January 5, 2026 - 10:00 AM - Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

10 1 Meeting of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners January 5 , 2026 10 00 am The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session Monday , January 5 , 2026 , at 10 00 am in the Commissioners Meeting Room , Johnston County Courthouse Annex , Smithfield , North Carolina The following members were present Present Chairman Patrick E Harris , Vice Chairman , RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr , Ted G Godwin , April Stephens , Bill Stovall , Michelle Pace Davis and Mike Rose Absent None Also Present County Manager Rick J Hester , Finance Officer and Deputy County Manager J Chad McLamb , County Attorney Jennifer J Slusser , Clerk to the Board Dana G Cuddington and Executive Assistant Deputy Clerk to the Board Susie Reeves Chairman Patrick E Harris called the meeting to order at 10 00 am Chairman Harris reminded everyone of the Board’s six priorities including Public Safety , Infrastructure , County Employees , Financial Stewardship , Educational Funding , and Land Use and the Board’s continuing efforts to keep these priorities in mind when working through the agenda Vice Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr opened the meeting with an invocation American Legion Post 518 of Clayton led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag 1 Approval Discussion of Agenda Upon a motion by Vice Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr , seconded by Commissioner Ted G Godwin , and carried by unanimous vote , the Board approved the agenda as presented 2 Consent Agenda Items Upon a motion by Commissioner Ted G Godwin , seconded by Vice Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr , and carried by unanimous vote , the Board approved the consent agenda items as follows A Approval of Minutes – November 17 , 2025 6 00 pm ; November 18 , 2025 11 30 am and December 1 , 2025 10 00 am and 6 00 pm B Department of Transportation – Additions to System The Board concurred with the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s recommendation to add the following roads to the State Maintained System Winston Club Blvd , Winston Pointe Dr , Valley Dr SR 3482 ext , Amesbury Lane , W Trafalgar Ct , E Trafalgar Ct , Castlewood Dr , Warwick Dr , St Ives Ct , N Hadrin Ct , S Hadrin Ct , New Castle Ct , Carlisle Ct , Chippenham Ct , Surrey Ct , and Eton Court – Winston Pointe – Clayton Township Cedarbrook Dr , Winterwood Dr , Valleydale Dr , and Blackberry Lane – Spring Branch – Phase 2 – Elevation Township C Sheriff’s Office – Request to Surplus Vehicle Per the request of Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell , the Board declared the following vehicle surplus that was involved in an accident and declared a total loss by the insurance carrier 2020 Dodge Charger VIN 2C3CDXKTXLH175331 County Asset # 13909 D Planning and Zoning – Adoption of Resolution for Approval of Case 25 - 11 At the December 1 , 2025 meeting , the Board approved the rezoning request for Case 25 - 11 The Board adopted the following corresponding Resolution of Consistency for Approval RESOLUTION FOR CASE NUMBER 25 - 11 RESOLUTION APPROVING A ZONING AMENDMENT AND ADOPTING A STATEMENT OF CONSISTENCY REGARDING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAPS OF JOHNSTON COUNTYPage2 January 5 , 2026 – 10 00 am Continued WHEREAS , pursuant to NC Gen Stat § 160D - 605 , prior to adopting or rejecting a zoning amendment , the governing board is required to adopt a statement approving or rejecting the zoning amendment and describe if the amendment is consistent or inconsistent with the comprehensive zoning plan and why the board considers the action taken to be reasonable and in the public interest ; WHEREAS , the Johnston County Planning Board has reviewed a proposed amendment to The Official Zoning Maps of Johnston County , for a parcel identified as Tax ID 16J01009D located at 16745 Buffalo Road in Wilders Township , from Agricultural Residential to Community Business - Conditional Zoning WHEREAS , based on a review of the proposed amendment the Planning Board found that the proposed amendment is inconsistent with the Johnston County Comprehensive Land Use Plan and updates and further recommended that the Board of Commissioners deny the proposed amendment ; and WHEREAS , this Board has reviewed and considered the above written recommendation of the Planning Board and has held a public hearing on the proposed amendment , and this Board desires to approve the zoning amendment and adopt a statement describing why the adoption of the proposed amendment is consistent with the Johnston County Comprehensive Land Use Plan and updates , and the Board considers the proposed amendment to be reasonable and in the public interest NOW , THEREFORE , BE IT ORDAINED BY THE JOHNSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS THAT 1 This Board finds and determines that the adoption of the proposed amendment to the Official Zoning Maps of Johnston County is consistent with the Johnston County Land Use Plan and updates thereto because the Land Use Plan and updates indicate that a The proposed conditional use provides a community service in a rural area without immediate proximity to an urbanized area to conveniently provide similar service 2 This Board finds and determines that it is reasonable and in the public interest to approve the proposed amendment because a The proposed use is low impact to public services and ; b The character of the proposed development is not entirely inconsistent with the community 3 This Board approves the proposed zoning amendment from Agricultural Residential to Community Business - Conditional Zoning th Adopted this the 5 day of January , 2026 E Town of Benson – Appointments to Benson Planning Board Per a request by the Town of Benson , the Board made the following appointments to the Benson Planning Board representing the ETJ area of the Town Benson Planning Board – Charlie Harper , 2281 Tarheel Road , Benson term expiring on 12 31 2027 F Parks & Open Space – Comprehensive Trails & Greenways Plan Adoption On December 1 , 2025 staff along with The McAdams Company provided a presentation of the Comprehensive Trails & Greenways Plan to the Board for consideration Per the recommendation of staff , the Board adopted the Comprehensive Trails & Greenways Plan Note The adopted plan is found on the County’s website as well as on file in the Parks and Open Space Department G Parks & Open Space – Rose Dairy Site Lease Approval The Parks and Open Space Department presented lease and insurance information for the Rose Dairy Site , a future County park site , at the December 1 , 2025 Board meeting This lease will allow the staff to start renovating the contact station and move onto the site until the property is turned over to the County in early 2026 by the Triangle Land Conservancy Per the request of staff , the Board approved the lease and insurance H Appointments , approved as follows including waivers in the length of service policy Economic Development Advisory Board – Hampton Whittington was reappointed for a two year term to expire on December 31 , 2027 with Mr Whittington receiving a waiver in the length of service policy Page3 January 5 , 2026 – 10 00 am Continued Juvenile Crime Prevention Council – Nakunda Everett representing General Public was appointed to fill an unexpired term ending August 31 , 2026 I Budget Revisions , approved as follows 911 Communication