Guilford County Manager Mike Halford has spoken as to what he would like to see the 2023-2024 budget look like, but now it’s time for the Guilford County Board of Commissioners to reshape and tune up that budget before the board votes to approve a final version next month.
As part of that process, the Board of Commissioners has scheduled a work session for Thursday, May 25 at 4 p.m. in the Carolyn Coleman Conference Room on the first floor of the Old Guilford County Court House in downtown Greensboro. At the meeting, the nine commissioners, who will have had time to review the proposed budget Halford presented them last week, will discuss what changes they would like to make to the budget.
Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston said the budget will be whatever at least five commissioners can agree on. However, he said he would like to see a version that will get a lot more support.
“I always try to get a unanimous vote,” said Alston.
That may be hard to do this year. The Democrats on the board will almost certainly reach a consensus but it may be harder to get the three Republican commissioners on board.
On Monday, May 22, Republican Commissioner James Upchurch said he had some concerns about the budget brought by Halford as well as the budget likely to be shaped by the commissioners in the coming weeks.
“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to vote for it this year,” Upchurch said.
Even though the pandemic emergency has been officially declared over, the county is continuing to offer virtual viewing options of work sessions through Zoom. Anyone with access to a smartphone, tablet or computer can watch the proceedings at https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1614115517 after registering at the site.
Also, those who want to listen via telephone can get information on how to do so by contacting the Guilford County Clerk to the Board’s office.
