I read with interest the recent reports on Greensboro’s upcoming budget, and like many residents, I’m troubled by what I see. Councilmember Trey Davis and City Manager Trey Davis have both offered reassurances that their goal is to avoid a tax hike, but when you dig into the numbers, it’s clear we’re on shaky financial ground. The city faces a $5 million to $7 million shortfall, and while Assistant City Manager Larry Davis admits this is “survivable” for now, he also warns it’s “not sustainable” long term.
Their solution? A temporary hiring freeze—just through June 30.
Here’s the problem: if we know we’re spending more than we’re bringing in, why are we stopping the freeze in July? This short-term thinking is exactly why Greensboro keeps landing in budget trouble. Trey Davis has said we need “flexibility” to fill critical positions—but where’s the transparency on what those positions are, and why they’re essential? Taxpayers have every right to ask whether this is genuine cost-cutting or simply political window dressing.
Worse yet, significant financial pressures are looming. Fuel costs have risen 10%. Support for the parking fund has ballooned by over 400%. And Greensboro could soon lose more than $9 million in Powell Bill funding for street maintenance, thanks to proposed changes by the N.C. General Assembly. That’s not just a budget hiccup—that’s a serious threat to our city’s infrastructure plans.
So where’s the proactive strategy? Simply hoping for the best isn’t leadership. Greensboro needs a concrete plan to address these risks head-on:
- Extend the hiring freeze beyond June 30 until the budget is truly balanced.
- Conduct in-depth audits of every department to identify waste and inefficiencies.
- Create a detailed contingency plan in case Powell Bill funding is cut, so we don’t scramble later.
Let’s be clear: we all want a city that invests in its people and infrastructure. But we also need a city government that’s honest, disciplined, and transparent about spending taxpayer dollars. Right now, Greensboro’s approach feels more like a band-aid than a solution.
As someone who has spent over four decades managing business budgets, I know that tough choices and long-term planning are essential. If elected to City Council, I will push for real accountability, smarter spending, and transparent decision-making—because our residents deserve no less.
Greensboro is at a crossroads. Let’s choose a path of genuine fiscal responsibility, not just temporary fixes and good intentions.
Sincerely,
Nicky Smith
Candidate for Greensboro City Council, District 4
Your common sense analysis is like a breath of fresh air, but… please don’t refer to the budget gap as a “shortfall”. It intrinsically implies that revenue is falling short of requirements, and so must be increased. That is the precursor for tax increases – to “make up the shortfall”.
More accurately and honestly these disparities should be called “overspending” – because that is what they are.
All government chronically overspends, and that is the root of so many of our problems.
Accurately calling it overspending lays the groundwork for trimming spending – which is the right solution.
No matter how much is extorted from the taxpayer, it is never enough. When our pre-Republic Crown Colony imposed property taxes in the Carolina, people moved west to Tennessee and beyond. Where can you go now?
You’re right, Miller. The chronic constitutional greed of government is unlimited, and ultimately kills all initiative, enterprise, and the goose that lays the golden eggs, resulting in a gray dystopia of misery and slavery.
Thanks, Austin. You’ve hit on a deeper truth. When government grows unchecked and keeps reaching into taxpayers’ pockets, it doesn’t just hurt wallets, it stifles innovation, hard work, and the very spirit that builds strong communities. That’s exactly why I’m running to restore fiscal discipline, protect individual initiative, and push back against this cycle of bloated budgets and broken promises. Greensboro deserves better.
Great point—and I agree. “Overspending” is a more honest term than “shortfall.” Greensboro doesn’t have a revenue problem—it has a spending problem. Until we call it what it is, we won’t fix it. Thanks for keeping the conversation clear and focused.
Well, they could always cut the budget for Emergency Services again, or freeze the pay of law enforcement, or make budget cuts in other critical service departments.
That way they can continue to fund the numerous NPOs that help them get elected. Pretty much like the Board of Commissars.
Exactly, Alan. That’s the backward budgeting mindset we have to change. Cut from essential services like police and emergency response while pouring millions into politically connected nonprofits with little accountability or measurable results. Public safety should never take a back seat to politics. If elected, I’ll prioritize core services, demand transparency in funding decisions, and make sure every tax dollar is spent where it truly serves the public, not political interests.
You got my vote. Common sense wins.
Old timers in Guilford County can remember a time when our politicians used to take office and at least make an attempt at common sense spending. The 70- 80’s era saw the introduction of leftist globalist ideologies in governance, social justice virtue signaling and politics of personal destruction. All of these false gods of democracy leave Guilford County in the same place as many others. Where do we go from here? Tax and spend for foolish causes or fiscal sanity for delivering the taxpayer a proper return on their hard earned dollars?
Beautiful Nicky simply beautiful! And it is you and your neighborhood and a few of the Members of the Greensboro City Council that opposed a poor black developer’s intent to to develop a unsightly residential 1 acre lot on Willoughby Blvd. and Pisgah Church Road to low density multi-family residential property. This road is already lined with commercial and multi-family residences, but you and others Grandstand to oppose it. Does Greensboro not need that additional tax and water services revenue? You all failed miserably! How are you going to vote or support Roy Carroll’s efforts to develop a much more busy area and longtime time residential neighborhood on Friendly Ave. into a multi-family, commercial, and light Industrial Development with a Bee-Safe Mini-Warehouse? You and Zack Matheny are typical politicians talking out of both sides of your mouths! Who do you two really represent?
I think your thoughts are good, but you are missing the one important thing….. the actual law, statute and legal processes of much of what you are talking about. Indeed the budget is way too much, as is the County’s but many factors, legal and growth wise have to be considered. I’m not in your district but I do suggest you start reading then state statutes about Municipal Government. We all want the same thing, but there are laws.
Greensboro’s Call for Fiscal Responsibility
In Greensboro’s streets, voices rise,
A city’s budget cloaked in disguise.
Nicky Smith steps forward clear,
Speaking truths we need to hear.
Numbers hidden, truth obscured,
Promises made, yet unsecured.
Temporary fixes, just till June,
Yet deeper issues remain immune.
Trey Davis says we’ll hold the line,
But shortfalls grow, the signs align.
Fuel rising, funds shrinking fast,
Temporary measures just won’t last.
Powell Bill threats loom ahead,
City leaders tread with dread.
Where’s the plan, concrete and strong?
Short-term thinking leads us wrong.
Nicky sees through fleeting schemes,
Fiscal health needs more than dreams.
Audit deeply, freeze with care,
Transparent choices clear the air.
Decades managing budgets tight,
Nicky knows what’s true and right.
Long-term plans, not temporary,
Discipline, clear, necessary.
Greensboro stands at a pivotal place,
Needing leadership with honest grace.
With Nicky Smith, we’ll clearly see,
A future built responsibly.
I am writing to complain about big federal tax giveaway to new born children. I was told to save for retiremrnt snd did so for 45 yrs. Now the government tells me when i have to take out, how much i must take out and pay tax on it. Now they want to take my tax money and give it to other peoples kids. If i want to give money to my own kids i have to report it to the government.
All this applies to sll of us who have been doing the right thing sll our lives.