[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6580585,"mediaKeyId","3071313-08263325bae81b90a9986456c0eee177","parentId",3071313,"title","Novant Health requests county TEFRA public hearing on up to $855 million in tax‑exempt bonds","audioSeconds",64,"startMs",2480000,"endMs",2544000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071313-08263325bae81b90a9986456c0eee177&start=2480&end=2544","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071313-08263325bae81b90a9986456c0eee177/thumbnail_2480000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6580585/Forsyth-County/North-Carolina/Novant-Health-requests-county-TEFRA-public-hearing-on-up-to-855-million-in-taxexempt-bonds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580585-1c40587a8996fd073c119faf8d4002e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961809&Signature=Ck-uxLC~iIqDqa-R3dv8yKcqgdZKYODSeATFL6~YgMyrrvNzi~83LQ3LhpbgAqzPYSYVNqQ3mw~Gp3yKeaCUI1tC4~RNuDRKdQyORj-B0gEIm9Z5VL-~Oo-yCBtx5tNJO3o9sS03nCYUm9GX4o3oWoGQ8HM1NfO2l~~914vTNJ6cyAM1re3f5Pd9KXy5E8e~ofKfwo62sdH1ESJHoCQ1U1uI6pH-3pA-oZ14wIGuc4V7fnm64SDFtY~kvHRe9ATkkQCN6dm0JqeRfKIpSyoDcnOOkAaYje~-k3BoP7BxyaxHlfcjxCA3ea-y1KIrznvHCOIUGGW3qvqcZGiqr4NNzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Forsyth County","date","2025-04-21T21:11:23.14Z","article","At an April 21 briefing Charles Boyer, representing Novant Health and bond counsel, asked the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners to hold a public hearing and approve in principle the issuance of tax‑exempt health‑care facility revenue and refunding bonds of up to $855 million to benefit Novant Health.

What was presented
Boyer said the National Finance Authority will act as issuer and Novant and its affiliates are the borrowing entities. The request is a TEFRA (federal tax) public hearing and approval under Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code and the applicable National Finance Authority rules because some of the facilities that will benefit from bond proceeds are located in jurisdictions within the county's legal boundaries.

Key assurance
Boyer and bond counsel emphasized the county's action on the TEFRA hearing is procedural: \"the bonds will not constitute a debt of the county nor will the county have any obligation to repay,\" Boyer told commissioners. He said the county's approval is required to satisfy federal TEFRA procedural requirements before issuance and that parallel hearings were being held in nine other jurisdictions across North Carolina and South Carolina for other facilities in the financing.

Next steps
The April 24 agenda included the TEFRA public hearing and a resolution approving the request in principle. County staff and bond counsel said that, if the board grants the TEFRA approval, it does not create county liability and is a step in the federal tax‑exempt bond process.

Clarifying details
- Statutory reference: Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code was cited by counsel as the authority for the county's TEFRA hearing role.
- County liability: Counsel reiterated the bonds would not be county debt nor subject the county to repayment obligations.

Ending
The Novant presentation was brief and staff said the TEFRA hearing and resolution would appear on the April 24 agenda for formal action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners Briefing - Apr 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Novant Health representative told the Forsyth County Board on April 21 that the National Finance Authority and Novant request a TEFRA public hearing and board approval in principle for up to $855 million in health‑care facility revenue and refunding bonds; counsel emphasized the bonds would not be county obligations.","taxTitle","Forsyth County, North Carolina","taxId",5013,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6580590,"County briefed on incentive offers, grant closeouts and park lease; staff to return with agreements",413,2568000,2981000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071313-08263325bae81b90a9986456c0eee177&start=2568&end=2981","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071313-08263325bae81b90a9986456c0eee177/thumbnail_2568000.jpg","/articles/6580590/Forsyth-County/North-Carolina/County-briefed-on-incentive-offers-grant-closeouts-and-park-lease-staff-to-return-with-agreements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580590-89eff3fb1393c42ef7167391be962564/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961809&Signature=MnpZwWG6R6HbOwwgB19NbpqqKJpqfrzRLfYINXpVEDf0hG~DPZsxhmuG3R4WuhZnqx7K5ryQYcTpv33jb9hfFRQJDVUYcp~JRq8~SLfBT2wmJ-A3epJydlLqAYL7YzAsanC3bAbLk9iK8eByWfZ7nhU-HTYr6lds71xV0EYQGraAGRisPUFHKh~hIk~NgeH8k0EWe3RxgnYLH90~LV9GyFXHEa0gpQCsapKW87DUo-cbzahbKsW84k2u73HW8pDH7ADr4OkCxLQpCex5fBXWhlMiblTMmCI6T0FMk-bwMCXsTiyAqheT9HbI3YtdSoT~v~-xB34UpmcmYlAbWUweDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forsyth County staff used the April 21 briefing to outline several economic development and finance items ahead of formal action at the April 24 meeting.

