October 5, 2026 - 10:00 AM - Board of Commissioners Agenda Packet

10 PUBLIC NOTICE OF JOHNSTON COUNTY BOARD MEETING October 5 , 2026 10 00 am The Johnston County Board of Commissioners will meet in Regular Session on Monday , October 5 , 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 Approval Discussion of Agenda 2 Veterans Services Office – Resolution Supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans 8 3 Consent Agenda Items 9 4 Public Comments 5 Proclamation – Employee Appreciation Week 54 6 Johnston County Cooperative Extension - Proclamation – National 4 - H Week 55 7 Harbor - Proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month 56 8 Consideration of JC Double Bucks Pilot Program with Clayton Farm & Community Market 57 9 Johnston County Fire Protection Service District Expansion Project Update 59 10 North Side Fire Rescue Department – Request for Fire Station Construction 63 11 Public Utilities – Lower Neuse Water Supply – Project Delivery Methods 69 12 Public Utilities – Lower Neuse Water Treatment Plant – Proposed Capital Project Budget 75 13 Public Utilities – Reimbursement Resolution Revenue Bonds 78 14 Public Utilities - MOU – Sewer Transmission Infrastructure – Town of Smithfield 82 15 Appointments 90 16 Delinquent Tax Collection Report 17 Manager Reports and Comments 18 Board Reports and Comments 19 Closed Session If Requested Page 1 of 97PageOctober 5 , 2026 10 00 am 1 Approval Discussion of Agenda 2 Veterans Services Office – Resolution Supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans Veterans Services Office requests the Board to adopt a resolution supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans from October through Veterans Day , November 11 , 2026 The Veterans Services Officer Robert Boyette will present the resolution to the Board for consideration See resolution 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 – August 17 , 2026 - 10 00 am and September 8 , 2026 10 00 am and 6 00 pm B Animal Cruelty Officers Reappointment Request Animal Services Director Chad Massengill is requesting the Board to reappoint Bryan Bryant and Chad Massengill as the Animal Cruelty Officers to serve Johnston County for one year terms See memo This is an annual administrative action and does not require any additional funding C Public Utilities – Request to Surplus Vehicles Public Utilities requests the Board to declare the following vehicles surplus and approve for them to be sold at the next public auction to be scheduled by the Sheriff’s Office See memo Asset No Year Vehicle Type Mileage 14568 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 179,724 14572 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 211,415 D Soil and Water Conservation – Request for Funds for Conservation Easements District Director Greg Walker request approval for funding for two easements in the Princeton and Selma areas In order to move forward with acquiring these easements , staff request the Board to approve funding in the amount of 21,342 This would cover the cost for surveying and preliminary title work for acquiring these easements See memo E Appointments – indicates the need for a waiver in the length of service policy i Alcoholic Beverage Control Board – 1 position ; 3 year term D Lee Jackson has applied for reappointment For further information , please see the Board Information Sheet as well as summary of appointment requests ii Firefighter’s Relief Fund Board of Trustees – 2 year terms except where noted in order to create staggered terms For further information , please see the summary of appointment requests One 1 position representing each of the following fire districts indicates the need for a waiver in the length of service policy Page 2 of 97PageBlackman’s Crossroads – Charles E Wood has applied for reappointment Boon Hill – Adam Stanley has applied for reappointment Corinth - Holder – David Brewer has applied for appointment Elevation – Timmy W Stanley has applied for reappointment 50 210 – Andy Mack Penny has applied for reappointment Meadow – no applications received Micro – Joey Creech has applied for reappointment Two 2 positions representing each of the following fire districts indicates the need for a waiver in the length of service policy 2 year terms Brogden – Allan Daughtry has applied for reappointment McLemore – William F Jordan , III has applied for reappointment PI - LE - no applications received