Forsyth County commissioners approve bond orders, contracts and appointments; votes at a glance

Forsyth County commissioners on March 27 approved multiple bond orders, contract amendments and appointments and moved into closed session to discuss attorney-client matters and economic development incentives.

The board voted on more than two dozen routine and project-specific items, including authorization of four categories of general obligation bonds, reallocation of school capital project savings, awards for airport and public-safety work, contract amendments for jail food services and adult day health, and multiple board and commission appointments. Most motions passed unanimously; one vote on a construction manager-at-risk preconstruction services contract passed 4–1.

Why it matters: The actions fund school and airport projects, approve vendor contracts that affect county operations and public safety, and reset appointments to advisory boards that guide county programs.

Key outcomes - Bonds and capital: The board read and approved bond orders authorizing up to $27,335,000 in general obligation school bonds, $2,300,000 in community college bonds, $4,000,000 in parks and recreation bonds and $2,000,000 in public facilities bonds; the board also adopted a resolution calling a public hearing and directing related disclosures. - School project reallocation: Commissioners approved moving $225,000 in savings from the Wylie Middle addition and gym replacement to a new multi-sport field project for R.J. Reynolds High School and Wylie Middle School. - Jail food contract: Board authorized a second amendment to Aramark Correctional Services LLC increasing a three‑year contract to an amount not to exceed $5,793,631, attributed to higher average daily inmate population. - Airport and public-safety contracts: The board awarded a contract for airfield lighting and signage at Smith Reynolds Airport to RG Tenney Electric Inc. (base bid $5,223,441; total project cost including design and fees approximately $6,571,365), and approved replacement 9‑1‑1 console equipment procurement with ErgoFlex Systems, Inc., not to exceed $218,356.37 (excluding taxes). - Public health and parks systems: Commissioners selected Samut Corporation for preconstruction services for the public health renovation project (preconstruction contract not to exceed $90,000; motion passed 4–1), and contracted CJMW Architecture PA for professional design services not to exceed $693,000. - Contracts and program funding: The board increased funding for Senior Services Inc. to provide adult day care and adult day health services (increase $36,000; total not to exceed $171,753 through May 23, 2025); approved Title X family planning contraceptive purchases not to exceed $166,000 through June 30, 2025; renewed privileged access management software for up to $55,440 for one year; and awarded a multi-year parks and recreation reservation/payments system to RecTrac LLC in an initial amount not to exceed $111,400 (initial term through June 30, 2030) with renewal options. - Real property sales and demolitions: The board accepted highest bids on county property, including a $19,100 sale of 210 Kevin Drive and a $3,000,000 offer for a 3.5‑acre portion of 5580 Sturmer Park Circle; it also ordered demolition of a structure at 9001 Broad Street under the county minimum housing code. - Appointments and reports: Commissioners confirmed appointments to multiple advisory boards and authorities (agenda items 22–35), approved assessor refunds totaling $20,543.64, and received human resources, benefits cap and financial reports for January–February. - Closed session: The board voted to enter closed session to consult with counsel under North Carolina General Statute 143‑318.11(a)(3) and to discuss economic development location/expansion matters under 143‑318.11(a)(4).

What commissioners said: Motions and seconds were recorded throughout the meeting; many motions were moved by Commissioner McDaniel and seconded by Commissioner Bessie in the transcript record. Item 11 (construction manager at risk preconstruction services) was the lone roll call with an explicit non‑unanimous outcome: “Motion carries 4 to 1,” with no individual recorded as voting ‘no’ in the audio transcript.

Details and next steps: Several items amend existing capital project ordinances (Smith Reynolds Airport CPO, 02/2018; Schools CPO, 02/2016) or require publication and public hearings for bond issuances. The Historic Preservation programmatic agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office was renewed through fiscal 2029 to allow local staff to perform HUD-required historic reviews for certain federal grant programs.

The board adjourned after the closed session.