June 19, 2023 - 6:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Highlights

10 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JOHNSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING JUNE 19 , 2023 - 6 00 PM Videos of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners meetings may be viewed at the following https wwwyoutubecom jocogovnc Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr announced Commissioner Fred J Smith , Jr would be joining the meeting via zoom 1 Approval Discussion of Agenda - Agenda approved moving items 8 , 9 & 10 to items 4 , 5 & 6 after Public Comments 2 Consent Agenda Items - Consent agenda approved A Approval of Minutes – May 15 , 2023 6 00 pm B Department of Transportation – Additions to System NC DOT is requesting the Board to concur with their recommendation to add the following roads to the State Maintained System Pleasant View Lane – Pleasant View – Pleasant Grove Township C Triangle J Council of Governments – Charter Amendment The Board of Delegates for Triangle J Council of Governments unanimously approved changes to the organization’s Charter to reflect a change in name from Triangle J Council of Governments to Central Pines Regional Council It is the request that local government members approve the amended charter for the name change by adopting a Charter Resolution D Envision Johnston 2040 – Comprehensive Land Use Plan On June 5 , 2023 , the Board of Commissioners directed staff to coordinate the logistics for a public hearing to receive final public input on Envision Johnston 2040 Staff has reserved the Johnston County Agricultural Center Auditorium as the location for the public hearing for July 17 , 2023 Staff requests the Board to set the date , time and location for the public hearing to receive input on Envision Johnston 2040 , the proposed Johnston County Land Use Plan , for July 17 , 2023 at 6 00 pm at the Johnston County Agricultural Center Auditorium E Budget Revisions • Register of Deeds - 10,09900 – To appropriate funds for preservation and imaging of records • Jail - 10,62400 - To move revenues into appropriate expenditure line items • Sheriff - 15,35800 - To move revenues into appropriate expenditure line items • Special Appropriations - 59,56600 - To adjust budgeted revenue amounts to reflect actual YTD amounts Page• Tourism - 33,00000 - To appropriate funds requested by the Town of Benson for the Benson Singing Grove to include walkways and other items to upgrade area F Appointments • Claytex Fire Protection District Commission – 1 position ; 2 year terms David “ Whitt ” Young has applied for appointment 3 Public Comments The following individuals addressed the Board during Public Comment • Kelley Blas and Bruce Hatcher - JoCo Angels • Christina Arena – Down Home North Carolina • Elizabeth Lynn , Down Home North Carolina • Mayor Byron McAllister – Town of Selma and • Mayor Don Rains , Town of Princeton Note Full comments can be viewed in the video from the meeting at the following link https wwwyoutubecom watch v gRHhZ2JVkA8 4 Public Hearing – 2023 Fire District Boundary Revisions Following the public hearing , the Board adopted resolutions approving the revisions to the fire service districts boundaries as well as the corresponding fire insurance district boundaries The purpose of the hearing is to provide the public with an opportunity to address the Board on proposed changes to the boundary lines of the following fire service districts in Johnston County pursuant to NCGS § 153A - 3043 50 - 210 , O’Neals , Archer Lodge , Banner , Bentonville , Shoe Heel , Blackman’s Crossroads , Brogden , Claytex , McLemore , Corinth - Holder , Elevation , Wynn , Garner Suburban , Beulah , Meadow , Micro , Nahunta , Newton Grove , Oakland , Pi - Le , Boon Hill , Selma Rural , Smithfield Rural , Strickland Crossroads , Thanksgiving , West Johnston , Wilson’s Mills and Wakelon The revisions are proposed to align the boundaries to maximize the five mile coverage area for fire insurance grading purposes A report for the districts including a maps of the service districts and the adjacent territory showing the current and proposed boundaries of the districts ; b a statement indicating that the proposed boundary relocations meet the standards and requirements of General Statute 153A - 3043 a ; c a plan for providing service to the areas affected by the relocation of district boundaries ; and d the effect that changes in the amount of taxable property will have on the ability of the fire service districts to provide services or to service any debt , have been on file in the Clerk to the Board’s Office and the Johnston County Emergency Services Office for public inspection The report was also posted on the County’s website at https wwwjohnstonnccom files board Fire 20Service 20Districts 20Report 202023 pdf Following the public hearing , the Board of Commissioners will consider resolutions to relocate the boundary lines of said Fire Service Districts and the corresponding Fire Insurance Districts 5 Public Hearing – Research & Training Zone Proposed Extension of Boundaries Request approved The purpose of the public hearing is to provide the public with an opportunity to address the Board on a proposed extension of the Johnston County Research and Training Zone RTZ district boundaries pursuant to NCGS § 153A - 31711 through 153A - 31717 , and specifically 153A - 31714 A report for the district extension including a a map of the district and the territory proposed to be annexed showing the present and proposed boundaries of the district ; and b a statement that the