SMITHFIELD — Progress on Johnston County’s proposed Unified Development Ordinance was among several topics before county commissioners May 4, as officials discussed a schedule that could lead to adoption of the revised ordinance in October.
Planning Director Braston Newton said county staff, consultants and a stakeholder committee made up of farmers, developers, county leaders and others continue to review the draft ordinance line by line. Proposed restrictions on farm animals in subdivisions have been removed from consideration, while increased setbacks for homes in subdivisions are expected to remain part of the discussion. The group is still debating the width of buffers developers would be required to install between subdivisions and neighboring farmland.
If the current schedule holds, revised draft documents would be released publicly in June. A drop-in information session is planned for July 16, followed by a public hearing before the Planning Board on Aug. 18. County commissioners are expected to hold public hearings Sept. 9 and Sept. 21 before potentially adopting the ordinance Oct. 5.
A separate presentation focused on expanding access to behavioral health care in Johnston County through a virtual urgent care model proposed by Willow Health. The service would allow residents experiencing mental health crises to receive care through phones, tablets and other connected devices rather than waiting in emergency rooms. County leaders said the provider plans to begin offering services in June.
Recognition of military service also took place during the meeting as commissioners proclaimed May 25 as Memorial Day in Johnston County. Commissioner Ted Godwin, a veteran, read a proclamation honoring the 248 Johnston County residents killed in action during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Several subdivision streets were recommended for addition to the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s maintenance system. Those roads include North Goodling Park Drive and South Goodling Park Drive in the Goodling Road subdivision in Micro Township; Abingdon Farm Drive in the Abingdon subdivision in O’Neals Township; Jackson Pond Drive in the Jackson subdivision in Boon Hill Township; Stickleback Drive and Kingfish Trail in the Wyncliffe Pond subdivision in Pleasant Grove Township; and Painted Horse Drive in the Percy Place subdivision in Elevation Township.
Attention also turned to the county’s upcoming budget process. Commissioners scheduled a public hearing on the proposed 2026-27 county budget for 10 a.m. June 1 in the commissioners meeting room at the courthouse in Smithfield. Additional budget discussions are planned for 6 p.m. May 18, June 1 and June 15.
Federal housing assistance funding was addressed through approval of the county’s 2026-27 Housing Assistance Payments Program operating plan. The plan includes $5.2 million to support 619 housing vouchers.
Funding requests for juvenile justice programs were also presented to commissioners. The county’s Juvenile Crime Prevention Council is seeking $112,000 for alternatives to incarceration for juvenile offenders and anticipates receiving an additional $393,380 in state funding.
County operations could soon shift into additional office space after commissioners approved leasing the former Tucker Furniture building at 501 E. Market St. in downtown Smithfield. Part of the Public Utilities Department and all of Technology Services would move into the nearly 18,000-square-foot building under a lease agreement valued at $214,836 annually.
Budget amendments approved during the meeting included an additional $53,821 in revenue for the Public Health Department and $24,091.70 for the Department of Social Services.
Commissioners also appointed Art Watkins to the Firefighters Relief Fund Board of Trustees as the representative for the McLemore Fire District. The board assists firefighters facing financial hardship.
Approval was given for six fire departments to purchase tanker trucks costing a combined $579,227. Departments receiving the trucks include 50-210, Antioch, Bethany, Four Oaks, Micro and Princeton. Officials said the vehicles are expected to take between 700 and 750 days to build.
No action was taken following a closed session on a legal matter.