November 2, 2026 - 10:00 AM - Board of Commissioners Agenda Packet

10 PUBLIC NOTICE OF JOHNSTON COUNTY BOARD MEETING November 2 , 2026 10 00 am The Johnston County Board of Commissioners will meet in Regular Session on Monday , November 2 , 2026 at 10 00 am or as soon thereafter as possible in the Commissioners Meeting Room located in the Johnston County Courthouse at 207 E Johnston Street , Smithfield , NC The purpose of the meeting is to transact business as presented during the meeting Auxiliary aids for the handicapped will be made available upon reasonable notice Citizens that would like to address the Board for Public Comment but have concerns with physically attending the meeting , may email those comments to Clerk to the Board Dana Cuddington at danacuddington @ johnstonncgov The meeting will also be livestreamed through YouTube at https wwwyoutubecom jocogovnc 1 Veterans Services Office – Proclamation for Veterans Day 2026 6 2 Approval Discussion of Agenda 3 Consent Agenda Items 7 4 Public Comments 5 Public Hearing – TERFA Piedmont Affordable Senior Housing Foundation PASHF 25 6 Cooperative Extension – Resolution for Farm City Week 34 7 Tourism – Update to the Board 8 Technology Services – Request for Position 9 Triangle Land Conservancy – Conservation Easement Acquisition - Cole Creek Farm 35 10 Triangle Land Conservancy – Conservation Easement Donation – Tredway Farm 37 11 Sheriff’s Office – 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant Funds 38 12 Public Utilities – US 70 Baugh Rd Water Main Improvements 39 13 Public Utilities – Proposed Fee Schedule Modifications – Industrial Waste Surcharges 42 14 Johnston County Draft Public Comment Rules 43 15 Delinquent Tax Collection Report 16 Manager Reports and Comments 17 Board Reports and Comments 18 Closed Session If Requested Page 1 of 45PageNovember 2 , 2026 10 00 am 1 Veterans Services Office – Proclamation for Veterans Day 2026 The Veterans Services Office will present the 2026 Veterans Day Proclamation to the Board and request its adoption Veterans Services Officer Robert Boyette will also update the Board regarding planned activities See proclamation 2 Approval Discussion of Agenda 3 Consent Agenda Items Note All items on the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine and may be enacted by one motion The items have been reviewed by the County Manager and are recommended for approval If a Commissioner requests discussion on an item , upon a motion , the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda A Approval of Minutes – October 5 , 2026 - 10 00 am and 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 Pate Landing Drive and Faucette Drive – Pate Landing – Micro Township C Celebrate Cleveland Committee – Request for Temporary Road Closure The Celebrate Cleveland Committee is requesting the Board’s approval to temporarily close Cleveland Road on December 8 , 2026 from 7 00 pm until approximately 7 45 pm for the annual Cleveland Christmas Parade route The Celebrate Cleveland Committee is working with the NC Department of Transportation , the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office , and the North Carolina Highway Patrol concerning the temporary closure and will be obtaining all required permits and a liability insurance policy for the event The NC Department of Transportation requires the approval by the Johnston County Board of Commissioners as part of the permit process See letter D Call for Public Hearing – Proposed Benson Water Line Project Staff requests the Board to schedule a public hearing for the November 16 , 2026 6 00 pm meeting on the proposed Benson Water Line Project E Town of Pine Level – Appointment to Pine Level Planning Board The Town of Pine Level is requesting the Board to make the following appointment to the Pine Level Planning Board representing the ETJ area of the Town See request James O’Malley , 1283 Firetower Road , Selma term expiring October 31 , 2029 Page 2 of 45PageF Budget Revisions Health – 35,00000 – To budget state grant funds for Thriving Hearts Community Maternity Care Program into corresponding expenditure line items 60,00000 – To budget grant funds received from United HealthCare Services , Inc for diapers and wipes for clients served through Johnston County Public Health CMARC program Jail – 80051 – To move revenues Miscellaneous Revenue into appropriate expenditure line items Sheriff – 2,69679 – To move revenues Controlled Substance Tax , Insurance Recovery and Miscellaneous Revenue into appropriate expenditure line items G Tax Releases & Refunds – 09 16 2026 – 10 15 2026 4 Public Comments 5 Public Hearing – TERFA Piedmont Affordable Senior Housing Foundation PASHF Piedmont Affordable Senior Housing Foundation , Inc PASHF respectfully asks the Johnston County Board of Commissioners to conduct a public hearing and adopt a resolution approving the proposed tax - exempt bond financing , solely for purposes of Section 147 f of the Internal Revenue