REQUESTED CHANGE FUND BUDGET CODE LINE ITEM CLASSIFICATION EXPENDITURE INCREASE DECREASE 45 52087155 Capital Outlay – IT Subscription 75,90000 TOTAL NET EXPENDITURES 75,90000 REQUESTED CHANGE FUND BUDGET CODE LINE ITEM CLASSIFICATION REVENUE INCREASE DECREASE 45 520833990 Fund Balance Appropriated 75,90000 75,90000 TOTAL NET REVENUE Sheriff REQUESTED CHANGE FUND BUDGET CODE LINE ITEM CLASSIFICATION EXPENDITURE INCREASE DECREASE 10 51003350 Supplies – Special – Sheriff 4,00000 10 51007414 Capital Outlay Sheriff 34143 TOTAL NET EXPENDITURES 4,34143 REQUESTED CHANGE FUND BUDGET CODE LINE ITEM CLASSIFICATION REVENUE INCREASE DECREASE 10 510032106 Controlled Substance Tax 34143 10 510033099 Miscellaneous Revenue 4,00000 4,34143 TOTAL NET REVENUE Tourism REQUESTED CHANGE FUND BUDGET CODE LINE ITEM CLASSIFICATION EXPENDITURE INCREASE DECREASE 15 84004608 Town of Selma 109,18000 TOTAL NET EXPENDITURES 109,18000 REQUESTED CHANGE FUND BUDGET CODE LINE ITEM CLASSIFICATION REVENUE INCREASE DECREASE 15 840033990 Fund Balance Appropriated 109,18000 109,18000 TOTAL NET REVENUE Tourism REQUESTED CHANGE FUND BUDGET CODE LINE ITEM CLASSIFICATION EXPENDITURE INCREASE DECREASE 15 84004609 Town of Smithfield 386,64700 TOTAL NET EXPENDITURES 386,64700 REQUESTED CHANGE FUND BUDGET CODE LINE ITEM CLASSIFICATION REVENUE INCREASE DECREASE 15 840033990 Fund Balance Appropriated 386,64700 386,64700 TOTAL NET REVENUE J Tax Releases & Refunds – 11 16 2025 – 12 15 2025 Real Personal Property Releases TRANS DATE TIME USER YR BILL # ACCT # TAXPAYER NAME AMOUNT 12 3 2025 10 45 57 AM ALassiter 2025 - 500353 75 SOUTH RIVER EMC 5,77588 12 3 2025 10 47 34 AM ALassiter 2025 - 500354 75 SOUTH RIVER EMC 18673 12 3 2025 10 48 51 AM ALassiter 2025 - 500355 75 SOUTH RIVER EMC 20406 12 3 2025 10 49 38 AM ALassiter 2025 - 500356 75 SOUTH RIVER EMC 32015Page4 January 5 , 2026 – 10 00 am Continued 12 3 2025 10 50 28 AM ALassiter 2025 - 500357 75 SOUTH RIVER EMC 13149 12 3 2025 10 51 19 AM ALassiter 2025 - 500358 75 SOUTH RIVER EMC 30982 12 3 2025 10 52 58 AM ALassiter 2025 - 500360 75 SOUTH RIVER EMC 14208 12 3 2025 12 06 05 PM dwoodward2 2025 - 73082 2000275350 HOPE CENTER MINISTRIES , INC 10,23691 12 3 2025 12 07 49 PM dwoodward2 2025 - 24183 2000273116 CLEVELAND SCHOOL RESIDENTIAL , 10,07980 LLC 12 3 2025 2 07 47 PM dwoodward2 2025 - 29420 2000248065 CUTUCACHE , SILVIA 2,51207 12 3 2025 2 15 47 PM dwoodward2 2025 - 47210 2000178532 GUTHRIE , ABBIE 2,22149 12 3 2025 2 17 59 PM dwoodward2 2025 - 108036 2000212745 SMITH , TIMOTHY L 1,35344 12 3 2025 2 31 52 PM astraley 2025 - 63272 2000186785 KEENE , SHELBA CREECH LIFE 2,15970 ESTATE 12 3 2025 2 40 36 PM dwoodward2 2025 - 109424 2000210080 SPINNING MILL INVESTMENTS , LLC 4,49733 12 3 2025 2 41 16 PM astraley 2025 - 47574 2000264242 HAIJA , FARUK 2,79914 12 3 2025 2 46 23 PM dwoodward2 2025 - 109425 2000210080 SPINNING MILL INVESTMENTS , LLC 103,04636 12 3 2025 2 49 29 PM dwoodward2 2025 - 109422 2000210080 SPINNING MILL INVESTMENTS , LLC 432,78500 12 3 2025 2 52 20 PM astraley 2025 - 201698 2000282224 MSS SOLUTIONS LLC 10135 12 3 2025 3 02 03 PM astraley 2025 - 138211 2000246142 MECHANICAL SYSTEMS & SERVICES 19075 INC 12 8 2025 8 38 54 AM dwoodward2 2025 - 113104 2000214876 SUMMERWIND APARTMENT 6,35000 INVESTORS , LLC 12 9 2025 3 41 43 PM astraley 2025 - 50858 2000199605 HERNANDEZ , MATILDE III 64638 12 10 2025 10 33 12 AM ALassiter 2025 - 202083 16064136 BYRDS WHOLESALE INC 30909 12 15 2025 12 16 22 PM ALassiter 2025 - 38271 2000256340 F21 OPCO LLC 28944 12 15 2025 3 42 33 PM astraley 2025 - 5095 2000259542 ARDMORE FLOWERS PROPCO , LLC 318,75350 12 15 2025 3 53 21 PM astraley 2025 - 5096 2000259542 ARDMORE FLOWERS PROPCO , LLC 265,44650 Real Personal Property Refunds TRANS DATE TIME USER YR BILL # ACCT # TAXPAYER NAME AMOUNT 11 17 2025 9 34 34 AM awstancil 2025 - 78323 2000173870 MEYER , JANE EARP 10160 11 17 2025 1 02 43 PM awstancil 2025 - 6132 2000232045 AUSTIN , SHANE DAVID 1,26938 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 5331 2000261575 ARNOLD , JOSEPH ADAM 1,99606 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 9511 2000233305 BARNES , GREGORY CAMERON 2,25437 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 13398 2000150810 BLANKE , JOHN W 2,33089 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 17943 2000224742 BURKE , MATTHEW DEREK 1,35103 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 21120 2000271115 CARTY , IRVIN HENRY III 2,75679 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 22997 2000258620 CHAVIS , AUNDREA JUNAE 4,31019 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 23010 2000247836 CHAVIS , MILTON ANTONIO 2,69054 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 23911 2000206125 CLAWSON , DONALD WARD 2,27330 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 25495 2000166948 COMPTON , LARRY T 3,04463 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 39232 2000270639 FIERRO , SHEA MIGUEL 2,31953 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 83219 2000271940 PATRICIA NEULS FAMILY TRUST 2,45091 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 102073 2000276425 SALOTTOLO FAMILY REVOCABLE 2,88697 TRUST 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 102971 2000266986 SAPRE , VIVEK VIJAYKUMAR 3,10929 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 109524 2000256744 SPRUILL , BRITTANEY KERRY 2,26993 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 113593 2000260565 SWORDS , AARON 1,82480 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 118725 2000257417 TURNER , JOHN H 2,07537 11 17 2025 2 32 40 PM COTALITY 2025 - 130783 2000216898 WYLIE , LIAM 2,73939 11 18 2025 12 38 20 PM LOCKBOX 2025 - 97987 2000231466 RICHARDSON , REBECCA 1,74143 LOUEREN 11 19 2025 4 38 12 PM jevans 2024 - 201275 2000009128 CREECH , BILLY RAY 5,06241 11 20 2025 2 14 38 PM tmeacomes 2025 - 127898 2000268273 WILSON , JAMES ELI III 3,08919 11 24 2025 9 28 46 AM ajsoutherland 2025 - 30801 24105640 DAVIS , IRENE P 1,61032 11 25 2025 2 30 14 PM LOCKBOX 2025 - 37757 2000257973 ETHRIDGE , OTIS SR HEIRS 16100 11 25 2025 3 50 22 PM awestbrook 2025 - 400026 2000286169 PATE , ANDY SCOTT 10660 11 26 2025 2 07 34 PM ajsoutherland 2025 - 134044 2000264661 LENNAR CAROLINAS , LLC 2,31639 11 28 2025 5 31 27 PM LOCKBOX 2025 - 90699 2000208329 PHILIP BEASLEY LIVING TRUST 3,64471 12 1 2025 12 24 05 PM awstancil 2025 - 42818 2000250135 GARNER , JEANNETTE 99381PagePage pageNumber55 January 5 , 2026 – 10 00 am Continued 12 1 2025 12 50 59 PM LOCKBOX 2025 - 88477 2000267040 PASTRANA , LUCIVELIA SALINAS 16929 12 1 2025 1 18 27 PM awstancil 2025 - 20714 2000114128 CARROLL CONSTRUCTION 76200 HOMES , INC 12 1 2025 1 21 43 PM awstancil 2025 - 31123 2000200191 DAVIS , WILLIAM E 2,09778 12 1 2025 3 07 53 PM awstancil 2025 - 39324 2000234857 J & J FLOWERS FINCH , INC 2,76534 12 2 2025 12 47 55 PM awstancil 2025 - 54939 2000253425 HOWELL , PHILIP 34000 12 3 2025 11 09 55 AM tcronan 2025 - 118934 89582263 TWIN STATES FARMING INC 11531 12 3 2025 2 36 31 PM astraley 2025 - 202300 2000186785 KEENE , SHELBA CREECH LIFE 90389 ESTATE 12 3 2025 2 57 21 PM astraley 2025 - 201698 2000282224 MSS SOLUTIONS LLC 10135 12 3 2025 3 06 42 PM astraley 2025 - 138211 2000246142 MECHANICAL SYSTEMS & 19075 SERVICES INC 12 8 2025 11 50 07 AM ajsoutherland 2025 - 64917 2000234460 KOLLMANN , KEITH 1,07514 12 9 2025 2 12 01 PM LOCKBOX 2025 - 122980 2000260729 WATERS , JOSEPH 3,02174 12 10 2025 10 56 27 AM tmeacomes 2025 - 20580 2000090914 CARROLL CONSTRUCTION 49530 HOMES INC 12 10 2025 