Here's a rundown of key elements in the proposed 2021-22 budget from County Manager Rick Hester:

General Fund budget totals $282,452,191 --- up from the past year's $253,075,985. Mr. Hester notes that actual expenses will run about $268 million, with the remaining $14 million or so to be held in reserve. His recommendation is to put that money in a capital-outlay account for future needs.

A one-cent cut in the county's property-tax rate --- from 76 cents to 75 cents per $100 valuation of real estate. The new rate is budgeted to produce revenue of $150.6 million in the year ahead --- up from $142.8 million in the current budget.

Increases in water and sewer rates for rural residents --- monthly base for water used by a typical customer to rise from $19 to $21, rate per 1,000 gallons to rise from $3.90 to $4.15 (up to 5,000 gallons; additional charges above that amount); base rate for sewer service to rise from $30 to $31, rate per 1,000 gallons from $6.55 to $6.90.

Revenue from the county's share of local sales taxes is expected to increase to $46.5 million during the year ahead after revenues this past year exceeded a budget estimate of $37.2 million reduced by uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

County appropriations for public schools --- Mr. Hester is recommending increases of $500,000 for operations and $400,000 for capital outlay. Johnston's Board of Education is requesting increases of $7,927,090 for operations, $2,162,000 for capital improvements.

County appropriations for Johnston Community College --- Mr. Hester is recommending $4,545,000 for operations and $454,756 for capital outlay. The college is requesting $4,853,910 for operations, $2,091,176 for capital needs.

Pay raises of 2.1% for all county employees in July plus additional "performance pay" adjustments up to 1.5% in September.

39 new General Fund employees, with 28 of those for the county's taking over operations of the Four Oaks and 50-210 EMS squads --- the last in Johnston to be absorbed as county departments rather than operated under contract as independent rescue services. "A significant portion of the associated expenses for those 28 positions will be offset by additional billing revenue to the county as well as funds that would normally go to the contracted agencies as stipends," the county manager notes.

The other new positions in the proposed General Fund budget include 10 in the Department of Social Services and one in Human Resources. Four more Social Services jobs could be added later in the year, Mr. Hester notes.

Outside the General Fund, five new positions are included in the Public Utilities Enterprise Fund (the county's water and sewer services) and seven in the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund (the county's landfill and garbage-collection services). Both of those operations are supported primarily by user fees.

A new Public Information Office is included in the coming year's proposed budget. Its establishment was ensured when the County Commissioners in April approved the employment of Adam Carroll as the county's first full-time Public Information Officer.

Special appropriations for agencies and programs beyond the basic operations of County Government include:
• $27,000 for Institute of Government (increased from $26,000).
• $213,268 for Johnston County Area Transit System (J-CATS).
• $522,373 for Mental Health.
• $589,000 for Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield.
• $170,624 for Johnston County Heritage Commission (Heritage Center).
• $89,000 for Triangle J Council of Governments.
• $5,000 for Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments.
• $125,000 for the N.C. Forestry Service (increased from $124,615).
• $6,000 for Beaver Control (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
• $234,062 for Community and Senior Services of Johnston County.
• $1,500 for Tobacco Farm Life Museum (increased from $1,000).
• $12,500 for Johnston County Arts Council (increased from $10,000).

Mr. Hester's proposed budget in full is posted on the county's website>