On May 22, voters living in the area of the proposed city of Sharon Springs will have a chance to decide whether or not the city will become a reality. Before that, Forsyth County News is looking for opinions from the community. 

A survey to gauge interest on the proposed city is now available at Forsythnews.com/SharonSprings. (click to take survey).

The survey will ask several questions including whether responders live in the proposed city limits, are familiar with the boundary of Sharon Springs or support cityhood. 

“As a community newspaper, we want to know how the community feels in regards to issues that impact them. Please take a second and let us know your thoughts. We look forward to hearing from you,” said Forsyth County News Publisher Stephanie Woody.

After it passed the Georgia General Assembly, Gov. Nathan Deal signed House Bill 626, which provides the process for creating the proposed city on March 12.

Those living in the area can vote on the proposed city on May 22.

To pass, the bill will need the support of at least 57.5 percent of voters, a compromise between a simple majority and two-thirds majority.

The bill was previously approved by members of the state House of Representatives by 159-3 vote, with 12 members not voting, on Feb. 8. All seven members of Forsyth County’s legislative delegation voted in favor of the bill. 

In October, a 12-member committee made up of representatives from each commission and state legislative district recommended allowing voters living in the area of the proposed city to vote on cityhood.

The approximate boundaries of the proposed city are east of Ga. 400 except the portion west of McFarland Road, south of Hwy. 20 except for areas in the city of Cumming, west of the Chattahoochee River — already a boundary with Gwinnett County — and north of the Fulton County line.

If approved, Sharon Springs would begin with three services — zoning, sanitation and code enforcement — and would have a millage rate capped at .5 mills. One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 in assessed property value, which is 40 percent of the actual market value.

In recent years, Forsyth County and the Sharon Springs Alliance, a group in favor of cityhood, have commissioned a total of three studies on the proposed city.

Those in favor of the city have raised issues including zoning and representation, while those critical of the city have maintained it could lead to higher taxes throughout the county.