In a split vote, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners has adopted the budget for the new fiscal year.
There were three budget proposals. The primary differences were in how much the commissioners wanted to invest in public health and public schools. The first budget up for a vote would give roughly $177 million to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, but was quickly challenged by Commissioner Woodbury who wanted more money for schools.
"Unfortunately there is no unanimous support for the overall budget," said Woodbury. "But I do want to say that we tried. As you can see, the difference is about special appropriations, but I am so happy to let this community know that we worked together to maximize support for public school education."
Her proposal would have added roughly another million. That motion failed.
The proposal by Commissioners Don Martin, David Plyler, Dan Besse and Tonya McDaniel was eventually passed 4-3. Commissioner Besse noted it increases funding for local public schools by $9 million in extra spending, leaves the tax rate unchanged, and provides what he called "substantial" increases for the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and emergency services.
The new budget goes into effect July 1.