The Johnston County Board of Commissioners, meeting on Jan. 5, initiated several projects to enhance the area's recreational and essential services infrastructure. According to a social media post from Johnston County Government, the Commissioners' morning session was busy with decisions that ranged from accepting a grant for expanding the Neuse River Trail to appointing and reappointing local residents to advisory roles.
Notably, the Commissioners welcomed a $225,000 grant from North Carolina's Great Trail State Program, aimed at purchasing land crucial for the Neuse River Trail development. An agreement for the construction of a new boat ramp on the Neuse River, to be built using a mix of grant and county dollars, was signed paving the way. Additionally, they strategized the sharing costs for fire protection, implementing a new policy that allocates expenses based on various metrics like call volume and property values.
Further enhancements include the lease of the former Rose Dairy Farm from the Triangle Land Conservancy, which the county aims to transform into a new park. In efforts to connect communities and commerce, the Comprehensive Trails & Greenways Plan was adopted, promising future trails linking several towns. Addressing some administrative changes, Charlie Harper and Hampton Whittington's appointments to the Benson Planning Board and the Johnston County Economic Development Advisory Board, respectively, were confirmed.
During their evening meeting, Commissioners turned their attention toward updates on water and sewage projects. The crucial expansion of the water-treatment plant was discussed, poised to increase its capacity significantly, as revealed in the same Johnston County Government's post. They also received a progress report on the County's goals from their 2025 planning retreat, including the nearing adoption of a new Unified Development Ordinance and construction plans for a new home for the Department of Social Services.
