Forsyth County property tax bills likely to rise this year, county manager says

The Forsyth County manager is recommending a decrease in the county’s tax rate, but officials say tax bills will likely still rise for homeowners this year. 

The county's property valuations jumped by an average of about 50% in 2025, though there were spikes of up to 300% in some areas. 

When valuations go up, tax rates typically go down, leaving many property owners with about the same bill. That’s according to Forsyth County Tax Assessor John Burgiss, who spoke to WFDD earlier this year. 

At a meeting Thursday, County Manager Shontell Robinson did recommend dropping the tax rate slightly. But the decrease would not be enough to offset the rise in property values.

Robinson said the average Forsyth County homeowner would see an annual increase of just over $100.

“Which is the equivalent of $9.44 per month in order to maintain county services.”

The change would generate an extra $27 million in revenue, which Robinson said was needed to become less reliant on savings and one-time funding sources, like COVID-relief dollars. 

Commission Chair Don Martin said it “wasn’t a secret” that some of the sources were running out. 

“We knew they were going to be replacement dollars that were going to have to happen," he said. "And it did postpone any kind of tax increases for two years.”

Commissioners will vote on the final budget next month.