City/County local option sales tax negotiations on BOC agenda

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — County Commissioners have a full slate of 23 agenda items to consider when they meet in a work session today (Aug. 9) in the Administration Building, 110 East Main Street in Cumming.

Commissioners will discuss renewal of the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) and the negotiation of the intergovernmental agreement with the City of Cumming.

The two governments must come to an agreement on the distribution of funds generated by the local option sales tax (LOST) by Sept. 1 or they will have to submit to non-binding agreement or mediation. Commissioner Laura Semanson has represented the county in those negotiations.

The Board will also consider a budget second amendment to the services agreement with Common Courtesy, Inc. that will more than double the cost of the original not-to-exceed contract from $140,000.00 to $290,000.00.

Additional items to be discussed include:

  • Authorization for the Sheriff’s Office to accept the award of
    the BJA FY 22 Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding in the amount of $235,000 with no required match;
  • Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding for contractors
    to provide treatment services, substance screening, and 4th Amendment waiver;
  • Approval of a Sub-Grant Agreement with the Georgia
    Department of Transportation (GDOT) for the award of FTA 5311 Operating Grant Funds in the amount of $170,671.00 with a 50/50 required match;
  • Authorization to apply for the State of Georgia FY2023 Local
    Maintenance & Improvement Grant (LMIG) for an amount not to exceed $2,739,311.67 with a required match of up to $1,173,990.60;
  • Approval to award Bid 22-47-1514 to provide all labor,
    materials, and equipment for the renovation of the Central Park Recreation Center to Cooper & Company General Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $7,400,000;
  • Approval of the purchase of 518 Stream Buffer Mitigation
    Credits in the amount of $95,830.00 from Three Creeks Mitigation Bank, LLC for the McGinnis Ferry Widening Project (PEW08 – widening portion only);
  • Acceptance of the FY22 BJA Byrne Discretionary
    Community Project Grant in the amount of $90,000 with no required match;
  • Authorization to implement a 4% Cost of Living Adjustment
    (COLA) for FY 2022, as of September 26, 2022, for specific positions identified to receive a Market Salary Adjustment in FY 2023 in the following Departments: Sheriff’s
    Office; Fire; and, E-911 in the not to exceed amount of $827,750.00;
  • Authorization to amend Revenues and Expenses on behalf
    of the Department of Parks and Recreation in the amount of $51,000;
    (11) A Board generated rezoning for ZA3952, Yousef Emtairah. In accordance with UDC 8-5.5(I), if an application for a
    Land Disturbance Permit has not been submitted within 18 months of zoning approval, the Board may consider rezoning to a constitutional zoning designation;
  • Modification(s) to the Forsyth County Sign Ordinance and Unified Development Code regarding Electronic Message Boards and Window Signs for certain commercial purposes – Planning;
  • Amendments to the Unified Development Code related to Variances to Parking Surfacing within Chapters 8 and 17;
  • Correction, realignment, modification, and clarification to the boundaries and site plan of the Coal Mountain Town Center;
  • Amendments to the Unified
    Development Code related to the Coal Mountain Overlay within Chapter 21, to include amendments that would incorporate the Coal Mountain Town Center Design
    Standards into the existing Overlay;
  • A County-Initiated Amendment to Zoning Conditions for ZA2548 tax map/parcel 237-002;
  • Ratification/approval of the ARC LCI McFarland Feasibility Study Contract, that was the product of RFP 21-179-3130, where the Board awarded the RFP to KimleyHorn on February 17, 2022;
  • Approval to add an Indigent Defense Director position for the
    remainder of FY 2022, as of September 26, 2022, in the amount of $37,700.00;
  • Approval of proposed amendments to the Procurement
    Policies and Procedures dated April 28, 2015;
  • Approval of an agreement for sale of realty between
    Forsyth County (Buyer) and James D. Irvin (Seller) for Parcels 159-018 and 180-069 in the amount of $627,500.00;
  • Approval of a Conflict Waiver for Jarrard & Davis, LLP to
    represent the County and Dhawani Associates, LLC regarding Agreements from the preparation of the initial sale agreement documents through the closing of certain land acquisitions;
  • A proclamation declaring August 7, 2022 through August 13,2022 as Health Center Week in Forsyth County.

County Commissioners will receive first cost of living increase since 2010

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – With the inflation rate soaring to 6.2 percent, the highest in more than three decades, and consumer prices skyrocketing, County Commissioners agreed to give themselves an $8,000 increase in their annual base salary Thursday.

The Board voted 4-0, with Commissioner Molly Cooper absent, to direct County Attorney Ken Jarrard to draft a resolution for their approval during the first meeting of the New Year. The pay raise does not impact the commissioners benefit package.

