Kevin Tanner: “We have a lot of great things happening on Forsyth County”
Featured Stories, News August 15, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — There are a lot of great projects going on in Forsyth County and County Manager Kevin Tanner was anxious to talk about them last week.
On the job for less than two years, Tanner, a former Georgia State Representative, law enforcement officer and firefighter, gave credit for those great projects to a highly-skilled, professional staff.
“One of the things I have been extremely pleased with is the staff,” he said. “We have some wonderful people in key positions. One example of that would be Tom Brown, our planning director. I would say Tom is one of the best in the state. He has the ability to stay calm and take the criticism and arrows that come along with being in that position. He has done a tremendous job. I knew Tom prior to coming into this role and I’ve developed a new respect for the job he has done for two decades in Forsyth County.”
Tanner said the county has made a major improvement in the area of Code Enforcement by bringing in John Mullen, who previously served as a major in the Sandy Springs Police Department and who oversaw the Patrol and Investigations Division. “The management skills he brings and the improvement in that department has been amazing.”
Forsyth County transitioned from a small county to a very large one at warp speed. “We were seeing some things not being delivered at the level I would expect we could make it happen, so we created a Capital Projects Team and started delivering those projects under that umbrella,” Tanner said.
The Capital Projects Team works within individual departments. If the project is a road project the Team works with the Road Department. If it is a parks project, the Team works with the Parks and Recreation Department. They also work with the private sector, engineers and architects. “We’ve got an unbelievable Team that has been assembled and they deliver a high quality product,” said Tanner.
One of the projects that has been very challenging is the Ronald Reagan extension project that started before Tanner came on board. The project goes through a swamp. “We’re working through that,” he said. “John Jefferson our Capital Projects Manager and his team are doing a good job managing that in a very difficult area.”
The massive GDOT widening of SR 369 from SR 9 to SR 306, including the interchange at Ga. 400 is being managed locally by Jordan Wallace of the Capital Projects Team. “That project is coming along very well with very few disruptions,” said Tanner.
Also, the $67 million McGinnis Ferry Road widening project will be going out for bids soon.
Tanner was excited about the $47 million infusion of federal dollars from COVID-19 and how those dollars are being invested.
Approximately $17 million is being spent on building a sewer infrastructure reserved for non-residential development in the north end of the county. That investment is expected to pay dividends for many years.
“One of the things we said early on is we’ve gotten this COVID money and 20 years from now, we want to make sure the people of Forsyth County can point to this and say COVID dollars did that.”
That has now started to happen. On Aug. 4, an industrial park in north Forsyth County was approved for rezoning 55.4 acres from agricultural district (A1) to restricted industrial district (M1) for warehouse/office buildings with a total of 636,050 square feet off Martin, Settingdown and Church roads.
That project includes a conditional use permit (CUP) for outdoor commercial/recreational facilities, micro-distilleries, micro-breweries, office commercial multiple stories, open storage yards, research labs and ancillary manufacturing, transportation, communications and utility facilities, kennels, animal hospitals and veterinary clinics, cold storage plants and frozen foods lockers and bowling alleys.
Tanner said other non-residential developers are in the zoning process now.
The balance of the COVID dollars (approximately $30 million) is being invested in a new whole-health facility. The Georgia Department of Public Health will operate the Health Department and AVITA will operate the mental health department. The County will have no ongoing labor costs.
“This is a big deal,” Tanner said. “The investment in the whole health facility will pay dividends for years to come. It is a great use of the dollars.”
Voter RegistrationBoard unanimously approves SPLOST resolution
News August 5, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Voter Registrations and Elections unanimously today (Aug. 5) approved a resolution calling for a November 8, 2022 referendum to submit to the voters a question of whether to impose a Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST).
The original resolution that was to have been approved included the project lists for both the city and county. However, an amendment approved by the Board of Commissioners yesterday, eliminated the need to include the lists, which are already a matter of public record.
County Manager Kevin Tanner attended today’s meeting and stated “The number one issue on our citizens’ minds is transportation. “One of the challenges we have as a county is Post Road. Just to do that one road is $100 million. This will give us continuing funding for transportation.”
Tanner also noted the county is on track to be debt free by 2031.”I don’t know there is another county in the state of Georgia the size of Forsyth County that will be able to say they are debt free. We don’t want to take on additional debt as a county.”
