It appears a 2022-2023 fiscal year budget with a tax rate of 63.25 cents has the five votes needed to be approved by the Greensboro City Council at the Tuesday, June 21 meeting.
The budget proposed by City Manager Tai Jaiyeoba was based on a tax rate of 66.25 cents, which would result in a 30 percent tax increase – the highest in the history of Greensboro. Guilford County revaluated the property in the county and the property values increased significantly. The revenue neutral tax rate, which would raise the equivalent amount of money as if there had been no revaluation, is 54.56 cents. So the tax rate proposed by Jaiyeoba is equivalent to an 11.69 cent tax increase.
The revised budget proposal is the equivalent of an 8.69 cent tax increase and that reduction doesn’t include cutting much of anything from the bloated budget and, according to the Rhino Times research department, will still be the largest tax increase in the history of Greensboro.
The city staff reduced the tax rate with what might be called financial smoke and mirrors, not by reducing expenditures.
The amount of sales tax revenue the city is projected to receive in the fiscal year was increased by $4.1 million.
The $5.1 million increase in facility maintenance will now be paid with American Rescue Plan funds, as will the $1 million for Gateway corridors. The eight additional police officers were removed from the Police Department budget. Since the Police Department is down well over 100 officers and there is no chance that in the upcoming fiscal year that the police will fill those positions, adding eight officers appeared to be an attempt to make it appear that the City Council was supporting the Police Department.
The funds set aside to meet economic development incentives was reduced by $2.5 million. The city is not required to make the economic development reimbursement payments until the conditions in the agreement are met, and staff decided that it was unlikely the full amount allocated would be necessary.
The estimate of the increased revenue from the electric utility tax was upped by $700,000.
The transfer of revenue to the transit fund from the general fund was reduced, but the transit fund will still be receiving additional revenue in the 3.5 cent transit fund.
Mayor Nancy Vaughan, District 3 City Councilmember and mayoral candidate Justin Outling and At-large Councilmember Hugh Holston all said they could not support the budget with a 63.25 tax rate.
However, At-large Councilmember Yvonne Johnson, At-large Councilmember Marikay Abuzuaiter, District 1 Councilmember Sharon Hightower, District 4 Councilmember Nancy Hoffmann and District 5 Councilmember Tammi Thurm all said they would support the budget as presented, and that’s five votes.
District 2 City Councilmember Goldie Wells did not state a position.
Thanks Obewan…vote wisely.
Just count to five and its a done deal. This was not a reduction, it was just an accounting update. This is the solution: If they raise their hands for to vote in favor of this budget, we can also vote-to replace them with people who are fiscally responsible. How did Johnson even get to vote. Part of the budget supports her useless non-profit. She should recuse herself from the voting.
Please please please, remember these names in the next election.
The people of the City & County elected these Socialists, so what you see is what you get.
I wonder that since the U.S. Atty Journal will not enforce the Federal Laws protecting public figures, including (some) Supreme Court Justices, that our City Attorney will not enforce laws protecting our local lawmakers? Mr. Merrick swore to enforce the laws of the U.S., not just those he likes. He needs to be impeached.
Oh, that’s right, after the Socialists get in office; they will do as the please. Just like here.
If you can’t get out of Dodge, it’s time to learn how to defend yourself & family. Pack it in, pack it out.
This is the Tax Cut that Yvonne Johnson talked about at the council forum at the Temple Emanuel. This is what we call political slight of hand, in her mind it is a tax cut from the revaluation but in the pocket book of the tax payer it is an increase in tax not matter how you look at it. Cutting handouts to the International Civil Rights Museum, 400,000.00 to buy a gun show and other questionable spending of tax payer money could make difference in our tax rates. It is a time for change. Time for new leadership in Districts 4 & 5 with Thurston Reeder & Tony Wilkins and Katie Rossabi at large.
There are things that WE, the citizens of Greensboro, can do to make these selfish decision makers wish that they had don’t the “RIGHT” thing for US. Don’t pay our taxes until December 1th. NEVER go down town again!!!. BOYCOTT businesses and only shop at certain businesses where WE all decide to buy our goods for our homes. WE CAN CONTROL Greensboro and STOP their MADNESS!!! The Council Members has now become criminals. They should be arrested for treason. Conditions in Greensboro is NOW out of control. Never forget, Greensboro is OUR home and WE must take control any way WE can take back OUR HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are any of these people paying attention to national events? Inflation is running at 8.6%, gasoline is average $5. Per gallon, we are entering a recession.
I would suggest keeping the tax rate and what is the as for 2022.
Bill, to be fair, inflation affects the city’s ability to pay for the services it provides. It’s difficult for city employees to continue working at 2% raises when other employers have been pushing big bonuses and raises. The city council is aware of this and it was the topic of discussion in their work sessions. To leave our effective tax rate the same in a highly inflationary environment would effectively be a “real” tax cut (inflation adjusted)
Yes, I am a conservative. But let’s be real.