The very large check from the federal government hasn’t arrived yet, but Guilford County officials are already thinking hard about the best way to use the coming $104 million from the nearly $2 trillion federal stimulus package that was just approved in Washington.
Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston said on Friday, March 12, that he wants to see Guilford County, the school system and the cities and towns in the county coordinate their stimulus money spending efforts for the most efficient use of money to achieve the greatest success.
Last year, Guilford County was extremely fortunate to get over $93 million for use in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, but the county can still really use this new round of funding. Alston said that, this time around, he wants to see more communication between the county, the schools, the towns and the cities. He said that this time around the school system, the City of Greensboro and other entities will, like the county, get large sums of federal money of their own – and, while each entity will each decide how to spend the money, it’s very important to coordinate that effort.
“The last time, when the county had $93 million, we just gave the money out – we didn’t ask for anyone’s opinion about how to use the money,” he said.
Alston added that the fate of the $93 million was really determined by the county commissioners with little input from schools or the cities and towns.
“I want us to get together so we can have the highest and best use of the money,” Alston said.
He also said it won’t take long for this money to be put to good use.
“We’re expecting half almost immediately,” the chairman said.
“But we have until 2024 to spend it,” he added.
Maybe this funding will help us to not have a tax rate increase this year Are you listening skip
The money doesn’t come from “the government.” It comes from US, we, the people, those who work and produce goods and services for which people are willing to pay. We don’t get money from Washington– Washington gets money from US. But I’m sure our illustrious city council can find a way to waste the money on things they wouldn’t do if the money were not perceived to be “free.”
Ah, but I am not willing to pay. At least not for any of this.
May I make a couple of fruitless common-sense suggestions? Pay off the debt. Bring the GPD up to staff levels, with increased pay.
That’s right, you read correctly. Over $100,000,000 (one hundred million) in stimulus funds but you have over three years to spend it.
Following this news is the fact that Biden is considering another tax hike and eliminating other current tax breaks to cover this frivolous use of tax payer dollars.
Already falling into the media trap, I see. Tax code is complex. It’s a tax hike for those making more than $400,000 a year. If you’re in that group, good on you and your concerns about it. But for the 95% of households under that income level (again, that level is for individuals not even households) this tax hike does not apply. Much of it is to close loopholes that tax avoiders have been so keen to take advantage of.
The last three stimulus bills were paid by increasing debt. The only way to change that pattern is to increase income and/or cut services. We probably need to do both.
Biden has already started back peddling on the $400K/yr starting point. The threshold will be much lower. Nobody should be surprised.
Yes-sir-ee and that’s just in little old Guilford County, NC. Just think of the total waste across the country, and that’s just on one grant. Having worked in government, there is NO “free money,” even if there’s no match required you burden staff with senseless reporting to big brother. All in the name of qualifying for the next batch of “free money.”
Even in the private sector the lies are there. Free with purchase of_________. Free with _____________ month contract. Free (today only.) Free when you sign up for __________. Nothing in this life is free except for Salvation and the 9 month ride you got before your 1st breath!