Frequently Asked Questions

Department of Recreation & Leisure Services

1. Are activity cards required to use the Recreation facilities?
Yes

2. How can I apply for an activity card?
Our office at the Recreation Building located at 803 Forest Parkway is open Monday to Friday 10 am to 7 pm to fill out an application. Proof of residence within the City Limits is required.
A) Any individual with proof of residence within the City Limits of Forest Park can purchase an activity card for $5 per person. Must be renewed annually.
B) Individuals living outside the City Limits of Forest Park must purchase an activity card for $10 per person annually.

3. What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, cashier's check, certified check, money order or on-site Visa/MasterCard. We do not accept personal checks.

4. What facilities are available for rental?
The department's facilities are available for rental. Reservations and permits are required. Special permits, agreements, contracts, and personnel may also be required. For long-term rentals,, profit groups and nonprofit groups, a request in writing must be submitted. Terms, agreements, insurance and fees will be determined. Facilities available include meeting rooms, community building, pavilion/picnic sheds, athletic fields, swimming pool, gymnasium, football stadium and concession stands.

5. How can I rent a facility, field or picnic pavilion?
Individual must contact the Recreation Department office in advance of time being requested to determine the availability of facility requested. Application must be filled out and fees paid within 3 working days after approval.

6. Do you offer a swimming program?
Yes - We offer a wide variety of swimming programs: swimming lessons for preschool and children during the summer, winter and spring: lifeguard training; swim for fun (50 and older); water aerobics; public swimming,; our partnering programs include competitive swimming, adaptive swimming, stroke & turn clinic, High School and Middle School competitive swimming.

7. How do I register for programs and activities?
Registration begins at various times during the year for a majority of the programs. Registration is at the gym office Monday - Friday from 10 am to 7 pm unless otherwise noted. Deadline dates are one week prior to the beginning date unless full or otherwise noted. Information may be obtained by calling 404-363-2908. All activities require participants to sign a release form.

8. Are family plans available?
NO.

9. What are your hours of operation?
Recreation center hours are Monday - Friday 10 am - 7 pm. The gym hours vary on a daily basis. Call prior to visit for open gym hours. Activity cards required to use gym, weight room, fitness area, and swimming pool.

Department of Support Services

1.What positions are available?
Visit our jobs area

2. Do you have a job line?
yes, 404-608-2309

3. How can I get an application?
By calling, making a request in person, fax, e-mail, or from our web site.

4. What are the benefits?
Visit our jobs area

5. What is the starting salary for Police and Fire?
Visit our jobs area

Department of Public Works

1. What items can I place on the curb for pickup?
Other than your household garbage placed in your cart, the City will pick up a total of 3 bags of household garbage placed next to your city cart each scheduled pickup day. All yard debris is picked up every Wednesday when placed at curb according to Waste Management regulations. Bulk items (furniture and appliances) are picked up at curbside every Wednesday as long as you call Public Works Department (404-608-2310) on Tuesday before 4:00 p.m. and place your address on the pick-up list.

2. How do I get garbage pickup started and how much does it cost?
If you are a resident needing new service, please call Public Works at 404-608-2310 to begin the process of getting your city cart. If you are a commercial business your first step is to fill out a sanitation application at City Hall. Once you have your Certificate of Occupancy and have your business license, the Sanitation Code Administrator will contact your new business or feel free to call Public Works at 404-608-2310.

3. What do I do if my garbage is not picked-up and how do I find out the holiday schedule for pick-up?
Call 404-608-2310 for any problems with your sanitation service. Visit Sanitation area for holiday schedule.

4. How much do I owe on any commercial sanitation account?
Please call Public Works at 404-608-2310 for any billing questions.

5. Where do I pay for special sanitation pick-ups such as appliances, furniture, yard waste, leaves, etc.?
The city crews are no longer in the sanitation business and do not offer special pick-ups. Residents are given an opportunity to place five bulk items (furniture and appliances) at curbside every Wednesday as long as they have called in on Tuesday to be placed on the pick-up schedule (404-608-2310). Yard debris for residents is collected by Waste Management every Wednesday as long as it is placed according to the regulations. Waste Management has also provided a discount card for each resident to use if they prefer to take their items to Waste Management transfer station rather than curbside. The city also provides four "Clean Sweeps" each year where residents may bring their items to the Recycle Center for free.