North Side - no applications received Strickland’s Crossroads – Dennis Max Johnson has applied for reappointment Wilson’s Mills – no applications received iii Johnston County Heritage Commission – 9 positions ; 2 year terms Pam Baumgartner , John M Booker DVM , Suzanne Benton Cook , Matthew Dean , Warren Grimes , Nathaniel L Sanders , Jr , and Vann F Stancil have applied for reappointment For further information , please see the Board Information Sheet as well as summary of appointment requests iv Library Board of Trustees – 1 position ; 3 year term Nakunda Everett has applied for appointment For further information , please see the Board Information Sheet as well as summary of appointment requests v Moccasin Creek Service District Board – 3 positions ; 2 year terms Applicants must reside or own real property in the District and be a resident of Johnston County 2 positions represents the Rural Area of the District and one position represents the Town of Selma Selma applicants will be forwarded to the Selma Town Council for recommendation Rodney Cabe and John T Stallings representing the Rural Areas of the District have applied for reappointment For further information , please see the Board Information Sheet as well as summary of appointment requests vi Tourism Authority – 3 positions ; 3 year terms Applicants must be an owner or operator of a hotel , motel , or other taxable tourist accommodation James A Lassiter , Kimberly Pickett and Nicole Youngblood have applied for reappointment For further information , please see the Board Information Sheet as well as summary of appointment requests F Budget Revisions Special Appropriations - 306,30700 – To budget NC Department of Transportation Rural Operating Assistance Program ROAP grant funds for JCATS Johnston County is a pass - through for these funds Sheriff – 21,77609 – To move revenues Insurance Recovery and Miscellaneous Revenue into appropriate expenditure line items Page 3 of 97PageG Tax Releases & Refunds – 08 16 2026 – 09 15 2026 4 Public Comments 5 Proclamation - Employee Appreciation Week – October 19 - 23 , 2026 Staff requests the Board to adopt a proclamation declaring the week of October 19 - 23 , 2026 as Employee Appreciation Week See proclamation 6 Johnston County Cooperative Extension - Proclamation – National 4 - H Week Johnston County Cooperative Extension requests the Board to adopt a proclamation declaring the week of October 4 - 10 , 2026 as 4 - H Week See proclamation 7 Harbor - Proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month Harbor is requesting the Board to adopt a proclamation for October 2026 as domestic violence awareness month See proclamation 8 Consideration of Johnston County Double Bucks Pilot Program with Clayton Farm & Community Market On September 21 , 2026 , staff presented an overview of the Double Bucks Program , an initiative designed to expand fresh food access for low - income residents while supporting local agriculture Under the proposed program , participants using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer EBT cards at participating farmers markets will receive a 1 1 matchmatch in Double Bucks tokens , doubling their purchasing power for eligible locally grown produce Staff requests approval of a pilot project with the Clayton Farm and Community Market , Inc for the Johnston County Double Bucks Program funded with general county funds not to exceed 2,500 through June 30 , 2027 and authorize the Chairman of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners or the County Manager to execute any necessary agreements or documents needed to facilitate the program as outlined herein See program summary 9 Johnston County Fire Protection Service District Expansion Project Update Staff will provide an update on requests received by Town of Kenly and Town of Micro and discuss proposed next steps for service district expansion See letters 10 North Side Fire & Rescue Department – Request for Fire Station Construction North Side Fire & Rescue Department is seeking approval from the Board of Commissioners to begin construction of a third fire station located at 4370 NC Hwy 42 East This parcel of land was approved for purchase by the Johnston County Board of Commissioners on June 16 , 2025 This location was also indicated as a Priority 1 need for a fire station in the Johnston County Fire Station Location Study by Matrix Consulting North Side Fire & Rescue