County Manager Shontell Robinson gives an update on the budget process as well as other goings on in Forsyth County.
June 2026 - Vol. 21
Cooperative Extension Has Moved!
The NC Cooperative Extension, Forsyth County Center is now operating at its new location in the new Forsyth County Agricultural Park at 7232 Forsyth Center Drive in Tobaccoville, N.C.
Cooperative Extension’s phone number remains the same: 336-703-2850. Soil testing kits will not be available after hours at the new location and must be picked up during business hours from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Student wins contest to design Forsyth County’s “I Voted” sticker
Stickers that Forsyth voters receive at the polls this Fall will be a little different this year, since they were designed by a local student who won Forsyth County Board of Elections’ “I Voted” Sticker Contest.
The contest winner was Paloma Kuzmovich, an 11-year-old student at The Arts Based School. Her design features the hand drawn words “I Voted” with drawings of diverse hands underneath, spelling out the word “Vote” in sign language.
The unique, inclusive design was one of 44 design submissions the Board of Elections received in the contest, which was open to K-12 students. The five members of the Board of Elections reviewed the submissions and selected the 12 finalists, whose designs were part of an online vote by the public to determine the winner.
"This contest was a great way for us to engage with the community, especially the younger individuals, and help them learn about the importance of voting and civic participation," said Forsyth Elections Training Specialist Jessica Loasching.
County Manager
In This Issue
County Commissioner Update
Last month, the Forsyth County Commissioners held numerous budget workshops and are almost ready to approve the FY27 County Budget, which will go into effect on July 1.
County Manager Shontell Robinson presented a budget proposal to the commissioners on May 7. You can read the presentation and view the full proposed budget on our budget webpage. Commissioners heard from the public in a Budget Hearing and thoroughly discussed and carefully deliberated the budget during last month’s budget meetings. They’re expected to vote on the final budget on June 4, which will include setting the county property tax and fire tax rates.
Here are this month’s meetings:
- Monday, June 1 2 p.m. Briefing
-
Thursday, June 4
6 p.m. Special Meeting to possibly adopt the budget
Regular Meeting (immediately after budget adoption) - Monday, June 22 2 p.m. Briefing
- Thursday, June 25 2 p.m. Meeting
All commissioner meetings are held at the Forsyth County Government Center, 201 N. Chestnut St. Meetings are streamed live in their entirety on Forsyth County YouTube and Facebook, as well as the Forsyth County website (where you can also find meeting agendas) and are also broadcasted live on WSTV13 on Spectrum cable.
The Budget Public Hearing
Got Gardening Questions? Get Answers!
Come see Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners at local farmer’s market to get answers on all your gardening questions!
Cobblestone Farmers Market
Second Saturdays | 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.
March-December
Fairgrounds Farmers Market
Third Saturdays | 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.
March-December
Clemmons Farmers Market
Fourth Saturdays | 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
April-September
Health Fair and Naloxone Training at Georgia Taylor Neighborhood Center
Forsyth County Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with Winston-Salem Transit Authority, and the City of Winston Salem Recreation and Parks is holding a Health Resource Fair and Naloxone Training this month at Georgia E. Taylor Neighborhood Center, 1471 W. Clemmonsville Road.
The Health Resource Fair will be held 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on June 9 with community organizations that offer healthcare, counseling and social service resources. The Naloxone Training will be held 6-7:30 p.m. on June 16 and will teach participants how to reverse an opioid overdose.
Monthly resource fairs and trainings are held at different recreation centers or the Transportation Center. You can see the full list of Health Resource Fairs and Naloxone Training sessions here.
Food for Thought Nutrition Newsletter
Forsyth Food for Thought is a monthly online nutrition newsletter with practical, easy-to-use information to support healthy living. Each issue features seasonal nutrition tips, simple recipes, interactive activities, and highlights of current programs and community partnerships. You can sign up to receive the Food for Thought Nutrition Newsletter in your inbox every month.
The newsletter is produced by Forsyth Public Health’s Community Nutritionist, who offers a variety of classes and educational opportunities. You can find more information and sign up for future programs on the Community Nutritionist webpage.
Swimming Pool Safety Tips
Summer is here! Check out these pool safety tips to keep you and your family safe this pool season.
- Clear Pool - If you can't see the bottom of the pool, don't swim! It is important that all swimmers are visible in the pool. Also, if you can't see the bottom of the pool, chances are the water isn't properly being disinfected or being filtered which could lead to the potential of a bather receiving a RWI (Recreational Water Illness)
- Safety Equipment - All public pools have either a lifeguard or ring buoys and a body hook in the event of an emergency. It is important to locate these items when arriving to a pool and to have a plan in the event an emergency happens and the equipment is needed.
- Main Drains - All pools have drain covers that sit at the bottom of the pool. These covers should always be in good condition and secured to the pool surface. If a drain cover is cracked/broken/missing, the pool needs to be closed to prevent entrapment of bathers. If you suspect that the main drains at your pool are compromised, let the Certified Pool Operator or facility know ASAP.
- Pool Emergency Phone - All public pools are required to have a dedicated pool phone. This is an important line of safety to ensure emergency services can have communication/access to the pool in the event that a bather is in distress.
- Gates/Fences - Gates and fences shall be present and working at all times. Fences/gates protect young toddlers/kids from potential drowning.
Property Tax Appeal and Relief Deadlines Near
Property owners have two deadlines approaching for filing appeals of their tax value or applying for tax relief.
June 30, 2026 is the deadline to appeal your property tax value on real property such as your home and land. The form to appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review (BER) is available online and at the Tax Office in the Forsyth County Government Center, 201 N. Chestnut Street in Winston-Salem.
Even though the deadline has passed, you can still file an application requesting tax relief until December 31, 2026. There are three different programs for relief, and the application for them is available online or over the counter at the Tax Office. The Elderly or Disabled Exclusion applies for someone at least 65 years of age or someone who is totally or permanently disabled as of January 1, 2026, with a previous annual income of $38,800. Those qualifying are billed for half their property value or $25,000, whichever is greater in the calculation of their tax bill.
The second option is the Disabled Veteran Exclusion. It’s available for totally or permanently disabled veterans or their unmarried surviving spouse. This option excludes $45,000 from the value of the property in the calculation of the tax bill.
The third option called the Circuit Breaker Deferment is for property owners 65 years of age or permanently disabled as of January 1 who have owned and occupied the property for the last five years, had an income of less than $58,200, and have multiple non-spouse owners who all meet the standards. They pay taxes based on income. Income of $38,800 will pay 4 percent of their income and any amount of due taxes above that are deferred and accrue interest. That amount is added as a lien to the property. For income above $38,801 to $58,200, they pay 5 percent of their income and any amount of due taxes above that is deferred and added as a lien to the property.
Property owners can only receive benefits from one of these tax relief programs at a time.
All the applications and additional forms can be found on the Tax Department website or call 336-703-2300.
Don’t Let Mosquitos Ruin Your Summer!
Vector Control Specialist Ryan Harrison recently discussed mosquito control on WTOB’s morning show. He talked about the County’s work to prevent West Nile Virus, which can be transmitted by mosquitos, and what you can do to protect yourself and your property from mosquitos.
Recent Rabies Case Prompts Education
A recent case of rabies has Forsyth Environmental Health staff out discussing the danger of rabies. Charles Cahill is a supervisor in Environmental Health. He was on WTOB 96.7FM recently discussing how to protect against rabies.
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