Residents press Johnston County to rewrite or rescind draft UDO; complaints focus on buffers, process and perceived property-rights limits Hundreds attended a public information session where residents voiced anger over buffer reductions, animal limits, enforcement fines and consultant costs; speakers demanded clearer communication and, in some cases, that the draft be scrapped and rewritten locally.

Residents in Johnston County are raising their voices against a controversial draft ordinance that they believe threatens property rights and community events, demanding a complete overhaul.

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #PublicParticipation

Johnston County officials outline draft Unified Development Ordinance, say zoning map won’t change County planning staff presented a draft Unified Development Ordinance that updates development standards, creates optional 'paper' zoning districts and standardizes agricultural buffers; officials said the draft preserves bona fide farm protections and will not remap property automatically.

Johnston County is proposing a new Unified Development Ordinance that promises to modernize development standards while protecting local farms—what changes could this mean for you?

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CommunityEngagement #ZoningReform #CitizenPortal #LandDevelopment

Johnston County deputies seize $200,000, drugs and moonshine in Benson raid Deputies said the bust comes after people living nearby had complained about activity at the address. Multiple types of drugs, moonshine and cash were seized.

www.wral.com/news/local/j...

#NorthCarolina
#JohnstonCounty

They must have been partying hardy for
St Patty's Day on Dragstrip Road in Benson. I'm not making light of it but it's in my neck of the woods and they got busted with
58 gallons of moonshine too...😁

Johnston County delays vote on Prologis industrial rezoning after hours of neighborhood opposition The board took under advisement a request by Prologis to rezone about 28 acres near Pierce and Cleveland roads (case 25‑15) after extensive public comment. Residents raised traffic, safety, buffer and environmental concerns and asked the board for stricter conditions or denial; the board voted to table the case to March 16 for further review.

The Johnston County Board of Commissioners faces mounting pressure as they delay a crucial vote on Prologis' controversial industrial rezoning plan amid intense community opposition.

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #TrafficSafety #CitizenPortal #CommunityInput

Johnston County fire commission presents draft staffing plan aimed at adding ~70 firefighters over 2–3 years The county's fire commission presented a draft minimum‑staffing strategic plan recommending phased increases including part‑time and 24‑hour staffing tied to call‑volume metrics, a countywide pay study and station accommodations; the board voted to take the plan under advisement to inform upcoming budgets.

Johnston County's Fire Commission has unveiled a bold plan to bolster its ranks with 70 new firefighters, aiming to tackle rising call volumes and ensure community safety.

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #VolunteerSupport

Brightspeed says pole-owner make‑ready work slowed grant rollout; 700 grant locations live in Johnston County Brightspeed updated commissioners on the county broadband rollout, saying approximately 700 GREAT‑grant locations are live, nearly 1,500 CAB2 frames are scheduled for delivery this year, and pole-owner make‑ready work — not provider construction — is the principal cause of delays; county staff reminded the board of a $500,000 ARPA commitment tied to the project.

Brightspeed reveals that delays in pole-owner make-ready work are slowing broadband rollout in Johnston County, but 700 grant locations are now live!

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #InfrastructureDevelopment

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our volunteer meeting today, led by our Volunteer Coordinator Gail Mooney. Big plans ahead!

#Indivisible #IndivisibleJoCo #JohnstonCounty #JohnstonCountyNC

Student Resisters on sidewalk in rainy Clayton NC signs & Honduras and Mexico flags ICE OUT

2GETHER WE FREE US - #ICEOUT JOCO - COUNTY WIDE STUDENT PROTEST FEB 22 Clayton NC 4pm ABOLISH ICE -drawing of students protesting in front of a school

FEB 22
The 50501 Movement Mook Bee
tinyurl.com/ywwnbzut
#Johnstoncounty NC. (AKA Joco)
Shout out to JOCO #students who chose courage today.
stood for what they believe in even when hate drove past them. #Clayton

#ReleaseTheFiles
#ICEOUT #AbolishIce
#RefuseFascism #TrumpMustGo #Resist #RATR
10

Chair Harris highlights jobs, park and land conservation in State of the County address In a recorded State of the County address, Chairman Patrick Harris highlighted priorities including infrastructure, land preservation, a new Johnston Regional Park, workforce training at Johnston Community College, and incentives tied to a planned Vulcan Elements facility that the county says could bring up to 1,000 jobs.

Chairman Patrick Harris unveiled a bold vision for Johnston County's future, highlighting job creation, park developments, and land conservation in his State of the County address.

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #LandConservation #InfrastructureInvestment

Johnston County gets roadmap for $524M in potential borrowing as advisers urge CIP adoption Advisers told the Johnston County Board of Commissioners they hold AAA credit ratings and could borrow for a roughly $524 million capital plan over five years; staff and commissioners agreed to adopt a formal CIP and phase borrowing to protect ratings and tax affordability.

Johnston County is poised for a financial transformation with a potential $524 million capital plan, but can they sustain their AAA credit ratings while moving forward?

