Johnston County Adopts Balanced Budget While Reducing Tax Rate and Fully Funding Public Schools

June 15, 2026

For Immediate Release:

 

Smithfield, N.C. - The Johnston County Board of Commissioners on Monday adopted a $434.9 million budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.

The final spending plan includes a one-cent cut in Johnston County’s property tax rate — from 52 to 51 cents per $100 valuation. That means the typical homeowner will see a lower County tax bill in the year ahead.

Even with the tax cut, Commissioners managed to fully fund the Public Schools’ budget request and largely fund Johnston Community College’s request.

"We were able to reduce the tax rate while still making the investments our community expects,” said Commissioner Patrick Harris, the Board’s chairman. “Funding the requests from Johnston County Public Schools and Johnston Community College demonstrates our commitment to education and workforce development without losing sight of our responsibility to taxpayers."

Also on Monday, Commissioners added some new hires to the 2026-27 spending plan. Department heads had requested a total of 32 new positions in the year ahead, but County Manager Rick Hester had recommended just four. All of those were in Public Utilities, which gets it revenue from water and sewer sales, not property taxes.

But Commissioners were unwilling to hold off on some new hires, especially in the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Services and 911 Communications. The new budget gives Sheriff Steve Bizzell six more deputies while adding six paramedics in Emergency Services and four telecommunicators in 911 Communications.

"As Johnston County continues to grow, we have to make sure essential services keep pace,” Harris said. “These additional positions will strengthen public safety, emergency response, and 911 communications so residents continue receiving the level of service they deserve."

The budget gives all employees a 3% boost in pay, and they could receive up to 2% more depending on performance.

Finally, Commissioners made room in the budget to support nonprofits. Among the beneficiaries are Harbor Inc., the Triangle Land Conservancy, and the Boys and Girls Club.

The budget keeps the County’s fire tax rate at 11.5 cents per $100 valuation. Utility customers, meanwhile, can expect to pay about 10% more for the water and sewer they use. But for the typical household, the monthly bill will increase less than that because the base service charges for water and sewer are unchanged from 2025-26.

"This budget reflects a balanced approach to meeting the needs of a growing county,” Harris said. “It invests in education, public safety, employees, infrastructure, and community organizations while reducing the tax burden on property owners. Commissioners worked hard to ensure this budget serves both today's residents and future generations."

Budget highlights

• Property tax rate — 51 cents per $100 valuation, down from 52 cents.
• Fire tax rate — 11.5 cents per $100 valuation, unchanged.
• Johnston County Public Schools funding — $116.3 million for operations and $5.478 million for capital outlay. The $121.778 million allocation fully funds the schools’ request.
• Johnston Community College — $14,659,564 for operations and $3.1 million for capital outlay. The total of $17,759,564 fully funds the college’s operations request, which includes higher salary dollars for hard-to-fill and retain teaching positions.
• Water and sewer rates — the base service charges for water and sewer are unchanged. The usage rates will climb roughly 10%. A typical household will see its water bill increase from $45.80 a month to $48. The typical sewer bill will climb to $72 a month, up from $68.40.
• Landfill tipping fee — $50 per ton, up from $48.
• Recreation fee in lieu — $1,200 per housing lot, up from $1,000.

New positions

• Emergency Services — eight, including six EMTs/paramedics
• Sheriff’s Office — seven, including six deputies
• 911 Communications — five, including four telecommunicators
• Building inspections — one
• Cooperative Extension — one
• Health Department — one
• Animal Services — one

Nonprofit funding

• Harbor Inc. — $325,000
• Triangle Land Conservancy — $155,000
• Boys and Girls Club — $100,000
• Johnston Memorial Hospital Foundation — $100,000
• Partnership for Children — $50,0000
• Smithfield Rescue Mission — $23,700
• Special Olympics — $15,000
• Johnston County Arts Council — $10,000

 

How your County Tax Dollars are Invested for Fiscal Year 2026-2027: 
General Government (12.3%), Public Safety (22.7%), Education (42.2%), Human Services (17.9%), Economic and Physical Development (4.9%)