• Access to the agency’s lobbies is limited to staff.
• The public may pick up paper applications for FNS and Medicaid in the front corridor of Building 1 (the main building at 714 North Street, Smithfield). Applications include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for mailing, or you can place your application in the drop-box outside the agency. The drop-box is checked several times each business day. For assistance with the application, please call 919-989-5300.
• DSS staff will be available by phone and email during normal business hours; Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. All residents may contact the Department of Social Services for instructions and assistance at 919-989-5300.
• As always, residents may apply for public assistance benefits online through ePass via www.johnstonnc.com/dss/ or call 919-989-5300.

The Register of Deeds office will continue to adhere to CDC and local authorities' recommendations to promote social distancing to protect all staff and public during this COVID-19 Emergency.

• Mr. Olive strongly encourages the public to utilize his office's online services such as electronic recording of real estate documents and online requests for birth, death and marriage certificates.
• His office is allowing limited public access. This access allows 3 customers in our Vital Records area at one time and 2 customers in our Real Estate area at one time. There is a drop-box by the Register of Deeds Office door to drop off documents for recording and mailing. Our Vault area will be used to service customers for passport processing. The Vault area can be used for title updates by practicing social distancing. If others are outside waiting, we ask that you please limit yourself to 5 minutes.
• Couples wishing to obtain a marriage license should call 919-989-5161 for an appointment. The couple will need to complete the online marriage application prior to coming to the Register of Deeds office and then will be assisted in the hallway to comply with the 6 feet distancing recommendations.
• Citizens needing to complete their Notary Oath will be assisted in the hallway, however, appointments are preferred.
• Passports are being processed by appointment only. However, we are advised from the Passport Agency there will be a significant delay of several months for the processing to be completed.

The public is encouraged to call the Register of Deeds office at 919-989-5160 or 919-989-5161 if there are any questions.

View the latest information on the Public Utilities Office COVID-19 Response.

Payments

The following convenient payment options for monthly water and sewer bills are available:

• Place check or money order in the mail using your tear off payment slip.
• Use the overnight drop box at the parking lot entrance to the Land Use Center (309 E. Market St, Smithfield).
• Automatic bank draft – activation form available on our website at https://www.jcutil.com.
• Bank account bill pay allowing at least 5 days for delivery to our lockbox address<./li>
• Online bill pay: https://www.johnstonnc.com/paywaterbill.
• Automated phone system: 1-844-845-2151 (Para Español Elija Opcion #2).

Please make sure to include your account number with all payments.

Please be advised that the $1.95 transaction fee for online and phone payments has been temporarily suspended.

Applications for Service

Please visit our website at https://www.jcutil.com to complete an application for water and/or sewer service with one of the following methods:

• On-line with DocuSign®
• Print, complete and fax the application to (919) 934-0256
• Print, complete and mail the application to JCPU, PO Box 2263, Smithfield, NC 27577
• Call our office for an appointment if you must appear in person to apply (919-989-5075)

We will not provide same day service and appreciate more than one day notice for service activation during this time

Purchase Trash Decals ($100.00)

• Purchase on-line at www.jcutil.com and the decal will be delivered by registered mail to your home.
• Print, complete and mail the form from our website along with your check or money order and the decal will be delivered by registered mail to your home.

No decals will be sold at the Land Use Center at this time.

Irrigation Permits

Irrigation permits will ONLY be sold over the phone with a credit card at (919) 989-5075. Our Field technician will deliver an irrigation permit sign to your property address with a door hanger confirming delivery.

Plan Submittal and Meetings

All plans for review should be submitted electronically or sent via USPS, FedEx or UPS delivery.

All meetings will be conducted via conference call or digital media.

Please call (919) 209-8333 or email a staff member for additional information.

Call or Email

Our office continues to operate during normal hours -- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please contact us at (919) 989-5075 or publicutilities@johnstonnc.com, if you have any questions or need additional information.

All departments are open and will continue to conduct business operations in a modified manner. However, please email, call or go online to conduct business, instead of coming in person until further notice. The building will have limited access for customers to use drop-boxes located in the foyer area just inside the doors adjacent to the parking lot. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we all adjust to temporarily modified operations.