Commissioner Todd Levent

Commissioner’s base salary is currently $34,900 annually. District 3 Commissioner Todd Levent explained that commissioners have not had a cost of living allowance (COLA) since 2010. “If we had received the same inflationary increases that our employees have, we would have a base salary of $51,000 now. We raised the base by $8,000 which is halfway between where we are now and where would have been had we received the annual cost of living increases. ”

While it was not on the agenda, Commissioner Laura Semanson initiated a discussion of term limits for county commissioners. She and Commissioner Alfred John support term limits. Levent and Chairwoman Cindy Jones Mills do not. Both are in their third term on the Board.

“I’m going to talk about term limits every time we talk about increasing our salaries,” Semanson said.

Jones Mills argued, “I feel like the voters should determine who stays in and who stays out. We cheat our voters by starting over too quickly. Just because we as a Board disagree with voters doesn’t mean they are wrong.”

John said he does not know what the limit should be on a person holding the office of county commissioner, but did say, “I don’t believe someone should be in elected office – a career politician – for 20-30 years.”

 

 

 

 

Anti-CRT fervor heating up in Forsyth County

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Parents of Forsyth County students are mad as hell and they say they are not going to take it anymore.

The popular website Concerned Parents of Forsyth County Georgia exploded with negative comments about the Forsyth County Board of Education following the Board’s May meeting.

School officials claim that the school system “does not and will not teach nor promote Critical Race Theory (CRT).” Parents say that statement is deceptive because one component of the schools’ strategic plan, adopted in 2017, is Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, which a number of education experts have said is another name for CRT.

The school website states the strategic plan was developed “working in partnership with Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI),” a strong advocate for CRT.

Conservative radio talk show host Erick Erickson says “GLISI has embraced systemic racism as a problem and that “equity” is needed as a cure.  You can say it is not critical theory, but the whole concept is actively derived from critical theory.”

Forsyth County Commissioner Laura Ohnsman Semanson agreed. “A big part of this is semantics,” she posted. Whether or not they are “teaching” CRT if strictly interpreted can be explained away through giving the program a different name, but when the actual programming from the provider (GLISI) is examined (regardless of its name) it is deeply rooted in CRT principles. Further, one could argue it’s not being “taught” because those being instructed in the material are the educators themselves.”

Jenny Clark posted a question: “How much has this “partnership” with the GLISI cost the Forsyth County taxpayers?”

Several posters want to know what the Board is hiding. Mendy Parker Moore posted, “Looks like the teacher training platform is no longer accessible. Of course they’re covering their tracks. Not surprised but it’s very discouraging that they don’t value transparency.”

Again, Commissioner Semanson agreed. “I am not at all surprised. In the past they have failed to produce preliminary maps and related work product related to redistricting (which many believe to be highly political).”

Meg Braskett added, “A few more links I scrolled through that have been posted on here have been scrubbed from the site too…so frustrating and disappointing.”

Some posters like Tamara Bourque Sclafani and Tiffany Hall Donofrio expressed a desire to “vote (Board of Education members) out or have them recalled.”

The anger and resentment parents feel toward the Board of Education does not appear to be going away any time soon.

Danielle Reneman, who spoke at the May meeting, posted, “It’s time to get organized for the next BOE meeting!”

Beth Tipton stated, “Folks need to now turn that energy and determination into constructive strategy and action.”

Margie Robinson Carroll encouraged parents to join local school councils which she said are forming now. “You should know who they are and how they will speak for you when at the “round table”.  Seems we are missing a voice at these tables at our individual schools as well! Time to get more involved with your children’s education and future. ”

 

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Semanson on nominating process: “It was manipulated by someone with an agenda”

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – The normally uneventful process of appointing members to a committee quickly erupted into an embarrassing 30 minutes of angry shouting, accusations of “manipulation” and “dirty” tactics at the Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday.

Furious about the way the nominating process for members of the Development Authority was conducted, Commissioner Laura Semanson said, “This is not the way it was supposed to go. If that is the way we’re going to do this, count me as a no vote on all nominees. This is something that was pulled off at the last minute and I am not okay with it.” She argued that each commissioner was to have a nominee and that each one would receive an up or down vote

Chairwoman Cindy Mills

Chairwoman Cindy Mills reminded her that the process the Board agreed to provided that the first two nominees to receive a simple majority vote would receive the appointment.

Semanson and Commissioner Molly Cooper proposed writing the five nominees’ names on a piece of paper then ranking them to determine the nominations but the county attorney said the rules the Board adopted do not provide for that.

An irate Semanson then claimed the process had been “manipulated by someone with an agenda.” Mills answered, “If it was manipulated, it wasn’t by me. To my knowledge no one manipulated it.”

Clayton Rhodes, Commissioner Todd Levent’s nominee, and Grant Schmelk, Cooper’s nominee, eventually received the at-large appointments by a majority vote.

Semanson then sarcastically told Levent, “Good you got your way, but it was dirty.”

Commissioner Alfred John, who just came onto the Board in January, tried to defuse the situation saying, “It is not becoming of us to keep going on and on. It’s decided. Let’s move on.”

