There is an initiative being considered by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners (BOC) requiring rezoning applicants to fill out and sign an affidavit delineating the names of those who are actually involved in the sale and development of property in Forsyth County.

We do not have this requirement in the Unified Development Code of Forsyth County at this time.

This proposal has been the focus of much discussion over the last 3-4 years, and will be on the BOC agenda for a vote in a few weeks. If passed, corporate entities will be required by the affidavit to list their owners, executives, major stockholders, etc. As it stands now, there are two proposals from our county attorney being considered by the BOC. The option without any loopholes is the only option that will effectively accomplish real transparency.

The purpose of this government transparency initiative is to open up the process so that those voting on the applications will be informed all of the parties involved in LLC’s and corporate entities. This will go a long way toward preventing our local government officials from unknowingly casting a vote for or against a rezoning in which they may have a conflict of interest. Because, as it stands now the principals involved with LLC’s many times are unknown

In my opinion, the votes on this proposal will separate those officials in favor of a more open government from those opposed. I hope our residents will make their voices heard by contacting the BOC concerning this important issue.

Joe S. Moses
Cumming