Johnston County Manager Releases Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget Summary

May 24, 2024

For Immediate Release:

Dear Board Members,

The proposed fiscal year 2024-2025 general fund budget is presented at $364.5 million with a 69 cents per $100 valuation property tax rate. The proposed budget expenses are 3.7% more than the current year's adopted budget. I look forward to sharing more details about the proposed budget at the June 3, 2024 public hearing. I may have some amendments to present that day as well, as projections can change.

One of the goals each budget year is to present a proposed budget that is sustainable and allows for future debt capacity for large capital projects. A special thanks goes to Deputy County Manager and Director of Finance Chad McLamb, department heads and the County-wide team for their work on this budget. It has truly been a team effort.

Recommended Funding for Education Partners

We enjoy a great working relationship with our education partners, Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) and Johnston Community College (JCC). Recommended preliminary allocations for supplemental current expense plus capital outlay are shown below. Please note these recommendations may change prior to the budget meetings based on additional information between now and June's budget meeting.

            FY 24-25 Current Expense        FY 24-25 Capital Outlay

JCPS                $93,322,000                               $3,000,000

JCC                  $6,912,390                                $1,200,000

Proposed New Positions- General Fund/Enterprise Fund

General Fund: There are new full time general fund positions requested and one new part time position, as follows:

Social Services- 36 positions (Includes some federal reimbursements)

Emergency Services- 7 positions (Includes some federal reimbursements)

Public Health- 5 positions

911 Communications- 4 positions

Building Inspections- 1 position

Veterans Services Office- 1 position

Internal Audit- 1 position

Board of Elections- 1 position

Technology Services- 1 position

Enterprise Funds: There are nine full time positions requested in the Public Utilities Enterprise Fund and one full time position in Solid Waste.

Employee Compensation

Funds are included for a pay adjustment in July with the potential of a performance pay adjustment in October. My recommendation is being finalized and will be presented during the upcoming budget meetings. Funds are also budgeted for alternate year pay review adjustments.

Proposed Fee Increases in General Fund and Enterprise Funds

Proposed Fee Increases in the General Fund:

Planning- effective September 1, 2024

Building Inspections- effective July 1, 2024

Proposed Fee Increases in the Enterprise Fund:

Public Utilities- Plan review, permitting and inspection fees- effective July 1, 2024; Water and Wastewater fees effective September 1, 2024

Solid Waste- $3 increase in tipping fee; $45/ton to $48/ton- effective date August 1, 2024

Countywide Fire Tax Rate

The fire service advisory workgroup is recommending a 14 cents Countywide tax rate, and that recommendation is included with the proposed budget.

Budget Related Board Meetings

As a reminder, budget meetings are tentatively scheduled for:

*Monday, June 3 at 10:00 a.m.- Public Hearing

*Monday, June 10 at 6:00 p.m.

*Monday, June 17 at 6:00 p.m.

Sincerely,

Rick J. Hester

Johnston County Manager