Economic incentives (Project Beaver and Project Renaissance)
- Project Renaissance: Proposed $15 million capital investment over five years, 42 new jobs with an average annual wage of $63,000. Staff proposed a five‑year incentive not to exceed $143,165; over ten years the project is estimated to generate $508,000 in new county tax revenue, of which the county would retain an estimated 72%.
- Project Beaver: Proposed $31 million capital investment over five years, 28 new jobs with an average annual wage of $47,000. Staff proposed a five‑year incentive not to exceed $291,183; over ten years the project is estimated to generate $1.392 million in new taxes, of which the county would retain about 79%.
- Staff noted both projects are seeking city incentive packages and state grant funds and face out‑of‑state competition. Each annual payment to a company would not exceed 50% of the new county property taxes generated by the capital investment and payments are conditioned on capital investment and job creation requirements.

Grant closeout and adjustments
- Grass America Inc.: Staff explained a state building reuse grant required partial refund because the company did not meet jobs targets. The county must return funds to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and make a partial refund to Grass America; the April 24 agenda included an amendment to the FY25 budget to appropriate the reimbursement and pass it through to Commerce.
- Frank L. Bloom Construction Company: A previous state building reuse grant had an outstanding balance; staff proposed an amendment to finalize appropriation and issue the final payment (the earlier grant was approximately $250,000) so the county can settle with the state.

Airport capital transfer
- Smith Reynolds Airport: Staff proposed transferring $165,700 from a landfill redevelopment project to the tower rehabilitation project to cover the design contract with Avcon; the airport intends to seek reimbursement and a subsequent $2 million construction grant for the tower rebuild.

Historic manuscript publication
- Staff requested approval of an agreement with BWNA Books Inc. to manage publication of the Forsyth County architectural history manuscript (contract not to exceed $65,000). Staff said the manuscript will be complete in May and the publisher was the same firm used for a prior city publication; the county and participating small municipalities will split production costs.

Tanglewood Park lease (Soft Golf)
- Parks staff recommended a lease with GasETs LLC d/b/a Soft Golf for about 6.6 acres in Tanglewood Park (adjacent to the dog park). Key lease terms: $750 monthly base rent and 15% of gross sales above $60,000 per year; an initial three‑year term with county option(s) to renew up to two additional years; CPI adjustments permitted. Staff said the operator has used the space since 2021 and no injuries were reported; alcohol service would require a separate license and liquor‑liability coverage.

Administrative items
- The agenda also included two vehicle tax refunds, approval of minutes, JCPC third revision items reallocating reverted funds to other juvenile programs, and April financial reporting items.

Next steps
- Staff will present formal agreements, budget amendments and resolution language on the April 24 agenda for commissioner action. Several items (incentives and grant adjustments) will require future performance monitoring and follow‑up if conditions are met.

