SMITHFIELD, N.C. — The Johnston County Board Of Commissioners approved a proposed $127 million budget Tuesday night.

The budget reportedly will not raise taxes or property taxes.

The county reportedly will need $2.4 million from its reserve funds to balance the budget. It will spend $37 million on education needs for kindergarten through 12th grade.

Separate from that amount will be $3 million in funding for Johnston County Community College.

Commissioners also granted Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell's request for four additional deputies.

The deputies will patrol U.S. 70 and rural roads fulltime, targeting speeders and aggressive drivers in the fast-growing county. Twelve poeple died on Johnston County roads last month.

Bizzell says he could use 12 additional deputies, but says he will wait until the economy improves before making another request.