10 57 24 AM tmeacomes 2025 - 20582 2000090914 CARROLL CONSTRUCTION 45403 HOMES INC 12 10 2025 10 58 11 AM tmeacomes 2025 - 20579 2000090914 CARROLL CONSTRUCTION 41275 HOMES INC 12 10 2025 11 29 00 AM tmeacomes 2025 - 136525 2000194356 STEEL BRIDGE CROSSING , LLC 38100 12 10 2025 11 29 46 AM tmeacomes 2025 - 136520 2000194356 STEEL BRIDGE CROSSING , LLC 38100 12 10 2025 11 30 26 AM tmeacomes 2025 - 136536 2000194356 STEEL BRIDGE CROSSING , LLC 38100 12 10 2025 11 56 34 AM tmeacomes 2025 - 136535 2000194356 STEEL BRIDGE CROSSING , LLC 57150 12 10 2025 11 57 35 AM tmeacomes 2025 - 136527 2000194356 STEEL BRIDGE CROSSING , LLC 38100 12 10 2025 11 58 15 AM tmeacomes 2025 - 136531 2000194356 STEEL BRIDGE CROSSING , LLC 38100 12 10 2025 12 07 53 PM tmeacomes 2025 - 110822 2000194356 STEEL BRIDGE CROSSING , LLC 16510 12 10 2025 12 08 44 PM tmeacomes 2025 - 110820 2000194356 STEEL BRIDGE CROSSING , LLC 16510 12 11 2025 12 41 52 PM LOCKBOX 2025 - 8983 2000180817 BAREFOOT , JIMMY WAYNE 78410 12 12 2025 12 52 43 PM LOCKBOX 2025 - 23744 18106260 CLARK , DAVID BOWDEN 81598 12 12 2025 2 36 12 PM jevans 2025 - 113104 2000214876 SUMMERWIND APARTMENT 6,35000 INVESTORS , LLC 12 15 2025 10 24 04 AM awestbrook 2025 - 400027 2000286504 METZNER , ALLAN EDWARD 17483 12 15 2025 12 52 45 PM LOCKBOX 2025 - 35241 2000276192 EARP FARM , LLC 3,78206 12 15 2025 2 03 23 PM awstancil 2019 - 41467 2000073089 HARPER , JONATHAN 18247 12 15 2025 3 15 35 PM tmeacomes 2025 - 93420 2000068146 PRINCE , FRANK D 40000 12 15 2025 3 47 17 PM astraley 2025 - 5095 2000259542 ARDMORE FLOWERS PROPCO , 318,75350 LLC 12 15 2025 3 57 00 PM astraley 2025 - 5096 2000259542 ARDMORE FLOWERS PROPCO , 265,44650 LLC North Carolina Vehicle Tax System - Pending Refund Report – November 2025 100 + Payee Name Bill # Transaction # Refund Total Change Reason MARTIN , JUAN 0084525916 473960472 Situs error 001 CARLOS 57223 14055 19074 62243 MARKHAM , 0081000984 237529068 Military 12719 JAMES 2813 ARTHUR 15532 WEAVER , 0088044594 474185992 Situs error 000 REBECCA 13613 CRIST 3479 4840 14974PagePage pageNumber66 January 5 , 2026 – 10 00 am Continued 3 Public Comments A Recognition of Retiring County Employees Human Resources Director Paulette Williams recognized the following County employees that will retire January 1 , 2026 Gregory Collins - Sheriff’s Office - 15 plus years of service Tony Alford - Sheriff’s Office - 20 plus years of service Carlton “ Keith ” Johnson - DSS - 20 plus years of service Cathy Futch - Tax - 20 plus years of service Chairman Patrick E Harris stated the Commissioners extend their sincere gratitude to these individuals for their exemplary service to Johnston County and the citizens County Manager Rick Hester presented each retiree with a plaque of appreciation The Chairman presented each retiree with a County challenge coin A photo was taken of the retirees and the Board of Commissioners B Citizen Comments – Edwin Boyette Mr Edwin Boyette , Rock Pillar Road , Clayton addressed the Board Mr Boyette reported that early voting begins February 12 , 2026 which is just six weeks away He stated the Board of Elections consistently manages early voting well , estimating a cost of about 8 per ballot He stated higher turnout makes the process more efficient Mr Boyette announced that there will be four early voting sites , as follows - Clayton Crossing Church , Oakland Presbyterian Church , Archer Lodge Community Center , and The Bridge Church in Smithfield , which replaces Smithfield Baptist Church this year He stated early voting is safe and convenient and voters can expect to complete the process in about 15 minutes , especially during the first week Mr Boyette encouraged everyone to participate in early voting to ensure efficient use of resources 4 Johnston County Clerk of Superior Court Michelle Ball – Request for County Funding for Positions Chairman Patrick E Harris recognized the Honorable Michelle Ball , Johnston County Clerk of Superior Court , to present a request for County funding for staff positions Ms Ball addressed the Board stating she is present to answer any questions or comments and to provide further information regarding her recent memorandum of request for County funding of 11 Deputy Clerk positions in the Johnston County Clerk of Superior Court’s Office Ms Ball explained that currently , her office consists of 52 staff members , structured across seven divisions including Civil , Civil Domestic , Criminal which is separated into Superior and District Court depending on the severity of the crime , Estates , Special Proceedings , and other areas such as adoptions , foreclosures , name changes , and guardianships for individuals who are unable to care for themselves Additionally , there are three full - time bookkeepers responsible for managing all funds that pass through the court system , including those held for minors until they reach the age of 18 Ms Ball noted as outlined in her proposal , she is requesting the addition of 11 Deputy Clerk positions to maintain fiscal responsibility and accountability She stated realistically , it would not be effective to onboard 11 new staff members simultaneously within a team of 52 ; therefore , she is proposing that five positions begin on February 1 , 2026 with the remaining six to start on or around April 1 , 2026 She stated this phased approach will allow for the courts to advertise job openings , manage the hiring process , and properly train the initial group before adding the others Ms Ball stated it is important to note that , in North Carolina , the State Legislature allocates funding for Clerk of Court Offices but does not determine the number of clerks employed She stated the number of positions may increase if additional resources become available from other sources and the State is responsible for addressing this issue Ms Ball continued that she has questioned why the Johnston County Clerk of Superior Court’s Office last received positions in 2022 She stated over the past five years , counties have faced significant challenges like COVID and hurricane damage both on the coast and in the mountains , which diverted funds that could have supported new hires She stated while she recognizes the need for more Deputy Clerks due to Johnston County’s rapid growth and increased filings , the lack of a State budget makes it unclear when or if new positions will be funded Ms Ball stated to maintain the high standard of service that residents expect from her office , she is requesting funding for the additional positions She stated based on the current workload analysis , there is a need for 105 full - time employees , but she typically does not permit part - time work in the office , as it can negatively impact staff morale and create challenges for those working part - time hours Ms Ball stated she is seeking approval for an increase in staffing , anticipating that the County’s future growth will justify this request She noted these positions are essential to ensure timely justice and public safetyPagePage pageNumber77 January 5 , 2026 – 10 00 am Continued in Johnston County Ms Ball stated the courts require clerks in each session to function effectively , and the efficiency of criminal proceedings depend on how promptly her staff processes judicial orders She stated individuals are released from jail only after the Clerk’s Office prepares and transmits necessary documents for judicial signatures She noted that court staff also manages calendars for initial court appearances and addresses