The Board also approved:

·        Awarding the bid for construction of Lanierland Park Phase 2 to Astra Group in the amount of $14,820,000 plus a $200,000 contingency;

·        The purchase an Eventide Netlog 740 Recording System through Quality Recording Solutions, LLC for the E911 Department under a State of Georgia Contract in the amount of $208,396.34;

·        The purchase of replacement membranes for the Manor Water Reclamation Facility from Suez Water Technologies in the amount of $234,446.00;

·        Awarding the bid for construction of Lanierland Park Phase 2 to Astra Group in the amount of $14,820,000 plus a $200,000 contingency;

·        A  Task Order with NOVA Engineering and Environmental for Lanierland Park Phase 2 Geotechnical and Construction Inspections for the Department of Public Facilities in the amount of $98,405;

·        The purchase of one new Crafco Super Shot Diesel Melter for the Department of Roads and Bridges from Reynolds Warren Equipment in the amount of $69,645.00;

·        The purchase of one new Compact Loader for the Department of Water and Sewer from Bobcat of Atlanta in the amount of $78,885.73;

·        The purchase of three new Front Loaders for the Department of Parks and Recreation from Mason Tractor in the amount of $88,466.44;

·        The purchase of three new Compact Loaders for the Department of Parks and Recreation from Bobcat of Atlanta in the amount of $122,103.53

·        Awarding the design/environmental services contract for a multi-use trail on Pilgrim Mill Road, Holtzclaw to Tidwell Park Entrance for the Department of Engineering to American Engineers, Inc. in the amount of $628,600.00;

·        Awarding the bid for  Audio Visual System Upgrades for two (2) Juvenile Courtrooms to Conference Technologies, Inc. in the amount of $64,161.94;

·        A Final Response Time to Reconciliation Letter between Jacobs and Archer Western Construction regarding the Fowler Water Reclamation Facility Expansion;

·        A Memorandum of Understanding between the Improving Community Preparedness to Assist Victims of Mass Violence and Domestic Terrorism: Training and Technical Assistance (ICP-TTA) and Forsyth County;

·        Adoption of a Waterline Extension Policy to define a process for extending water service to existing, developed areas that do not currently have access to the Forsyth County public water system;

·        The design and build project for a Customer Service Facility at the Sexton Hall Campus with authorization for this Project to be included in the existing contract for the Sexton Hall Site Master Planning with Lose Design. The new Facility will serve as the replacement for the Sharon Springs Tag Office and provide services for the Tax Assessors’ Office and Department of Water and Sewer to assist the residents in South Forsyth. The estimated cost for the Project is $2.5M;

·        A discussion and possible direction regarding amendments to the Unified Development Code related to Special Event Facilities and Agritourism;

·        A discussion and possible direction regarding proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code regarding Pools and Accessory Structures to move to a public hearing;

·        An offer from Georgia Transmission Corporation to acquire an easement across County property located at 7385 Browns Bridge Road;

·        A discussion and possible direction regarding moving alcohol application approvals to an administrative process;

·        Postponement of a request by the Board of Registrations and Elections for an increased meeting per diem and monthly expense account;

·        A Right to Enter Agreement with Anson Logistics Assets, LLC to accommodate wall construction for Parcel 7 of the Ronald Reagan Boulevard Extension Project;

·        A review of a Short Term Rental Permitting Ordinance.

 

 

 

 

Levent ethics hearing scheduled Monday

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – An ethics complaint that has consumed 10 months and cost Forsyth County taxpayers nearly $200,000 in legal fees could finally, mercifully, be decided by a Forsyth County Ethics Board Monday (Feb. 28).

The Board will meet at 9 a.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room in the County Administration Building, 110 East Main Street.

District 3 Commissioner Todd Levent is the target of the complaint which alleges he accessed Commissioner Cindy Mills email account without filing an Open Records Request.

Last May, commissioners authorized an outside agency to investigate Levent at a cost not to exceed $20,000. In August they voted 3-0 (Commissioners Levent and Mills recused) to censure him. Two weeks later, they voted to spend an unlimited amount of taxpayer dollars to hire a law firm to bring their complaint before the Ethics Board. As of December, the price tag had reached more than $180,000.

But the investigation revealed Levent did file an Open Records Request when he asked Carolyn Haag, an administrative aid to the commissioners, to retrieve the emails for him. Ga. OCGA 50-18-71 clearly points out that an Open Records Request may be made orally or in writing. The same emails can be retrieved by any citizen.

In announcing Levent’s censure, Commissioner Semanson (then Chairwoman) accused him of “obtaining un-redacted lists of current emails.” Georgia law does permit some limited redactions in response to an ORR, however it is government’s responsibility to redact the information where permitted.

Levent has said he did nothing wrong and that the investigation is a political vendetta.

He will be represented by attorney Daran Burns.

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