Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Priority Goals Summary

On January 16, 2025, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners facilitated a Board Goals Session. Following this session, the Board directed staff and consultants to compile a summary of the key priority areas that were identified.

Below is a summary of the feedback gathered during the session. Once the goals are formally adopted, staff will develop and implement corresponding action items, along with timelines spanning the next 3-5 years, to guide operations and strategic initiatives.

Economic Development

Focusing on fostering economic growth and ensuring equitable access to housing.

Promote sustainable growth management practices: Support strategic planning and development that balances economic growth with environmental preservation, infrastructure readiness for site development, harmonious residential and commercial integration, zoning regulations, and the overall needs of the community.
Explore affordable housing options: Address housing affordability by collaborating with the City to explore partnership opportunities, while ensuring the County operates within its defined responsibilities.

Public Safety

Enhancing safety and emergency services through resource equity and staffing stability.

Develop a plan for volunteer fire departments to achieve tax equity: Ensure that volunteer fire departments receive equitable funding and support across jurisdictions to maintain consistent service delivery.
Ensure stable and sufficient staffing levels for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) while evaluating station locations: Prioritize maintaining a well-staffed EMS workforce to provide timely and effective emergency response and assess station placement to optimize coverage and service efficiency.
Strengthen public safety efforts by supporting the Sheriff’s Office and implementing strategies to reduce crime and illicit activities: Continue support for the Sheriff’s Office and develop strategies and adopt technology to reduce gang-related activity, violent crime and drug and human trafficking.

Human Services

Improving quality of life for vulnerable populations through accessible and integrated health and human services.

Continue supporting vulnerable populations by addressing homelessness, food insecurity, and promoting economic mobility: Identify and prioritize resources for individuals facing housing instability, hunger, and economic challenges.
Enhance coordination of social services to create a more seamless system: Strengthen internal and external collaborations to create a more integrated and efficient delivery system to connect residents with the services they need.
Continue efforts to reduce health disparities within the community: Collaborate with community organizations, healthcare providers, hospitals, and other stakeholders to identify and address gaps and barriers in healthcare access and outcomes. Utilize data, such as community health assessments, to develop informed strategies that promote equitable access to quality care for all residents.
Enhance behavioral health initiatives: Continue the support of comprehensive behavioral health programs aimed at preventing and treating substance use disorders. Expand access to appropriate therapies, harm reduction strategies, and community-based support services.

Education

Advancing equitable access to quality education by ensuring adequate funding and resources.

Continued improvement in education funding for K-12 schools and community colleges: Maintain a commitment to ensuring adequate funding is allocated to support the needs of the K-12 school system and community college. Focus particularly on resources that directly support the classroom, primarily teacher pay.
Develop a sustainable funding formula for K-12 schools: Create a funding approach that ensures long-term financial stability for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Such an approach should rely on schools sharing in local revenue growth and declines.

Operations

Building an efficient and sustainable government framework that supports residents and employees.

Continue progress on competitive salaries for hard-to-recruit positions: Focus on ensuring fair compensation to attract and retain qualified staff for essential roles.
Develop meaningful outcome measures to assess performance: Establish a clear framework to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of all programs and services.
Maintain an adequate tax base while ensuring high-quality county services: Ensure the county’s financial stability while maintaining and improving public services and infrastructure.

Active and Vibrant Living

Creating a community that prioritizes inclusivity, sustainability, quality of life, and opportunities for recreation and tourism.

Retain and preserve green spaces and clean water amidst competing demands: Protect and maintain parks, trails, and open spaces to enhance recreational opportunities, environmental health, and tourism appeal. Balance water resources to meet the needs of residents, businesses, and agriculture while safeguarding water quality.
Promote an inclusive community that prioritizes equity, sustainability, and quality of life: Foster a culture of inclusivity and sustainability that supports diverse residents, ensures equitable access to community resources, and embraces tourism as a driver of economic vitality and cultural enrichment.
Embrace programs that provide leisure and recreational activities: Support and expand programs that offer engaging leisure opportunities for all ages, enhancing community well-being, encouraging social connection, and attracting visitors to experience the area’s recreational and cultural offerings.