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Adopted FY 2016-17 Budget
over $3 million in approved City funding. The first
building of the complex, Union Square Campus, is
under construction and scheduled to open in
August 2016.
The Downtown Greenway will ultimately encircle
the downtown with a four mile walking and biking
greenway,
promoting
fitness,
encouraging
alternative transportation and serve as a key
economic development tool for our community.
Phases 1 and 1A are complete with all remaining
phases expected to be under construction or under
contract by the end of FY 16-17.
Greensboro scored a major economic development
coup in securing the Greensboro Swarm, the new
NBA Development League affiliate of the Charlotte
Hornets. The Coliseum Complex Fieldhouse,
consisting of a complete renovation of the existing
Pavilion into a world class basketball fieldhouse,
will serve as home court for the Swarm.
Greensboro Transit Authority is a key element of
the City’s overall economic development efforts.
Maintaining its financial integrity is paramount. The
Recommended FY 16-17 budget increases the
dedicated property tax allocation for Transit from
3.34 cents to 3.50 cents. This will generate about
$413,000 additional revenue for the Transit
operations and supplement potential losses in
federal grants revenue.
To achieve this increase while keeping the overall
tax rate level, the Recommended Budget reduces
the General Fund tax rate allocation from 58.72
cents to 58.56 cents.
The City will contribute $39.6 million toward the
$78.1 million Steven Tanger Center for the
Performing Arts, a 3,000 seat multi-purpose
performance venue funded through a public/private
partnership. Construction is expected to begin in
late Fall 2016 with completion in 2018. The Center
will be located adjacent to the new privately
financed Carolyn and Maurice LeBauer City Park.
The MWBE program is a critical element of the
City’s economic development initiatives. During FY
16-17, the City will conduct a disparity study update
to assess the effectiveness of the City’s efforts to
achieve MWBE goals and objectives and make
recommendations for program improvements. The
MWBE Office continues to offer enhanced business
development initiatives, such as public education
programs, training seminars and networking
symposiums to prepare businesses for contracting
opportunities with the City.
“Promote public safety and reduce crime.”
Closely aligned with our economic development
strategic goal is the organization’s desire to
promote public safety. A safe community is a
critical component of an economically vibrant
community.
During fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16, City
Council authorized 12 total additional fire fighter
positions. The Recommended FY 16-17 budget
adds six (6) more positions. These 18 total new
positions will increase the manpower availability on
all Fire Department ladder companies to the
recommended four positions per shift.
During the FY 14-15 year, the Chief of Police
established six strategies to transform the Police
Department into a national model for exceptional
policing. Among the most significant are
implementation of Neighborhood-Oriented Policing,
which should be completed in June 2016, and
revisions to training provided to recruits in the 100th
Police Academy. Instruction provided to recruits
focuses heavily on interpersonal communication
skills, problem solving and the use of technology to
prevent and solve crimes. Lastly, the new Office of
Community Engagement focuses directly on the
police department’s efforts related to community
outreach
.
“Maintain infrastructure and provide sustainable
growth opportunities.”
Bond referenda passed by the residents of
Greensboro in 2006, 2008 and 2009 authorized
borrowing of over $228 million for streets, fire
stations, parks and other improvements. These
projects improve the quality of life for our residents
and support our various economic development
activities by providing the necessary infrastructure
to encourage private investment in our community.
The City continues its strategy of managing the
borrowing for these needed capital improvements
with minimal tax rate adjustments for debt service.
The FY 16-17 Recommended Budget requires an
increase in the General Fund support for debt
service expenditures related to these bonds roughly
equal to one cent on the tax rate. The Recommended
Budget has accounted for this need through other
available revenues and expenditure control.
Significant projects underway with land acquisition
and/or construction include improvements to
Horsepen Creek Road (widening from New Garden
Road to Battleground Avenue) and improvements
to Cone Boulevard/Nealtown Road. In addition,
sidewalk improvement projects are underway
throughout the City, including improvements along
sections of Randleman Road, Florida Street, West
Friendly Avenue, Vandalia Road, McConnell Road
and West Wendover Avenue. Design will be
underway soon for sidewalk projects along
Lowdermilk Street and Holts Chapel Road.
City Manager’s Budget Message