All commissioners present:
Chairman Chad Stewart, Tony Braswell, Ted Godwin, Patrick Harris,
Butch Lawter, Fred Smith, and Larry Wood

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FORMALLY INTRODUCED

Eric Bracy (standing at the podium) has been on the job since last summer as Superintendent of Johnston County Public Schools, but he hadn't been formally introduced to the Board of Commissioners until Monday's morning session in the Old Superior Courtroom inside the Courthouse. Dr. Bracy said it has been "a joy" working with Johnston County officials in "a great partnership" over the past several months. "I love what I do," he told commissioners. "We want to be the highest performing district academically in North Carolina." Commissioners will meet in joint session with Johnston's school board at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 16 to discuss upcoming school-funding needs.


CONSULTANT TO BE HIRED FOR COUNTY-OFFICES STUDY

Following up a lengthy discussion at last month's work session, commissioners approved County Manager Rick Hester's recommendation to employ a consultant (yet to be named) to assess several options for relocating county administrative offices outside the Courthouse. One proposal would move those offices into several buildings on North Street that are presently occupied by the Department of Social Services, which would be relocated in larger quarters to be constructed elsewhere. Another option is a completely new "campus" on a large site that would include Social Services as well as other county offices. Undetermined at this point are locations for any new buildings that would be constructed.


NEW FUND-BALANCE POLICY: 20% INSTEAD OF 15%

Acting on another recommendation coming out of that February 18 work session, commissioners agreed to raise from 15% to 20% the yearly goal for building up its General Fund cash reserve. The county's financial advisors okayed the change since the county has been consistently exceeding a 20% balance in recent years --- a move that has improved the county's bond rating and thereby lowered interest rates on borrowing for new schools and other capital projects.


ANNUAL AUDITING CONTRACT RENEWED

The board renewed a contract with Thompson, Price, Scott Adams & Co. of Whiteville to audit the county's financial records for the 2020-21 fiscal year that ends June 30. The fee of $77,000 is unchanged from the past year's contract.


COOPERATIVE EXTENSION'S ANNUAL REPORT

Bryant Spivey, director of Johnston's Cooperative Extension Service, presented his agency's annual report to commissioners that highlighted its programs for "food, farm, and 4-H." Despite coronavirus issues, Extension served 10,935 Johnstonians "in person" this past year, and its 16 4-H clubs with 295 members produced a participation number of 3,069 and a "school enrichment" tally of 2,537. Asked about plans for the annual Youth Livestock Show and Sale, Mr. Spivey said it will be held during April at the county's Livestock Arena with participants coming not all at once and spectators limited by the Governor's current rules on mass gatherings. The entire event over several days will be live-streamed, he added.


A REPORT FROM BEAVER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Chris Willis, district supervisor with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, gave the board an update on local activities under the agency's Beaver Management Program. He said 37 beavers have been trapped and relocated and 26 beaver dams demolished here during the past year. The County of Johnston pays a $6,000 annual fee for the service to spare expense to landowners who benefit from the program, Mr. Willis explained. Johnston has been a participant since the program's inception in 1997, he noted.

$6.3 MILLION FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE

The board approved a budget amendment that accepts $6,313.949.50 in federal Emergency Rental Assistance funds included in the COVID-19 relief package approved by Congress in late December. Administered by the county's Department of Social Services, the program will cover rent and utility expenses for qualifying Johnstonians who have suffered coronavirus-related financial losses.

NEW WASTEWATER PUMP STATION FOR EAST CLAYTON

The board approved a $1,318,000 contract with Ralph Hodge Construction Company of Wilson to upgrade the wastewater pump station located near the Neuse River below East Clayton Elementary School to accommodate new residential and commercial development in the vicinity. Cost of the project will be covered by fees paid by customers of the county's sewage system.