Guilford County approves $834M budget

The Guilford County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an $834 million budget for the next fiscal year at its meeting on Thursday.

The adopted measure does not include a property tax rate increase — a goal set by commissioners at the onset of budget season. Guilford County Schools will receive $461 million, or around half of the general fund, to support its operational and capital needs.

The board also took additional steps to support educators by voting to put a quarter-cent sales tax increase on the ballot this November.

Board Chair Skip Alston said at the meeting it's another way to get money to the school system, and that he hopes residents who support teachers show up.

"The fact of the matter is that that's not a property tax increase, that's a sales tax increase that means 40% or more of the people who come in Guilford County will help contribute money to our schools," he said.

The measure would generate around $6 million for the next fiscal year and is estimated to bring in $25 million annually. The funds would help pay for increases to teacher salaries.

The new budget goes into effect on July 1.