urgent tasks related to increased filings and case volumes which has necessitated prioritizing certain responsibilities , resulting in some important duties being delayed due to more pressing matters Ms Ball stated it is critical to guarantee that citizens needing probate services , including estate cases and guardianships , juvenile safety through DSS processes , support with domestic violence issues , which originate in the Clerk’s Office , and daily civil matters continue to receive prompt attention Ms Ball stated she appreciates the Board’s consideration of this request and welcomes any questions Commissioner Ted G Godwin stated he has reviewed the materials provided by Ms Ball and he commended her on compiling the information efficiently He stated his question concerns the allocation of positions by the State and asked whether this is determined by population or historical workload volume Ms Ball responded that 20 years ago , the Administrative Office of the Courts AOC which serves as the core support for the judicial system , including supplying resources and legal counsel , partnered with the National Center for State Courts to conduct a comprehensive reviews of clerks ’ duties statewide and established time standards for various case types She explained that each category , whether it is a criminal case such as murder or expired registration , or matters like estates and small claims , is assigned a specific time allocation Ms Ball stated annually , data on the number of filings per case type in each county , including Johnston County , are analyzed to calculate how many clerks are required to manage the workload effectively She stated all 100 Clerks of Superior Court across the State participate , through the Conference of Clerks , in reviewing these resource needs in collaboration with the AOC She stated she had the privilege of serving as Chair of the Resource Committee for approximately four years and each year , that Committee submits recommendations to the Legislature regarding the necessary number of clerk positions , based on the average workload from the previous three years of filings As a result , the workload formula reflects data that is three years old , which can mean that , upon receiving new positions , offices are already addressing prior demands rather than current needs She pointed out that several counties are experiencing population decline , and the Clerks ’ Conference has made significant efforts to reallocate positions accordingly Ms Ball stated in 2022 , she received a reallocation , acquiring an additional position from another county that saw a decrease in its volume She stated she believes this process reflects the necessary acknowledgement of the workload and the corresponding staffing requirements Vice Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr asked if based on the formula described , does it closely estimate the number of positions projected for Johnston County Ms Ball responded that she believes it is fair to request staff based on the current formula , which judges all counties equally using filing numbers , even though some areas with multiple courthouses require more personnel She stated the workload is calculated using real - time projections through 2035 , rather than a three - year average , ensuring the request reflects actual needs At the inquiry of Commissioner Michelle Pace Davis , Ms Ball confirmed that the last staffing increase was in 2022 , and since she became Clerk 11 years ago , she had consistently received positions until that time Ms Ball reported that when she started , she had 35 clerks , and staff has expanded as the workload increased She stated the courts kept pace with growth through Legislative adjustments to the workload formula ; however , since 2022 , the office has not received any new positions Commissioner Godwin stated he is most familiar with foreclosures due to his background , and he is aware this trend can change with economic conditions He asked if there has been an increase in foreclosures recently Ms Ball stated one of the figures provided is the current foreclosure numbers She stated each year , the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office has over 300 foreclosure cases She noted that not all end in actual foreclosure in that sometimes , just filing a lawsuit helps to resolve the issue ; however , those cases still enter the docket , which means the office handles continuances and paperwork She noted currently , the courts are experiencing the most significant rise in eviction cases and this appears related to changes in the County’s housing market She stated with property values rising , fewer people are buying homes , and more are renting , resulting in higher turnover rates She stated from January to June of 2024 - 2025 , the office experienced about two and a half times the number of filed eviction cases compared to previous periods She noted Small Claims Court , which handles evictions , went from just under 400 to around 1,150 cases She stated there is also a noticeable increase in criminal traffic tickets and this could be due to new roads in the area , Interstate 95 , Interstate 40 , and the new Interstate 42 She stated the courts are seeing more out - of - state criminal cases , especially speeding and other traffic violations in the County She stated traffic tickets have increased significantly , with a projected 56 rise from 2023 to 2035 PagePage pageNumber88 January 5 , 2026 – 10 00 am Continued Commissioner Bill Stovall confirmed that the formula used by the AOC supports staffing needs , but the State has not passed a budget , making future funding uncertain Ms Ball agreed and noted that while local Legislators understand the situation , the Legislature in general has not prioritized passing the necessary measures Commissioner Stovall commented that is unfortunate , since this issue directly impacts citizens every day He asked whether the request is for an initial time limit or is the funding until the State fully meets its obligations Ms Ball responded that ideally , she is requesting the positions be funded until the State fulfills its commitments She assured the Board that she would consistently advocate at the Legislature to make sure they understand their responsibilities She stated in order to be responsible , she is requesting a phased approach to filling these positions and if it takes longer than a year to staff them all , she proposes returning to the Board annually with updates She noted her request is to fund these positions for the rest of this fiscal year and the next , after which this matter can be reassessed Commissioner Stovall stated time - limited funding makes recruitment harder due to job uncertainty , but he has seen that without clear limits , ongoing obligations are often overlooked by the Legislature He stated setting a definite time frame helps ensure Legislative responsibility Ms Ball stated her office has experience with time - limited positions through grants and previous Legislative actions , and although it is challenging to train staff who may not stay long - term , the courts are used to working within these constraints Commissioner Stovall stated he is committed to offering assistance because he recognizes that when customer service is compromised due to limited resources , it reflects negatively on government as a whole He stated regrettably , those holding the highest positions within the General Assembly are not as easily influenced as those at the