request approval to begin construction of the station See memo and supporting documentation 11 Public Utilities – Lower Neuse Water Supply – Project Delivery Methods In June 2024 , the Board of Commissioners adopted a capital project budget for the Lower Neuse Water Supply project , which includes a new intake on the Neuse River Richardson Bridge Road , a water treatment plant located on County - owned property , utilization of the existing County - owned “ abandoned ” quarry and finished water mains from the new plant to the transmission system The initial budget includes Page 4 of 97PagePage pageNumber5preliminary planning for the project with the Owner’s Advisor and funding to support a United States Geological Survey USGS gauge on the Neuse River at Richardson Bridge Road County staff has worked with the Owner’s Advisor for preliminary project planning , agency coordination and project delivery method consideration Lower Neuse Water Treatment Plant After consideration of all project delivery methods , staff recommends traditional design - bid - build for the Lower Neuse Water Treatment Plant Design - bid - build is the best delivery method in order for the County to maintain the highest level of control of the project design and associated future operational and maintenance requirements Furthermore , based on the most recent requests for capacity from bulk customers , design - bid - build should allow for project completion in time to meet the anticipate peak demand days in 2031 In accordance with NCGS 143 - 1281A b a government entity shall establish the criteria used for determining the circumstances under which the design - build method is appropriate for a project See memo for recommended criteria Staff recommends the Board of Commissioners approve the establishment of these criteria for determining circumstances under which the design - build method is appropriate and authorize the use of the design - build project delivery method for the Lower Neuse Water Supply Raw Water project 12 Public Utilities – Lower Neuse Water Treatment Plant – Proposed Capital Project Budget In June 2024 , the Board of Commissioners adopted a capital project budget for the Lower Neuse Water Supply project , which includes a new intake on the Neuse River Richardson Bridge Road , a water treatment plant located on County - owned property , utilization of the existing County - owned “ abandoned ” quarry and finished water mains from the new plant to the transmission system The initial budget includes preliminary planning for the project with the Owner’s Advisor and funding to support a United States Geological Survey USGS gauge on the Neuse River at Richardson Bridge Road Staff recommends adoption of separate capital project budgets for the Raw Water and Treatment Plant project components The existing Lower Neuse Water Supply capital project budget will be for the Raw Water project , and staff proposes a new capital project budget for the Treatment Plant Since the LNWTP project will proceed as a traditional design - bid - build project , the project team selected an engineering consultant for the project through a Request for Qualification RFQ process The consultant will complete the project services in several phases Phase 1 o Project Administration - Project administration includes participation in monthly progress meetings , administration of the contract and progress monitoring o Coagulant Jar Testing - Evaluate four coagulants through jar testing and simulate mixes of raw water between the Quarry and Neuse River o Desktop Corrosion Control Study - Evaluate the corrosion control practices and make recommendations for the optimization of corrosion control treatment associated with the LNWTP o Bench Scale and Pilot Scale Ozone Services - Perform bench scale and pilot scale testing of ozone and biologically active filtration o Site Master Planning – Develop a long - term site plan for the Lower Neuse Water Treatment Plant site with an initial proposed finished water capacity of 6 MGD , expandable to 12 MGD , and an ultimate capacity of 30 MGD , including Opinion of Probable Cost OPC for 6 and 12 MGD site plans and long - term asset management strategy options o Permit Coordination – Complete NPDES coordination and permitting with NCDEQ DWR , including water quality data analyses and testing plan development for effluent and in - stream flow ; Evaluate feasible alternatives for the