Code , as it relates to the projects located in Johnston County The memorandum explains the limited action requested and confirms that the County will not issue , repay , or guarantee the bonds See memo and resolution 6 Cooperative Extension – Resolution for Farm City Week Johnston County Cooperative Extension requests the Board to adopt a resolution for Farm - City Week from November 20 – 26 , 2026 See resolution 7 Tourism – Update to the Board Representatives with Tourism will provide an update to the Board 8 Technology Services – Request for Position Technology Services respectfully request the Board to approve an additional position 9 Triangle Land Conservancy – Conservation Easement Acquisition - Cole Creek Farm Triangle Land Conservancy TLC seeks support from Johnston County to acquire an agricultural conservation easement on a 68 - acre farm in Benson This project will protect a cattle farm with 85 prime soils , which are the most productive soils for agriculture The land is currently a Wagyu beef cattle operation , th and the landowners source cattle from their 5 generation family farm in western North Carolina The farm is enrolled in the Johnston County VAD program These landowners are committed to sustainable agriculture They are in the process of converting the majority of the property to silvopasture , and they are participating in the “ Amazing Grazing ” study with the NC State Center for Environmental Farming Systems CEFS They are members of the Cattleman’s Association Page 3 of 45PageTriangle Land Conservancy included this project in its FY27 funding request to Johnston County , and requested 310,000 in the FY29 budget for our anticipated closing around the end of 2028 The total project budget is estimated to be around 1,300,000 , and Triangle Land Conservancy is in the process of applying for matching funding from the North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund As part of this State grant application Triangle Land Conservancy needs to demonstrate secured matching funding from Johnston County , and respectfully requests a signed letter of support committing Johnston County to provide 310,000 for the acquisition of an agricultural conservation easement on the Cole Creek Farm in FY29 See memo and draft letter of support 10 Triangle Land Conservancy – Conservation Easement Donation – Tredway Farm Triangle Land Conservancy TLC seeks support from Johnston County to cover the transaction costs on a donated agricultural conservation easement on a 552 - acre farm located along the Johnston Wake County border Approximately 4348 acres of the property is located in Johnston County and 1172 acres is in Wake County This project will protect a horse farm with over 90 prime soils , which are the most productive soils for agriculture The land is currently about half in pasture and half forested The property is adjacent to a new subdivision that is under construction , and the protection of this land will safeguard scenic open space in this rapidly developing region The landowners are generously donating this conservation easement , which is worth an estimated 2 million Triangle Land Conservancy has requested 67,120 from the Wake County Farmland Protection Program to cover transaction costs such as the survey , legal costs , title insurance , and funding for long term stewardship Triangle Land Conservancy is requesting 15,000 from Johnston County to cover the remaining transaction costs This includes survey costs for the portion of the property in Johnston County , title insurance for the Johnston County easement , and legal costs recording fees for the Johnston County conservation easement No funds requested from Johnston County will be used for the portion of the property in Wake County The closing is scheduled to occur on November 17th , 2026 , and would represent an exciting partnership between Johnston County and Wake County to protect farmland See memo 11 Sheriff’s Office – 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant Funds Sheriff Steve Bizzell would like to inform the Board of his intent to apply for two 2 federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant Funds The first JAG grant is in the amount of 11,56100 and will be used to purchase five 5 new in - car radar units , in an effort to identify speeding motorists to provide safer roadways in Johnston County The second JAG grant is in the amount of 13,01400 and will be used to purchase twenty - six 26 Stop Stick devices that will be used to stop vehicle pursuits in Johnston County See memo 12 Public Utilities - US 70 Baugh Rd Water Main Improvements The previously approved Capital Improvements Plan includes a 24 ” water main approximately 8,000 LF along and parallel to US 70 Baugh Road from Buffalo Road to the existing master meter on US 70 just west of S Pollock St , Selma The project is necessary to facilitate one water distribution system and sized to facilitate transmission from the future Lower