If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.
And again, and again, and again.
That’s certainly the philosophy of the Guilford County commissioners, who keep putting a quarter-cent sales tax increase on the ballot only to see it be shot down by voters time and time again.
The commissioners are now hoping that the eighth time is a charm.
At its Thursday, June 18 meeting, the Board of Commissioners adopted a new resolution that put in to motion yet another attempt to implement a one-quarter cent local sales tax increase – this time through a referendum on the November 2026 general election ballot.
(Earlier this year Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Skip Alston said he wanted to see the sales tax on the ballot early in 2026 during the primary election; however, that date has now been moved to the general election.)
The resolution adopted Thursday night – the same night the commissioners adopted a new 2025-2026 fiscal budget – outlines the county’s ongoing financial challenges when it comes to supporting Guilford County Schools, particularly in the areas of educator and staff pay.
Guilford County leaders have repeatedly pointed to the growing gap between state education funding and the actual local needs. The adopted resolution asserts that Guilford County has stepped in to cover those shortfalls – including staffing and technology expenses, while also addressing the county’s legal responsibility to build and maintain school facilities.
Guilford County’s voters have passed $2 billion in school bond referendums in the last five years, and the payback on that debt for school capital needs will cost over $3 billion when interest is factored in.
In light of that obligation, county officials argue that alternative revenue sources are needed to maintain school funding momentum – particularly in order to provide the school system with more money and increase teacher and classified staff pay. “Classified” employees are those in the system such as custodians, cafeteria workers and bus drivers who generally receive lower wages.
The proposed sales tax increase – set at 0.25 percent – would need to be approved by a majority of voters. According to estimates stated in the June 18 resolution, the tax could generate about $25 million in extra annual revenue. In a very good economy that number could approach $30 million.
At the meeting, Commissioner Frankie Jones pointed out that the passage of the sales tax increase would only amount to an extra nickel for every $20 spent.
If approved, those extra funds would be used specifically to increase compensation for Guilford County Schools’ teachers and classified employees.
The resolution adopted Thursday night directs the Guilford County Board of Elections to place the referendum on the November 3, 2026, ballot.
Additionally, it authorizes county staff to engage in public education about the mechanics and purpose of the proposed tax. It’s illegal for Guilford County to use its resources to push for passage of the tax, but county leaders are allowed to “educate” the public about the referendum. Every time the quarter cent tax hike issue comes around, however, the county’s “education” of voters always looks a whole lot like a sales pitch.
County leaders appear hopeful that voters will be more receptive to the measure in 2026 than they’ve been in the past. Several commissioners said at the meeting that having the vote in November of next year gives advocates plenty of time to convince the voters it’s a good thing to do.
The ballot measure first appeared in the 2008 primary election – as soon as state lawmakers made such a referendum allowable. The county tried again in the 2008 general election. The third attempt was in the 2010 general election, when it narrowly failed on a 49 percent yes to 51 percent no vote. The 2014 General Election was the fourth ballot appearance, when it was defeated 43 percent to 57 percent.
It appeared on the ballot again in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
And now voters can cheerfully look for it again in 2026.
About half the counties in the state have approved the measure, however, Guilford County voters have proven to be very recalcitrant in this regard.
Scott,
“About half the counties in the state have approved the measure, however, Guilford County voters have proven to be very recalcitrant in this regard.”
With all due respect Scott, if half the counties collectively jumped off a cliff, does that mean we should do it as well? This pack of vampires that call themselves our “representatives” have proven time and time again they can’t be trusted with OUR collective checkbook.
Patrick, I was just stating a fact, not saying Guilford County should do the same.
This is horse s**t. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
NO. For the 8th time.
be proactive: NO for the nth time ?
NO! Use the money that you, the commissioners GIVE to private parties ( individuals) who have NO accountability to the citizens of this county.
Are the county commissioners or in disguised city council? TBD
And for the 8th time we will vote it down!! They need to stop trying to shove more taxes down our throats. We can’t pay what we have as it is because they keep increasing them! Instead of voting in taxes, let’s vote out the County commissioners!
Replying to Pat: AMEN !
Thanks again for reporting the news. I’m really tired of our Govt here, Raleigh, and Washington. I know there is good news in the someone sometime, but all we see and hear is bad news. It’s like hearing racket on a construction site; pretty soon you don’t hear it any more. No wonder people have given up, and just ignore all this CRAP. So just a few people decide these elections. There goes the Republic.
The sales tax will never pass without a moratorium on property tax increases. Property owners, especially seniors, see it as “ piling on” and are are tired of footing the majority of the bill while services they enjoyed ( Leaf collection etc ) decrease and water rates increase
The implied threat is that if you don’t enact the new tax, then you’ll get even more punishment from property taxes.
