Home > Board Of Commissioners Meeting Recaps | January 20, 2026

Board Of Commissioners Meeting Recaps | January 20, 2026

 

The Johnston County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20:

  • Held a public hearing on a draft Unified Development Ordinance. The hearing drew developers, builders and real estate agents who feared the proposed rules would mean both fewer and more expensive homes. The board also heard from people in the agricultural community, who asked for time to study the rules and their impact. Commissioners said they would take the time needed to get the UDO right.

  • Heard from Davenport, the County’s financial advisor, who said Johnston County is in solid financial condition and has an excellent track record of managing debt. The County, he said, has capacity to pay for construction projects. He stressed that debt capacity and affordability can be two different things, so it is important to constantly evaluate finances. Over the next several years, Commissioners hope to tackle several building projects, including a new home for the Johnston County Department of Social Services.

  • Heard from Finance Director Chad McLamb, who said the County should end the current fiscal year in the black. He credited Johnstonians who pay their taxes, frugal County employees and growing sales tax receipts.

  • OK’d the purchase of new apparatus for eight fire departments. New engines will go to the Meadow and Elevation fire departments. New tankers will go to 50-210, Antioch, Bethany, Four Oaks, Micro and Princeton.

  • Gave the Princeton Fire Department permission to borrow up to $750,000 to renovate its station. The project will add sleeping quarters, laundry facilities, and two bathrooms, including showers. The department will borrow the money from KS Bank at an interest rate of 5.95%.

  • OK’d the creation of a new position in County government — government relations specialist. Among other things, County Manager Rick Hester said the employee would play a critical role in water and sewer regionalization, an ongoing effort involving the County and its towns. The employee will also represent Johnston County’s interests with the N.C. General Assembly and the federal government.

  • Proclaimed Feb. 21-28 as FFA Week in Johnston County. The proclamation notes that “FFA and agricultural education provide a strong foundation for the youth of America and the future of food, fiber and natural resources.”

  • OK’d an update of the Cape Fear Regional Hazard Mitigation, which aims to reduce the loss of life and property by minimizing the impact of disasters. Local governments must have such plans to be eligible to receive hazard-mitigation grants and disaster-relief funds.

  • Asked the N.C. Department of Transportation to add the following streets to its roster of state-maintained roads: Brodie Rose Landing Way and Misty Morning Drive in Brodie Rose Landing subdivision, Cleveland Township; Kenbridge Lane in Kenbridge subdivision, Boon Hill Township; and Jackson Springs Drive, West Dentaires Way and East Dentaires Way in Jackson Springs subdivision, Pleasant Grove Township.

  • Proclaimed February as All in Red Month, an annual effort to raise awareness of heart disease, a leading cause of death in North Carolina. The commissioners’ proclamation notes that up to 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be prevented through increased physical activity, improved diet, education and proper medical condition management. In Johnston County, UNC Health Johnston and the Johnston Health Foundation organize All in Red Month. As part of the campaign, they encourage all Johnstonians to wear red on Feb. 6, which is National Wear Red Day.

  • Declared a sheriff’s vehicle surplus. The 2021 Dodge Charger was deemed a total loss after an accident.

  • Added $1,360.48 in miscellaneous revenue to the jail’s budget and $14,176.65 to the Sheriff’s Office budget. That money comes from insurance proceeds and the controlled substance tax.



Page last updated on:  February 13, 2026