Board of Commissioners set to advertise FY 2023 proposed budget
News July 27, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Board of Commissioners authorized County Manager Kevin Tanner to proceed with advertisement of a public hearing regarding the proposed FY 2023 county budget and occupational tax on August 18.
Tanner presented the county’s spending plan at Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting. As required by state law, the budget is balanced with an estimated $186,100,000 in both revenue and expenditures which represents a 13.4 percent increase in the 2022 adopted budget.
Assumptions made in the preparation of the budget, include a millage rate unchanged from 2022, a net tax digest growth of 13.45 percent, and 97 percent property tax collection rate.
Highlights include a 4 percent increase in the cost of living allowance (COLA) for county employees and a total of 16 new county employees, including one in the fire department, and one each in Engineering, Solid waste and water and Sewer. The new positions will cost $1.34 million.
Public Safety, which includes ambulance service, coroner’s office, Emergency Management Agency, Public Safety radio system and sheriff’s office will receive the biggest share of the budget at $64,016,950.
In presenting the budget, Tanner said, “We on the management side of the house try not to recommend anything to the Board that will put us in a bad position if the economy does fall back. One thing we do not want is to have to furlough employees, lay employees off or freeze positions and I think we are in a good place.”
The vote to advertise the budget was 4-0 with Commissioner Todd Levent absent.
BOC ends remote participation in public hearing, public comment periods
News June 25, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to discontinue allowing citizens to comment remotely during Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals public hearings and public comment periods effective Aug. 1.
The practice began during the Pandemic when attendance at meetings was very limited and has continued. However, there is no state law that requires remote participation and very few people have utilized the opportunity.
County Manager Kevin Tanner made it clear that this decision does not change the ability of the public to watch the meetings on the county’s website. “That is still available. This only pertains to the public’s ability to comment online,” he said.
Commissioner Cindy Mills said, “I think if it’s something you care enough about, you will come to the meeting.”
New fire station alerting system should improve response time in emergencies
News February 23, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – At the start of Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners work session, Assistant County Manager Brandon Kenney presented the results of a customer service survey that focused on three departments that frequently interact with the public – Business License, Community Development and Business and Economic Development.
“Most of the respondents were very happy with the service they received,” Kenney said. “Overall, the satisfaction levels are excellent. Kenney added that department leaders are looking at the survey to determine where improvements can be made.
County Manager Kevin Tanner congratulated Building Inspector Donnie Whitmire on his retirement which will be effective on Monday. Tanner said Whitmire conducted 29,000 inspections during his tenure with the county.
Tanner also awarded the quarterly Customer Service Award to the Business License Department.
Commissioners approved the purchase of a new Fire Station Alerting Solution to replace a 30-year-old system from Purvis Systems Inc. Fire Chief Barry Head said the system will improve response time by an average of 46 seconds, which is critical.
The Board unanimously approved the following:
- The award of RFP 21-146-2410 for a Fire Station Alerting Solution for the Fire Department to Purvis Systems, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $1,033,609.69 with permission to continue the annual software licensing and maintenance renewals (based upon business need) for the life of the software;
- Authorization for the Chairman to sign the annual Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification;
- Acceptance of the Georgia Public Defender Council funding by ARPA in the amount of $83,334.00 with no County match;
- A list of items as surplus with authorization for the Department of Procurement to dispose of accordingly
- A Hardware Warranty Agreement by and between Dominion Voting Systems, Inc. and Forsyth County in the not to exceed amount of $105,743 for voting machines for the Department of Voter Registrations and Elections;
- The award of RFP 21-195-3401 for Acceptance of Recycled Material for the Department of Recycling and Solid Waste to Advanced Disposal Recycling Services Atlanta, LLC;
- A Construction Services Agreement with Delta Municipal Supply Company in the amount of $18,986,926.00 for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Meters and System Installation for the Department of Water and Sewer;
- Approval of a Master Services Agreement with Delta Municipal Supply Company in the not to exceed amount of $12,936,562.30 for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Ongoing Operations and Maintenance – Network-as-a-Service and Software-as-a-Service Agreements;
- The award of RFP 21-201-3300 for annual Sanitary Sewer Flow Monitoring Services to CSL Services, Inc. in the amount of $163,528;
- A Change Order with K-Team Engineering and Construction for installation and connection of water and sewer utilities for the Matt Schoolhouse Phase 1 Renovation in the amount of $46,300;
