Residents weigh in on impacts of I-285 express lane project J u l y 2 5 , 2 0 2 4 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 8 , N o . 3 0
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County schedules forums to discuss sales tax renewal FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A series of public information open house meetings, designed for resident feedback on the types of projects to be funded by the proposed continuation of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) program, was set to begin July 24 and continue through the fall. County staff and executive leadership from various departments will be on hand at the open house meetings to speak with residents on future projects that could be funded by SPLOST IX and what the program has funded in the past as well as to answer questions and gather feedback from participants. The meetings are “drop-in” style and will have the same information provided at each meeting. “The meetings are a great opportunity for the community to see how SPLOST funds are currently being utilized to improve traffic, enhance our parks system, bolster our public safety and first response to emergencies, and more,” County Manager David McKee said. “Ahead of a vote to continue the penny sales tax later this year, we want to provide as many opportunities as possible for residents to see proposed plans for how SPLOST IX could be utilized in the future, the role SPLOST plays in funding and to get feedback on the projects residents want to see funds used for.”
See SPLOST, Page 12
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Jake Rodgers, president and head of school at Pinecrest Academy, addresses Forsyth County commissioners July 18 about potential impacts from increased impact fees on July 18.
County’s impact fee plan draws business backlash By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Business leaders addressed the Forsyth County Commission July 18 over their concerns over a proposed increase in impact fees that would be dedicated to fund transportation improvements. Industrial, retail, office, institutional developments currently do not pay
impact fees in the county. Residential developments would see increases ranging from more than 300 percent to more than 800 percent. Impact fees are assessed on new construction to compensate local governments for the wear and tear on its services, like more traffic and larger public safety coverage. The increase in fees for roads was determined by a study conducted by
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TischlerBise, a fiscal, economic and planning consulting firm. Objections to the new fees for business interests run the gamut. Justin Abernathy, development manager for Abernathy Development Company; Cade McDonald, a broker with Hughes Commercial Real Estate; Brett Russell, president of Atlanta Landscape
See FEE, Page 12
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