Ending
Community economic development director Kirby Robinson and budget staff said proposed incentives are conditional on meeting capital and job‑creation benchmarks and that staff will return with finalized agreements and associated budget amendments.","At the April 21 briefing staff summarized proposed incentive packages for two prospect companies (Project Beaver and Project Renaissance), a building reuse grant closeout and refund, a final payment amendment for Frank L. Bloom Construction, a transfer of airport funds to support tower rehab, and a proposed Tanglewood Park lease for soft golf.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6580594,"Commissioners briefed on three rezoning petitions amid traffic and land‑use concerns",3143,739000,3882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071313-08263325bae81b90a9986456c0eee177&start=739&end=3882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071313-08263325bae81b90a9986456c0eee177/thumbnail_739000.jpg","/articles/6580594/Forsyth-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-briefed-on-three-rezoning-petitions-amid-traffic-and-landuse-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580594-6dfc534beebefdf411b26a8e64533715/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961809&Signature=XSZaPXy0cqbSrSG5K~fFWE5nJkiHREQfX7Hysb-tyk-YJYfUz9tTWUICeTM1T~gH-5LXtqFNFh4qgUGWeOb1wykUm9l1rd3mMv2ijb0u9FKlhuSP6xHLwvNl77YNLTYGF~epYiMj~Zv4jiJX4Qv8oiEinX3~Sfn3t0MY~IxpsNn1iGXGPRZ0GTWPw1~LbjRwnA8OtTAUJxifnlL9pSWmigd1v1yk0FC0ehwxj3KMUAhgBMmZ1P~oLOsO-XX2NPZuBcP9ueQm0iFxAwiwViuKVER3ywzJdEE5wVQYrD3EEd1jThL6D7w~WvdiSUUlf32TVor12ykYaqEqWomUsYivmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forsyth County planning staff briefed commissioners April 21 on three zoning petitions scheduled for the April 24 public hearing. Each petition raised distinct land‑use, infrastructure and traffic questions.

Kramer storage (F1655)
- Proposal: William Ernest Kramer III and Deborah S. Kramer seek to rezone 5.55 acres on the northwest side of Everett Road from RS‑9 (residential) to GBS (general business‑services) for internal and external storage services.
- Planning staff noted the request is not consistent with the Southwest Suburban Area Plan recommendation for low‑density attached housing (0–8 units/acre) and warned it could discourage investment at the nearby West Clemmons/Everett Road activity center and encourage strip commercial development along Everett Road. The planning board voted 7–1 to recommend approval after a February public hearing; staff said there were no speakers in opposition at the planning board hearing and that one dissenting planning‑board vote was recorded.
- Concerns raised in commissioner questions included potential traffic impacts on a two‑lane Everett Road, proximity to school‑reserved property and local utility and geotechnical conditions (rocky substrata and nearby quarry operations) that could affect future residential infrastructure.

Walkertown subdivision (F1656)
- Proposal: Francis Hammock, Adar Reid and David Evan Ragland seek to rezone a 29.62‑acre tract at the northern terminus of Martin and Avile/Avilea streets from RS‑20 to RS‑12S, increasing allowable density from ~64 lots (RS‑20) to 93 lots (RS‑12S requested). The parcel is just north of Walkertown and within GMA‑3; the Walkertown area plan recommends single‑family residential up to 8 units/acre where sewer exists.
- Planning board outcome: The planning board voted 6–2 to recommend approval after a public hearing that drew organized opposition from residents and the Walkertown town manager. Opponents cited traffic, access limitations on Old Hollow Road/NC‑158 corridors, street maintenance and unresolved municipal boundary/annexation questions where half of Avile/Avilea right‑of‑way lies inside the Walkertown municipal limits.
- Specific issues discussed: NCDOT recommended turn‑lane and median treatments as conditions of approval; town staff objected to developer language proposing homeowners association maintenance of streets that staff said must be publicly dedicated and maintained; opposition also highlighted a proposed abandonment of a 60‑foot unimproved right‑of‑way and stepped‑back plan revisions after town and neighbor feedback.
- Staff noted there was no requirement for a full traffic‑impact analysis in this case because the project did not meet local volume warrants; commissioners and speakers debated whether the development's exits would increase cut‑through traffic on narrow neighborhood streets that are not planned for upgrades.

