Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Considers $430 Million Bond Proposal

Forsyth County Commissioners are discussing several projects at a public hearing Monday for a fall bond referendum.

The list of around $430 million in projects includes improvements at Forsyth Technical Community College and county parks and recreation areas. The bulk of the money, though, would be invested in Winston-Salem Forsyth County Public Schools for repairs and the construction of six new school buildings.

District spokesperson Theo Helm says it's been 10 years since the last bond referendum was approved. Since then, he says enrollment has increased by more than 6,000 students, especially in the western and southern parts of the county.

“There are pieces of this bond referendum that would help every student because there would be new technology in every classroom,” says Helm. “We also think that there should be enough classrooms so we can get our students out of mobile units and into brick and mortar classrooms where we can.”

If their request is approved, school officials estimate a person who has a home valued at $150,000 can expect to pay around $50 more a year in property taxes.

Commissioners will likely vote on the measures after Monday's public hearing.  Voters in Forsyth County will have the final say on the Nov. 8 ballot.  

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