PUBLIC NOTICE THE CITY OF FOREST ACRES, SC

Pursuant to improving public information, and in accordance

with the S.C. Freedom of Information Act:

GOVERNMENT: Forest Acres is governed by a City Council, consisting of the Mayor and four Council members elected for staggered four year terms during a general, nonpartisan election held in odd-numbered years. For 2009, Frank Brunson is Mayor and serving Council members are Curt Rye, Ginger Dukes, Shell Suber and Charlie Fetner. The next general municipal election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2009, to determine the future occupancy of the council seats presently held by Mr. Fetner and Mr. Suber.

Council appoints a City Administrator (Mark M. Williams, "mwilliams@forestacres.net") to supervise the day-to-day operations of the City.

MEETINGS: City Council is scheduled to meet on the second Tuesday of each month in Council Chambers, City Hall, 5205 N Trenholm Rd, at 5:15 PM, as follows, unless changed by vote of City Council and the public notified:
January 13, 2009
February 10, 2009
March 10, 2009
April 14, 2009
May 12, 2009
June 9, 2009
July 14, 2009
August 11, 2009
September 8, 2009
October 13, 2009
November 10, 2009
December 8, 2009
Notice of any special meetings of City Council, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission, or other committees, or commissions is posted at City Hall 24- hours in advance of the meeting, published as required by the FOIA and the news media notified. The Zoning Board of Appeals customarily meets at 6:00 PM on the second Thursday of the month and the Planning Commission at 6:00 PM on the third Tuesday of the month. However, neither body meets unless there are agenda items to consider and there is a quorum. All meetings are open to the public unless the meeting body votes to enter executive session for a reason authorized by the SC Freedom of Information Act. All official actions must take place in open, public session.

FINANCES: The ad valorem tax rate for FY 2008-2009 is 51.4 mills (same rate as FY 2007-2008), which in combination with other city revenues enables the city to provide its various municipal services. However, with tax billing in November, 2008 the City Council consented to an assessment of 3.3 mills to be used by Richland County to assist the city with compliance of federal and state stormwater management regulations.

The General Fund Budget for the City of Forest Acres for fiscal year 2008-2009 is $5,910,883. A summary of budget expenditures follows, but more detailed information is available at City Hall.

City Council	72,277
City Attorney	75,650
Municipal Court	331,344
Administration	469,699
Public Buildings	39,150
Code Enforcement	184,095
Police Department	2,545,606
Victims Advocate	60,087
Recycling	371,203
Streets & Parks	292,554
Sanitation	1,469,217
General Fund Total	5,91,0883
	(rounded)

SERVICES: The City provides Police, 911 Emergency Dispatch, Garbage, Recycling and Trash Collection, Street Lighting, Parks, Planning, Zoning, Building Inspection, Code Enforcement and various regulatory services to promote the public health, safety and general welfare. The City Council and staff also maintain contact and liaison with other governments to ensure that Forest Acres benefits from services and funds available through other agencies and the private sector.

As funds are available, City Council approves distribution of Hospitality Tax Funds after due consideration of requests for projects or activities that promote Forest Acres and/or are designed to increase patronage of Forest Acres businesses.

The City of Forest Acres observes the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Any holiday which falls on Saturday is usually observed the preceding Friday and any holiday which falls on Sunday is usually observed the following Monday. Note: The Sanitation Dept. does not observe all of the official holidays, but service schedules are usually modified for observance of New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Look for information about revised sanitation schedules in your newspaper or city website or call 782-9475 for more information.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PLEASE CALL CITY HALL, 782-9475

www.forestacres.net (1-9-09)