Neuse Water Treatment Plant to the County’s 385 and 492 pressure zones Staff recommends adoption of a capital project budget for technical services through project completion and easement acquisition The proposed budget is as follows Page 4 of 45PagePage pageNumber5Expense Technical Services 820,00000 Easement Acquisition 200,00000 Total 1,020,00000 Revenue Water System Development Fees 1,020,00000 Total 1,020,00000 Staff recommends the appropriation of funding for the project from the Water System Development Fee Reserve Fund and respectfully request the Board’s approval of the proposed capital project budget See memo and map 13 Public Utilities - Proposed Fee Schedule Modifications – Industrial Waste Surcharges The Johnston County Sewer Use Ordinance provides the legal authority for the County to regulate what enters our public wastewater system , in order to protect our infrastructure , staff and the environment from harmful discharges The ordinance establishes discharge limits for wastewater discharged to the County system , requires industrial user pretreatment and monitoring and establishes a means for surcharges and penalties for non - compliance The ordinance identifies how industrial waste surcharges will be assessed , and the County’s existing fee schedule identifies a single “ High Strength Surcharge ” applicable to the Town of Clayton currently 313 1,000 gallons Staff proposes elimination of the “ High Strength Surcharge ” and addition of industrial waste surcharges specific to individual constituents Proposed surcharges are as follows COD 025 lb BOD 025 lb TSS 025 lb TN 030 lb TP 200 lb TDS 017 lb Chloride 056 lb Each industrial user discharging wastewater to Johnston County has an Industrial User Permit IUP The proposed fees will be assessed and applicable based on the conditions of each individual Industrial User Permit IUP Staff recommends adoption of the proposed industrial waste surcharges for application in accordance with the Johnston County Sewer Use Ordinance and individual Industrial User Permits See memo 14 Johnston County Draft Public Comment Rules Upon request of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners , staff has reviewed and updated the Boards public comment rules Staff requests the Boards review and formal adoption of the updated Johnston County Public Comment Rules These revised rules are intended to balance the publics right to meaningful participation with the Boards fundamental duty to conduct orderly and efficient county business See draft rules 15 Delinquent Tax Collection Report 16 Manager Reports and Comments 17 Board Reports and Comments 18 Closed Session If Requested Page 5 of 45PagePage pageNumber6Page 6 of 45PagePage pageNumber7Page 7 of 45PagePage pageNumber8Page 8 of 45PagePage pageNumber9Page 9 of 45Page0Page 10 of 45Page1Page 11 of 45Page2Page 12 of 45Page3Page 13 of 45Page4Page 14 of 45Page5Page 15 of 45Page6Page 16 of 45Page7Page 17 of 45Page8Page 18 of 45Page9Page 19 of 45Page0Page 20 of 45Page1Page 21 of 45Page2Page 22 of 45Page3Page 23 of 45Page4Page 24 of 45Page5MEMORANDUM To Johnston County From Piedmont Affordable Senior Housing Foundation , Inc Date October 5 , 2026 Re Request to Conduct a Public Hearing and Adopt an Approval Resolution for the Bond Financing of The Crossings of Smithfield , The Landings of Smithfield , and Four Oaks Senior Living Piedmont Affordable Senior Housing Foundation , Inc PASHF respectfully asks the Johnston County Board of Commissioners to conduct a public hearing and adopt a resolution approving the proposed tax - exempt bond financing , solely for purposes of Section 147 f of the Internal Revenue Code , as it relates to the projects located in Johnston County This memorandum explains the limited action requested and confirms that the County will not issue , repay , or guarantee the bonds This memo covers what the Council is being asked to do , and just as importantly , what it is not being asked to do Who We Are and What We Are Doing PASHF is a North Carolina nonprofit corporation PASHF is buying several senior living communities across North Carolina Three of them , The Crossings of Smithfield , 201 Kellie Drive , Smithfield ; The Landings of Smithfield , 200 Kellie Drive , Smithfield ; and Four Oaks Senior Living , 565 Boyette Road , Four Oaks serve senior residents in the county providing care and housing to those in need How PASHF Is Paying for the Purchase PASHF is borrowing money to help pay for these communities It plans to borrow the money through bonds A bond works much like a loan investors provide money up front , and PASHF pays it back over time , with interest , similar to a mortgage Because PASHF is a nonprofit that serves seniors , federal tax law allows the interest on these bonds to be exempt from federal income tax That tax break lowers PASHF’s borrowing costs , which helps keep the communities financially healthy and helps keep care affordable for residents PASHF intends to finance a