Guilford County residents will soon have multiple chances to weigh in as to how their tax dollars are spent – and what kind of county they want to live in after all that money is spent to reshape “livability” in the county.

The Guilford County Board of Commissioners just announced a series of five public meetings in April that will combine traditional budget town halls with broader discussions about the county’s long-term strategic vision. It’s an important time for residents to offer feedback because the commissioners are currently weighing how much extra property tax revenue to take from property owners when the new budget is approved in June.

These meetings – intentionally scheduled across different parts of the county –  are in part designed to give residents a clearer picture of how the fiscal 2026–2027 budget is being developed while also gathering public input for a new strategic framework called “Advancing Our Livability.”

County leaders say that the sessions are intended to do more than just present numbers: They’re also an effort to explain the often complex (and often expensive) mix of services, mandates and priorities that shape the county’s spending plan – and to hear directly from residents before any key decisions are made.

At each stop, attendees will first be able to talk with county staff and learn about services and programs.

 That portion of the evening will focus heavily on the county’s proposed strategic plan, which centers around the idea of “livability” – a concept county leaders describe as ensuring that people of all ages, incomes and abilities can live, learn, work and enjoy life in Guilford County.

The strategic plan identifies five major focus areas:

  • Healthy and Thriving People
  • Lifelong Success
  • Safe and Resilient Communities
  • Sustainable and Vibrant Communities
  • Operational Support and Fiscal Sustainability

Following that discussion at each session, the commissioners will present an overview of the upcoming budget and open up the floor for public comment.

County officials emphasize that public participation will play a key role in shaping the final budget and say the input gathered at these sessions will help guide funding priorities.  (Some years, however, that claim seems specious once the final budget is revealed.)

Each meeting will follow the same format: Livability forum begins at 5:30 p.m. with budget overview and public input from 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Here’s the full schedule of meetings:

 

Session 1. Date: Tuesday, April 7

Location: Pleasant Garden Community Center

5024 Alliance Church Road, Pleasant Garden

Session 2. Date: Wednesday, April 8

Location: Northeast Park

3441 NE Park Dr., Gibsonville

(Put 4010 High Rock Road into your iPhone.)

Session 3. Date: Friday, April 10

Location: Congdon Yards

410 W. English Road, Suite A251, High Point

Session 4. Date: Tuesday, April 14

Location: Barber Park Event Center

1500 Barber Park Dr., Greensboro

Session 5. Date: Wednesday, April 15

Location: GTCC Donald W. Cameron Campus

7908 Leabourne Road, Colfax

More information about the meetings is available at GuilfordCountyNC.gov/BudgetTownHalls.

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