The library will offer limited services to ensure the health of staff and patrons. The library will continue its curbside services. This service is available from Monday through Friday from 9:00 am-5:00 pm. On September 8th, the library will allow a maximum of 50 people at a time in the facility. Patrons will be allowed to browse the shelves and check out materials. Patrons will not have access to any meeting room spaces. Patrons must wear a mask while in the building. At the end of the month, the library will reevaluate and start the next phase of services.

The library is quarantining and disinfecting all returned materials for at least 24 hours. No fines will be assessed on the materials. The library has hand sanitizer stations throughout the building to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The staff will wear face masks, and new shields are in place at customer service desks.

The library will allow patrons to use computers by appointment only. Please make sure you call and set an appointment before coming to the library. Computer use will be available for job searches, filing unemployment, taxes, and other essential reasons. The printers will be self-served.

For questions about library services, schedule curbside pick-up, or reserve computer time, please call the library at 919-934-8146.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.
- Renita Barksdale, Library Director

If you do not have a library card, you may apply for a Temporary Virtual Library Card here. Temporary Virtual Library Cards give you access to all our online resources, including cloudLibrary, NCKids, NCLive, Mango Languages, and more.

• The tax office is closed to visitors. Staff is available by phone or email Monday - Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
• Tax forms can be found on our website.
• Paper forms are in the hallway, outside the Tax Listing Office.

The GIS Office is open and conducting business operations in a modified manner. Public access to the office is restricted. Please call 919-989-5153 or email gis@johnstonnc.com to schedule an appointment for a porch pickup time.

1. Direct access to the office is closed, but any VA application for any benefits can be completed by calling our office at 919-989-5067. We are physically in the office!
2. We are taking applications by phone and obtaining electronic signatures by email utilizing "eversign" program.
3. For those who do not have email, we can mail the completed applications for signature with return envelope and postage.
4. We have a secure drop off box in the foyer of the Land Use Center which allows veterans to drop off any documents. We check the box at least twice a day and will call the veteran the same day if we have any questions.
5. We are meeting veterans in the foyer of the Land Use Center on a case by case basis if necessary.
6. We are utilizing Cisco Webex to conduct any needed conference meetings with veterans and/or veteran organizations.
7. In the process of preparing for our annual Memorial Day Ceremony in the Johnston County Courthouse on Monday May 25th at 1100. Plan to livestream the event through the county's social media venues in case we are unable to provide access to the public.
8. The federal VA regional offices across the country are closed. All federal VA employee's are teleworking from home.
9. VA hospitals are open but are limiting access to veterans who must be screened prior to entering the facility. Most VA doctor appointments are conducted by alternate means such as Teledoc. The VA hospitals are open though for appropriate level of care.

The front office door is locked. Knock on the door and a staff member will assist you. All other services are operating normally.

The Heritage Center is open on regular schedule, Monday-Saturday, 9-5. Face coverings are required, and persons in the Reading Room are required to use hand sanitizer or wear gloves before handling collection materials.

Submittals

All planning and zoning submittals (plats, minor subdivisions: BLUE CARD requests, rezoning/special use applications, major subdivision, commercial site plan) should be submitted:

• electronically to planning@johnstonnc.com, or
• sent to our office via USPS, FedEx, or UPS delivery, or
• dropped off at the Land Use Center in the designated area inside the vestibule at the parking lot entrance.

Meetings

All public meetings have been postponed. Any meetings needed with staff will be conducted via telephone. Please contact the department at (919) 989-5150 or planning@johnstonnc.com to schedule a meeting.

In-person TRC meetings are cancelled until further notice. Comments from TRC review will be emailed to the designated individual as indicated on the respective application.

Announcements of any changes will be sent out by public notice, our email listserv, and posted on our website. You may sign up for our listserv on our website at https://www.johnstonnc.com/planning.

Payments

• Payments by check may be mailed to:

  Johnston County Planning
  309 E. Market Street
  Smithfield, NC 27577

• Or, placed in the payment drop box in vestibule of the Land Use Center, and identified as “PLANNING”. Checks or certified checks are preferable. Please make certain that your payment has noted the project or applicant name on the check. All receipts will be mailed to the address listed on the check.

