The City of Forsyth collected $7.49 million in total revenue in 1993. In 1997, the city received $9.03 million, an increase of 20.5%. Total revenue in 1997 equaled $2,190 per capita. The statewide revenue per capita for this same year was $732.

From 1993 to 1997, own source revenues for Forsyth rose from $2.69 million to $2.74 million, an increase of 1.9%. Own source revenues are all revenues except intergovernmental revenues and enterprise funds. Per capita own source revenues amounted to $664 in 1997. This compares to a statewide per capita amount of $624.

Property tax revenues amounted to $452,300 in 1993, accounting for 16.8% of the city's own source revenue. In 1997, property taxes accounted for 15.1% of own source revenue, with $412,900 collected.

Intergovernmental revenue includes money received from the federal government, state government and other local governments. In 1997, Forsyth received $145,900 in intergovernmental revenue, which accounted for 1.6% of total revenues. The city received $145,900 from the state.

General operating expenditures for Forsyth in 1993 equaled $2.26 million, or $511 per capita. In 1997, general operating expenditures rose by 3.5% to $2.34 million, which was $566 per capita. Statewide per capita general operating expenditures amounted to $588 in 1997.

Historically, the top three expenditure categories for cities are administration, highways and streets, and public safety. In 1997, the City of Forsyth spent $550,200 on administration or $133 per capita. For the same year, the city did not spend any money on highways or streets. Expenditures for public safety include police services, fire services and jails. Forsyth spent $1.04 million or $253 per capita in 1997 for public safety services.

In 1993, the City of Forsyth issued no new debt. Municipal debt could include revenue bonds, general obligation bonds, capital leases, short-term debt and other long-term debt. However, in 1997 Forsyth issued $76,530 in debt, or $19 per capita. Cities often issue debt to help finance large capital projects, such as buildings, roads, parks and water/sewer systems. Given the nature of capital projects, the amount of debt issued by a city can understandably vary greatly from one year to the next.