local level , where court staff interacts directly with the public every day Ms Ball stated over the past 11 years she has consistently strived to deliver the highest standard of customer service and her concern is not a lack of willingness to perform the duties but rather insufficient staffing to fulfill them She stated her staff takes their responsibilities and oath to support citizens and uphold the Constitution very seriously , particularly in providing access to justice She stated the courts remain dedicated to this mission ; however , they have reached a point where it has become increasingly difficult to do so effectively due to resource constraints Commissioner Stovall stated his questioning is intended to clearly document that these challenges are not of local Boards ’ making and the responsibility for resolving this issue lies with the General Assembly Ms Ball stated she is committed to advocating for the necessary solutions through the Clerks ’ Conference She thanked the Board for their attention and consideration Vice Chairman Lawter asked if the Legislature had continued to fund the positions needed since 2022 , how short would the courts now be Ms Ball stated typically , the Conference of Clerks requests 200 positions and receives 100 , which are then distributed by need among counties She stated some counties operate with just 80 of their required staff , and Johnston County is not alone in seeking help from County Commissioners Ms Ball stated while she cannot say exactly where her office would be , she is actively involved in securing positions for Johnston County Vice Chairman Lawter stated he agrees with Commissioner Stovall in that the Board’s priority is serving Johnston County residents , even though the County is forced to fill gaps due to budget issues in the Legislature Commissioner Godwin asked how eCourts have affected the staff and their ability to serve the public Ms Ball stated many find eCourts challenging ; however , the new system increases transparency and urgency , letting people access files outside of regular hours without needing a clerk at the counter She stated there now is pressure to get things done more quickly and she noted that assessing the impact of eCourts compared to population growth is complex She stated the implementation of eCourts has introduced certain challenges , largely because the courts are now able to provide improved services to the community She stated while court events may not become public immediately , they are recorded and made accessible online shortly thereafter She stated individuals can easily access case information through their mobile devices PagePage pageNumber99 January 5 , 2026 – 10 00 am Continued Ms Ball noted that Johnston County experienced initial difficulties as one of the four pilot counties for this new system , serving as the testing ground for its deployment in the State She stated as the site of the first eCourts filing statewide , clerks encountered and resolved numerous issues inherent to early adoption She stated the staff was compensated for overtime work , allowing them to dedicate weekends to enhancing processes within the electronic system She stated a significant aspect of transitioning to eCourts involved scanning all existing paper documents from open cases into the digital system before moving forward She explained that staff managed ongoing court operations while simultaneously processing archival materials She stated for reference , more than 600 boxes of paper files have been sent out for shredding since the launch of eCourts and her team consistently worked extended hours to facilitate a smooth transition , demonstrating commendable dedication throughout what has been a challenging process She noted eCourts has recently brought all 100 counties online as of October , marking a significant milestone in the process She stated the courts are anticipating upgrades that will further enhance the operations Ms Ball stated she would like to commend her staff for their exceptional dedication as they accomplished what many believed was not possible and did so efficiently Commissioner Mike Rose stated he understands the concerns , and Johnston County finds itself in an unusual situation in that everyone in this County pays State taxes , yet unfortunately those taxes are not adequately meeting the needs He stated as a result , County taxes are being used to compensate for the shortfall , which effectively means paying twice for the same service Commissioner Rose stated having visited the court facilities , he noticed they are quite crowded and he asked if space has been identified for 11 additional people Ms Ball stated while she continues to advocate for additional space due to ongoing needs , she will not ask for more space for these additional positions at this time She stated during the COVID - 19 pandemic , she and her staff ensured that all employees had six feet of separation Also , thanks to the eCourts initiative , she stated staff sent over 600 boxes of documents for destruction and continue to remove unnecessary files creating more space She noted that in the Criminal Division , where the need is greatest , the courts will create space for five new positions as staff purges and organizes case files She stated staff is also relocating paper files from Estates to the basement to free up room , and staff in the Civil and Civil Domestic Divisions are accommodating tighter quarters She stated although conditions are not ideal , her team is willing to work within the available space if it means staff can add personnel and reduce the workload burden Ms Ball stated over the past 11 years , the office has relinquished a significant amount of space to accommodate smaller courtrooms for domestic matters She stated the courts remain committed to collaborating with County Administration , as well as departments such as the Tax Office , Register of Deeds , and Child Support to make the best use of shared resources Chairman Patrick E Harris stated he met with Ms Ball and she has a plan to manage room assignments and staffing to serve citizens efficiently as space becomes available He noted that her team consistently provides excellent service in a busy environment , and the Board appreciates this dedication to the County Chairman Harris stated he recommends the Board further review the information before voting at a future meeting so everyone can prepare for a suitable path forward 5 Emergency Services – Johnston County Fire Commission Cost Share Policy Emergency Services Director Ryan Parker shared the Johnston County Fire Commissions Cost Share Policy and introduced the Fire Commission Chair and Cleveland Fire Department Chief Chris Ellington ; Vice Chair , Subcommittee Chair , and Four Oaks Fire Chief Barry Stanley ; Fire Division Chief and Fire Marshal Travis Johnson ; and Deputy Fire Marshal Jordan Piper He stated staff is available to answer any questions from the Board regarding the proposed policy Chairman Patrick E Harris stated everyone has had a chance to review the proposed Cost Share Policy He thanked all who contributed information and put significant effort into this project , including the Fire Commission and staff He stated the progress made has truly advanced the Fire Service in Johnston County He commended everyone involved including Chief Ellington , Chief Stanley the Commission and sub - committee , fire departments , towns , and all staff members that participated Chairman Harris opened the floor for