Front Street Wahlberg LLC (LIS + SIDA)
- Proposal: Front Street Wahlberg LLC seeks to rezone 30.35 acres from AG and GIS to LIS and to obtain a Special Intense Development Allocation (SIDA) for a single 420,000‑square‑foot industrial building and associated truck bays and parking along Wahlberg Road between Union Cross Road and Business Park Drive. The Southeast Forsyth Area Plan notes that the area is appropriate for industrial development when public sewer is available.
- Economic impact: Staff said the project would represent approximately $35 million in investment and an estimated 250 jobs. The planning board voted unanimously to recommend approval; no public opposition was recorded at the planning board hearing.

Next steps and clarifying details
- Each petition was scheduled for the April 24 county public hearing. Staff told commissioners they would supply the planning‑board minutes and any additional materials requested by commissioners, including the planning‑board dissent rationale for the Kramer case and clarification on municipal boundary map discrepancies in the Walkertown case.
- Authorities referenced in staff materials include the Legacy 2030 plan and the applicable area plan updates (Southwest Suburban and Walkertown area plans) and NCDOT comments/conditions of approval for roadwork.

Ending
Commissioners asked staff to include fuller planning‑board minutes and any engineering or sewer‑service feasibility details in the packet for the public hearing and to confirm NCDOT conditional language where turn lanes or medians are recommended.","Planning staff presented three separate rezoning requests for the April 24 public hearing: a 5.55‑acre storage rezoning (William & Deborah Kramer, F1655), a 29.62‑acre RS20→RS12S subdivision (F1656) near Walkertown, and a 30.35‑acre industrial request (Front Street Wahlberg LLC) that would require a special intense development allocation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6580598,"Forsyth County proposes benefit changes after sharp rise in health claims; staff seeks board sign‑off before open enrollment",2021,7253000,9274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071313-08263325bae81b90a9986456c0eee177&start=7253&end=9274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071313-08263325bae81b90a9986456c0eee177/thumbnail_7253000.jpg","/articles/6580598/Forsyth-County/North-Carolina/Forsyth-County-proposes-benefit-changes-after-sharp-rise-in-health-claims-staff-seeks-board-signoff-before-open-enrollment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580598-cabcc93b19c9ef93e3811bd2062bd7d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961809&Signature=jo57~wS7xBsjmv74RpI-QDEadTOpfDaDD4zOlJV5-1Kl-7k1EOHNF4tqjL2i6wW6Gn4ZwQ75BSY9Md-E~ZeZmzAqsInECGfyQbnRRkA9BPwoDo8rl8nXK0bn9HJzttEcrlouvjPUsPlveZSPXiV8ea8lIw4MUwUvVt2ti7OjD4qweQHpXjmHHv8Q0VukWjhcz7r8qxCYgz6zlgdnZmJts3jmiLaXxlVw~AkMaKlgZClbDh9b13wuroRaTuwSesBCNAqUMFH5pAV~VH8V3GOgegYOGJ~cAOzCT7Nz3ThT6DjjcI8DX-6v8sgUZKYhdkNBGRI0kK2cFWUVohrEghJyWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forsyth County staff briefed the Board of Commissioners on April 21 about a sharp increase in health insurance claims that has left the county's self‑insured plan running a deficit and prompted proposed plan design changes for FY2026.

The county's benefits team and finance staff said that claims through March 31 exceeded the premium revenue the plan was budgeted to collect, producing a projected FY2025 internal fund shortfall of about $5.3 million. County leadership has identified $4.45 million of one‑time general‑fund balance to shore up the internal service health fund through June 30.

Why it matters: Forsyth County provides employer‑sponsored health coverage to roughly 4,000 members (employees, dependents and eligible retirees under age 65). The plan is partially self‑funded; changes to premiums and design affect county budgets and employee take‑home costs.

Findings presented
- Claims and budget mismatch: Staff said 3‑year averages used in past forecasting under‑predicted current claims as staffing and use rebounded after COVID. The county's consultant and Cigna renewal data showed increasing claim costs.
- Projected gap: Without changes, the FY2026 funding gap was estimated at about $7.8 million. Staff's proposed plan design changes reduce the gap to roughly $4.7 million; county contributions would cover about $4.1 million of that remaining amount.

