WS Chronicle

After more than 11 years on the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, Chairman Don Martin has announced he will retire effective July 31, citing a promise made to his wife to step away from public life upon turning 75. In announcing his departure, Martin reflected on major accomplishments during his tenure, including school funding initiatives, capital improvement projects, economic development successes, and the county’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about Martin’s legacy, his reflections on public service, and what comes next for the Board of Commissioners.

Staff Report

WS Chronicle

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — After more than a decade of public service, Forsyth County Commissioner Don Martin announced today June 11, 2026 that he will retire from the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners effective July 31.

Martin, who first took office in 2014, said the decision comes after the approval of the county’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget and fulfills a promise he made to his wife four years ago to step away from public life when he reached age 75.

“Last fall, I decided not to run for reelection for my County Commissioner seat,” Martin said in a statement. “Now that next year’s budget is approved, I plan to retire from the County Commission on July 31.”

Martin thanked Forsyth County voters for their support during his nearly 12 years in office, highlighting two major voter-approved measures that shaped public investment during his tenure: the 2016 school bond referendum and the quarter-cent sales tax referendum approved in 2020.

“Our students thank you for their improved facilities and our teachers thank you for the supplement increase that resulted from the quarter-cent sales tax,” Martin said.

During his time on the board, Martin said the county completed numerous capital improvement projects, including the construction of three new library branches, a new Forsyth County Courthouse, the new Kaleideum science museum, a new clubhouse at Tanglewood Park, and a new Agricultural Center that will serve as the home of the Cooperative Extension program.

The county also expanded recreational opportunities through investments in parks, including the creation of Dudley Watts Park at Belews Lake, while transportation infrastructure improvements included a major renovation of Smith Reynolds Airport and the construction of two new hangars.

Martin also reflected on the county’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, praising the work of the Forsyth County Department of Public Health and its partnerships with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Novant Health.

“Our health department, working side-by-side with Atrium and Novant hospitals, was able to successfully navigate the pandemic,” Martin said.

Economic development was another area Martin cited as a significant accomplishment. He noted that efforts led by Greater Winston-Salem Inc. helped generate more than $1 billion in capital investment and nearly 2,200 jobs over the past decade.

More recently, Martin has served on the county’s newly formed Fire Commission, working alongside volunteer fire chiefs and county fire officials to address challenges related to volunteer firefighter recruitment and equipment replacement funding.

“The second round of recommendations will be implemented next year,” Martin noted.

Among the achievements he said he was most pleased with was the establishment of a school funding formula for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. The formula guarantees that the district’s base allocation from the previous year receives an increase equivalent to the county’s annual percentage growth in property tax revenue.

According to Martin, the formula has helped bring local per-pupil funding more in line with other urban school districts across North Carolina despite Forsyth County having comparatively lower county wealth per student.

As he prepares to leave office, Martin said he is looking forward to spending more time with family and embracing retirement.

“Four years ago, I promised my wife that I would step down from public life if I were fortunate enough to reach 75 years of age — and that happens next month,” Martin said. “She has a ‘few’ things planned for me, we have four wonderful grandchildren to spend more time with, and we are looking forward to taking our first cruise in the fall.”

Martin’s retirement will create a vacancy on the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners several months before his current term would have expired. County officials have not yet announced the process or timeline for filling the seat.