- A Second Amendment to the Lease Agreement between Bennett Capital Partners LLC and Forsyth County to extend the term of the lease for 327 Dahlonega Street, Suite 601b, Cumming, (Tanyard Oaks Office Park) from May 1, 2022 to August 31, 2022;
- A Change Order with Gaskins Surveying Company in the amount of $6,000 for Survey Services to cover the additional adjacent northern property of the Freedom Parkway Tract;
- The award of RFQ 21-182-1510 to provide all labor, materials, and equipment for Engineering and Design Services for the Forsyth County Whole Health Center to Jericho Design Group in the amount of $1,667,250;
- A Task Order with Hayes, James & Associates Inc. to provide Architectural and Engineering Services for the Water and Sewer Maintenance Warehouse Project in the amount of $249,550.00; Department of Capital Projects 2022 Budget;
- A Task Order 23-Amendment 1 with CH2M Hill, Inc. regarding Lake Lanier Water Quality Sampling;
- A Temporary Construction Easement and a Permanent Easement with Orchards of Central Park, LLP for the Central Park Recreation Center gravity sewer connection to the adjacent residential development’s sewer infrastructure;
- A County-Initiated Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to conduct around the clock business on property currently zoned Restricted Industrial District (M1) with a variance to reduce the number of parking spaces – Parcel 140-072;
- A County-Initiated Amendment of Zoning Conditions on ZA1421 (Technology Park/Atlanta, Inc.) to reduce the 50 ft. planted exterior buffer on the northern property boundary only – Parcel 140-072;
- A County-Initiated rezoning from A1, CBD, and HB to M1 with conditional use permits (CUPs) and variances for parcels 235-045, 235-056, 235-036, and 235-218;
- A resolution to the local delegation to the General Assembly voicing opposition to HB1093 and SB494; bills aimed at preempting local governments from regulating Build to Rent Communities;
- Approval of a resolution declaring surplus and authorizing disposal of an air monitoring station that has been operating at or near Eagle’s Beak Park in accord with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Environmental Protection Division;
- The appointment of Maria Villalon to the Administrative Committee. Said appointment is for the Employee At-Large Member position that was vacated due to retirement and is for a four-year term or until employment with the County terminates;
- A resolution requesting that the Forsyth local delegation to the General Assembly sponsor local legislation increasing the County’s Hotel/Motel Excise Tax from 5% to 8%;
- A Purchase Agreement for Permanent Construction and Maintenance Easement in the amount of $22,706.75 needed for Parcel 151 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project;
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 090-010 (Parcel #96 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: Lord of Life Lutheran Church of Alpharetta, Inc. with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $51,100;
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 090-172 (Parcel #97 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: Oaktree Land Investments, LLC with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $272,600.
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 090-174 (Parcel #104 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: BME McGinnis Ferry, LLC with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $420,500.
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 090-022 (Parcel #115 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening. Owners: Husson Properties, LLC with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $25,600;
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 090-045 (Parcel #118 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: Jered Byars Brown with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $332,200;
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 090-103 (Parcel #133 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: Gregory A. Maze and Diane K. Maze with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $58,000;
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 113-427 (Parcel #150 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: Kevin Kotellos and Theresa Dawn Schmitz-Kotellos with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $15,000;
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 114-065 (Parcel #155 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: Mark Loftus and Renee Loftus with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $20,900;
- Ratification of Right-of-Way Settlement Authorization executed by the Forsyth County Attorney, Forsyth County Capital Projects Director, and the Forsyth County Manager for Parcel 156 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: Brian A. Brooks and Dianna V. Brooks;
- Board ratification of Right-of-Way Settlement Authorization executed by the Forsyth County Attorney, Forsyth County Capital Projects Director, and the Forsyth County Manager for Parcel 118 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owner: Jered Byars Brown.
Following and executive session the Board approved a fourth addendum to the Right-of-Entry Agreement for Ronald Reagan Extension (PI #PEN 12) Parcel 7 and a Settlement Agreement & Release between Hanover Community Association, Inc. and Forsyth County in the amount of $66,000 to settle the dispute and claims by Hanover against the County pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement & Release; Union Hill Road Expansion Project.
BOC supports reform of state’s annexation dispute resolution law
News December 30, 2021
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution in support of the Association of County Commissioners Georgia (ACCG) effort to reform Georgia’s Annexation Dispute Resolution which many believe is outdated and places too much power in the hands of cities.
