• By Todd Luck
• Posted Monday, December 16, 2024

Commissioners reflect on 2024

The commissioners looked back on the county’s accomplishments in 2024 in a Special Meeting held on Dec. 12.

During the Special Meeting, commissioners approved a new meeting schedule on a trial basis for the first 3 months of 2025, which has 2 p.m. Briefings on Mondays, followed by 2 p.m. Meetings on Thursdays, every other week, with the exception of one evening meeting held on March 13 at 6 p.m. After three months, they’ll evaluate the new schedule and determine if they want it to continue for the rest of the year or make further changes.

Commissioners also held a swearing-in ceremony for Gray Wilson, who was appointed to the seat held by retired County Commissioner Dave Plyler earlier this year and successfully won a four-year term for that seat in November.

In his year-end remarks, County Commissioner Chair Don Martin talked about transitions the county made such as the retirement of long-serving County Manager Dudley Watts and Deputy County Manager Damon Sanders-Pratt. Commissioners said its been a smooth transition to the new management team of County Manager Shontell Robinson and Deputy County Managers Denise Price and Kyle Haney.

The county addressed numerous challenges this year, with more than 100 employees assisting with emergency disaster response in Western Carolina providing resources, coordinating relief efforts and supporting displaced residents.

Commissioners also added MedEx, a third non-emergency ambulance company, to the county’s ambulance franchises to improve non-emergency patient transportation services at local medical faculties. Commissioners also approved StarChase GPS tracker technology that lets the Sheriff’s Office tag a suspect’s car with a tracking dart so they can safely pursue the vehicle without a high-speed chase.

Among the county’s construction projects was the completion and opening of Kaleideum children's museum along with groundbreakings for Tanglewood Clubhouse, Highland Avenue Park and Forsyth Agricultural Park. Humane Solutions opened at the Forsyth County Animal Shelter, providing spay and neuter services for animals under the care of the shelter.

Forsyth County was honored to host this year’s NC Association of County Commissioners conference at the Benton Convention Center. The Manager’s Office also held listening sessions for the public at all 10 Forsyth County Public Library locations, along with nine employee listening sessions, to get feedback on issues facing Forsyth County.

Also this year, Forsyth County Community and Economic Development began the Forsyth Rides program to help low-income residents with work-related transportation. Forsyth County was also part of the community partnership that launched ForsythWorks.com, which provided online resources and in-person workshops for job seekers.

Other commissioners also gave their year-end remarks, thanking county residents for their support and county staff for their hard work.