any further questions by the Board or further discussion Commissioner Ted G Godwin noted that staff has provided the Board with copies of all the Towns replies and he asked if any Town had suggested an alternative to the proposed program Mr Parker replied that none have offered alternatives to date He stated staff held meetings with each Town that included Fire Commission representatives , allowing for discussion and feedback He stated four Towns submitted letters , but none included alternate proposals to the formula Vice Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr expressed his appreciation to the Fire Commission and the staff for their hard work He stated despite some questions and opposition , no alternative solutions were proposed HePage010 January 5 , 2026 – 10 00 am Continued noted as this Board makes annual decisions , and it is now budget season , he believes it best to proceed on this path to keep things on track He stated next year , the Board can review and adjust the formula if necessary Commissioner Bill Stovall stated as he understands , the Towns ’ cost share will be phased in over several years Mr Parker explained the phased - in program is based on the percentage increase , with a maximum duration of five years He noted the subcommittee included representatives of Fire Chiefs or Chief Officers from each Town Commissioner Stovall stated none of the participating Towns have proposed a different cost share or indicated that they view the current arrangement as unfair He noted the policy is considering a phased approach for the financial obligation He stated Mr Parker has confirmed this information and indicated that increases up to 10 would be paid at once , while anything over 50 would be phased in over five years Chairman Harris clarified that no one has argued this process is unfair and most agree the formula works as intended , even if the outcomes are not always ideal Upon a question by Commissioner Michelle Pace Davis , Mr Parker stated the formula considers call volume , property protected , area , and population to ensure fairness between Towns and unincorporated areas He stated if a Town opts out , it places the fire department in a difficult position and risks loss of full funding He stated in such cases , the County would still pay its share per the formula , but the Town would be responsible for covering the remainder Commissioner Davis stated she wants to make sure that everyone understands how unincorporated areas and municipalities need to collaborate to serve people in the Fire District She stated the goal is fairness in taxes and fire protection costs for residents Chairman Harris pointed out that the Board has always wanted decisions about fire services to be data - driven , prioritizing what is best for County citizens He stated this approach ensures funding is allocated proportionally and fairly , and that service district taxes support needed updates such as apparatus replacement , station improvements , and future construction over the next five to ten years He stated there needs to be an understanding of what the funding formula looks like , and this is an excellent first step toward that goal Commissioner Davis stated she appreciates the phased approach , as this will not come as a shock to the municipalities or the County itself She thanked the staff for all their work in speaking with each fire department , reaching out to all the municipalities , and involving everyone in researching and developing the formula She noted the hard work is truly appreciated Mr Parker stated those with him today have dedicated significant time and effort , held many conversations , and together with the Fire Chiefs and Chief Officers on the subcommittee , reviewed eight different models , and worked to determine which one would be the most fair and equitable for all parties He stated he values their contributions to this process and noted the formula includes a three - year rolling average to minimize large fluctuations from changes in any given fiscal year , helping protect County and Town funds Commissioner April Stephens stated this process has been transparent , with ongoing discussions ensuring that all parties are included and decisions are as fair as possible Commissioner Mike Rose noted that those responsible for developing the formula remain available to recommend adjustments if needed , which provides confidence moving forward Commissioner Godwin commented that overall , this methodical approach has incorporated feedback from every Town and fire department involved Upon a motion by Commissioner Ted G Godwin , seconded by Commissioner April Stephens , and carried by unanimous vote , the Board approved the Johnston County Fire Commission Cost Share Policy 6 Parks & Open Space – Great Trails State Program Grant Award Parks & Open Space Grants Coordinator Austin Cross explained that the County has received a Great Trails State Program Grant from North Carolina He noted this is the program’s first year and currently , it is aPage111 January 5 , 2026 – 10 00 am Continued one - time opportunity He stated the award amounts to 225,000 , which requires a matching contribution of 225,000 from Open Space funds that were set aside when the application was submitted He stated this funding will be used to purchase the next section of the Neuse River Trail , the Wilson’s Mills segment , which will extend the trail further along the river , aiming to eventually connect to Selma and Smithfield Mr Cross requested the Board accept the grant award and authorize staff to proceed with signing the corresponding contract Commissioner Mike Rose clarified that the 225,000 County match comes from the Open Space funds , which are collected from fee - in - lieu payments related to County development and not from property taxes Commissioner Rose stated he wanted to reiterate this fact so everyone understands where the funding originates Upon a motion by Vice Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr , seconded by Commissioner Michelle Pace Davis , and carried by unanimous vote , the Board accepted the grant award and approved the execution of the corresponding contract 7 Parks & Open Space – NC 42 Boating Access Area Memorandum of Agreement Parks & Open Space Grants Coordinator Austin Cross stated the Parks & Open Space Department , together with the County Attorney’s Office has completed finalizing the Memorandum of Agreement MOA between the County , North Carolina Wildlife , and the Town of Clayton He explained this MOA concerns the NC 42 boating access area , located at the intersection of NC 42 and Castleberry Road He stated the Town of Clayton has committed to helping the County maintain the site and oversee daily operations Mr Cross stated the reason for the MOA is so North Carolina Wildlife can finish the final stages of the design and engineering phase He stated while a specific start date for construction is not available currently , staff’s discussions with the onsite engineer indicate that completion of the design work is near Mr Cross highlighted that funding for this project was secured through the NCDEQ Water Resource Development Grant , awarded in February He stated staff requests the Boards approval to execute the MOA between the County , the Town of Clayton , and North Carolina Wildlife He offered to answer any questions of the Board Vice Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr , asked if this is the first or second County access point on the Neuse River