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School spending plan calls for 5% increase from current budget By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
JEFF HONEA/PROVIDED
Cumming City Clerk Jeff Honea accepts a Lifetime Service Award from Georgia Municipal Association liaison Pete Pyrzenski at a May 20 meeting.
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Education is considering a $750.5 million budget that would maintain the current tax rate – or mill levy – on property. The 2026 budget marks a 5 percent increase over the current year. State-mandated costs, mainly state health care premiums and teacher retirements, increased by 3.46 percent. The district’s maintenance and
operations millage rate would remain at 15.208 mills, although people whose property values have increased this year will pay more. One mill generates $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value, which by state law, is 40 percent of a property’s real – or fair market – value. A home that is worth $100,000 on the market would have a taxable value of $40,000, and a levy of 1 mill would cost the homeowner $40 in taxes.
See BUDGET, Page 7
City clerk retires following 37 years in office FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Few people have attended more Cumming City Council meetings than Jeff Honea. For decades, Honea has worked behind the dais, seated at an unassuming desk where he recorded the play by play of more than 400 council meetings. The job may be humble, but it is important,
See HONEA, Page 7
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FORSYTH COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION/PROVIDED
Superintendent Mitch Young gives School Board members a presentation on the proposed 2026 budget.
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Honea said. “It made me feel good knowing I was making a difference, serving the people,” Honea said. “People should want to give back to the community by working in local government.” After 37 years as city clerk, Honea retired at the end of May. At a May 20 meeting, he was awarded a Georgia Municipal Association Lifetime Service Award.
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By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com