FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – County Manager Kevin Tanner presented the FY 2022 proposed budget to the Board of Commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting and the timeline for final approval of the $163,174,088 document.

The budget planning process started in March 2021 with meetings between Tanner, the Finance Department and county department heads. In June, commissioners authorized staff to advertise the millage rate at 4 percent and in July millage rate public hearings were held. On November 3, the Board of Commissioners will hold public hearings and adopt the new spending plan.

The county receives only 28.6 percent of the tax revenue with the balance going to the Board of Education.

County Manager Kevin Tanner

Tanner said county employees will receive a 4.9 percent cost of living allowance increase next year and the county will have a contingency fund of about $2.7 million

The Board also approved:

• A purchase order with ATI Systems in the amount of $146,067.00; 2021 for the purchase of five additional early warning systems;
• The award of Bid 21-115-3150 for Emergency Repair Pipe Lining and Grout at Chamonix Drive with Chase Reline Inc. in the amount of $203,300.00;
• Change Order #5 with Archer Western, LLC on the Fowler Reclamation Facility Expansion Project for the Department of Water and Sewer;
• The award of RFP 21-110-1562 to Foresite Group for as-needed third party review of Cell Tower Conditional Use Permit Applications for the calendar year 2022 for the Department of Planning and Community Development
• The award of RFP 21-112-5211 for the Eagle’s Beak Park Playground Design and Installation for the Department of Parks and Recreation to GameTime in the amount of $299,645.87;
• Amendment #5 to the Task Order with CH2MHill Engineers, Inc. for the Fowler Reclamation Facility Expansion Project for the Department of Water and Sewer in the amount of $47,508;
• Issue of a Task Order to Precision Planning, Inc. for Field Survey, Utility Relocation Design, Permitting, and Construction Support Services for the Post Road Widening from Kelly Mill Road to SR 20 Project in an amount not to exceed $192,715;
• Issue of a Task Order to Precision Planning, Inc. for Water and Sewer Field Survey, Utility Design, and Construction Support Services for the SR 9 at SR 369 Connector/Bannister Road Project in an amount not to exceed $85,870;
• The Sheriff’s Office request to change designated official pertaining to Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Law Enforcement Training Grant Award #K-75-8-017;
• Authorization for the Sheriff’s Office to accept award for the FY2022 Governor of Highway Safety H.E.A.T Grant federal funds in the amount of $77,680.64 with a 60% match required in the amount of $116,520.96.;
• Authorization for the Sheriff’s Office to accept award of the FY2021 State Homeland Security Program/CERT, Project #13, in the amount of $11,306 (no match required);
• Authorization for the Sheriff’s Office to accept award for the FY2021 State Homeland Security Program/ EOD K9, project #50 in the amount of $73,500 (no required match).
• Approval of a Resolution authorizing a 5% sewer service and reuse water rate increase for the Manor Development;
• Approval for the restoration of the Tolbert Street Cemetery by Leadership Forsyth as its 2021/2022 class project;
• Direction regarding a County-Initiated Sketch Plat for a 20,720 sq. ft. addition to an existing 76,000 sq. ft. office/manufacturing facility on 5 acres currently zoned Restricted Industrial District (M1):
• Amendments to the Board of Commissioners’ Rules and Procedures regarding Proclamations and/or Ceremonial Resolutions;
• The redrawing of district boundary lines;
• A First Amendment to the Tower Site Lease Agreement and Memorandum between the Board of Commissioners of Forsyth County and Crown Castle Towers 06-2 LLC;
• A quit claim deed in favor of Arthur Carrasco and Lillian Carrasco (1295 Rockbass – Riverbrooke Subdivision) related to a delinquent sewer payment lien associated with Waterscape Utilities;
• A resolution to condemn property interests in parcel 11 of the Old Atlanta Road, Phase IV, Project No. WID 0208-1 with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same. Estimated just and adequate compensation: $70,800.00;
• Authorization for the County Attorney to execute and file with the Superior Court a Consent Order and Judgment resolving all issues in the condemnation involving Bethelview Road Parcel 213 in the amount of $ 71,100 with authorization for the Chair to sign a Quitclaim Deed releasing the permanent easement to the owners, Jerry and Barbara Bagley, subject to the terms of the Consent Order and Quitclaim Deed that the owners maintain the drainage in the area of the permanent easement.
• Direction regarding a County-Initiated rezoning from A1 to M1 with a variance to the sewer distance requirement, Parcel 250-172;

All votes were 4-0 with Commissioner Molly Cooper absent ad Commissioner Alfred John abstained on the restoration of the Tolbert Street Cemetery.