Forsyth County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Forsyth County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Law enforcement bonus funding
State money will hand one-time $1,750 bonuses to 272 sworn county officers, a recruitment and retention boost.
Data Center Moratorium and Regulations
Residents keep pressing commissioners to pause data center rezonings while the county updates its UDO, but the board has declined, citing state downzoning restrictions. Commissioners are instead asking state lawmakers to return local zoning authority over data centers.
County Property Tax Authority Opposition
Commissioners and staff discussed growing legislative efforts in the General Assembly to restrict local property tax authority and freeze valuations. Officials warned that such caps could severely impair county funding for public schools, law enforcement, and vital community services.
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.
Smith Reynolds Airport Master Plan Development
The county approved grants and engineering contracts to update the master plan and airport layout plan for Smith Reynolds Airport, supported by over half a million in NCDOT funding.
Waste and Recycling Hauler Contract Renewals
Forsyth County is sticking with its current trash and recycling haulers by renewing their contracts for another term. If you live in the county, that means no shake-up in who picks up your garbage—at least for now. It's a continuity move, not a service redesign.
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.
Queen Juneteenth Scholarship Accountability
Community advocates questioned Commissioner Woodbury and school officials regarding the transparency, funding, and formal agreements behind the Queen Juneteenth pageant scholarships.
Tanglewood Park Pickleball Courts Proposal
A community representative proposed developing up to 18 dedicated pickleball courts at Tanglewood Park to accommodate surging demand following the success of the Joni Mosier Park courts.
Sales Tax Revenue Allocation for School Supplements
A public commenter urged the board to increase public school funding and address staffing shortages that affect student support services and safety. Speakers highlighted personal experiences with inadequate classroom staffing.
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.