Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Administration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board of Forsyth County commissioners decline planned salary increase, cites symbolic cost‑cutting
Summary
Commissioners voted to decline the recommended merit increase for their own salaries for the year; staff estimated the move saves roughly $9,700 in salary and fringe costs.
Forsyth County commissioners voted to decline a recommended merit increase for elected commissioners as a symbolic budgetary savings measure during the budget discussion.
Why it matters: the board framed the action as a symbolic contribution to cost containment amid broader budget pressures, including the county’s fund‑balance concerns and the school district’s financial shortfall.
Commissioner Bessie moved that the board decline the salary increase for commissioners for the current budget year; Commissioner McDaniel seconded the motion. County staff later provided an estimate of the direct savings: about $9,010 in salary savings and roughly $700 in associated fringe costs, for a combined estimate of about $9,700. The motion applied to the Board of Commissioners’ compensation only; staff noted any parallel impact on school‑board stipends would be handled according to the formula in the budget ordinance if the board later chose to act separately.
The motion passed on a voice vote; one commissioner opposed. Several commissioners described the action as symbolic and modest compared with larger budget items but said it was appropriate to begin with reductions within the board where feasible.
Ending: staff will reflect the decision in budget documents; commissioners said other budgetary tradeoffs will be considered as the budget process continues.