Engineering Alternative Analysis Page 5 of 97PagePage pageNumber6o Utility Coordination - Plan and coordinate utility installation and service for the LNWTP power , water , sewer , telecommunication , etc o Geotechnical Investigation - Coordinate and complete soil borings and geotechnical investigations o Preliminary Engineering Report PER - Develop and complete a PER stating project parameters , objectives and provide preliminary design information for the LNWSP • Phase 2 – Final design , additional pilot testing as needed and final permitting • Phase 3 – Bidding Services • Phase 4 – Construction Phase Services The proposed Phase 1 Lower Neuse Water Supply Treatment Plant project budget is as follows Technical Services 5,000,00000 Total Project Cost 5,000,00000 Funding for the proposed project is as follows Water System Development Fees 5,000,00000 Total Project Funds 5,000,00000 Staff recommends approval of the proposed capital project budget for the Lower Neuse Water Supply Treatment Plant project Phase 1 See memo and proposed budget revision 13 Public Utilities – Reimbursement Resolution Revenue Bonds In April 2026 , staff presented an update to the County’s Long Term Water Supply Plan , including the Lower Neuse Water Supply Plan The plan included recommendations to proceed with design of the Lower Neuse Water Supply , update policies , strengthen partnerships , update the Water and Sewer CIP and apply lobby for funding The total project schedule for design and construction is approximately five 5 years The total project program will be separated into multiple capital project budgets , and expenditures will occur throughout the life of the project program Staff recommends funding the initial design with available local funds system development fees and or water fund reserves Staff will continue to pursue grants , appropriations and low interest loans for the projects However , future project costs will likely require water and sewer revenue bonds Furthermore , anticipated revenue bonds will likely be issued in multiple stages over several years rather than a single full issuance The attached proposed resolution will allow the County to reimburse the water fund for the initial expenditures with water and sewer revenue bond proceeds , if needed Key points regarding the scope and effect of this resolution include • Maximum Ceiling , Not Final Debt The resolution cites a maximum principal amount based on current cost estimates and added contingency This figure represents a high - water ceiling required for legal compliance under US Department of Treasury Regulations , assuming zero grant funding , grants , appropriations or separate low interest loans • No Commitment to Borrow the Full Amount Adopting the resolution does not mean or commit the County to borrowing the full amount Actual borrowing will be determined based on net project costs after incorporating external funding sources and phased issuances • No Bond Sale Authorization The resolution does not authorize the issuance or sale of revenue bonds Any future bond sales will require separate , explicit authorization from the Board of Commissioners Staff recommends approval of the proposed “ Resolution Declaring Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures with Proceeds of Debt Pursuant to United States Department of Treasury Regulations ” See memo and resolution Page 6 of 97PagePage pageNumber714 Public Utilities – Memorandum of Understanding – Sewer Transmission Infrastructure – Town of Smithfield and Johnston County The County has several capital sewer projects completed and nearing completion that will allow the County to relinquish ownership of key transmission main capacity to the Town For years , sewer collected from the County’s other bulk customers and some County retail flow combined with sewer collected from Smithfield With the construction of the 210 WWTF and these capital transmission projects , the County will diver bulk wastewater flows so that almost all flow through Smithfield will be from Smithfield retail customers Town and County staff worked together to propose a Memorandum of Understanding with the primary objective of the MOU to establish a formal Transmission Infrastructure Plan for the sewer infrastructure currently owned and operated by the County that receives or will receive flow from the Town of Smithfield only The Transmission Plan will evaluate proposed transmission