-sharing and include the $33,250 request in the FY26–27 budget materials if approved.
May 18, 2026: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Johnston County Board of Commissioners met May 18, 2026. The county manager presented a FY26‑27 proposed $421.9 million budget that keeps the property tax rate at $0.52; commissioners approved several public-works capital budget revisions, accepted a 308‑acre park gift, and updated administrative policies following public comments urging budget transparency and protections in school policy.
Discussion Points
•Cleveland project moves water to western county and supports bulk supply to Clayton.
•Commissioners highlighted farmland preservation numbers and partnership value.
•King Road project awarded a $3M low‑interest state loan.
•Manager noted increases driven by debt service, health insurance, and water/wastewater capital needs.
•Manager proposed $421,900,000 general fund, hold tax rate at $0.52, use up to $8.7M reserves.
•Organizers presented a transparency resolution and urged visible support.
•Project budgets funded by system development fees, not general tax fund.
•Public commenters requested clearer access to budget information, protection of social services, and retention of equal‑employment protections in Board of Education policy 7,100.
•Recommendation to pause 28 tax‑funded positions; proceed with 4 enterprise‑fund positions.
•TLC performed environmental due diligence during its phase.
Decisions
•Board voted to accept the property and authorize execution.
•Commissioners approved the three capital revisions and loan acceptance.
Directions
•Authorize county manager to sign documents and proceed to closing.
•Commissioners agreed to pursue additional transparency measures in future budget cycles, including earlier workshops to review assumptions and revenue projections.
•Proceed to detailed design and begin easement acquisition; execute loan closing documents for King Road project.
•Schedule public hearing June 1 (10:00 a.m.) and evening budget meetings June 1 and June 15.
May 4, 2026- 10 am: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Johnston County Board of Commissioners met May 4, 2026. The board approved a short-term downtown lease to relieve office-space shortages, authorized prepayment for a group purchase of fire tankers, heard a presentation on a Willow Health/Alliance Health behavioral urgent-care program slated to launch virtually in June, and reviewed tax-collection and budget/bond updates.
Discussion Points
•Commissioners asked about telehealth effectiveness, adolescent care expansion, and access for residents lacking broadband.
•Commissioners prioritized public convenience and downtown access and noted this is a temporary fix until permanent county buildings are built.
•Group purchase saved $11,316 per truck; additional $17,700 per apparatus discount if county prepays chassis upon delivery.
•Manager said rating agencies affirmed a AA+ rating on selected financings; proposed budget will assume current $0.52 tax rate.
•March collections were reported at 98.66% for the 2025 levy; mid-month numbers have since exceeded 99%.
•Request that the fire service protection district cover the $469,828 prepayment for four chassis; Bethany and 5210 departments to cover their own units.
•Staff presented 4-year lease at $12/sq ft for 17,903 sq ft and suggested splitting renovation costs between the utilities enterprise fund and the general fund.
•Willow Health/Alliance described a virtual-first behavioral health urgent-care model with in-network insurance participation and county funds to cover uninsured/underinsured patients.
Decisions
•Board approved proceeding with the lease by voice vote.
•Board approved procurement plan and prepayment approach by voice vote.
•Board expressed support and signaled staff should continue implementation planning; no formal vote on new funding was recorded.
•No formal board vote on the budget at this meeting; manager will present a balanced budget in mid-May.
Directions
•Manager to present proposed budget to commissioners prior to the next meeting; staff to follow up on foreclosure-process policy review.
•Proceed with finalizing lease documents and allow commissioners to tour the space before final occupancy.
•Proceed with site visits and draft memorandums of understanding; staff to return with final documents and implementation schedule.
•Staff and fire commission to finalize procurement contracts, payment timing, and financing details.
May 4, 2026- 6 pm: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Public commenters pressed the Johnston County Board of Commissioners to slow growth and address water shortages while the county planning director updated the board on the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) review, saying chapters A and B are complete, animal regulations will be removed and a full draft is expected for public release in June.
Discussion Points
•ADUs proposed to be allowed with permanent foundation and restrictions on manufactured/RV structures.
•Agricultural-compatibility buffer options under discussion (75 ft, 35 ft, 50 ft options); town-hall dot-vote favored 75 ft planted buffer.
•Animal-regulation language to be removed per board direction.
•Chapters A and B to be sent to legal before public release; full document targeted for June release and three months public review.