Proposed short‑term changes for FY2026
- Change premium tiers from three to five (employee only; employee + child; employee + children; employee + spouse; family) to better align premiums with actual dependent composition and to offer more choice for employees.
- Increase the stop‑loss attachment point from $175,000 to $300,000; staff said this reduces the county's stop‑loss premium and is supported by claims analysis showing relatively few claims in the $175k–$300k band.
- Raise emergency‑room copay from $250 to $500 (waived if admitted). Estimated savings: ~$245,000.
- Increase individual out‑of‑pocket maximum to $5,000 and family maximum to $10,000 (estimated savings: ~$942,000).
- Raise some prescription copays (estimated savings: ~$380,000). Specialty drug copay suggested at $100 (current $60) and other small adjustments.
- Cigna renewal includes an annual administrative credit (~$600,000) and higher pharmacy rebates (~$1.45 million projected) that will be applied to the plan.

Net effect and next steps
Staff estimated that the package of plan design changes would save about $3.09 million and reduce the FY2026 gap to $4.7 million; the county share of the remaining gap would be about $4.1 million under the proposed premium and employer contribution levels presented to commissioners. The county plans to rebid the health plan for FY2027 and examine additional plan design options (including possible high‑low or HSA options) in that procurement.

Board reaction and timeline
Commissioners and staff said they were uncomfortable with some of the employee impacts but acknowledged the magnitude of increased claims and the short timetable for open enrollment. The manager's office said it would prepare the plan changes and a resolution for board action in the coming week so open enrollment can proceed on schedule.

Clarifying details
- Members: approximately 4,000 employees, dependents and retirees under 65 are on the plan (staff figure).
- FY2025 projected internal fund deficit (to June 30): ~$5.3 million (staff projection through March 31 claims data).
- One‑time transfer proposed from general fund to health internal service fund for FY2025: $4.45 million.

Ending
Staff will issue open‑enrollment materials and return with a formal board resolution on the proposed FY2026 plan design on the next public meeting agenda; staff said they will continue to work with benefits consultants to seek longer‑term solutions for FY2027.","County staff told commissioners April 21 that rising claims have driven the health plan toward a $5.3 million FY25 deficit and a projected FY26 funding gap. Staff proposed plan design changes, increased stop‑loss limits, pharmacy copay adjustments and a new five‑tier premium structure to reduce the gap.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6580603,"Forsyth County study finds gaps in fire coverage; staff recommends systemwide funding and policy changes",1809,5343000,7152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071313-08263325bae81b90a9986456c0eee177&start=5343&end=7152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071313-08263325bae81b90a9986456c0eee177/thumbnail_5343000.jpg","/articles/6580603/Forsyth-County/North-Carolina/Forsyth-County-study-finds-gaps-in-fire-coverage-staff-recommends-systemwide-funding-and-policy-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580603-9220b89b513383220adfeffee717e5dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961809&Signature=f1dZjzftZKTIcgaRizhPXvACdqpTa4xxAECwe4SdlMenefhOW5h0NsEf6YJqkfSdUQq9mgwicoi6mzjzyNbxVGwDyJZnW-ObajEZtVHwGf51NN5jQMlOjr-n22z7CvXrTBBOS48HW~2GxxA7smVUb-cOJZTVeqRMyNBGzW8gW9jihFPS5BiT7t2TTWtxscTLHQwOPTjZmXcOTfbaroLY~RN9nYO7K4gFrv53FKrt1fzA6I~FVm6IVRQBu09Y4LjVwMWBdxlki-nfyUq-9TSumgtGO~3QBfb7f~imeWBFL2MV6IPOr2mlpHSu1OVGmyNI7d6Rc5MZm1vf3Ru1nfemYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At an April 21 Forsyth County briefing, staff presented the county's fire‑service study and recommended shifting to a systemwide approach to funding and operations after finding coverage gaps in parts of the county.

