Forsyth County mental health facility project shut down [Video]

CUMMING, Ga. — Forsyth County Board of Commissioners abruptly shut down a project to build a youth mental health treatment facility with federal funds on Tuesday.

Forsyth County had already spent about $3 million in federal COVID relief money on a new mental health facility. Tuesday’s vote devastated advocates who argued that the facility is desperately needed. 

“I don’t think it is the county’s role or Forsyth County citizens’ responsibility to fund a state facility,” Commissioner Kerry Hill told commissioners during a work session.

It comes after the commissioners said for years they would use the funds to build the facility. About a year ago, some of them realized they could use the funds to upgrade county water infrastructure instead—which some commissioners argue is a required expense.

“We have critical infrastructure costs, and what we’re doing is transferring those costs to our taxpayers. Ultimately, …