Call or Email

Our office continues to operate during normal business hours -- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please contact us at (919) 989-5150 or planning@johnstonnc.com.

Applications

All Environmental Health applications and owners' consent forms must be signed before submitting. The forms can be found on our web site. Applications may be:

• submitted electronically to ehapplications@johnstonnc.com,
• sent to our office via USPS, FedEx, or UPS delivery,
• or dropped off in the vestibule of the Land Use Center in the designated drop-box located at the parking lot entrance.

Payments

• Payments by check (included with application) may be mailed to:
  Johnston County Environmental Health
  309 E. Market Street
  Smithfield, NC 27577
• Or placed in the payment drop box in vestibule of the Land Use identified as “Environmental Health”.

Please make certain that your payment has noted the project, applicant name, and phone number on the check. You may also pay by credit or check card by phone. All receipts will be emailed to the email address listed on the application.

Meetings

All meetings will be conducted via digital media or phone conference calls. Please contact the department at (919) 989-5180 to schedule a meeting. In-person meetings are cancelled until further notice.

Call or Email

Our office continues to operate during normal business hours -- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please contact us at (919) 989-5180.

Permit Applications and Plan Submittal

Applications for permits and plans will be accepted as follows:

• By email to inspections@johnstonnc.com (attachment file size should not exceed 10 MB)
• Left in the drop box located in the Land Use Center lobby labeled “INSPECTIONS”.

Once the permit is ready, we will call to accept your payment by credit/debit card over the phone, or you may mail checks to Johnston County Inspections Department at 309 E. Market Street, Smithfield NC 27577.

Inspection Requests

Schedule inspection requests by telephone at (919) 989-5060 each day by 4:00 pm, to be scheduled for the next business day. Our inspectors are continuing to perform their daily duties and we ask everyone to continue to practice "social distancing" when inspections are being conducted.

Please wait to call in inspections that are not safe to be handled. This would include inspections that require access to occupied homes, hospitals, etc. If you have any questions, please give us a call at (919) 989-5060. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Contact

Contact our office by phone (919) 989-5060, email (inspections@johnstonnc.com) or fax (919) 989-5431 instead of coming inside, and our website is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• The HAPP office lobby is closed to the general public. Program participants and landlords are being asked to contact us directly during normal business hours, and make arrangements to conduct business in a non-contact manner.
• Our staff is available at the following numbers and business is being conducted as normal with the exception of no physical contact (Social Distancing).
  • Allison Dunn – 919-989-5070 (contact for general questions)
  • Randy J. Smale- – 919-989-5074
  • Barbara Mitchell – 919-989-5071
  • Denise Tyree – 919-989-5072
  • Myrtle Cooke – 919-989-5417
  • Dawna Weaver -919-989-5073
• Payments can be put in the drop box, or they can be mailed to:

  Johnston County HAPP
  P.O. Box 1515
  Smithfield, NC 27577

• Annual Inspections are currently being conducted with proper precautions being taken for the safety of our inspector and participants.
• In person voucher briefings and recertification interviews (interim and annual) have been put on hold until after June 30, 2020. Participants are still encouraged to mail in their Annual recertification paperwork and supporting documentation.
• We are still conducting initial inspections on unoccupied units.
• Changes of Status along with supporting documentation will be done by mail, over the phone, or by E-mail.

How to Access Application Information

• Download and print forms, or
• Pick-up forms from the Main Building Entrance, or
• Request that an application be mailed to you by calling 919-989-5300 or emailing dss@johnstonnc.com.

You can check to see if you are eligible online now at North Carolina ePASS .
 

How to Apply

• Apply online at epass.nc.gov.
• Submit a paper application by:
  • Dropping off paperwork in locked drop box outside of Building 1, or
  • Faxing completed and signed paperwork to 919-989-5324, or
  • Mailing completed application to:

    Johnston County DSS
    P. O. Box 911
    Smithfield NC 27577

For Medicaid questions, please call 919-989-5300 or email dss@johnstonnc.com.

How to Access Application Information

• Download and print forms, or
• Pick-up forms from the Main Building Entrance, or
• Request that an application be mailed to you by calling 919-989-5300 or emailing dss@johnstonnc.com.

