This deserves a thread of its own, don't you think? I'm sorry, I don't have a link, I cannot find anything online! Here are the 3 bond issues that will be on the ballot: 1. Johnston County Recreation, $3.7 million Towns: Smithfield $475,000 Clayton 475,000 Selma 291,000 Benson 205,000 Four Oaks 175,000 Kenly 150,000 Pine Level 150,000 Princeton 150,000 Wilson's Mills 150,000 Micro 125,000 Rural Athletic associations or Community Organizations Cleveland $335,000 McGee's Crossroads 300,000 Meadow 225,000 Archer Lodge 225,000 Corinth 110,000 Glendale Chapel 110,000 2. Johnston County School System, $99 million New High Schools: Corinth-Archer area Cleveland area New elementary schools: Clayton area Princeton area Additions: Riverwood Elementary Riverwood Middle Renovations: North Johnston South Johnston Princeton Smithfield-Selma Clayton 3. Johnston Community College, $10 million Additions: Allied Health Building New Library
I still say that I want my taxes back from paying into the school system when I dont even like kids! :mrgreen:
What's the alternative? Does anybody know? They say they can do it without a tax increase. We need the schools, don't we? The bulk of the money goes to elementary and high schools. If the population of Johnston County is 120,000 (I think that's about right) then the total bond issue comes to about $939 per person. Total. For schools and recreation. Just throwing out some random thoughts, don't know if it helps or not. :? Pat
Are the dreaded "Year Round Schools" and alternative if we choose not to build anymore? Or do we just order more trailers?
the needs are critical for all three of these bond issues -- however the passing of these bonds only takes care of immediate needs -- there seems to be NO LONG TERM planning by the commissioners as to how to address FUTURE growth -- we keep borrowing (essentially what a bond is) -- the well is not bottomless -- we haven't begun to pay off the past bonds -- the commissioners keep saying this is a great way to finance these projects because they won't raise property taxes however at some point the bonds become due --
OK, a bunch of questions: Didn't we just have a bond a few years ago? Is this part 2 of the same one? How long does it take to build a high school (I'm hoping a while, because I want my kids to STAY at West)? Who decides what the 'recreation' money is used for, since we are not really a town? (I vote for a public pool!)
I wish I could answer all your questions. I'm searching for answers, and will let you know when I get them. Meanwhile, here's an article about the bonds from the Clayton paper. Pat
Strange that there has been so little in the local press about the Bond votes. Remember there are 3 to vote for or against. - K
no, they are hoping no one knows about it and only the people that want them show up so they pass. Why else choose May 8?
Building the high schools is more of a long term thing. By the time they're build, the need for them will be there in spades. Right now, there's not a great need.
Vita~ Yes, this is part 2 of the bond thing. I *think* it's in 3 parts, but can't remember. The plan is a 10 yr plan. The building of the high schools won't effect yourt kids if they're at West right now. Since WE AREN'T A TOWN/CITY etc, the Count Commissioners decide what the recreation $$ is used for. If we want to stop them, we have to become OUR OWN. Frogger
Can somebody tell me how these bonds work? I know they are technically borrowing money, but how are they able to not raise our property tax? Thanks, Sharon
Sharon, I think it's like trading cars when you get one paid for - maybe you can do it without increasing your payments, but if you had not traded, your payments would go away. We have always, apparently, used bonds to build schools, so as we get the older ones paid for and issue new bonds to build more, we pay on the new bonds from the money we no longer have to pay on the old ones. That's probably over-simplified, but that's the idea. Pat
Thanks Pat, that makes sense, so then I guess I can assume Johnston County paid one off this year and they are replacing it with another? Thanks, Sharon
bond The recreation money for the Cleveland area is for GCAA to improve the fields at the old Cleveland school, build the restroom facilities, and improve the fields at West View. The new elementary school in Clayton will be to reduce the populations at Cooper, East Clayton, and possibly West Clayton (very few students affected at West Clayton most likely. Whether or not the bond passes, these schools will be built. If the bond doesn't pass, the county commissioners will probably vote to raise property taxes or they'll go to the legislature for the sales tax increase other counties have done.
