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Council Members:
As a City government and team, we continue to
work together to create an environment for
sustained economic growth and vitality, high quality
of life, and exceptional public safety for our citizens,
businesses, and visitors. We accomplish this
through our daily efforts to provide high quality
services, living our core values (honesty, integrity,
stewardship, and respect), and through a
continuous focus on customer service excellence
and improvement. In addition, we continue to
monitor both our cost of doing business and the
level/quality of the services provided to ensure our
residents continue to receive value for their tax
dollar, both in absolute terms and when compared
to our peer cities.
For FY 17-18, this budget supports both the
Council’s and community’s top service priorities
while responding to the many operating and capital
needs of our organization. Per Council direction on
April 18, 2017, the recommended budget fully funds
the 2008, 2009 and 2016 bond referenda passed
by Greensboro voters. By maintaining the current
tax rate of 63.25 cents (for the eighth consecutive
year) but increasing the portion dedicated to debt
service from 8.0 cents to 9.75 cents, the budget
ensures sufficient resources for timely completion
on 2008 and 2009 projects and activity soon on
2016 projects. The recommended budget also
includes several Council directed employee
compensation items that ensure our salaries remain
market competitive, including the next scheduled
minimum wage increases, pay structure
adjustments for all employees and continuation of
the in-range program.
In addition, this budget provides necessary
resources to support several critical outside agency
requests, ensures the City organization can
continue to properly maintain our existing facilities
and infrastructure, upgrades needed technology to
ensure we continue to operate effectively and
efficiently, maintains the City’s AAA bond rating,
and properly values and recognizes the many
important contributions of our outstanding City
employees.
As a City team, we look forward to working together
to continue to grow Greensboro as a city where
residents and visitors can live, learn, play and do
business. One City, One Team!
Strategic Goals
“Create an environment that promotes economic
development opportunities and job creation.”
The City of Greensboro’s approach to economic
development focuses on advancing these key
principles: promoting job creation, facilitating private
business and expansion in our city and providing
enhanced access to City contracting opportunities
through the continued implementation of our
enhanced Minority and Women’s Business
Enterprise (MWBE) program. In December 2016,
City Council adopted an Economic Development
Focus Strategy identifying areas of interest and
emphasis such as Piedmont Triad International
Airport, Downtown, Revolution Mill and the Joint
School of Nanoscience and Engineering.
In November 2016, Greensboro citizens passed
$126 million in general obligation bonds, $38.5
million of which are dedicated to economic
development efforts. Projects included are
downtown streetscape improvements ($25 million),
further development for Union Square ($4.5
million), further investments in east Greensboro ($5
million) and citywide infill development ($4 million).
$18 million for enhanced resurfacing efforts are
also included.
The Economic Development (ED) Fund receives a
dedicated one-half cent of the property tax,
generating approximately $1.3 million annually.
Among other City funding, the ED Fund provided
support last year for the Renaissance Plaza
Shopping Center and Community Cooperative
Project and has programmed $475,000 for
stabilizing and renovating the downtown Cascade
Saloon building.
The budget also includes support for economic
development partners such as the Greensboro
Chamber of Commerce – Economic Development
Services, Guilford County Economic Development
Alliance, Greensboro Community Development
Fund, the Greensboro Partnership Launch Lab (Lab
Accelerator), Triad Stage and East Greensboro
NOW.
The Gate City Boulevard Gateway Corridor remains
an area of key emphasis within the City’s overall
economic development strategic goals. Phase One
of the Streetscape Improvement Project, extending
from Pinecroft Road to Coliseum Boulevard, should
be completed by summer 2017.
The Downtown Greenway, which will ultimately
encircle the downtown with a four mile walking and
biking greenway, continues to make progress.
Much of the greenway will be constructed or under
contract by the end of FY 17-18. The 2016 Parks
and Recreation Bonds included funding for Phase 4
(final phase) of the greenway plus funding for the
Atlantic & Yadkin (A & Y) Greenway Extension
project.
CITY MANAGER’S BUDGET MESSAGE
Mayor and City Council, City of Greensboro
May 16, 2017