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #CommunityInvestment #FiscalResponsibility #CapitalPlanning

TAKE ACTION TUESDAY

VOTE!

This is your right and responsibility as a US citizen to participate in our Democracy. Let your voice be heard loud and clear.

#indivisiblejoco #indivisible #johnstoncounty #johnstoncountync

Click the link below for more information:

www.johnstonnc.gov/joconcelecti...

Commissioners press to finalize UDO, evaluate stormwater staffing and pursue regional water strategies Board members agreed to finalize the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and to evaluate land‑use staffing—particularly stormwater enforcement—during the FY27 budget; they also discussed a phased approach to regionalize water and wastewater to secure affordability and capacity.

Johnston County commissioners are taking bold steps to finalize the Unified Development Ordinance while tackling stormwater enforcement and exploring regional water strategies for a more affordable future.

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #StormwaterManagement

Candidates Election 2026 — Johnston County Democratic Party

www.jcdp.org/candidates-2...

#NorthCarolina
#JohnstonCounty
#DemocratProfiles2026

Johnston County presses ahead on CIP, DSS building and judicial annex as growth strains current space Commissioners said population growth and service demand are stretching county facilities and prioritized finalizing the capital improvement plan, completing DSS building design/site work and moving the judicial annex design forward. They emphasized metrics and public communication to explain needs and costs to residents.

Johnston County is facing a pressing need for new facilities as rapid population growth strains current services, prompting commissioners to prioritize urgent capital improvement plans.

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CapitalImprovement #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunication

NCACC warns counties to plan for HR1 workload and property-tax pressures; Johnston County faces millions in budget exposure NCACC staff briefed Johnston County commissioners on property tax reform momentum and new federal/state rules (HR1) that will increase county SNAP/Medicaid redetermination workload and costs. NCACC estimates an approximate $1.3 million increase in Johnston County SNAP administration costs for the coming fiscal year and urged advocacy for timeline flexibility and state funding.

Johnston County faces a staggering $1.3 million increase in SNAP administration costs due to new federal rules, urging local officials to advocate for support and reform.

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernmentAccountability #PropertyTaxReform #SNAPAdministration

State farmland program offers tools and limited funds as Johnston County faces high conversion risk A state official told Johnston County commissioners that North Carolina ranks second in projected farmland loss and outlined tools — including permanent easements and a new Agricultural Growth Zone (AGZ) grant program — but warned demand far outstrips available state funding. Johnston County has six recorded easements totaling about 592 acres.

North Carolina is facing a critical farmland crisis, with alarming projections showing up to 1.6 million acres at risk of conversion—learn how counties can combat this loss!

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #SustainableDevelopment #AgriculturalConservation #FarmlandPreservation

Packed public hearing on Johnston County UDO draws farmers, builders and calls for more time Hundreds attended a public hearing on Johnston County’s draft Unified Development Ordinance, with farmers, developers and small-business owners urging changes to proposed setbacks, buffers and livestock rules and asking the county to extend stakeholder review before adoption.

A packed public hearing in Johnston County revealed deep concerns from farmers, builders, and small-business owners urging the Board of Commissioners to hit pause on the controversial Unified Development Ordinance.

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #LandUsePolicy #CommunityInput

Johnston County Traveling and thinking about books and things

Slow start to finishing up my remaining 12 counties to visit in NC (out of 100), but I did get one done this month. Just posting it a little late after going as well LOL

#100counties #nc #johnstoncounty #smithfield #avagardner #cobbler #grabtown #travel

notjessica58.blogspot.com/2026/01/john...

Commissioners adopt fire commission cost‑share policy, with phased approach for town contributions Johnston County commissioners approved a fire commission cost‑share policy using a formula (call volume, protected square miles, population) with a phased, up‑to‑five‑year implementation to ease town budget impacts; presenters said no alternative formula was proposed by towns.

Johnston County commissioners have just approved a groundbreaking cost-share policy for fire services that could reshape funding strategies for towns—find out how this innovative formula balances community needs!

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #FiscalResponsibility #CommunityInvolvement

Commissioners approve design agreement and owner's‑agent contract for new DSS building; project estimated at about $103 million all‑in Johnston County approved a design services agreement with Moseley Architects and an owner's‑agent agreement with Stevenson General Contractors for a proposed new Department of Social Services building on the Massey Hughes tract; officials discussed a design contract of roughly $6.9 million, a construction manager owner's‑agent not‑to‑exceed amount of $250,200, and an all‑in project estimate of about $103 million.

Johnston County is set to transform its social services with a new $103 million facility, backed by a $6.9 million design agreement and a commitment to better serve the community.

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CommunityDevelopment #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal

Johnston County clerk asks commissioners to fund 11 deputy clerk positions to handle rising caseloads Clerk of Superior Court Michelle Ball asked the county to temporarily fund 11 deputy clerk positions to address rapid population growth, increases in evictions and traffic cases, and workload pressures from the eCourts rollout; she proposed a phased hire with five positions starting Feb. 1 and the remainder by April 1.

