Forsyth County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Forsyth County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
SCIF grant spending deadline at Smith Reynolds Airport
Smith Reynolds Airport is getting roof replacement, new runway paving, and an electric aircraft charging station, all paid from airport funds rather than the general fund.
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.
Foster Care and Adoption Promotion Funding
With 65 local children awaiting adoption and 23 not yet in adoptive placements, the county declared Adoption Awareness Month and hired a firm to recruit foster-to-adopt parents.
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.
Proposed Asphalt Plant in Clemens
Seven residents told commissioners they oppose a proposed asphalt plant in Clemmons, raising it as a countywide concern even though it is not on this agenda.
Forsyth Tech Enrollment Growth and Workforce Programs
Forsyth Tech President Dr. Janet Spriggs updated commissioners on 29% enrollment growth since 2019, national cybersecurity awards, and ongoing capital funding gaps for the Learning Commons building.
County Property Inventory and Stewardship
The county approved temporary access and pipeline easements for Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company at Triad Park after the company increased its offer to $180,000. Commissioners supporting the deal cited federal eminent domain authority and the risk of expensive litigation, while opponents raised ongoing environmental and safety concerns.
Stormwater Management and Runoff Concerns
The county must update its flood insurance rate map effective dates to June 2026 to keep residents eligible for federal flood insurance. Nine map panels along the Guilford and Stokes County lines were updated.
Schools Enrollment Trends and Capital Updates
Superintendent Don Phipps presented an update on Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, highlighting improving academic test scores, successful debt retirement, and ongoing student enrollment declines.
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.
Behavioral Health System Needs and Gaps
The board declared September 2026 Suicide Prevention Month, pointing residents to the 988 crisis lifeline.
Planning & Development Area Plans and Housing Choice
UNC Professor Tyler Mulligan briefed commissioners on the legal limits, funding restrictions, and strategic tools available to counties for addressing affordable housing. Commissioners discussed the complexities of financing, tax foreclosures, and the statutory requirements for public referendums.
2026 Forsyth County Community Survey Results
A new citizen survey shows Forsyth County residents value local parks and libraries, but express frustrations about communication, transparency, tax administration, and emergency disaster preparedness.
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.
Land Clearing and Inert Debris (LCID) Landfill Proposal (F-1667)
A special use permit request to expand a land clearing and inert debris landfill on Watkins Ford Road brought questions regarding heavy truck traffic, environmental safeguards near local creeks, and stormwater management.
Community Grants Program Policy and Application Review
The county received 117 community grant applications requesting over $10 million, far exceeding the available $1.8 million in funding. Commissioners discussed standardizing evaluation rubrics and maintaining transparency while balancing community expectations.
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.
Economic Development & Site Readiness
The county accepted a $350,000 state grant to assist Foster Caviness Company in expanding its wholesale produce distribution facility with new ripening rooms, creating 58 new jobs.
Tanglewood Park Easement for RSPD-Riverwalk LLC
Commissioners debated whether granting an easement for a developer's brick wall at Tanglewood Park is in the public interest. The board ultimately tabled the item to explore trading county property for floodplain land instead of accepting cash compensation.
Piedmont Greenway Expansion and Kerner Mill Connector
Residents and commissioners voiced strong support for a $15,000 matching grant for a feasibility study on the Kerner Mill Connector. Advocates highlighted that trails boost local economies, improve public health, and expand active transportation options.
Belews Creek Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Proposal
Duke Energy briefed commissioners on its plans to seek an early site permit for small modular nuclear reactors at Belews Creek to eventually replace coal-fired generation by 2040.
AI Front Desk Implementation for Social Services
The county is looking at a $45,000 contract with Polymorphic Inc. to add an AI-powered chatbot and voice assistant to help manage heavy call volumes and policy questions at the Department of Social Services.
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.
Employee Health Plan Adjustments and GLP-1 Weight Loss Coverage Elimination
The county's internal service fund for employee health insurance is running a multi-million dollar deficit, heavily impacted by surging pharmacy costs for weight-loss GLP-1 medications. Consultants from Marsh McLennan proposed adding a dual plan option and removing weight-loss coverage to save $5 million.
County Health Plan Restructuring
The county is increasing its pharmacy budget and purchasing caps to accommodate higher patient volumes and medication costs, particularly for long-acting injectables like Vivitrol.
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.
Ace Acres Special Event Center Zoning
Neighbors raised concerns about excessive noise and traffic from a proposed special event center on Hampton Road. Despite these concerns, the board approved the special use rezoning with assurances from the owner regarding noise mitigation.
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.
Smart Start Pre-K Initiative Sustainability
County leaders reviewed the success of using ARPA funds to boost Pre-K quality, teacher pay, and student readiness, while discussing how to fund similar programs locally in the future.
Behavioral Health Pharmacy Budget Increase
The county is increasing its pharmacy budget and purchasing caps to accommodate higher patient volumes and medication costs, particularly for long-acting injectables like Vivitrol.
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.
State Legislative Goals and Federal Funding Impacts
The county is finalizing its state legislative priorities, focusing on property tax reform, Cure Violence, and special assistance programs, while expressing concern over how federal HR 1 changes will impact local nutrition and Medicaid services.
Transco Pipeline Construction and Triad Park Impacts
Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company is seeking easement agreements to construct a natural gas pipeline across Triad Park, raising local concerns about compensation fairness, construction deadlines, and park disruptions.
Tax Assessor Refunds
The board reviewed nearly $725,000 in total tax refunds, including over $705,000 in assessor refunds following property tax appeals.
Parks and Recreation Fee Structure and Enterprise Operations
The county reviewed its parks and recreation system, facility utilization, and fee structures across ten county parks as staff prepares to establish rental fees for the new Agricultural Park Event Center. Commissioners discussed cost recovery targets, benchmarking against peer agencies and private venues, and whether to introduce nonprofit rates or residency-based discounts.
City-County Line Development and Annexation Policy
The county is examining whether to encourage or require voluntary annexation for new housing developments that cross the city-county line to clear up confusion over trash pickup, 911 dispatch, and road maintenance.
Housing Rehabilitation and Down Payment Assistance Programs
The county authorized agreements to receive federal and state funding for housing rehabilitation and first-time homebuyer assistance programs, aiming to assist low-to-moderate-income households.
Tanglewood Property Sale and Future Development
The county received a $4 million offer from Williams Land Development to purchase the 167-acre Tanglewood commercial property for residential development. Commissioners discussed whether to initiate the upset bid process, how to handle restrictive covenants, and concerns raised by the Village of Clemmons regarding traffic and neighborhood impacts.