GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — Guilford County Commissioners approved the county budget for the 2023 Fiscal Year.
The county manager proposed an $855 million budget with a general fund total of $777 million back on May 19.
County leaders said back in May the budget expands investments in public education, funds major school facility capital needs, helps the county meet additional demands for service, and addresses staffing concerns.
Current budget recommendations that were adopted include:
- Increasing the operating budget allocation to Guilford County Schools by 3.2 million for a total operating and capital allocation of $254,810,398.
- The $3.2 million increase is said by county officials to be used to boost supplement pay for principals and assistant principals.
- Increase department budgets by a total of $2 million to provide a five percent county 401(k) contribution, with no required match, to all non-sworn benefit-eligible employees (eligible sworn law enforcement positions already receive a 5% contribution)
- Increase department budgets by a total of $550,000 to reinstate longevity pay for employees hired after July 1, 2011, and direct staff to bring back necessary changes to county regulations. Payments in the Fiscal Year 2023 and forward will be based on where employees fall within the current longevity structure based on eligible years of service.
- Increase Federal/State and User Fee reimbursements by $400,000 for anticipated reimbursements.
- Remove the Manager's funding recommendations for Economic Development
Organizations and the International Civil Rights Center & Museum ($1.175 million, to ensure compliance with NCGS 14-234.3 in cases where Commissioners are on non-profit boards) and use these existing allocations and an additional $270,000 to fund the following organizations in the Coordinated Services Department:
Cure Violence in partnership with the City of Greensboro ($250,000)
African-American Atelier, Inc. ($50,000)
Black Suit Initiative ($20,000)
Crime Stoppers ($50,000)
East Greensboro NOW (Formerly East Market St. Dev. Corp.) ($50,000)
Friends of John Coltrane ($25,000)
Greensboro Business League ($50,000)
High Point Arts Council, Inc. ($50,000)
NC Folk & Heritage Festivals ($25,000)
New Light Baptist Church VARiOP student Suspension Program (sis un)
Next Level Mentoring Program ($50, 000)
Piedmont Triad Film Commission ($25,000)
Senior Resources ($100,000)
Sister Circle International ($300,000)
Southwest Renewal Foundation of High Point, Inc ($150,000)
The Aaron T. Jones Jetblack Empowerment Foundation ($50,000)
United Arts Council of Greater GO, Inc. (ArtsGreensboro) ($55,000)
United Arts Council of Greater GSO, Inc. (Reentry & Reinvent Campaign)
($45,000)
- $10 million for school capital outlay, a $6 million increase over the Fiscal Year 2022, to address ongoing school capital maintenance.
- $19.7 million for Guilford Technical Community College, a $1.6 million increase over the 2022 fiscal year for operating and capital needs.
- $550 million for future education capital needs to be based on the $1.7 billion voter-approved bond referendum passed on May 17, 2022. This $50 million increase will begin to fund Guilford County School's known facility needs to implement the school capital master plan. The county intends to provide a $50 million annual investment for education capital needs moving forward.
- 51 new positions in county government to serve families, veterans, and people with behavioral health needs, improve timely inspections and prepare for major economic development opportunities.
- Many positions are partially or fully funded by federal and/or state dollars. In total, the county has about 5.3 positions for every 1,000 residents.
The adopted budget keeps the county's property tax rate even at 0.7305 cents per $100 of assessed property value. Following reappraisal at the median home value, a homeowner will pay an extra $418 per year or $35 per month in general property tax.
The board also approved allocating $98,000 from the county's $104 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to expand an eviction court clinic that supports people facing eviction to two days per week in both High Point and Greensboro and to improve landlord engagement.
The Fiscal Year 2023 begins July 1 this year and runs through June 30 next year.