The Greensboro City Council has a huge problem that it spent much of the Thursday, April 7 work session discussing.
The problem is that the city has $59.4 million in federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds that it has to have obligated by 2024 and spent by 2026. If the money is not spent by 2026, then it goes back to the federal government.
The city received $29.7 million in May 2021 and will receive the second installment of $29.7 million in May of this year. Since before the money was received last May, city staff and the City Council has been trying to figure out how to spend it.
There was consideration of using most of the money for a “transformational” project, but it appears now the City Council plans to spend some on city projects and hand out some to nonprofits.
At the City Council work session on April 7, the City Council did reach a consensus on spending $2.75 million on two city projects recommended by city staff.
One project is to spend $1.1 million to “Upgrade security at Police Department facilities to include additional cameras, lighting, fencing and intercom systems.”
Mayor Nancy Vaughan that the increased security would not only benefit police officers but also the nonsworn Police Department employees as well as the public who visit police facilities.
The City Council after some discussion also reached a consensus on providing a one-time bonus for city employees in recognition of their work during the COVID-19 restrictions. Employees who had to report for work during the COVID crisis would receive a $500 bonus and those who were allowed to work from home would receive a bonus of $250. Part-time employees would receive a prorated bonus based on their hours.
The bonuses would go to 2,975 current full-time and part-time employees.
City Manager Tai Jaiyeoba said that the majority of city employees were not offered the opportunity of working from home during the COVID crisis and would receive the $500 bonus.
Councilmember Sharon Hightower did not agree that the employees who worked from home should receive a lesser bonus.
You can bet the nonprofits will get a chunk of cash. Got to take care of council members personal projects.
” . . . . .hand out some to nonprofits.”
Why “OF COURSE” the non-profits (AKA. the groups who get out the vote for current council members) are going to get some. What happened to the recommendations for allocating that money which was presented to the citizens in a poll last year on how and where to allocate the money? If I recall, they were wanting to spend about 70% on parks and recreation facilities, and police and repaving the deplorable streets would get about 20%.
I wish the spirit of voting the democrats out in Washington will filter down to Greensboro and Guilford County.
Mo money, mo money. Spend our tax dollars to award government employees while those that provide the funds work more for less.
SPENDTHRIFT GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STOP
Sharon Hightower, do you have a brain? If the employees were able to work at home, they did not pay for gas or vehicle upkeep, they were able to eat at home rather than eating out at lunch. Therefore, they saved a significant amount of money, not to speak of the loss of production that was apparent for those that claimed they worked at home. I do not think they should get a penny. The people that had to come to work because they were essential should get all the money budgeted.
Hightower is a typical democrat, something for everyone, even the non-participants.
The city can’t spend all they got now. So why do they need more? Anyone?
Handouts before midterms. Grifters will be grifting . How about fix our decaying water lines and sewer infrastructure or finishing any of the many Greenways under perpetual planning with zero connectivity.
Don’t forget about the streets which look like checkerboards with all the patches.
Does Hightower ever “agree” with anything? Did all of her city workers friends work from home? How about the police and fire who worked 24/7 and did not have the option of working from home. They also didn’t get to hide behind plexiglass or closed city buildings.
Hey east Greensboro. When are you going to vote this idiot out?
I’m not sure there’s anyone in east Greensboro smart enough to vote her out. She’s such a sad excuse for an elected official but she is in good company with the other liberal democrat idiots at the dais. They will find a wasteful way Miller. After all there is the bigger and better black money pit and the cure no violence and don’t forget Michelle Kennedys new “enterprise “
The sole purpose of the ARP was to grow governments, from federal to local, and encourage more spending that will forever be carried forward. Simply put it is a method to establish unfunded mandates that will never end.