The Mayor and all Councilmembers were present.
Approval of the Agenda – Councilman Hill requested an amendment be made to the agenda to include Forsyth Water as item VII.a. Councilman Dodd moved to approve the amended agenda, and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
Approval of the minutes from the Council meeting held on August 17, 2026, and the retreat held on August 19, 2026 – Councilman Wilder offered a motion to approve the minutes from the regular meeting and the retreat. The motion was approved unanimously, 6-0.
Approval of a street closure request on September 17, 2026, for the Mary Persons High School Homecoming Parade – Ms. Audrey King and Ms. Marie Warren presented the request for road closures for the parade. The parade will follow the same route as in previous years and begin at 5:00 PM.
Councilman Dodd offered a motion to approve the street closure requests, and the motion was approved unanimously, 6-0.
Approval of a street closure request on October 10, 2026, for a Breast Cancer Motorcade – The proposed request follows the same route as previous years, beginning at St. James Baptist and ending at the square. Since the applicant was not present, Council inquired if City staff approved of the route, which Mayor Goolsby confirmed.
Councilman Holmes offered a motion to approve the request. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
Approval of a street closure request on October 24, 2026, for the Fox City Witches Ride – Mr. Chad Tyler presented the request for road closures for the same route used last year.
Councilwoman Allen offered a motion to approve the request. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
Forsyth Water – Councilman Hill stated that he would like Council to create a standing agenda item to update and inform the public on the progress being made regarding water discoloration.
Councilman Hill offered a motion to create the standing item to be on the Council agenda monthly.
In discussion, Councilman Holmes asked Councilman Hill who would be delivering the updates. Councilman Hill answered that he would like the City’s water contractor, H2O Innovation, to deliver the updates.
Councilwoman Allen asked if the committee formed as a water task force would be responsible for the reports. Councilman Hill responded that he feels the water task force was created to help identify and understand the issue, but he thinks it is time to hear directly from the experts what is being done to alleviate the issues and provide a better product to those we service. Councilman Hill asked the City Manager to request H2O provide the updates.
After discussion, Council voted unanimously, 6-0, to pass Councilman Hill’s motion.
Public Hearing for a variance for signage for 440 Tift College Drive, Parcel F44 017 – Community Development Director Dean Nelson provided the staff report for a variance request to allow for a 10’x10’ internally illuminated monument price sign at the new Pixel Market Exxon, located at 440 Tift College Drive. The parcel is zoned Highway Business and located within the E. Johnston St. at Harris St. to I-75 Overlay District, which prohibits monument signs and internally illuminated signs. The request was originally for a pole sign, but the applicant amended the application following the tabling of the first public hearing during the July Planning and Zoning meeting. An amended application for a monument sign similar to the neighboring signs for Ingles and CVS was submitted and the public hearings readvertised as required.
Mr. Nelson provided the Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendation that the variance be granted, as well as the staff recommendation that the variance be granted based on the applicant’s considerable effort to accommodate the state’s price advertisement requirements, Exxon branding requirements, and the city’s signage restrictions within the Corridor Overlay.
Mr. Dillan Patel, the owner of the business, and Ms. Erika Bodzy, Permitting Specialist for Unique Permits, spoke in favor of approval.
No one present spoke in opposition to the variance request.
Councilman Goodson provided a motion to approve the variance. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
Public Hearing to set the proposed 2026 Millage Rate – Assistant City Manager Regina Ivie presented the current year digest and the history of the digest and levy for the last five years. During the August 19 retreat, Council voted unanimously to set the tentative rate at 2 mills. Ms. Ivie explained that Council may decrease the rate, but a tentative rate may not be increased at this point.
No one present spoke in favor of or opposition to the proposed rate.
Councilman Goodson offered a motion to set the millage rate at the proposed 2 mills. Following discussion, Council voted unanimously to set the millage rate at 2 mills.
Tiffany Griggs – Ms. Tiffany Griggs came before the Mayor and Council to discuss her nonprofit organization, PEACE, which stands for Providing Education and Community Empowerment, and to request Council proclaim October 6 as Larry Evans and Hubbard Alumni Association Day.
Ms. Griggs provided background information on PEACE, Mr. Larry Evans, and the Hubbard Alumni Association. She explained that Mr. Evans was the first black Monroe County Commissioner and that his many accomplishments and contributions should be recognized. She also stated that, beginning in 2027, she would like the City’s support as PEACE hosts an annual Fall Festival in celebration of Larry Evans and Hubbard Alumni Association Day at the Hubbard Complex.
Councilman Goodson provided a motion to recognize October 6 as County Commissioner Larry Evans and Hubbard Alumni Association Day by the City of Forsyth. The motion was approved unanimously, 6-0.
Second Reading of an Annexation and Initial Zoning Ordinance for Parcel F32 019 – City Attorney Brian Causey provided the second reading of an ordinance annexing parcel F32 019 into the City of Forsyth with an initial zoning of Residential Multi-Family.
Councilman Wilder provided a motion to approve the ordinance. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
Second Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning parcels F23 068, F23 069, F24 017, and F32 046 – City Attorney Brian Causey provided the second reading of an ordinance rezoning the subject parcels to Residential Multi-Family.
Councilman Wilder provided a motion to approve the ordinance. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
Approval of Public Works & Utilities Building final change order – Utilities Director Mike Batchelor requested a $10,000 increase in the general contingency to cover some final expenses related to communications, gutter relocation, signage, and some additional miscellaneous items to close out the Public Works and Utilities Building project.
Councilman Goodson offered a motion to approve the change order request. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
- Approval of Requisitions Greater than $10,000
USA Blue Book, HD Supply, Inc. - $23,149.95 for an additional floating aerator for the south sewer treatment plant
Utilities Director Mike Batchelor stated that the treatment plant currently has two aerators, but a third will accommodate increased volume and create enough redundancy to ensure we remain in EDP compliance.
Sunbelt Soloman Services, LLC - $10,750.00 to replace damaged bushing on a transformer at a commercial site
Utilities Director Mike Batchelor explained that the bushing is damaged on a transformer, and rather than taking the working transformer out of service and sending it off for repair, Sunbelt Soloman Services will be able to make the repairs onsite.
Councilman Hill offered a motion to approve the requisitions. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.