area to be annexed meets the standards andPagerequirements within NCGS § 153A - 31714 a has been on file in the Clerk to the Board’s Office and available for public inspection The report has also been made available on the County’s website Following the public hearing , the Board is being requested to approve the extension of the boundaries 6 JCATS – Microtransit Update to the Board Informational item Neal Davis will present an update to the Board 7 Public Utilities – 2022 AC Water Main Replacements Request approved The County received four 4 bids for the 2022 AC Water Main Replacements project on May 11 , 2023 Please refer to the attached summary tabulation of bids JF Wilkerson Contracting Co , Inc of Morrisville , NC submitted the lowest responsive bid in the amount of 5,705,93000 JF Wilkerson Contracting Co , Inc is properly licensed and experienced in the type of construction involved and appears to have the financial , labor and equipment resources required to complete the construction within the stipulated contract completion time Please see below the previously approved and proposed project budget Existing Proposed Construction 3,831,50000 5,705,93000 Schedule 1 5,299,55700 Schedule 2 Town of Kenly – Hamp Dr Hershey Dr 406,37300 Contingency 375,30000 285,23000 Technical Services Engineering Survey Construct Admin 885,20000 885,20000 County 818,80000 818,80000 Town of Kenly 66,40000 66,40000 Easements 48,00000 48,00000 SRF Loan Closing 102,80000 102,80000 Total Project Cost 5,242,80000 7,027,16000 Funding for the proposed project is as follows Town of Kenly Reimbursement 000 472,77300 Water Fund Balance 000 1,311,58700 Drinking Water State Revolving Loan 11 for 20 years 5,242,80000 5,242,80000 Total Project Funds 5,242,80000 7,027,16000 SRF Loan Offer accepted by Johnston County Board of Commissioners on July 18 , 2022 Staff recommends award of the 2022 Water Main Replacements project to JF Wilkerson Contracting Co , Inc in the amount of 5,705,93000 , approval of the revised project budget , revised Capital Project Ordinance and award resolution contingent upon funding agency approval 8 Public Utilities – Water and Wastewater System Development Fee Study for Fiscal Year 2024 Fee Study adopted Staff posted the “ Water and Wastewater System Development Fee Study for Fiscal Year 2024 ” on the County’s website on April 11 , 2023 Furthermore , the Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on June 5 , 2023 Staff recommends adoption of the “ Water and Wastewater System Development Fee Study for Fiscal Year 2024 , ” including the updated Water and Sewer Capital Improvements Plan , as attached and presented at the June 5 , 2023 public hearing 9 Public Utilities – Water and Sewer System Development Fees for Fiscal Year 23 24 Fees adopted PageMeter Size Existing FY 22 23 Proposed FY 23 24 Existing Residential 970 1,300 New Residential 2,750 3,750 ¾ ” 2,750 3,750 1 ” 6,875 9,375 15 ” 13,750 18,750 2 ” 22,000 30,000 3 ” 44,000 60,000 4 ” 68,750 93,750 6 ” 137,500 187,500 8 ” 220,000 300,000 Bulk Capacity Fee 700 gpd 1000 gpd Staff recommends adoption of the following water system development fees and water bulk capacity fees effective October 1 , 2023 as part of the FY 23 24 budget In situations where the application of the meter based fees will result in the collection of fees significantly different than the potential demand requirement , the Director of Utilities has the discretion to apply unit a capacity cost per GPD of 1635 gpd Staff recommends adoption of the following sewer system development fees and sewer bulk capacity fees effective July 1 , 2023 as part of the FY 23 24 budget PagePage pageNumber5Meter Size Existing FY 22 23 Proposed FY 23 24 Residential 4,090 4,020 ¾ ” 4,090 4,020 1 ” 10,225 10,050 15 ” 20,450 20,100 2 ” 32,720 32,160 3 ” 65,440 64,320 4 ” 102,250 100,500 6 ” 204,500 201,000 8 ” 327,200 321,600 Bulk Capacity Fee 1100 gpd 1068 gpd In situations where the application of the meter based fees will result in the collection of fees significantly different than the potential demand requirement , the Director of Utilities has the discretion to apply unit a capacity cost per GPD of 1438 gpd 10 Fiscal Year 2023 - 2024 County Budget Discussion and Adoption The Board adopted the County Manager’s proposed budget with the following revisions Reduce property tax rate from 73 cents to 69 cents Appropriate to Johnston County Public Schools a total of 88,497,179 for current expense and 6 million for capital outlay Appropriate up to 4 million to 911 communications for communications operability improvements in schools Appropriate to Johnston Community College 6,912,390 for current expense and 12 million for capital outlay Appropriate to Veterans office 50k for transportation services for veterans Appropriate to Town of Micro up to 180k for Micro community building project subject to project updates prior to disbursement of funds A 5 pay adjustment for employees in July with the possibility of a 2 performance pay adjustment in October Salaries effective July 1 , 2023 Chairman - Salary 29,834 - Travel 8,400 Commissioners - Salary 23,834 - Travel 6,600 Clerk to the Board - 85,000 County Attorney - 200,000 County Manager - 257,451 Tax Administrator - 144,538PagePage pageNumber6Appropriate 100k to My Kids Club Appropriate 45k to Smithfield Rescue Mission Appropriate 325k to Harbor Appropriate 100k to Princeton Little Tar Heel League Appropriate 100k to Project Access Designate present use value rollback funds on a recurring fiscal year basis for land preservation projects that would be approved by the Board