Over the last two decades, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners has had some very lively discussions about disparity in county policies and hiring practices – and now the board is set to tackle those issues once again in the July heat. The afternoon work session will also be used to help the board figure out how to spend millions of dollars in federal coronavirus relief money that’s been coming to the county and will continue to come in the future.
The Board of Commissioners has scheduled the work session for Thursday, July 15 at 2:30 p.m. in the Blue Room – a much-used meeting room on the first floor of the Old Guilford County Court House in downtown Greensboro.
According to the meeting notice sent out on Tuesday, July 13, the purpose of the work session is to “discuss American Rescue Plan Act funding strategy and long-range planning; receive input on the Continuum of Care Collaborative Applicant status; [and] receive an update on the MWBE Disparity Study.”
The board will also “conduct any other necessary business.”
Like other local governments across the country, Guilford County has received a great deal of federal and state relief funds meant to address the pandemic – though that money comes with a lot of strings attached and the county wants to make sure the money is spent for intended and legitimate purposes. That’s one reason the commissioners have chosen to spend some extra time discussing the matter.
Due to limited seating in the Blue Room, the work session will be open for citizen participation through the Zoom virtual platform. Some members of the media will be allowed to attend.
Citizens can watch the meeting or listen to it virtually. They can use Zoom on a computer, tablet or smartphone at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7Sep1KcdRxmr8wINeLO7NA, and, if required, entering meeting ID 869 8807 3203 at the prompt.
The meeting will also be livestreamed on Guilford County’s Facebook page.
Copies of the work session agenda will be available for review prior to the meeting at https://guilford.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Contact Deputy Clerk Jessica Wolf at jwolf@guilfordcountync.gov with any questions.
Sooooo, that’s a fancy name for the scheduled meeting that has only fleecing and open racism on the agenda? Just making sure I read it correctly.
There are Jobs everywhere! Stop the Giveaways and expect people to take care of themselves. No more excuses!
Expect businesses to take care of themselves without employees that refuse to be paid low wages! Great point.
I am a disabled white woman that has a small consulting business. Can you believe that Greensboro and Guilford County do not allow me the federal MBE/WBE/DBE business rights? They focus only on Black owned businesses. Guess what Greensboro and Guilford County , I am an important part of that federal legislation. You refuse to recognize me and other similar businesses, especially DBE’s. You are setting yourself up for a lawsuit. The federal program is not just for black owned businesses. Neither is the North Carolina legislation. Councilwoman Hightower why don’t you actually read the law! We are tired of your discrimination against us.
“Can you believe that Greensboro and Guilford County do not allow me the federal MBE/WBE/DBE business rights?”
In what way has the city and county actually denied you these rights? Your comment is laced with emotion making it difficult for anyone to understand your grievance.