Greensboro Eyes Potential Budget Cuts In Face Of Revenue Shortfall

Greensboro city officials are looking at how they might cut spending in the face of an expected $8 million drop in revenue.

City manager David Parrish presented a $613 million recommended budget for the coming fiscal year at Tuesday's city council meeting.

It would maintain Greensboro's current property tax rate, with no changes to water and sewer fees. There would also be no reduction in full-time staffing positions.

But the city is also grappling with how to make up for a nearly $8 million loss in revenue. Much of that is due to reduced sales tax revenue because of shutdowns during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a news release, the budget proposal includes a reduction in building maintenance projects, a freeze on new hires, and a delay for new city programs.

One potentially controversial recommendation is a reduction in bus routes, along with an elimination of free fixed-route passes for the SCAT service, which transports disabled passengers. 

City Council will hold a public hearing on the budget on June 2.

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