Exactly ! All government is like The Mafia.
all tribes/cultures are like the mafia. violate some taboo & get ready for something.
What is the anticipated revenues that could be generated? Would this stop an increase in property taxes?
When will an accounting be published of the 2 billion school bond? Half the projects will not be done and 4,elementary schools have been closed. Also more than 4,000 students in Guilford County receive vouchers for private schools.
I would rather see a sale tax than raising property taxes. Sales tax is equal for everyone………. I see a lot of poor management in Greensboro and Guilford County on handling taxpayer’s money. We need new leadership.
Nope, for the 8th time. Praying the citizens have a brain and again vote No but voting 2 billion for schools, I don’t think so. Also bet half the counties in the state don’t have the tax rate Guilford has nor the racists we have to deal with.
Agreed!!!! Guilford County has become the most racist County on the East Coast I believe. And when you have people running the city and the county like Skip away with your money Alston and Early to rob you blind Jones does, you can’t win for losing. Nothing you do is going to work. They are mob bosses and they know it and everybody in Guilford County and the City of Greensboro knows it. They run everybody including the judges and the DA and everyone else. Why they are allowed to get away with this is beyond me. As for the schools, I thought that’s what the education lottery was for. So I don’t understand why they have to raise our taxes or our sales tax when that lottery makes millions and millions a month. When they set that up it was understood it would go to the schools. So if the schools aren’t getting it, my question is, who is getting it? Skip? Earl? Somebody’s putting that money in their pockets.
“If approved, those extra funds would be used specifically to increase compensation for Guilford County Schools’ teachers and classified employees.”
Of COURSE they would!
Am I correct in remembering that the 2 bil bond package was the largest single bond referendum in the country at the time it was passed? If not it was darn near close. Now due to the huge cost of servicing that debt alternative measures of funding will be required to maintain the schools?!?! Lolol. Sure makes pay as you go seem a very wise and prudent path to take. Unbelievable.
“About half the counties in the state have approved the measure, however, Guilford County voters have proven to be very recalcitrant in this regard.” It appears to me from a glance at the State DOR tables that more than half the municipalities in NC have combined city/county property tax rates that are lower than Greensboro, which may explain the local “failure”.
VOTE NO to further raises for Commissioners
VOTE NO to creating incentive packages for incoming businesses while old businesses, such as the ACC are not supported and allowed to leave
VOTE NO to paying for “new” projects when old projects are abandoned due to desires ONLY of the Commissioners
VOTE NO to “supposed” raises for teachers while the schools they teach in are more dilapidated and rather than fixed/modernized are torn down and replaced
VOTE NO to the creation of new parks/park signs while the roads to get to them are allowed to become impassable and bridges become more dangerous
In other words, VOTE NO to any increase in SALES TAX until the Commissioners are ALL replaced!
jtruit8,
You left out one thing…VOTE NO for every County Commissar running for reelection.
NO MORE F&()^$G TAXES!
Skip Alston’s actions represent the mentality to spend, spend, and spend. Alston and his posse dip into the county’s cash reserve because they will not curb spending. Giving him more money to spend is a bad idea which means a NO vote for a sales tax increase. It is amazing the lengths Alston will take to get what he wants; the extra tax revenue for teachers’ pay, don’t believe it on several levels; eliminating DEI by changing the name. There is no way that the extra sales tax will go to school personnel beyond the first year. After the initial year, the subject will get lost into the ether and Alston will spend the tax increase on whatever suits his fancy. He knows it and that is part of his ploy. If you had a friend like Alston, would you believe him?
They call themselves Democrats, don’t they?
So why don’t they believe in democracy?
The democratic will of the people is perfectly clear, and has repeatedly been made clear.
Don’t forget Al Hare, the will of the people elected these clowns.
unaffiliated voters are such a large % (25?) can they even get on a ballot ? WSJ recently stated 35 to 40% of the us economy is guvmnt – defeat that voting block !
We will not be fooled again.No is no.
Vote no and vote every democrat out of office ASAP. There is no guarantee that this money will go to the classroom. Let’s vote in term limits – one term and done!
Term limits are at the ballot box.
Amen Miller, but voter apathy will be the death of us.
Uh, yeah. How do you keep a good legislator (Howard Coble) if there are term limits?
With Page HS falling apart in the middle of the city and completely ignored/neglected. Very little trust in county about where the $2 billion is being spent.
collect ‘tolls’ on all major arteries in city & county, entering & leaving, & apportion to the entered jurisdiction. pittsburgh did this successfully to counter ‘white flight’ . stay closer to home save time & money reduce pollution