In signing onto the resolution, Forsyth joins a growing number of Georgia counties, including neighboring Hall and Cherokee, who are seeking reform.
In introducing the resolution to the Board, County Manager Kevin Tanner said, “the ACCG is working very closely with their legislative group to come up with some reform to Georgia’s annexation dispute resolution here in the state.
Earlier this year, a Georgia House Study Committee on Annexation was formed and its members traveled around the state gathering information. The House is expected address the issue when the General Assembly reconvenes in January.
Tyra Little named director of Forsyth County Procurement
Press Release December 14, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
Tyra Little
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Procurement Agent III Tyra Little has been appointed to the position of Forsyth County Procurement director.
“Tyra’s experience in local government procurement and her understanding of this County make her an ideal candidate for managing all procurement operations,” said County Manager Kevin Tanner. “We are happy to be working with her in this new role.”
Little has worked in Forsyth County Procurement as a Procurement Agents III since March 2020. In that role, she was responsible for managing invitations to bid, bid quotes, contract administration and urchase orders for the County.
Previous to Forsyth County, Little has worked in procurement capacities for several local Georgia government institutions including Fulton County Schools, Sandy Springs and the City of Brookhaven. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management.
Forsyth County Procurement works to maximize the purchasing value of public funds, to provide safeguards for maintaining a procurement system of quality and integrity, to provide for fair and equitable treatment of all persons involved in public purchasing, and to provide the highest level of customer service for county departments.
Public Hearing set in January on major infrastructure expansion
Featured Stories, News December 10, 2021
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – The Board of Commissioners is one step closer to making a major expansion to the county’s commercial sewer infrastructure.
At the County’s direction, attorney Ken Jarrard drafted an ordinance he presented to commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting. The ordinance identifies six nodes that will be served by a $17-19 million infrastructure expansion targeted almost exclusively for commercial development.
The ordinance states that once the infrastructure is run to the nodes, before the connections can be used for anything other than non-residential purposes, 75 percent of the nodes and 75 percent of the acreage must be utilized for commercial purposes.
If approved, the project will be funded by a portion of the $47 million the County will receive from the American Rescue Plan.
County Manager Kevin Tanner developed the plan after meetings with County’s Planning, Water and Sewer and Economic Development departments and the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce and presented it to the Board last month.
Commissioners liked the proposal but wanted safeguards in place that would reserve the capacity for commercial use only. Jarrard’s draft ordinance does that. The Board did not vote on the ordinance, but voted unanimously to move the issue to the first of two required public hearings in January.
The infrastructure expansion would be located in north Forsyth where significant commercial, industrial businesses have expressed an interest but where there is no sewer availability.
“These are places we feel like we can have the highest return on investment,” Tanner said at the time. “We want to spend these dollars where 20 years from now citizens in Forsyth County are going to know where their tax dollars went.”
Connect2Forsyth app connects citizens with county government
Community, Press Release September 19, 2021
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. Forsyth County has launched a new 311 request service portal for residents to report and track the status of concerns and requests. The portal, which can be found on the County’s website, forsythco.com allows residents to submit a non-emergency report for items such as noise complaints, animal welfare issues, County maintained road repairs such as potholes, etc.
Visitors can also view status updates on issues as they are worked by County staff. “As a County, we want to respond to incidents and complaints as quickly as possible to resolve them,” said Forsyth County Manager Kevin Tanner. “The new portal is a great tool because it routes complaints from residents directly to the appropriate County staff and allows both sides to track the status of the item.”
The County also has launched an official mobile application called Connect2Forsyth that allows residents to easily connect with their government by reporting concerns, paying water bills, receiving County news, calendar alerts and more.
COVID-19 rent and utility assistance available for Forsyth County households
Featured Stories August 25, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Applications for the Forsyth County Rent & Utility Relief Program, which was established in March 2021, will be available for submission through Sept. 30. The program provides short-term assistance for renters that can document income loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic and funding is made available through a grant from the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Forsyth County currently provides rent and utility assistance for qualifying households. Households meeting all of the following criteria are eligible for assistance:
– Qualifies for unemployment benefits or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs or experienced other financial hardship due directly or indirectly to COVID-19; and
– Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
– Has a household income at or below 80% of the area median income, with priority given to
1) households below 50% of the AMI or 2) households with one or more individuals who have been unemployed 90 days or longer at the time of application.
