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Forsyth County to adopt new open records software By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County commissioners approved purchase of a new software that might give residents an easier path to filing for and receiving information about their government. The Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to acquire JustFOIA Open Records Request Management Software for $14,056 at an April 11 work session. Constituent Services Liaison Toni Boyd said the Sheriff's Office and 911 Center use management software to handle requests, but the new contract with JustFOIA would allow the Sheriff’s Office more services for half the cost. Boyd said general services in the county do not use management software, but requests are handled internally within departments. “Our open records essentially boil down to three buckets,” County Manager David McKee said. “The Sheriff’s Office, 911 and then general government is what I’ll say.” McKee said the JustFOIA system will streamline and centralize the process, and requesters can file a request and choose the appropriate bucket. He said the acquisition will have a cost saving of roughly $20,000 in year two.
See RECORDS, Page 11
SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners proclaim April 9-15 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week at an April 11 work session. Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills said the proclamation recognizes the work of telecommunicators in the county 911 Center.
Fire Department schedules Junior Fire Academy FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Fire Department announced it will host a Junior Fire Academy summer camp program for students to learn about firefighting June 19-23. Students will learn about the education and experience of firefighting, search-andrescue, EMS and other topics. The program is free and is open to students entering the seventh and eighth grade this upcoming school year. Space for the camp is limited, and those
interested in attending must submit an application no later than May 5. County Fire Chief Barry Head said the academy is always a highlight of the Fire Department’s year. “Beyond getting to experience what a week in the life of a firefighter is like, students will have the opportunity to learn lessons about teamwork, responsibility, leadership and general best safety practices,” Head said. The camp will run from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
at the Fire Department Headquarters at the Forsyth County Public Safety Complex. There will be a 4 p.m. deadline to pick up campers. Applications can be completed at www. forsythco.com/Departments-Offices/FireDepartment/Community-Risk-Reduction. For more information, call the Fire Department Public Education Division at 770205-4688 or email Fire Prevention Training Officer Erin Long at enlong@forsythco.com. — Shelby Israel
County program charts increase in students without adequate housing ► PAGE 3
Ethiopiques Cafe cooks up culinary masterpieces ► PAGE 8