Forsyth County Commissioners approve budget with focus on education and public safety

Forsyth County Commissioners have approved a new budget that contains good news for property owners and school personnel.

There aren’t any changes to the county property tax rate contained in the budget commissioners approved on Thursday, offering some relief to Winston-Salem residents wary of an increase included in the proposed city budget.

The largest expenditures benefit education, with the bulk of the funding going to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. In addition to adding over $7 million to last year’s education budget, a reserve has been set aside for classified school personnel pay raises, including bus drivers and food service workers.

Close to $100 million has been directed toward public safety, the bulk of which will go to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. New positions have been added to Forsyth County Emergency Services, along with plans to purchase a new department vehicle.

County employees will see up to a 6% merit increase in salaries.

There are also special appropriations for area nonprofits, which include services for children and veterans, along with funding for arts organizations and Old Salem.

The preliminary proposal is still available for viewing online. The final approved budget goes into effect on July 1.