6. Can I still rake my leaves to the street for the leaf vacuum truck to collect?
When we privatized our sanitation collection and Waste Management took over the City of Forest Park turned over the responsibility of collecting leaves for residents as part to the service that Waste Management provides for the City. Waste Management does not have a leaf vacuum truck. This is why each resident is asked to bag their leaves in the brown paper recycle bags. Waste Management will pick up 15 bags every Wednesday. Residents are always welcome to take their yard debris to the Waste Management Landfill Monday through Friday free of charge if they prefer this to using the recycle bags.

The leaf vacuum truck that belongs to the City is now used for keeping our curbs and storm drains clean.

Department of Finance

1. Where do we apply for business licenses?
At City Hall, 745 Forest Parkway, Forest Park, Ga. 30297. Call 404-366-4720 for information regarding license. Ask for Barbara Dunn.

2. What is the cost of a business license?
The cost for a commercial license is based on the type of license, gross income, and number of employees. An administration fee of $50 is added to the cost of the license.

3. Do I need a tax ID number?
Yes, when charging sales tax.

Property Tax

4. What is owed on my property tax and where do I apply for tax exemption?
Call City Hall at 404-366-4720 for this information.

5. Why are our taxes so high?
Forest Park has a millage rate for 2005 of 5.593 mills which is not considered high in comparison to similar cities. We do add $180 for residential sanitation to your tax bill which covers a full year of service.

6. What is the Homestead Exemption?
Each homeowner resident of the city as of January 1 is eligible for an exemption from property taxes. The exemption is a reduction of assessed value of the homestead.

7. How do I file a homestead exemption and what kind do you offer?
Complete a simple form at City Hall (Between January 2 and June 1) stating that you own the house and lived in it on January 1st of the taxable year. The application is made one time only and is automatically renewed each year as long as the owner occupies the residence as a homestead. Regular Exemption is $1,000; Age Exemption (65) is $10,000; Disability Exemption is $10,000 (you will need a letter from you physician stating disability); Veteran Disability Exemption is $50,000; Additional exemption is $100,000 for 2005.

8. Can I pay my County taxes here?
No, only City taxes can be paid in Forest Park. County taxes may be paid at the County Tax Office located at 121 So. McDonough Street, Jonesboro, Ga. 30236.

9. Can you tell me who owns a particular piece of property?
We can give you the name we have on our records as being the owner and their mailing address. We do not record telephone numbers.

City Hall

1. How can I find the name, address, and phone number of local businesses and government agencies?
Call 404-366-4720 and someone can assist you in finding these numbers. (Also available in yellow pages for businesses or blue pages of the telephone book for government agencies.)

2. Where is the unemployment office in Forest Park?
The Georgia Department of Labor office is located in Jonesboro and the telephone number is 678-479-1588 for Clayton County.

3. Can I pay my cable bill at City Hall?
No, you must mail it to the location indicated on your cable bill.

4. I am having trouble with my cable, who do I call?
Call the number on the back of your bill. AT&T Broadband has a franchise agreement with the Call the customer service number on the front of your cable bill. The number is 404-766-22.

5. Where is the location and telephone number of :?
Clayton County Health Dept. - 685 Forest Parkway - 404-366-6230
Clayton County Public Library - 696 Main St. - 404-366-0850
Ga. State Patrol - 5036 Hwy. 85 Forest Park, Ga. - 678-413-8400
Various schools telephone numbers - Call Clayton Co. Board of Education 770-473-2700
Georgia Power - 752 Main Street - 1-888-660-5890
Natural Gas Companies - 770-994-1946
Forest Park Animal Control - 785 Forest Parkway - 404-608-2300
Farmers Market - Forest Parkway - 404-675-1782
Clayton County Housing Authority - 732 Main St. - 404-362-1200
Clayton Co. Chamber of Commerce - 2270 Mt. Zion Road - Jonesboro, Georgia 30236 - 678-610-4021
Calvary Refuse Shelter - 4265 Thurmond Rd. - 404-361-5309
Clayton County Water Authority - 526 Forest Parkway, Forest Pk. Ga. And 1600 Battle Creek Road, Morrow, Ga. - 770-961-2130