The report, led by Deputy County Manager Kyle Haney, said primary concerns are declining volunteer participation and uneven resources across the county's 25 fire tax and service districts. \"The basic coverage is not being met in some areas of the county,\" Haney told commissioners as he summarized the study group's findings.

Why it matters: county residents in different tax districts currently receive markedly different levels of funding and staffing. That variation has produced differences in response times and a growing dependence on automatic mutual aid when local apparatus or personnel are unavailable.

Key findings and evidence
- Volunteer decline: The study group found volunteer rosters had fallen from more than 1,000 volunteers historically to about 285 countywide; only 136 of those were certified for interior structural firefighting. Haney said volunteers now run roughly 7% of emergency calls.
- Reliance on mutual aid: Several departments rely on neighboring units when personnel or apparatus are not available, a dynamic that can leave a tax district temporarily uncovered and shifts cost burdens between districts.
- Funding disparities: The briefing cited large differences in district revenue. For example, the Clemens district receives roughly $2.7 million at an 8¢ tax rate while other districts bring in under $400,000 despite higher rates, a gap driven by differences in assessed property value and development patterns.

Staff recommendations
- Operate and fund the county's contracted fire services as a coordinated system rather than as independent tax jurisdictions. Haney said the county should fund a minimum, countywide baseline of 24/7 coverage from the fire overlay district, and use individual fire tax districts to support needs above that baseline.
- Create an advisory fire commission to build policies and priorities that apply systemwide, including uniform training definitions, common policies for use of personal vehicles and a recommended, system‑wide pay plan for part‑time and full‑time positions.
- Commission a systemwide capital improvement plan (CIP) and hire a consultant to assess facilities, apparatus and equipment needs so replacements and repairs can be prioritized over time.
- Revise county contracts with nonprofit and municipal fire departments to clarify expectations and measures for both sides and to explore more predictable funding approaches for multi‑jurisdictional departments.

County and fire officials' responses
Several volunteer and combination‑career chiefs attended the briefing and expressed support for the proposed direction. Chief Gary Stiers (Clemens), Chief Carl Walker (Piney Grove) and Chief Walt B. Roth (Vienna) were among the chiefs who participated in the study group and spoke during the briefing about the operational challenges; Walkertown Chief Eddie Bottoms participated but was not present at the briefing.

Commissioners praised the engagement of the chiefs and staff. Commissioner McDaniel said the change will be difficult but necessary, and lauded the chiefs for endorsing the study team's recommendations.

Next steps and implementation risk
Haney said the recommendations are a multi‑year program, not an overnight change. Staff proposed the overlay fund be used to seed the first year of systemwide capital work and called for the advisory commission to provide detailed policy and budget recommendations that will inform the FY2026 budget process. The presentation flagged a medium implementation risk because several recommendations require interagency coordination, potential contract changes and multi‑year funding commitments.

Clarifying details
- Volunteer headcount: ~285 volunteers countywide; ~136 certified for interior firefighting (study group figures).
- Tax districts: 25 separate service/tax districts funded to 16 contracted departments.
- Example revenues cited: Clemens ≈ $2.7 million at an 8¢ rate; smaller districts under $400,000 despite higher rates.

Ending
Haney and the chiefs requested that the board establish the advisory commission to steer policy, priorities and the proposed system CIP. Commissioners signaled broad support for moving the recommendations forward and said they expect staff to return with proposed commission membership, a timeline and cost estimates as part of the FY2026 budget cycle.","A staff fire‑service study presented April 21 found uneven coverage, steep declines in volunteer staffing and growing reliance on mutual aid. County staff recommended operating and funding fire services as a system, creating an advisory fire commission and a systemwide capital plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Novant Health requests county TEFRA public hearing on up to $855 million in tax‑exempt bonds

County briefed on incentive offers, grant closeouts and park lease; staff to return with agreements

Commissioners briefed on three rezoning petitions amid traffic and land‑use concerns

Forsyth County proposes benefit changes after sharp rise in health claims; staff seeks board sign‑off before open enrollment

Forsyth County study finds gaps in fire coverage; staff recommends systemwide funding and policy changes