Here’s what’s in new county budget

SMITHFIELD — Here’s what’s in the $376.3 million spending plan that County Commissioners approved on June 17.

For the Johnston County Public Schools — $104.8 million for operations and $3.5 million for capital outlay. The schools had sought $111.8 million for operations, up from $88.4 million the year before, and $28.8 million for capital outlay, up from $6 million. County Manager Rick Hester had recommended $93.3 million for operations and $3 million for capital projects.

Johnston Community College — $6.9 million for operations and $1.2 million for capital outlay.

Tax rates — Commissioners set a property tax rate of 67 cents per $100 valuation, down from 69 cents in the prior year. Also, all Johnston property owners will pay a fire service tax of 14 cents per $100 valuation. For many property owners, that rate is anywhere from 1 to 4 cents higher than in the prior year.

New positions —  Hester had requested 57 new positions in county government, and all made it into the budget. They’re listed below by department.

• Social Services — 36, though federal dollars will pay for some of those.

• Emergency Services — seven.

• Public Health — five.

• 911 Communications — four.

• Building Inspections — one.

• Veterans Service Office — one.

• Board of Elections — one.

• Technology Services — one.

• Internal Audit — one.

Employee raises — The budget includes a 3% pay increase for all employees starting on July 1. Merit raises of another 2% could come in October. Commissioners will also receive the 3% increase on July 1.

Elected and appointed positions — Commissioners raised the pay of Johnston’s elected and appointed officials. The new salaries are listed below.

• County manager — $262,600.08

• County attorney — $204,000.

• Sheriff — $188,222.16

• Tax administrator — $147,428.76

• Registrar of deeds — $129,040.08

• Board clerk — $86,713.53

Nonprofits — Commissioners awarded dollars to some of the nonprofits that had sought county dollars, though not all will get the total amounts they had requested. The outlays are listed below:

• $325,000 for Harbor Inc., which provides shelter and other aid to victims of rape and domestic violence.

• $275,000 for QuickRide, the ride-hailing service of the Johnston County Area Transit System.

• $250,000 to the Moccasin Creek Service District to match a state grant for a drainage project.

• $173,392 for N.C. Forest Service operations in Johnston County.

• $150,000 for the Clayton Civitan Club, which will use the money for ball field lighting and repairs.

• $24,000 for the Smithfield Rescue Mission, which shelters the homeless.

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