Forsyth mulls nearly $700M in capital

Representatives of Nashill Inc., a managerial and financial services consulting firm, presented capital improvement needs for the next five years to the board during a work session Tuesday.

The needs include cultural facilities, libraries, public safety improvements and building, bicycle, pedestrian, parks and recreation projects.

Commissioner Brian Tam said he would like to see a bond referendum, in conjunction with the 1-cent sales tax referendum, for parks and recreation on the ballot in February.
"I think we all know that the Trust for Public Land has conducted a survey and the feedback came back positively," he said. "Most of the citizens do support a parks and recreation bond to the tune of $100 million.

"In fact, the data says that the county 3-to-1 would vote SPLOST in for the park and recreation bond for the preservation of green space and purchasing of property to build both active and passive parks."

To maintain a seamless transition from the current 1-cent tax to the next, voters must approve an extension in February. Commission Chairman Charles Laughinghouse said the board would have to define the projects it would benefit before drawing up a resolution in support of a parks and recreation bond. Commissioners also considered acquiring a general obligation bond for the new jail, which could be voted on in July. The jail has been estimated to cost about $60 million.

An additional item on the county's list is a $30 million courthouse annex.
No action was taken, but the board has acknowledged the 1-cent tax would likely generate between $200 million and $250 million. That figure means the county will have to narrow its list by more than two-thirds.

E-mail Julie Arrington at juliearrington@forsythnews.com