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Serving Princeton, Rosewood, Brogden, E. Johnston Co., W. Wayne Co., North Carolina |
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ObituariesHeadlines Hester has county growth well in hand Johnston EMS system under scrutiny Girls basketball: Eagle girls fall to North Johnston Panthers • Lady Bulldogs take third win Boys basketball: Eagles still looking for win • Barefoot, Hinton take Bulldogs to victory Photos Princeton vs. North Duplin boys, girls basketball Rosewood vs. North Johnston boys, girls basketball Movies Cloverfield
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Hester has county growth well in handBy Barry Merrill 23 January 2008 — The challenges of growth are not sneaking up on Johnston County, according to County Manager Rick Hester in an interview earlier this month.
The challenge of the drought gave the county some difficulties, but this year they are better prepared. Tim Broome, director of Public Utilities for the county, commented that the county has some booster pump stations that have come online, which will help this year. “Provided there is an adequate raw water supply, we won’t be as pressed to meet peak demands as we were,” Mr. Broome said earlier this month. The Army Corps of Engineers manages the Falls Lake Reservoir, and they regularly released water down the Neuse River, which provides the raw water supply for Johnston County. Mr. Broome’s one reservation, which we hope is remote, is that the Corps might alter their release schedule, affecting the amount of water available below the reservoir. Mr. Broome also commented that irrigation was the force behind the county’s challenge last year, and they have taken some steps to deal with that. The county has increased rates for high usage. Mr. Hester pointed out that the average home in the county uses 5500 gallons a month, and the rate change does not impact homeowners until they reach the 9,000 gallon level. Mr. Hester commented in his home with teenagers, he doesn’t usually break the 9,000 gallon level. Mr. Broome also noted that the country received permission this fall to expand their sewer treatment from 7 million gallons a day to 9.5 million. He also noted that they have acquired land that is zoned appropriately to handle further expansion. Managing growth has been a big part of Mr. Hester’s career with Johnston County. He came to work in the planning department in 1987, when there were about 70,000 residents in Johnston County. During that time, and most especially during the last nine years he has been serving as County Manager, the county population has grown to 155,000. While obviously there has been residential growth, there has also been a good bit of commercial and industrial growth. The opening of I-40 has been a big boost, but having that major route, along with I-95 and near-interstate-quality US Hwy. 70, will continue to bring new business and industry our way. Mr. Hester acknowledged that some will always be critical of the county not doing enough, but added that sometimes people don’t realize the criteria that some industries require of a new location. “Some industries may want a minimum of 100 acres. That gets us down to just a few sites. “We’ve got to have the land available and a willing seller when they call.” While he is proud of the industrial successes that the county has had, he also pointed out that small business is the backbone of the country, and it is where most of the jobs in the county are created. “It’s not just the big ones like Sysco.” He also noted that the county has partnered with towns to bring in industry, and that has been very good for both. He said if anyone wants their property to be considered for an industrial site, to be sure County Economic Development Director Michael DeSherbinin has their information. When asked about the potential for a tax increase, Mr. Hester did not offer a direct answer. “The Board (of Commissioners) has implemented some financial policies that we all want to live by.” He acknowledged that providing facilities for county services and maintaining buildings is challenging. He acknowledged that Sheriff Bizzell is working through trying to build a new jail facility, though part of his financing plan involves renting out jail space to other jurisdictions to house their prisoners. Mr. Hester said that, while they want to keep county offices in downtown Smithfield for a number of reasons, finding available space and providing parking is an increasing challenge. As representative of their current space problems, the county commissioners’ meeting room serves as a courtroom during other days in the month. He also acknowledged that much of their budget has been dealing with new school buildings. While there is a natural tension, he acknowledged, between the school board and county commissioners, in spite of the pressures, he felt the two boards and their staffs have good working relationships. He noted that when the superintendent’s staff is considering sites for new schools, they consult with county staff about infrastructure availability. “They are advocates for the school system. The way the legislature structured the relationship creates some of that conflict.” Still, given the demands of a growing school system and a board of commissioners who is trying to keep taxes down, “I think they come together very well.” He added it might be helpful for the two boards to have more joint meetings in the future. Last fall there was a lot of conflict over the funding of additional school busses that was worked out. Mr. Hester said the two chairs, Commissioners Chairman Cookie Pope and School Board Chairman Fred Bartholomew, deserve a lot of credit in resolving that quickly and without further problems. “The county commissioners and the school board are going to try to do everything they can to help the kids. They are our future.” Early in the interview, Mr. Broome commented on the Princeton Reservoir projects. While the plan to use the current quarry is still over ten years away, he said they have closed the sale on several of the tracts for the old quarry, and expects the closings on the rest by the end of January. Princeton Mayor Don Rains has brought up working with the county on water and sewer projects, and Mr. Hester said he looks forward to working with the town in any way they can.
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Wayne Wilson News Leader
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