infrastructure transfer from the County to the Town A large portion of the transmission mains identified were transferred from the Town to the County as part of the original 1979 agreement to accommodate the transmission of flow from the other partners If transferred , the Town would have total control over connections , capacity allocation and operation of these mains Furthermore , the plan will include evaluation of the monthly transmission commodity charge assessed by the County to the Town Key provisions of the non - binding MOU are as follows • County shall complete a condition assessment of the transmission infrastructure and share all condition assessment data and historical data with the Town • Town shall review the data provided by the County in a timely manner and provide the County a written itemization of structural or operational deficiencies that the Town requests be remediated prior to infrastructure transfer • Town shall develop an operational integration plan to determine how proposed development projects will be phased and connected and how future permitting capacity will be allocated • The Town and County will form a Joint Technical Committee to draft a formal Transmission Plan for any facilities to be transferred from the County to the County addressing cost and legal matters Staff recommends approval of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Sewer Transmission Infrastructure between the Town of Smithfield and Johnston County See memo and proposed memorandum of understanding 15 Appointments Fire Protection Service District Commission – 4 positions ; 2 year terms John Beasley , Chris W Ellington , Alan Johnson and Barry Stanley have applied for reappointment David R Ranes , and Adam Stanley have applied for appointment For further information , please see the Board Information Sheet as well as summary of appointment requests 16 Delinquent Tax Collection Report 17 Manager Reports and Comments 18 Board Reports and Comments 19 Closed Session If Requested Page 7 of 97PagePage pageNumber8Page 8 of 97PagePage pageNumber9Page 9 of 97Page0Page 10 of 97Page1Page 11 of 97Page2Page 12 of 97Page3Page 13 of 97Page4Page 14 of 97Page5Page 15 of 97Page6Page 16 of 97Page7Page 17 of 97Page8Page 18 of 97Page9Page 19 of 97Page0Page 20 of 97Page1Page 21 of 97Page2Page 22 of 97Page3Page 23 of 97Page4Page 24 of 97Page5Page 25 of 97Page6Page 26 of 97Page7Page 27 of 97Page8Page 28 of 97Page9Page 29 of 97Page0Page 30 of 97Page1Page 31 of 97Page2Page 32 of 97Page3Page 33 of 97Page4Page 34 of 97Page5Page 35 of 97Page6Page 36 of 97Page7Page 37 of 97Page8Page 38 of 97Page9Page 39 of 97Page0Page 40 of 97Page1Page 41 of 97Page2Page 42 of 97Page3Page 43 of 97Page4Page 44 of 97Page5Page 45 of 97Page6Page 46 of 97Page7Page 47 of 97Page8Page 48 of 97Page9Page 49 of 97PagePage pageNumber50Page 50 of 97PagePage pageNumber51Page 51 of 97PagePage pageNumber52Page 52 of 97PagePage pageNumber53Page 53 of 97PagePage pageNumber54Page 54 of 97PagePage pageNumber55Page 55 of 97PagePage pageNumber56Page 56 of 97PagePage pageNumber57Page 57 of 97PagePage pageNumber58Page 58 of 97PagePage pageNumber59Page 59 of 97PagePage pageNumber60Page 60 of 97PagePage pageNumber61Page 61 of 97PagePage pageNumber62Page 62 of 97PagePage pageNumber63Page 63 of 97PagePage pageNumber64Page 64 of 97PagePage pageNumber6597 of 65 PagePagePage pageNumber6697 of 66 PagePagePage pageNumber6797 of 67 PagePagePage pageNumber6897 of 68 PagePagePage pageNumber69Page 69 of 97PagePage pageNumber70Page 70 of 97PagePage pageNumber71Page 71 of 97PagePage pageNumber72Page 72 of 97PagePage pageNumber73Page 73 of 97PagePage pageNumber74Page 74 of 97PagePage pageNumber75Page 75 of 97PagePage pageNumber76Page 76 of 97PagePage pageNumber77Page 77 of 97PagePage pageNumber78Page 78 of 97PagePage pageNumber79Page 79 of 97PagePage pageNumber80Page 80 of 97PagePage pageNumber81Page 81 of 97PagePage pageNumber82Page 82 of 97PagePage pageNumber83Page 83 of 97PagePage pageNumber84Page 84 of 97PagePage pageNumber85Page 85 of 97PagePage pageNumber86Page 86 of 97PagePage pageNumber87Page 87 of 97PagePage pageNumber88Page 88 of 97PagePage pageNumber89Page 89 of 97PagePage pageNumber90Page 90 of 97PagePage pageNumber91Page 91 of 97PagePage pageNumber92Page 92 of 97PagePage pageNumber93Page 93 of 97PagePage pageNumber94Page 94 of 97PagePage pageNumber95Page 95 of 97PagePage pageNumber96Page 96 of 97PagePage pageNumber97Page 97 of 97Page