GREENSBORO, NC (February 10, 2011) – City of Greensboro Mayor William H. Knight announced today that Guilford County has accepted a counter offer from the City regarding tax collection and other issues. Under the new agreement, the City will pay Guilford County $963,000 per year to collect property taxes from Greensboro residents.

According to Mayor Knight, the counter offer was one that the City felt was best for all stakeholders involved. “After much consideration, I feel that we proposed an offer that was mutually beneficial and fiscally responsible for both the City and Guilford County. We’re ready to move forward with this new arrangement.”

The details of the offer include the City’s agreement to pay $963,000 per year to the County, a payment that represents the City’s estimated yearly costs to conduct its own tax collection program. In addition, the City agrees to accept the County’s recommendation that the County take full responsibility for the animal shelter, a $713,000 cost currently paid by the City. The City will also continue its animal control agreement, at a cost to the City of $508,000. The final element of the proposal involves the County paying $1.45 million toward the library system.

The proposal also requests that a five-year agreement be executed containing an option allowing either side to cancel the agreement with written notice of no less than one year.

This new agreement between the City and the County represents a net $266,000 benefit to the City.

  

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