Proposed 2008-09 Budget Presented to Council
The economy has slowed, but the demand for City services has not.
City Manager Mitchell Johnson presented the proposed 2008-09 budget at the May 20 Council meeting. The $423 million budget does not call for a tax increase and maintains the current 63.5 tax rate. The proposed budget:
- Supports the creation of a gang unit in the police department to fight gang-related crimes
- Includes 78 new City positions to provide services needed for a July 1 annexation
- Provides funding to maintain water and sewer maintenance programs
- Funds the Randleman Dam
- Provides maintenance for the White Street Landfill, as well as transfer station expenses
- Covers increased fuel and construction material expenses.
The budget calls for a nine percent increase in water and sewer services, as well as a slight increase in solid waste fees. A public hearing on the budget will be held at the June 3 Council meeting, and Council must approve a final budget by June 30.
$500,000 Grant Moves Gateway Gardens Closer to Goal
The grant brings the campaign total to more than $3.6 million.
Gateway Gardens has received a $500,000 grant from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Authority for construction of Phase 1 of the 11-acre garden project. The future tourist attraction, coordinated by Greensboro Beautiful, is expected to bring more than 250,000 visitors a year to the city. Contributions are still needed.
> Find out how you can help.
Collaboration Brings Successes
The project has involved focus groups, an online survey, talk shows, and increased communications.
The Greensboro Police Department, in collaboration with the City's Public Affairs Department, is putting an emphasis on communications between the police and the public. The project involves assessing current processes for responding to media and public requests for information, initiating more news releases about activities, enhancing the website, and identifying ways to provide in-depth information on community concerns.
Since beginning this collaboration, the two departments have conducted focus groups and developed an online survey to gather input from the department and the public, begun a monthly “talk show” about police issues on Government Cable Channel 13, distributed an increased number of news releases related to GPD initiatives, more prominently featured information about the GPD on the home page of the City’s website, and enhanced the GPD’s website to make information easier to access.
> Visit the Police Department's website.
> Watch "GPD: In-Service."
Greensboro Continues to Provide Superior Quality Water
Residents will receive the 2007 water quality report in the mail.
Greensboro residents will soon receive the annual water quality report, the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). It provides information about where water comes from, possible substances in the water, and compliance with state and federal limits. Greensboro had clean, safe drinking water for 2007 and continues to provide superior quality water to residents.
"Our highly skilled water treatment employees work around the clock to provide top quality water to every tap. We have continually exceeded all federal and state drinking water standards,” says Allan Williams, Water Resources Director.
Copies of the report are also available online or by calling the City Contact Center at (336) 373-CITY (2489).
> Download a copy of the report.
Questions or comments about this newsletter should be addressed to: Elaine Tricoli, Interim Communications Manager, 373-2421 or email.
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