•Commenters argued the county should address water-supply limits and infrastructure before allowing additional development.
•Commenters said UDO drafts were not posted in advance and urged better transparency.
•Minimum lot area: discussion about uniform 30,000 sq ft for AR; previous overlays required 40,000 sq ft.
•Possible change from gross to net density calculations under review.
•Proposed setbacks: revised to 30 ft street, 10 ft interior side, 20 ft corner side; earlier 50 ft consideration.
•Public commenters questioned stakeholder selection, asking that representatives be local residents rather than outside consultants or developers.
•Stakeholder group composition and five meetings since February; chapters A and B reviewed line-by-line.
•Temporary-use standards proposed (e.g., up to 60 days with 30-day gap) with farm exemptions.
Decisions
•No adoption or vote was taken; the meeting served as an update.
•No formal board action or vote resulted from public comments that evening.
Directions
•Staff to continue stakeholder meetings and release chapters after legal review; no formal direction to pause development was recorded.
•Staff will continue stakeholder meetings (May 12, May 28, June 10) and aim for full UDO release in June.
•Staff will remove animal-regulation verbiage per the board's prior direction.
•Staff will send chapters A and B to legal for review, then publish revised chapters to the public as cleared.
April 20, 2026: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Johnston County Board of Commissioners met April 20, 2026 to approve routine business, consider bond issuances and refunding, hear updates from Triangle Land Conservancy, review a Veterans Treatment Court funding request, discuss DOT sidepath agreements for greenways, and authorize planning steps for a Lower Neuse water supply project and DSS facility procurement options.
Discussion Points
•Commissioners asked about remaining 2022 bond capacity and rate conditions for refunding.
•DOT will construct sidepaths at no construction cost; county must commit to day-to-day maintenance.
•Federal grant funding has become more competitive; coverage runs through Sept. 30 absent new funds.
•Program overview and outcomes (graduations and recidivism) presented.
•Staff explained bond amounts and funding breakdown between schools and college.
•Staff referenced maintenance cost estimates in the Trails and Greenways master plan and volunteer groups that may help.
•TLC outlined recently closed projects and funding leverage ratios.
•TLC requested $1,600,000 for FY27 to support pipeline projects.
Decisions
•Adopted $67M bond resolution; adopted authorization to pursue up to $12.25M refunding if savings achieved.
•Board approved the MOA by voice vote.
•No appropriation made during April 20 meeting; request taken under advisement.
•No funding decision taken April 20; request to be considered in budget process.
Directions
•Consider up to $150,000 in FY27 budget as a contingency; staff to include request in budget materials for board consideration.
•Finalize MOA language and include maintenance costs in operations/budget planning.
•Prepare capital project ordinance for adoption; monitor market rates for refunding decision.
•Staff may incorporate the funding request into the upcoming budget process for board consideration.
April 6, 2026- 10:00 am: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Meeting
The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met April 6, 2026. The board approved routine consent items and multiple proclamations, heard a public comment about naming of a planned Clayton NC 42 boat launch, received a lengthy presentation and requests from Public Utilities about a costly long-term water supply plan and grant applications, accepted a loan request from West Johnston Fire Department, and heard an annual report from Johnston Regional Airport including plans for a control tower.
Discussion Points
•Airport outpaced master plan projections for based aircraft and revenue.
•A staged project with initial 6 MGD plant plus larger planned build‑out reduces near‑term borrowing needs and allows pursuit of grants.
•Control tower (manned or remote) identified as top strategic imperative for safety.
•County’s existing surface‑water permits and regional interconnections can supply limited peak capacity but are insufficient for long‑term growth.
•Loan requested to finance 2025 Peterbilt tanker; quoted interest ~4.37% and seven‑year term.
•Multiple funding delivery options discussed (traditional tower, remote digital tower, mobile tower leasing).
•Truck ordered prior to apparatus replacement policy; long industry lead times noted.
•Worst‑case financing projects materially increase retail and bulk water rates without external funding or partner pre‑purchases.
Decisions
•Loan approved
•No construction vote today; staff directed to return with design contracts and funding packages.
Directions
•Begin design work for initial plant using ARPA and system development fee funds; pursue grant and low‑interest loan applications; continue partner negotiations to buy/leasing capacity.
•County approved loan; department to complete loan closing and report back upon delivery.
•Staff to continue environmental assessment, design work, and pursue funding; return with specific requests for matching funds and approvals.
