BOC Holds Final Regular Meeting of 2011

Forsyth County Commissioners held their final regular meeting of 2011 Thursday. The meeting was devoted largely to the county's renewal of service agreements for 2012 and a handful of public hearings.

and was scheduled to receive a resolution of commendation for her 11 years of service to the community, but Commissioner Patrick Bell said, "Due to a mix up, mainly on my part, she won't be here tonight." Bell said the board would try to present the commendation during the first meeting of 2012.

Commissioners approved a Consent Agenda that included 38 service agreements for next year, that were discussed and unanimously approved at at the Dec. 6 work session.

The service agreements included a contract with Advanced Ambulance Service for $956,681.49 to provide ambulance service to county residents. The contract was initially awarded in 2007 and is renewable through the end of 2012. This is the final renewal under this agreement.

Commissioners also renewed contracts in the amount of $300,000 with Moreland Altobelli Associates for management of the SPLOST program next year and with ESG for the operations and maintenance of wastewater plants at Dicks Creek, Manor, Parkstone James Creek and Windermere in the amount of $846,360.

The board held alcohol license renewal public hearings for several businesses. All were approved unanimously except on Peachtree Parkway, which requested a change in the named licensee as well as a renewal. There was a brief discussion regarding past ordinance violations at the restaurant. Commissioners approved the request by a vote of 3-2 with Commissioners Patrick Bell and Todd Levent opposed.

Vanessa Bernstein, the county's long range planner presented the Comprehensive Plan update draft, including the future development map which incorporates a future vision for the county and how it will be implemented. The plan was first presented at a public hearing on Dec. 1.

By a vote of 3-2, commissioners approved a change from Suburban Living to Village Living for Lanier Golf Course. Bernstein said the plan will now be forwarded to the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission for state review and approval.

"The state has 60 days after they receive it to send it back with any comments," Bernstein said. The board will then review the state's comments and hold a final vote in the spring.