Police Department

1. How much do I owe on the traffic ticket I was issued and where do I pay the ticket?
Call 404-366-4720 to find out what is the cost of the violation. You can pay the ticket at City Hall (745 Forest Parkway) if it is prior to the court date unless the citation states you must appear in court.

2. Where do I go for Court appearances?
320 Cash Memorial Boulevard

3. Where do I go to obtain a warrant?
Clayton County Magistrate Office, located at 9157 Tara Blvd. Jonesboro, GA (Harold R. Banke Justice Complex). Phone Number 770-477-3443.

4. How do I post a bond for a traffic offense?
Forest Park City Hall, 745 Forest Parkway Forest Park, GA. Phone number 404-366-4720.

5. How do I get someone out of jail?
Contact Clayton County Sheriff's Dept. 9157 Tara Blvd. Jonesboro GA (Harold R. Banke Justice Complex). Phone number 770-471-1122.

6. Where can I get information about a disagreement with my landlord?
Contact Clayton County Magistrate Office (Harold R. Banke Justice Complex).

7. How can I get my car out of impound?
If impounded by Forest Park Police, come to Forest Park Police Dept. 320 Cash Memorial Blvd. Forest Park, GA. You will need Proof of ownership and insurance. Phone number 404-366-4141.

8. How can I get a copy of an accident report?
Come to Forest Park Police Dept. You will need to make a request in writing, in person, or by mail. The reports are .50 cents per page.

9. Does the Forest Park Police Dept. do fingerprints for the public?
No.

10. How can I obtain an Application for Employment?
Contact Support Services at 785 Forest Parkway, Forest Park, GA. Phone Number 404-608-2347.

11. What is the population of Forest Park?
22,000

12. What is the pay scale for Police Officers?
Certified Officer $30,301/yr.
Non-Certified $28,858/yr.
We do offer Certification and Education Incentives for Police Officers.

Department of Planning, Building, & Zoning

1. Who do I talk to about unkept yards (high grass)?
Code Enforcement - Phone 404-608-2300

2. Who do I talk to about junk cars located in our neighborhood?
Code Enforcement - Phone 404-608-2300

3. Who do I speak to about a stray dog/cat?
Animal Control, Officer Johnson - Phone 404-608-2300

4. Who do I speak to about an abandoned/dilapidated house located in my neighborhood?
Code Enforcement - Phone 404-608-2300

5. Who do I speak to about my landlord not making necessary repairs to my rented home?
Housing Code Compliance Officer - Phone 404-608-2300

6. Do I need a permit for _________________?
Yes, if it pertains to construction, electrical, plumbing, HVAC installation, repair or replacement. When in doubt as to whether or not you need a permit call the Permit Clerk at 404-608-2303.

7. Is this location zoned for my type of business operation?
Zoning Division - Phone 404-608-2303.

8. How do I find out information pertaining to allowable signage, square feet, etc.?
Sign Division - Phone 404-608-2303.

9. How do I get electrical power back on at a house that has been vacant for six (6) months?
Have a licensed electrician pull an electrical turn-on permit, have it inspected and if inspection is approved, the department will call in an approval number to Georgia Power. You must then contact a Georgia Power facility and sign-up for service.

10. If I make a complaint, can I remain anonymous?
Yes, 75% of our registered complaints are anonymous. Once the complaint has been verified as valid, then the City becomes the complainants and takes it from there.

11. Where do I make a complaint regarding a neighbor's yard, junk, cars, etc.?
Call Planning, Building, and Zoning at 404-608-2300 for code compliance. We have a code compliance officer who handles these types of complaints.