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News Release Archive 1999

City Manager Announces 1999/2000 Budget 

At the City Council meeting held yesterday (Tuesday), City Manager Ed Kitchen provided the recommended 1999/2000 budget for the City of Greensboro to City Council.  In presenting the budget, Kitchen noted that it sets a course for proper future planning and investment while maintaining and, in some cases, enhancing the city's commitment to quality services. Budget highlights include:

Water Resources

  • Includes overall increase from 1998/99 budget of $8 million or nearly 20%
  • Provides funding for major capital needs including:
    • Reserve for Randleman Reservoir
    • Osborne wastewater treatment plant expansion
    • Water supply from Reidsville, Winston-Salem and High Point
    • Maintenance/renovation of existing infrastructure
    • Improvements to water distribution system
    • Enhancements to North Buffalo wastewater plant
    • Continued emphasis and increased funds for water conservation programs
    • Mid-year 4.6% increase in water and sewer rates with possible structure changes to further stimulate conservation

Police Services

  • Overall increase from 1998/99 budget of $3.8 million or nearly 10%
  • Funding for 31 new full-time positions including 6 sworn officers and 15 support positions
  • 100% funding (instead of 98.5%) of sworn officers in Patrol Bureau
  • $375,000 for case processing system
  • Operating costs for first regional sub-station in northeast Greensboro
     

Comprehensive Planning & Growth Management

  • Resources to develop a comprehensive plan including 2 new full-time positions in Planning, $150,000 per year for 2 years in consultant services and participation from various community interests, city departments and other governments
  • Resources to stimulate downtown development
  • $750,000 for development activities used to encourage private investments and revitalize deteriorated areas
     

Other Highlights

Bryan Park:

  • Transfer non-golfing activities to Parks & Recreation budget
  • Additional deficit due to foundation replacement of greens and resulting lost revenue
  • Start-up funding for New Bryan Park at Guilford County
  • Replacement of greens and new clubhouse paid by foundation

Technology:

  • $800,000 - $1,000,000 over next several years to replace mission critical mainframe computer systems
  • Aerial photography for GIS
  • Improvements to work order/work management systems in several operating departments
  • Police case processing

Coliseum:

  • Continued $1.5 million transfer to Coliseum

Parks & Recreation:

  • New landscaping crew for expanded bicentennial gardens
  • New maintenance crew for cooperative agreement with school system for athletic fields

Solid Waste Fund:

  • Increase for commercial pick-up services, January 2000
  • Increase of .50 per month for residential services, January 2000

Pay-As-You-Go Financing:

  • Melvin Municipal Office Building renovations
  • Small Parks & Recreation projects and annual land purchase fund

The 1999/2000 proposed budget has no tax increase and maintains the current tax rate of 58.25 cents. Citizens who wish to comment on the budget are invited to attend a public hearing held at 6 pm at the May 18 City Council meeting.