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

Board hears requests for funds
that aren't in the proposed budget

While funding for Johnston's public schools was the No. 1 topic discussed Monday evening, most of the two-hour session brought forth a number of requests for county appropriations in the year ahead that aren't included in County Manager Rick Hester's proposed budget.

The Town of Smithfield asked the county to share the expense of a second water main crossing the Neuse River to link the town's water plant with West Smithfield. Presently, a 12-inch pipeline near the Market Street bridge is the only link, noted Ted Credle, the town's utilities director. The line to be constructed would be an "upsize": 16 inches in diameter, he said.

Chandra Farmer, the county's utilities director, backed the town's request, pointing out that 20% of water produced for the county's fast-growing rural and suburban system comes from Smithfield's water plant.

Mr. Credle said bids recently received on the pipeline along Durwood Stephenson Highway crossing the river put the project's cost "just under" $1.6 million.

Johnston Regional Airport's Director Phil Lanier asked for $200,000 to be added to his budget as matching money for various federal and state grants that are offered from to time. County Manager Hester backed Mr. Lanier's request, calling the airport "a shining star" that provides Johnston "a lot of benefit."

The Town of Four Oaks asked for $29,108 to cover 75% of the cost of a war memorial in Barbour's Grove Park. Reid Williams, the town's director of economic development, said the town would put up the remaining 25%.

The Town of Micro asked for help in funding a $300,000 project to renovate the an old community building Mayor Jay Warren said "needs a lot of work." It's the only place in Micro for public gatherings other than a church, he noted, and could especially serve the town's 60% elderly population if brought up to current building standards.

Special Olympics volunteer coordinator Carolyn Stafford asked for $10,000 to be put back in the budget to support the organization's Johnston County program in the coming year.

My Kid's Club asked for $200,000 on top of a previous county appropriation of $75,000 to help pay for a new home for the organization in Selma.

Treasurer Lynn Daniels said the project has already received a $665,000 USDA grant and a $500,000 challenge grant from the State Employees Credit Union's foundation. The organization, she said, needs another $980,000 to complete its project --- a total that has grown because of recent spikes in the cost of construction materials.

She said My Kid's Club provided all-day and after-school care for 130 youngsters during the past year's pandemic and is providing spaces for 120 campers this summer. Besides programs at its base in Selma, the club serves students at South Smithfield Elementary School, Ms. Daniels noted.

Harbor Inc. wants $75,000 restored to the county's budget to help fund its services to victims of domestic violence. Executive Director Kay Johnson said the past year's pandemic, which prompted the closing of its thrift stores and cancellation of fund-raisers, severely restricted Harbor's revenues.

Ms. Johnson reported a 30% increase in sexual-assault cases in Johnston County since January and a 35% increase in domestic violence more recently. She said Johnston is "in the top five" N.C. counties in numbers of such cases.

County Manager Hester said Harbor "fills a need that local government doesn't."

Smithfield Rescue Mission wants continuation of the county's annual support of $21,000 --- another amount not included in the manager's proposed budget as it now stands. Director Ben Olsen said the homeless shelter operated with reduced capacities during the pandemic yet still provided 4,385 nights of lodging and 21,449 meals to men, women, and children at its two shelters this past year.

N.C. Forest Service wants the county to increase its support of operations in Johnston from $124,615 to $143,208 in the year ahead. Mike Winslow, the manager for Johnston, said the extra funding is needed for a truck purchase.

Project Access provides medical care at low cost to needy persons who don't qualify for Medicaid under current restrictions in North Carolina, explained Director Georgia Anthony. Physicians and other medical providers volunteer their services along with funding from the Duke Endowment for expenses, she noted.

She said the program, which provides everything "from blood tests to open-heart surgery" in Johnston and Harnett counties, is one of 31 such efforts in the Carolinas. She asked for $50,000 --- a first-time request for county aid.

Pleasant Grove Community Building trustees submitted a request for $40,241 as a one-time donation for renovations. Tim Callahan said the county's aid would be supplemented by more than $31,000 worth of volunteer services.

The county paid for the facility's construction more than half a century ago and still holds title to the property. Its operation is underwritten by rentals for a variety of family and community events. The county appoints its trustees.