on a case by case basis Appropriate 825k to Triangle Land Conservancy using 110k From PUV Rollback and 715k from General Fund Appropriate an additional 12k to Community and Senior Services for the additional match needed for their increased Home and Community Care block grant Appropriate one time 650k to solid waste fund for solid waste convenience centers to transition away from decal program starting in FY 24 - 25 For FY 23 24 , decals to be sold quarterly on a prorated basis - Q1 - 100 , Q2 - 75 , Q3 - 50 , and Q4 - 25 Decals will be eliminated June 30 , 2024 Board will evaluate an enterprise fund availability fee to be adopted at a later meeting for implementation in FY 24 25 Appropriate one - time 42 million allocation for the start of phase 2 of fire tax funding matrix - instruct staff to move to the creation of a single county fire protection service district Board will move to adopt a county wide fire service tax district based on fire protection service needs effective FY24 25 Approve Individual fire tax service district rate adjustments Brogden Fire Department 012 Selma Fire Department 013 Antioch Fire Department 010 North Side Fire Department 012 Wilson’s Mills Fire Department 008 Claytex Fire District 015 50 210 Fire Department 0095 Reduce expenses in manager’s proposed budget by 22 million The majority of these expenses are designated as capital - outlay related Appropriate 500k to the Johnston County Economic Development Corporation to develop and fund an economic development program in Johnston County to attract new or expanding businesses with the JoCo Building Reuse Program Concurrence with the RTZ Board on maintaining an 8 cents property tax rate in the RTZ 11 Manager Reports and Comments County Manager , Rick Hester mentioned the idea to the Board to consider a half - day work session in the fall to be held at possibly the Airport to discuss finances and capital planning He stated the importance of a work session prior to making major capital related decisions PagePage pageNumber712 Board Reports and Comments Commissioner Richard D Braswell stated when the new Detention Center and Public Safety Center are opened , we need to look at how the space left at the courthouse will be restructured to be utilized for the court system Commissioner Ted G Godwin noted we’ve been lead to believe in our discussions that we need to make a decision about CAMPO or a new metropolitan planning organization MPO by the end of June 30th fiscal year He stated at last Thursday’s meeting with the Department of Transportation representatives , he understood there is really more flexibility there He stated he thinks they have set up a soft deadline just internally for their own purposes , but we really have until closer to the end of the calendar year He suggested the Board either postpone or table this decision to be sure all understand the pluses and minuses in the long range and not do something right now that in two years from now we might regret doing Commissioner R Braswell stated he thinks CAMPO is the cream of the crop and we need to careful and cautious moving forward and stick with them Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris thanked the staff and all those behind the scenes who worked diligently on the budget He also thanked the Commissioners as well Commissioner Tony Braswell noted in the budget it was passed to fully fund the school system this year He stated that shows the Board’s commitment to education for the County and he also wants to see a commitment and accountability from those that administer the school policies , the Board of Education He said the Board has made their commitment and he would like to see the scores for 2023 compared to the number of failing schools that we have Commissioner T Braswell also mentioned comments from Mayor Don Rains , Town of Princeton regarding the I - 42 committee He stated he hopes when repairs are done in Wilson’s Mills and Princeton , they do not do what they did to Pine Level He noted there is a tar and rock road that is 21 miles long with a 6,000 pound limit with 61 mailboxes on it and that is a thoroughfare to Hwy 70 and Hwy 42 He mentioned another road that could have been used as a thoroughfare with less than 18 residents on the road He noted if they did it to Pine Level , it could be done to Wilson’s Mills and Princeton Commissioner April Stephens echoed what Commissioner Tony Braswell said about the appropriation for the schools and stated hopefully no teacher or student will go without this coming year She stated she is happy to work alongside them to ensure that happens Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr pointed out , as part of the Consent Agenda , there will be a change to the location for our July 17 , 2023 6 00 pm meeting in order to hold a public hearing for Envision Johnston 2040 , our proposed Johnston County Land Use Plan and the meeting will be held at the Agricultural Center Auditorium Chairman Lawter noted several discussions over the last couple of months regarding the Metropolitan Planning Organization with the Department of Transportation and CAMPO He stated the Board has had time to discuss and he has not heard any mention of a flexible deadline He stated the Board has in their packet a draft letter to send to the Department of Transportation recommending staying in CAMPO Chairman Lawter asked for consensus of the Board to move forward and send the letter Commissioner Ted G Godwin was not in favor of sending the letter 13 Closed Session – NCGS 14331811 a 3 – Attorney - Client Privilege No action was taken Page