Forsyth County Approves Pay Raises For Public Safety Officials

CUMMING, GA — Forsyth County public officials will receive up to 16 percent salary increases in the coming months, making Forsyth one of the highest-paid counties statewide for public safety, according to a news release Monday.

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners passed a Fiscal Year 2023 budget on Aug. 18 that allows certified public safety workers to start receiving a 4 percent cost of living adjustment.

The change takes effect Sept. 26 for employees with the sheriff's office, E-911 department and fire department, according to county officials.

A salary increase of up to 12 percent is also available to the group, starting Jan. 1, 2023, according to the county.

“Forsyth County is one the safest places to live and work in Georgia,” Forsyth County Manager Kevin Tanner said in a release.

“This is only possible because of the dedication of our law enforcement, fire and 911 personnel. The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners values these employees and continues to do everything necessary to ensure that we can offer one of the most competitive pay and benefit packages in the area.”

According to the county, the salary increases are based on market salary information that was used to keep new salary rates competitive in the metro Atlanta market.

Along with the pay raises, Forsyth officials are planning a student loan payback program, a tuition reimbursement program and a 15 percent increase in the county's 401(k) retirement contribution, according to the news release.

“This new pay initiative is a welcome upgrade for the public safety professionals of Forsyth County and a clear indication of how seriously our Board of Commissioners take their duty of providing for a safe community," Forsyth Fire Chief Barry Head said in the release.

"With these salary adjustments, our firefighters now become some of the most competitively paid in the state. Recruitment and retention are some of the biggest challenges for public safety department heads today. This new pay package will help ensure that for those interested in a career of serving others before self, we remain a very attractive community in which to
work. Even more importantly, this commitment to our existing employees sends the loud and clear message that they are appreciated and will help ensure that they remain a part of the Forsyth County Fire Department family."