Forsyth County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Forsyth County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Law enforcement bonus funding
State money will hand one-time $1,750 bonuses to 272 sworn county officers, a recruitment and retention boost.
Ambulance franchise renewals
Five franchise extensions keep Life Star, Wake Forest Air Care, and Novant ground and air ambulance services operating in Forsyth County, covering about 10% of 911 calls plus ICU-level hospital transfers.
Community Policing and School Resource Officer Agreements
A contractor says her emotional intelligence training contract for the sheriff's office has sat unsigned for 45 days, and she is asking whether it's retaliation for past complaints.
2022 Tasing of Elderly Resident
A resident says her 88-year-old father was tased on his own property in 2022, hospitalized, and the sheriff's office found no excessive force; she wants commissioners to review the video and personnel records.
Dedicated emergency operations center
The current EOC shares space with the sheriff's office and takes time to activate during storms. A $1 million state request would fund a dedicated, instantly ready space.
Law Enforcement Detention Center Population Pressures and Security
The jail is running 950-1,000 inmates against a capacity of 1,016. A GPS monitoring program at $5.90 per day — cheaper than the $5.51 the county spends on food alone — could let courts release eligible inmates while keeping track of them.
Forsyth Wins violence interruption funding
The Cure Violence program has cut crime in targeted neighborhoods since 2022, but the city pulled its funding and ARPA money is gone. The county is asking the state for $1 million to keep it running.
Discharging Firearms Code Revision Request
A Pfafftown resident asked the county to tighten firearm discharge restrictions by increasing buffer distances from dwellings and removing written permission exceptions following a property damage incident.
Behavioral Health System Needs and Gaps
The board declared September 2026 Suicide Prevention Month, pointing residents to the 988 crisis lifeline.
Drone-delivered AED research program
The county's Duke University partnership testing drone delivery of defibrillators to cardiac 911 calls got a revised agreement — expanded to a fourth drone base but with the budget trimmed by $44,739.
Animal ordinance revisions
The board updated several sections of the county code governing animals, including Sections 6-19 and 6-46 through 6-51.
Infant mortality awareness
The county's infant mortality rate (7.4 per 1,000 in 2024) exceeds the state average, with African American babies accounting for 55% of deaths; commissioners backed the 15th annual awareness walk.
Upcoming Medicaid Policy and Work Requirement Changes
Staff briefed the board on upcoming federal and state policy changes regarding Medicaid expansion and Food and Nutrition Services administrative funding. Forsyth County faces reduced federal reimbursement rates and new administrative mandates for work requirements without dedicated state funding.
Clemmons Fire Department Station Consolidation & Property Actions
The Clemmons Fire Department is pivoting from a three-station model to a more cost-effective two-station strategy, acquiring land at Hampton and Idols roads and conveying surplus property on Hampton Road. Chief Steyres presented data showing response-time deficiencies under the current setup, arguing that two strategically placed modern stations will boost coverage to 94% without requiring extra county tax dollars.
Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Procurement Consideration
Commissioner Dan Besse urged the board to consider adding a funding item up to $39,000 for purchasing COVID-19 vaccine doses for un- and underinsured Forsyth County residents ahead of the fall respiratory illness season. Commissioners discussed targeting Forsyth County residents and ensuring proper vial dosage utilization.
Courthouse Technology and Equipment Funding
Judges presented an urgent request for $350,000 to $900,000 in courtroom technology upgrades, citing due process concerns and a lack of modern evidence presentation systems compared to other North Carolina counties. Commissioners debated the county's responsibility versus state mandates, competing capital needs like detention center HVAC repairs, and debt service implications.
Fire Service District Transition to Countywide Overlay
Deputy County Manager Kyle Haney presented findings from a comprehensive fire service study, highlighting aging equipment, declining volunteer numbers, and funding disparities. Commissioners discussed moving toward a regional approach and strengthening the newly formed fire commission.
Neighborhood Concerns Over Needle Exchange and Harm Reduction Services
West Salem residents and a medical professional raised serious concerns about the volume of participants and drug paraphernalia distributed by the Twin City Harm Reduction Collective operating out of a local church. Speakers asked the commission to investigate harm reduction practices and help neighborhood residents dealing with public disorder and safety issues.
Sheriff's Office Budgetary Pressures and Overtime
The Sheriff's Office is projected to exceed its budget by over $1 million due to high overtime costs, inmate medical expenses, and animal control enforcement demands. Commissioners debated whether the city of Winston-Salem should contribute funds for services provided within city limits.
Detention Center Medication-Assisted Treatment Extension
The county extended its agreement with NaphCare to provide medication-assisted treatment services at the detention center through December 2026, funded by a state grant.
Emergency Services Response Times and Staffing
County officials reviewed ongoing challenges in 911 call processing times and rural EMS response times, highlighting the impact of staffing vacancies and geographic distances.
Fleet Management and Vehicle Replacement Strategy
Automotive services reported that the county's fleet is aging, with an average vehicle age of 10 years and severe parts obsolescence issues. Staff proposed adopting formal replacement schedules and telematics systems to improve efficiency and safety.