The budget cycle for the Guilford County commissioners is gearing up again and the big question many county residents have is this: Will they or won’t they?
Raise taxes, that is.
At a Thursday afternoon, Feb. 23, 3:30 p.m. work session in the Carolyn Coleman Conference Room on the first floor of the Old Guilford County Court House in downtown Greensboro, the Board of Commissioners will hold a work session that will include a discussion of the county’s priorities for the fiscal 2023-24 budget that the board is scheduled to adopt in June.
The big question that’s already making the rounds among county staff and commissioners is whether or not there should be a property tax increase when that new budget is adopted.
It’s hard to imagine how the board could argue for a tax increase this year given what’s transpired in the last two years.
In that time, Guilford County has received millions and millions of dollars in federal money that, in many cases, helps offset funding the county would have needed to pay out of its ordinary funds during a usual year.
Also, Guilford County government got well north of $80 million in extra funds last year by keeping the tax rate at the same level after the 2022 revaluation of property across the county. That extra money will continue to recur each year since the price of most property in the county will remain the same until the next countywide revaluation of property.
There’s also the fact that inflation has hit county residents hard and property owners are already paying much more in property taxes than they did in 2021.
Residents won’t like another tax hike right on the tail of that increase.
On the other hand, Guilford County government is spending much, much more money right now than at any point in history. The county approved a $1.7 million school bond that voters voted yes on, and it just created a new entire Public Relations Department, and the county has also been lavish in its treatment of county benefits and pay for employees.
One bit of good news for taxpayers is that the board seems likely to increase the discount rate for early payers from 0.5 percent off the tax bill to 1 percent off the bill.
The bad news is that even a minor tax increase would negate that small break.
Information that county staff sent in an email to the commissioners reads, “Staff received a question from a Commissioner about our tax rate and early property discount.” The unnamed commissioner asked this: “How much revenue would be generated by adjusting the tax rate from 73.06 cents to 74 cents and increasing the early pay discount rate from 0.5 precent to 1 percent?”
County staff’s “safe estimate” answer to that question was that increasing the discount rate would mean a loss of $1.4 million in revenue, while increasing the tax rate to 74 cents per $100 of assessed property value would bring in an extra $6.4 million – meaning that scenario would lead to a $5 million increase in revenue for the county in the coming fiscal year.
The email from staff didn’t identify which commissioner sent the question to staff..
At least one commissioner isn’t going to vote to raise taxes this year.
Commission James Upchurch said, “I’ve never voted for a tax increase and I’m not going to start now – especially when taxes just went up over 30 percent with the revaluation.”
Small consolation……….but it’s a start.
Kudos to Mr. Upchurch.
Somewhere in that flock is a wolf. Let’s see if they have the courage to come forward and identify themselves.
You think they care about you or spending your tax dollars wisely? Prepare to get raped…again.
They will not vote for an increase, but make us feel like they are doing us a favor. Do not bite on that.
If there is going to be an increase in taxes, again, since we all got an increase in valuation and our tax bill, it will be this year. The reason, no commissioner is up for re-election. If they give us a tax increase this year, they figure you will be over it by next year when they do have commissioner elections. In my 24 years preparing sheriffs office budgets, it was always made clear to department heads, need wasn’t the driving force, elections were. Any bets?
Dang this County sure does like to spend OUR money!
“The county approved a $1.7 million school bond that voters voted yes on . . .”
We WISH! We could actually pay off $1.7 million. The bond was for $1.7 BILLION.
We don’t need another tax increase. I can’t hardly afford the one the city put on us last year. Live within you means. Senior are struggling and you people don’t give a damn.
Must I say it again: Democrats know how to spend our money at a very fast pace. They also know where to find new things to tax. They are and have always taken our money and spend like a DRUNK SAILOR. We all know what to expect when Democrats are in charge . I didn’t vote for them so can I convince you to consider voting out all Democrats in the next election so we can get Republicans in who know how to budget and continue giving Guilford County what’s needed to run county. Let’s vote out all Democrats,Are You With Me?
Lol
GET OUT OF THE COUNTY!
Bye sell your house this is one of the hottest markets in the nation buh by
Wud love to. I think housing prices (and rental prices) are trending down right now. If you at a commodity chart, you will see than a number of things used in building homes cost far less than they did a year ago, i.e. Lumber is down 70% YOY. Steel -14%, etc.
I am ready to move now. However, we have lots of family in the area, so we are here until forced out. A Chicago-like tax increase will move us out PFQ.
Higher taxes with increased property values and all that federal money = should be “no brainer” to not raise property taxes even more. If they are in doubt put some of those millions to referendum and let voters and taxpayers decide. What did they do with all that federal money?
If the question is even asked “Should we raise taxes?”, then the whole board should resign. Would indicate a complete disconnect with what is happening to the public with inflation and with the reassessment.
Get real. Should be discussing tax cuts and lower spending.
Is there no limit to the greed of government?
I am utterly speechless, but really not that surprised.
No. No. No. It was criminal increasing taxes after reevaluating post COVID during the abnormally inflated housing market. It seems we are all being encouraged to become renters versus property owners. Shame on every Commissioner for even considering this. Work within your budget. Stop living beyond our means with taxpayer money.
I think a little investigative journalism is in order to reveal which councilmenber made that inqury.
Real estate as well as Home prices have fallen for 6 straight months Are the taxpayers in Guilford county going to see a reduction in the inflated reevaluation tax of last year.
“The power to tax is the power to destroy.”