Mr Cross responded this is the third access , but it will be the first access point that the County will own and manage Mr Cross stated in looking ahead , the goal is to further expand access along the Neuse River , enhancing its value as a recreational resource and raising public awareness about maintaining its cleanliness and environmental stewardship Vice Chairman Lawter acknowledged the cooperation and collaboration between the Wildlife Resources Commission and the Town of Clayton in working toward this project He stated this initiative has been in development for several years , and it is encouraging to see progress being made , especially considering the unauthorized access currently occurring near one of the County’s pump stations on the river at NC 42 He noted that he appreciated the diligence and commitment demonstrated in pursuing this goal Mr Cross stated this project will introduce the first fishing pier on the Neuse River , expanding public fishing opportunities which are currently limited outside of privately funded options At the inquiry of Commissioner Mike Rose , Mr Cross stated construction is anticipated to begin either at the end of this year or the beginning of 2027 , with completion expected within six to eight months He stated delays have occurred due to hurricane - related impacts that required construction crews to relocate to the mountains ; however , recent developments may allow staff to proceed as scheduled Commissioner Bill Stovall asked for clarification on what types of boats may be launched at this new access Mr Cross stated the launch will accommodate car - top vessels , such as kayaks and canoes , but powered boats will not be permitted except for emergency services He stated a barrier will restrict power boat access , requiring individuals to carry their vessels to the water Upon a motion by Vice Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr , seconded by Commissioner Ted G Godwin , and carried by unanimous vote , the Board approved the Memorandum of Agreement for NC 42 boating access Page212 January 5 , 2026 – 10 00 am Continued 8 Department of Social Services – Approval of Moseley Architects , Inc Design Services Agreement and Owners Agent Agreement County Attorney Jennifer Slusser presented information to the Board regarding a design services agreement with Moseley Architects and the selection of an owners agent for the Massey Hughes Tract , located across from the Public Safety Center in Smithfield Ms Slusser recalled that in the spring 2024 , Mosley Architects was chosen to create a Master Plan for this property following a Request for Qualifications process that also covered building designs from the Master Plan She stated the Board approved the Master Plan and prioritized constructing a new Department of Social Services DSS building due to current space constraints at the DSS She noted that DSS is currently spread across five separate buildings Ms Slusser introduced Buildings & Grounds Director Daniel Clifton and Josh Bennett present from Mosley Architects Ms Slusser stated on August 4 , 2025 , the Board approved a proposal by Mosley Architects for designing the DSS building and related improvements , with contracts to be submitted for final approval Ms Slusser stated today she is requesting approval for two items ; 1 a design agreement between Mosley Architects and Johnston County for the project , totaling 6,899,293 and covering everything from design through construction to closeout ; and 2 an Owners Agent Agreement with Stephenson’s General Contractors for a three - year term to provide owner representation services She stated design is expected to take about 12 months although that may vary She stated throughout the process , staff will return to the Board for step - by - step approvals to allow for flexibility if changes are needed She noted the Owners Agent Agreement is an hourly contract with a not - to - exceed rate of 250,200 with the principals rate being 150 per hour , and support staff billed at 75 per hour Ms Slusser stated once the Board approves the agreements , Mr Bennetts team is prepared to proceed She stated the contract allows the County flexibility in choosing the delivery method as the project progresses , and staff will make that decision later Commissioner Bill Stovall asked about the overall budget for this project , including design , construction , and site improvements Ms Slusser stated the total estimated cost , including a substantial contingency , since final costs depend on labor and market condition , is around 103 million and she cautioned that this is only a general estimate at this time She stated the design services are expected to account for about 66 of that amount with contingency , or 73 if the contingency is excluded Commissioner Stovall indicated that based on his experience , these expectations align closely with industry standards for this type of project Vice Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr concurred stating his background has also reflected similar outcomes Commissioner Michelle Pace Davis expressed her appreciation to Mr Clifton and Mr Bennett for their presence and contributions She stated it is encouraging to see progress on the design phase to move closer to developing a new DSS building for the County Vice Chairman Lawter stated this topic has long been a priority for the Board , as was established in last years planning session He agreed that it is encouraging to see action happening rather than just discussing issues Commissioner Ted G Godwin commented that appointing an owners agent has been a highly beneficial decision in past projects , often saving the County more than the engagement cost Upon a motion by Commissioner Bill Stovall , seconded by Commissioner Michelle Pace Davis , and carried by unanimous vote , the Board approved the design agreement between Moseley Architects and Johnston County and further approved the Owner’s Agent Agreement between Stephenson General Contractors and Johnston County for the DSS Building Project 9 Delinquent Tax Collection Report Tax Administrator Jocelyn Andrews reported on the collection of delinquent taxes for the month of November 2025 , as follows Enforced CollectionsPage313 January 5 , 2026 – 10 00 am Continued November 2025 YTD 24 25 Wage Garnishments 3 119 Bank Attachments 1 55 Levies 0 0 Foreclosures Complaints Filed November 2025 0 Pending 0 Dollars Collected November 2025 0 Sale Date No sale scheduled at this time Levy Amount and Collections to Date 2025 Real and Personal Levy 2024 Real and Personal Levy As of November 30 , 2025 As of November 30 , 2024 214,353,68642 Levy 171,351,38193 Levy 135,188,93096 Payments 96,776,69832 Payments 79,164,75546 Balance 74,574,68361 Balance 6307 Collected 5648 Collected + 659 RMV – NCVTS Collections November 2025 November 2024 1,374,79998 1,594,55220 YTD 25 26 - 9,209,79754 YTD 24 25 - 9,494,33765 Ms Andrews noted that today is the last day for Johnston County residents to pay taxes on time without penalty and because of this , the Tax Office is especially busy She noted there are several payment options available , and her office is open until 5 00 pm with staff available and happy to assist taxpayers however they can She reported that staff also recently sent out approximately 130,000 listing forms which are not due until the end of the month 10 Manager Reports and Comments County Manager Rick Hester stated staff has managed many General Obligation Bond referendums , mostly for school and community