Johnston County’s Clerk of Superior Court is urging commissioners to fund 11 new deputy clerk positions to tackle soaring case filings and support the community's rapid growth.

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #WorkforceDevelopment #JudicialReform #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal

Johnston County outlines $73.5M water-plant expansion, dozens of wastewater upgrades Johnston County engineering staff updated commissioners on the 2024 capital improvement plan, reporting a nearly $73.5 million guaranteed-maximum-price for the Timothy G. Broom water treatment expansion (completion delayed to June 2026), multiple wastewater plant and pump-station upgrades, PFAS pilot studies and SCADA modernization plans.

Johnston County is investing $73.5 million to expand its water treatment capacity, but delays due to supply-chain issues are pushing completion to 2026!

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #WastewaterManagement #CitizenPortal #WaterTreatment #InfrastructureDevelopment

Johnston County leaders review data-driven fire cost-share policy; vote deferred to January County fire commission presented a draft cost-share policy that uses call volume, property values, population and square miles to divide operational costs between the county and towns. Commissioners raised concerns about municipal affordability and annexation effects; the board agreed to consider the item for a January vote.

Johnston County is set to reconsider a controversial fire cost-share policy that could reshape funding for local fire protection—are towns ready for the changes ahead?

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CivicEngagement #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CommunityBudgeting

Consultants present $410M‑scale trails and greenways plan; board to consider adoption in January Consultants and county parks staff presented a countywide comprehensive trails and greenways master plan that prioritizes 11+ projects, extensive public engagement data, and multi‑decade cost forecasts (presenters estimated a quick-add total of about $410 million over decades). The board agreed to take the plan under advisement and consider adoption Jan. 5.

Johnston County is on the brink of a transformative $410 million trails and greenways plan aimed at connecting communities and enhancing active transportation over the next few decades.

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #ActiveTransportation #CitizenPortal #SustainableDevelopment

County accepts DEQ funds for PFAS study, approves US‑70 water main design funding and interim water‑policy changes Johnston County accepted a $330,000 DEQ principal‑forgiveness award for a PFAS/DBP treatment optimization study, recognized more than $3.5 million from the 3M/DuPont settlement, approved funding for technical services and easement acquisition for a 24‑inch US‑70 water main, and adopted interim water and sewer policy revisions allowing some new single‑family homes to install private wells.

Johnston County is taking major steps to improve water quality, securing over $3.5 million from a settlement and a $330,000 funding boost for critical studies and infrastructure!

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalFunding #WaterQualityInitiatives

Johnston County Planning Board To Review Draft Unified Development Ordinance On Dec. 2 SMITHFIELD –  Johnston County is rewriting its development rules, and here’s a chance to see them. The County Planning Board will hear a presentation on a draft Unified Development Ordinance during a ...

jocoreport.com/johnston-cou...

#JohnstonCounty
#NorthCarolina

You can see the new draft plans, link in article

Johnston County commissioners approve $129.38 million to rebuild Clayton High School The county approved $129,381,316 to complete a rebuild of Clayton High School and adopted a supplemental reimbursement resolution; formal Local Government Commission approval will be required before permanent financing. Staff will return with a funding plan and timing details.

Johnston County has just approved a staggering $129.38 million to rebuild Clayton High School, paving the way for a brighter future for students!

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #PublicFunding #CitizenPortal #SchoolRebuild

Johnston County proclaims November 2025 Farm City Week, highlights agriculture's role Commissioners adopted a proclamation recognizing November 2025 as Farm City Week to honor the partnership between farmers and nonrural communities that produces food and supports the local economy. County agriculture leaders invited commissioners to the Farm City banquet and emphasized Johnston County's role as a large population center with active

Johnston County is gearing up to celebrate the vital partnership between farmers and city residents with a special proclamation declaring November 2025 as Farm City Week!

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #CommunityPartnerships #FoodSecurity #EconomicDevelopment

Johnston County approves bulk water and wastewater agreement with Town of Clayton for Cornwallis Road area The Board of Commissioners approved a bulk water and wastewater services agreement with the Town of Clayton to allow retail water and sewer service to parcels near Cornwallis Road (Kenny and Troxler Yergen properties). The town will transfer existing treatment/transmission capacity, construct a 500,000‑gallon flow‑equalization facility at the Swift

Johnston County just approved a game-changing water and wastewater agreement with Clayton that paves the way for exciting new developments along Cornwallis Road!

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #SustainableDevelopment #InfrastructureInnovation #WaterManagement

Commissioners approve revised budget, award pump‑station contract for Corinth Holders Elementary; funding gap remains to be resolved Johnston County commissioners approved a revised project budget and award to Park Construction to build a wastewater pump station and force main to serve Corinth Holders Elementary School, while directing staff to continue negotiations with Johnston County Public Schools to resolve an approximately $980,070 funding shortfall.

Johnston County commissioners have taken a crucial step to upgrade Corinth Holders Elementary's wastewater system, but a $980,070 funding gap still looms large.

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #CommunityFunding #EducationInfrastructure #PublicUtilities