Usually, late August is the time of dog days for the Guilford County Board of Commissioners.

However, in the fascinating year that is 2020, the board will deal with coronavirus, construction and election matters – which are on the board’s agenda for an extremely loaded Thursday, Aug. 27 afternoon work session.

COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the county mean that the public won’t be allowed into the Blue Room on the first floor of the Old Guilford County Court House in downtown Greensboro, where the meeting is officially being held. That’s OK though, because many, if not all, of the commissioners who “attend” will be doing so virtually, and the public can of course watch the livestream of the work session.

At the August 27 meeting, which has a 3 p.m. start time – if the technology plays nice, that is – the commissioners will receive an update on Guilford County’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan and will discuss the use of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. The commissioners will use much of the time in the afternoon work session to consider potential allocations for the next phase of the county’s recovery plan and they may decide how a great deal of federal grant money – initially almost $94 million – will be spent.  

The Board of Commissioners will also review staff recommendations for construction of the Sheriff’s Department’s proposed new headquarters.

The board will discuss educational efforts for a quarter-cent sales tax referendum.

As if all that weren’t enough, the commissioners will also hear an update from county staff on Guilford County’s mail-in voting plans – something that could end up being a politically charged discussion.

While the meeting room won’t be open to the public – and will likely be largely empty save for some county staff and broadcast technicians – anyone who wants to watch can do so on their smart device or computer by going to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3648637386983949327.

To listen to the audio of the meeting by telephone, they can call 1-415- 655-0060 and use the access code 678-322-459.