You can check to see if you are eligible online now at North Carolina ePASS .

How to Apply

• Apply online at epass.nc.gov, or
• Submit a paper application by:
  • Dropping off paperwork in locked drop box outside of Building 1, or
  • Faxing completed and signed paperwork to 919-989-5324, or
  • Mailing completed application to:

    Johnston County DSS
    P.O. Box 911
    Smithfield NC 27577

For Food and Nutrition questions, please call 919-989-5300 or email dss@johnstonnc.com.

To Report Child or Adult Abuse or Neglect:

• Monday through Friday 8 am through 5 pm: (919) 989-5300.
• After hours, weekends and holidays: 911 or (919) 989-5000.
• If the adult or child is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

If you have Nursing Home concerns, please call (919) 989-5300.

Johnston County Area Transit System (JCATS) offers Human Services Transportation and Public Transportation. During this time, JCATS staff is taking extra precautions to keep riders safe.

• Public Transportation
• https://www.jcats.org
• Fleet Hours of operations:
  Monday - Friday from 4:30 am to 9:00 pm
  Saturday 4:30 am to 5:00 pm
• To schedule your ride, please call 919-202-5030.
• Human Services Transportation
• Offering non-emergency medical transportation for full Medicaid recipients
• To request transportation, please call 919-989-5300 with your specific need

For questions, please call 919-202-5030 or email info@jcats.org.

Work First Program

• Application interviews will be conducted via phone.
• Please call 919-989-5300 and ask to speak with a Work First Social Worker or Supervisor.

NCWorks COVID-19 Jobs and Information

• Find information related to unemployment insurance information and current job postings at NCWorks COVID-19 Jobs Information Hub.
• For questions, please call 919-553-0953 or email ncworks.8200@nccommerce.com.

• HAPP is not currently taking Section 8 applications.
• Those coming from other counties or states - Interviews with a Housing Specialist are currently being offered over the phone. Please call 919-989-5070 to schedule your appointment.
• For information about income based apartments, visit https://www.johnstonnc.com/happ/availableprop.cfm.
• For all other questions, please call 919-989-5070 or email happ@johnstonnc.com.

Hope Line
If you or someone your know is experiencing social isolation or other concerns related to social distancing, please contact the toll-free Hope Line at 1-866-578-4673 or 1-866-578-HOPE.

CDC Telephonic Resources
If you or a loved one is feeling overwhelmed, get support 24/7 by calling 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUS to 66746.

Donation Drop-Off Sites

The following locations are currently accepting non-perishable food, paper products, hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, gloves and medical masks:

• First Baptist Church of Smithfield
  202 S. 4th Street Smithfield, NC 27577
  Drop off hours: Monday - Friday, 9AM - 4PM
  Bins are located outside the Church Office Entrance
• St. Peter's Church of Christ
  1011 Massey Street Smithfield, NC 27577
  Drop off hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 12PM - 2PM
  Drop off donations at Church Office
• Wilson's Mills Baptist Church
  652 Swift Creek Road Smithfield, NC 27577
  Drop off hours: Monday - Friday, 9AM - 2PM
  Bins will be located outside the Church Office
• Four Oaks United Methodist Church
  302 N. Church Street Four Oaks, NC 27524
  Drop off hours: Monday - Friday, 9AM - 12PM
  Drop off under drive thru shelter behind Fellowship Hall
• Four Oaks Baptist Church
  403 N. Main Street Four Oaks, NC 27524
  Drop off hours: Monday - Friday, 9AM - 1PM
  Bins will be located under the Church's drive thru shelter
• Kenly Fire Department
  101 W. 1st Street Kenly, NC 27542
  Drop off hours: Monday - Friday, 9AM - 4PM
  Designated bins will be located outside
• Benson Baptist Church
  200 W. Church Street Benson, NC 27504
  Drop off hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10AM - 1PM
  Ring bell at Church office and leave donations at the door

Financial Donations can be made to:

1. Johnston County Longterm Recovery
   P.O. Box 530
   Smithfield, NC 27577
2. Johnston County Unmet Needs Fund
   P.O. Box 1049
   Smithfield, NC 27577

Additional Websites and Resources:

• https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/
• https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/covid19
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html