To apply or get more information on the Rent & Utility Relief Program, eligible residents are encouraged to contact the following organizations directly:
– United Way of Forsyth County (240 Elm St.)
o By phone: (770) 781-4110
o By email: [email protected]
– The Place of Forsyth County, Inc (2550 The Place Circle)
o By phone: (770) 887-1098
o By email: [email protected]
A Forsyth County call center is also available, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays, by calling (678) 273-2972. Callers will be connected to partner organizations for application processing and to provide additional information in the following languages:
– Simple Chinese
– Spanish
– Korean
– Hindi
Information on the program in English, Simple Chinese, Spanish, Korean and Hindi can be found at forsythco.com/rent relief..
“We strongly encourage those that are in need of assistance of paying their rent or utilities during the pandemic to reach out through this program,” said Forsyth County Manager Kevin Tanner.
A total of $7.35 million in grant funds for eligible Forsyth County residents was made possible through the U.S. Treasury’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021.
Lauren Kane named Forsyth County Communications Director
Featured Stories July 27, 2021
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Lauren Kane has joined Forsyth County government as director of the Department of Communications & External Affairs. Kane brings nearly 20 years of experience in public relations, advocacy and crisis management to the County.
“Lauren brings a wealth of experience to the County in many areas of communication management and strategy,” said County Manager Kevin Tanner. “We look forward to working with her as the mediums in which the County communicates messages to the community grows.”
Kane recently served as communications director for the State Bar of Georgia, vice president of communications for the National Beer Wholesalers Association, senior director of communications for the American Beverage Association and as communications director for the Attorney General of Georgia.
Previously, Kane served in the administration of President George W. Bush from 2005-2008. Kane is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.
The Forsyth County Department of Communications & External Affairs serves as a county information resource for the community, elected officials, employees and the media by providing professional assistance with a commitment to accuracy and integrity.
County will advertise millage rate of 27.614
News June 9, 2021
CFO Marcus Turk
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — During Tuesday’s work session, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Chief Financial Officer Marcus Turk’s request to advertise a tentative millage rate for the FY 2021 budget.
The overall millage rate is tentatively 27.614 mils, 19.718 mils for the Forsyth County School System and 7.896 for the county. The FY 2020 millage rate was 27.654.
The proposed budget anticipates $163, 966,724 in general fund revenue, an increase of approximately 8 percent over last year, and $158,772,324 in expenditures, with $5,194,400 available to add to the contingency.
Turk projected a 3 percent increase in real and personal property taxes for the purpose of the millage rate authorization request.
The Fire Fund revenue is projected at$30,499,644 with expenditures anticipated at$29,486,265.
County Manager Kevin Tanner said, “Because of the conservative nature of Forsyth County the last several years, not only has your millage rate remained but you also have a plan in place to build the new administrative facility and purchase property and pay cash. No bonds. No SPOST funds. Cash. Very few counties in the country are managed as well as Forsyth County has been.”
County Manager appointed to serve on State Road and Tollway Authority Board
Press Release March 21, 2021 No Comments on County Manager appointed to serve on State Road and Tollway Authority Board 77
County Manager Kevin Tanner
PRESS RELEASE
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Forsyth County Manager Kevin Tanner has been named to the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) Board of Directors. Tanner’s appointment was made by the Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives.
“We are excited to have Mr. Tanner join the SRTA Board of Directors,” said SRTA Executive Director Chris Tomlinson. “His more than 30 years of experience in government, which includes his leadership in transportation for the Georgia House, will be invaluable to SRTA as we work to continue to keep Georgia moving.”
During his time in the Georgia legislature, Tanner served as the Chair of the House Transportation committee, where he sponsored several bills that helped advance transit and transportation programs, as well as projects, throughout the state.
“I am honored to have been asked to serve on the SRTA Board of Directors,” said Tanner. “Transportation is important to not only the metro Atlanta area, but the entire state. I look forward to working with Mr. Tomlinson and the SRTA Board to meet the needs of our residents.”
About the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA)
SRTA is a state-level, independent authority created to operate tolled transportation facilities within Georgia and act as the transportation financing arm for the state. SRTA manages the collection of tolls on Georgia’s Express Lanes System through the use of Peach Pass. In 2017, SRTA combined with the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) to jointly provide the services of both state authorities. The GRTA board continues to oversee developments of regional impact, air quality reporting and regional transportation plan approval.