portion of the acquisition and related costs through one or more series of revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 140 million These amounts are ceilings for public - approval purposes and do not represent a commitment that the full amount will be spent on any project Why We Need the County’s Help Federal tax law , IRS code Section 147 f , will not allow this kind of tax - exempt bond to be issued unless two things happen first a public hearing , and approval by an elected official or body with authority over the area where the project is located This requirement exists so that residents of the community where the project is located get a chance to learn about it and share their views , and so that a local elected government confirms it is aware of the project It is a federal tax law requirement The County’s action is a limited federal tax - law approval ; it is Page 25 of 45Page6not a request for the County to evaluate or endorse the business of the project The bonds will actually be issued by the Public Finance Authority , a public financing agency organized in Wisconsin that regularly issues tax - exempt bonds for nonprofit projects across the country , including many projects in North Carolina Johnston County is not being asked to issue any bonds itself What the County Is Being Asked to Do We are asking the County Commissioners to do two things First , hold a public hearing to give county residents a chance to comment on the project Second , after the hearing , adopt a resolution in support of the bond financing , to the extent it relates to the projects listed above What the County Is Not Being Asked to Do Approving the resolution will not cost Johnston County residents any money The County is not borrowing money , is not lending money , and is not guaranteeing repayment of the bonds If PASHF cannot repay the bonds , the County has no financial responsibility for that debt The County’s approval is also limited to the projects identified above It does not apply to , and does not express any view on , the other communities in the portfolio , which are located elsewhere in North Carolina and are subject to their own separate approval processes Next Steps We understand the Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is October 19 , at 6 00 pm That date is proposed We respectfully ask that the Council place this matter on the agenda for that meeting , or for whatever date works best for the Council’s calendar To use the federal seven - day notice safe harbor , the public - hearing notice should be posted no later than October 12 , 2026 ; earlier posting is preferable We respectfully ask the County to place the hearing and approval resolution on that agenda , or on the earliest later meeting that accommodates the Countys procedures and a compliant notice period PASHF and its bond counsel will provide a publication - ready public notice , proposed resolution , and any additional information requested by County staff or counsel Questions If you have any questions about this request , please contact Dr Lindsey Duch , President , Piedmont Affordable Senior Housing , 8288510777 , lduch @ algseniorcom Ray Jones , bond counsel to PASHF in this financing , at Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP , telephone 704 - 372 - 9000 , email rayjones @ parkerpoecom Page 26 of 45Page7Page 27 of 45Page8Page 28 of 45Page9Page 29 of 45Page0Page 30 of 45Page1Page 31 of 45Page2Page 32 of 45Page3Page 33 of 45Page4Page 34 of 45Page5Page 35 of 45Page6Page 36 of 45Page7Page 37 of 45Page8Page 38 of 45Page9Page 39 of 45Page0Rd Noble St Baugh Booster Staion Railroad Rd Buffalo BS 3 Ramp Existing 16 I - 42 Bypass 70 Hwy Us M Legend Durw Existing 16 Master Meter Project Area ood Ste Existing Water Lines phenson Parcels railroad 301 Hwy Baugh Rd 24 Water Main October 2026 µ Page 40 of 45Page1Page 41 of 45Page2Page 42 of 45Page3County of Johnston Public Comment Rules The Johnston County Board of Commissioners values public input and participation The Johnston County Board of Commissioners provides the public with the opportunity to be heard on matters within the jurisdiction of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners during public comment periods North Carolina General Statute § 153A - 521 authorizes the Johnston County Board of Commissioners to adopt reasonable rules governing the conduct of public comment periods , including rules to provide for the maintenance of order and decorum The public comment period is a limited public forum 1 Frequency The Johnston County Board of Commissioners shall hold a public comment period during each of their regular meetings The board is not required to provide a public comment period if no regular meeting is held 2 Time Allotment The total time allotted for public comment periods shall not exceed thirty 30 minutes per meeting Each speaker shall have a maximum of three 3 minutes to address the Board The Chair may adjust the time limitation