college projects throughout the years He stated sometimes the timing of bond sales can cause project delays , so staff tries to collaborate with the public school system and Johnston Community College by providing funding upfront He stated once the bonds are sold , the County is then reimbursed Mr Hester noted this has been done frequently with the school system , and now the community college is requesting similar help He stated for transparency , staff wants to ensure that the Board is comfortable with this arrangement before proceeding Mr Hester stated if there are no objections , staff will coordinate with the college He noted there will be a bond sale in the spring , aiming to repay those funds within the same fiscal year He offered to answer questions from the Board There were no objections by the Board 11 Board Reports and Comments Commissioner Michelle Pace Davis reported that December was packed with Christmas parades and various activities and she enjoyed being part of those events She stated it was wonderful to witness all the municipalities coming together as well She stated additionally , the Town of Archer Lodge hosted their New Years Day breakfast this past week which she appreciated having the opportunity to attend as it is her hometown Commissioner Davis stated she is looking forward to what this year will bring and remains grateful to be part of this Board Commissioner Bill Stovall wished everyone a Happy New Year and stated he is grateful to everyone who reached out to him during his knee replacement surgery last month Commissioner Stovall commented that this year promises to be very active , as indicated by todays agenda and he looks forward to continuing last years momentum and working toward the successful completion of Board initiatives Page414 January 5 , 2026 – 10 00 am Continued Commissioner Ted G Godwin observed that everyone enjoys the holiday season , filled with festivities and Christmas parades He noted at home , things quiet down when the children leave , and now even the grandchildren are growing up Commissioner Godwin stated on Christmas morning , he visited the Johnston County 911 Center to drop off some items and he asked the Supervisor how the day was going He stated the Supervisor mentioned they were responding to three house fires at that moment , which struck a chord with him in that while other people were observing the holiday , there are always dedicated individuals working in public safety responding to the calls for those in need Commissioner Godwin commended this service and expressed his gratitude for these emergency personnel and law enforcement Commissioner April Stephens echoed the sentiments of her fellow Commissioners and she expressed enthusiasm about what the Board hopes to achieve in 2026 She reflected on her early days on the Board , remembering that she visited the Department of Social Services and witnessed first - hand the cramped conditions with many staff members having to work in closets She stated she is pleased to see progress happening with new building construction , which will benefit both employees and families in Johnston County that rely on DSS Commissioner Stephens stated she looks forward to seeing these plans realized Commissioner Mike Rose echoed the comments by Commissioner Davis regarding the Christmas parades stating they were indeed enjoyable experiences He stated more importantly , these events offered the Commissioners valuable opportunities to engage with the constituents and County residents , allowing them to build connections and meet individuals they might not otherwise encounter He noted that regarding the Archer Lodge breakfast , it is remarkable to see how quickly that community is expanding while still maintaining a close - knit atmosphere Commissioner Rose stated he had the pleasure of meeting many long - standing residents as well as newcomers to Archer Lodge Commissioner Rose agreed with comments by Commissioner Stephens that there are many ambitious plans for the County , and the Board remains acutely aware of the financial responsibilities and the importance of being good stewards of public funds He stated the Board strives to serve the residents in the best possible manner Commissioner Rose stated he is looking forward to the coming year as his first year on the Board was very rewarding , and he anticipates continued progress and service ahead Vice Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr stated he believes most points have already been addressed , but he would like to note that one of the highlights of the recent Christmas parades and the Archer Lodge event was Jeans possum gravy Vice Chairman Lawter stated regrettably , he did not have the opportunity to sample enough of it , but it certainly added to the positive atmosphere He noted this Board has another Strategic Planning Session scheduled for mid - February to review objectives for Johnston County and this process is a critical aspect of the work , helping the Board to prepare and set strategic goals He stated he is optimistic about what the Board will accomplish and appreciates how the efforts improve each year Chairman Patrick E Harris stated the holiday season is especially meaningful as it offers opportunities to engage with friends , family , and members of the community He stated the various Christmas parades and activities have provided moments to connect with citizens and celebrate a joyful time of year Chairman Harris stated he is grateful for these experiences and he is also grateful for the Boards dedication and hard work behind the scenes , as well as for the support of the citizens that share the vision for progress He stated many initiatives that have been in the works for a long time are now coming to fruition , such as the DSS building , with more improvements ahead He stated it is important that the Board continues to think long - term , even if current Commissioners will not always see the results in their lifetime 12 Closed Session – NCGS 14331811 a 3 – Attorney - Client Privilege ; NCGS 14331811 a 4 – Economic Development ; NCGS 14331811 a 5 – Acquisition of Property ; and NCGS 14331811 a 6 – Personnel Upon a motion by Commissioner Ted G Godwin , seconded by Vice Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr , and carried by unanimous vote , the Board recessed regular session to sit in closed session for the purposes of consulting with an attorney employed by the Board in order to preserve the attorney - client privilege pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143 - 31811 a 3 , for the purposes of discussing matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area , pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143 - 31811 a 4 , to establish and instruct staff concerning the price and terms of a contract concerning the acquisition of real property pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143 - 31811 a 5 and for the purposes of personnel pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143 - 31811 a 6 No action was taken by the Board Page515 January 5 , 2026 – 10 00 am Continued Commissioner Ted G Godwin moved the Board adjourn closed session and resume regular session Vice Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote There being no further business , Commissioner Ted G Godwin moved the Board adjourn Vice Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote The meeting adjourned at 1 01 pm Patrick E Harris , Chairman Dana G Cuddington , Clerk to the BoardPage