for individual speakers or T the overall time period allotted for the public comment period as necessary for the efficient and effective conduct of business The public comment period shall generally be held at the beginning of the meeting ; however , the Board reserves the right to move the F public comment period on the agenda for efficiency and order 3 Sign - up Speakers are encouraged , but not required , to sign - up for the public comment period with the Clerk to the Board of Commissioners prior to the start of the meeting A 4 No Yielding Time Speakers may not share , transfer , or relinquish unused speaking time to another speaker to speak R 5 Speakers May Speak Once A speaker may not speak more than once during the same public comment period 6 Public Hearing Speakers may not use the public comment period to speak on a matter D scheduled for a public hearing during the same meeting Speakers wishing to address items subject to a scheduled public hearing during the same meeting will be asked to hold their comments for that designated public hearing 7 Group Spokesperson Groups or delegations supporting or opposing the same positions should select a spokesperson in advance of the meeting to reduce repetitive comments and maximize the available time allotted for the public comment period October 2026 - DRAFT Page 43 of 45Page48 Podium Procedure Speakers will be acknowledged by the Chair Speakers will address the Board from the podium , unless an accommodation or alternate arrangement is reasonably necessary Speakers should begin their remarks by stating their name and the general location town or township of residence Speakers shall not otherwise physically approach the Board without an express invitation by the Chair or other designated presiding officer 9 Audio - Visual Equipment Not Available Speakers may not use the County’s audio - visual equipment in the meeting room during the public comment period 10 Collective Address Speakers are encouraged to address comments to the Board of Commissioners as a collective governing body during the public comment period Speakers shall not address or respond to members of the audience 11 Scope Speakers may speak during the public comment period on any Johnston County related subject that is within the jurisdiction of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners T 12 No Campaigning Campaigning for political office is not allowed during the public comment period Speakers may not discuss the candidacy of any person seeking public office , including the candidacy of the person addressing the Board of Commissioners F 13 Forum Decorum and Orderly Conduct Speakers shall maintain proper order and should make their comments in a civil manner Speakers and audience members shall not engage in conduct that materially disrupts or impedes the orderly conduct of the meeting A 14 Board Response and Inquiries Public comment is intended to be a listening opportunity for the Board of Commissioners to hear the thoughts and concerns of the public Speakers should not expect Board members to respond to impromptu questions , comment on , or R respond to their comments directly during the meeting ; however , at the end of a speaker’s comments , any member of the Board may ask the speaker clarifying questions or make comments as they might deem appropriate The Chair , or presiding officer , may request the County Manager’s Office to follow up with a speaker after the meeting or provide D additional information to the Board at a later date 15 Speaker Materials Speakers who have prepared written comments or supporting documents are encouraged to leave a copy of such remarks and documents with the Clerk to the Board All written comments or supporting documents are subject to the North Carolina Public Records Act 16 Written Comments Citizens that would like to address the Board during the public comment period but have concerns with physically attending the meeting may email those comments using the subject line “ Comments for Board Meeting ” to the Clerk to the October 2026 - DRAFT Page 44 of 45Page5Board of Commissioners Written comments received by the Clerk by noon on the meeting date will be provided to the Board before the meeting The Chair or staff may summarize any received comments during the public comment period All written comments or supporting documents are subject to the North Carolina Public Records Act 17 Enforcement The Chair or presiding officer has the authority to enforce these Rules , including but not limited to the following forfeiture of the remaining speaking time , recessing the meeting , adjourning the meeting , or asking a speaker or audience member who engages in egregious or repeated violations which disrupt , disturb , or otherwise impede the orderly conduct of the meeting to leave the meeting Adopted this the ___ day of November , 2026 ____________________________________ Patrick E Harris , Chairman DRAFT October 2026 - DRAFT Page 45 of 45Page