Residents, city employees, and members of the Greensboro City Council have all been debating the city budget since City Manager Nathaniel “Trey” Davis released his proposed version last month. The Greensboro City Council hopes to vote on a final version on June 16.
Though Davis’ proposed budget includes a lower tax rate, the recent Guilford County tax revaluation saw property values increase dramatically. That means many residents will still be paying more. That’s had them pushing back, from challenges to revaluations to lobbying council for an even lower, revenue-neutral tax rate—meaning the city would take in as much revenue as it did under the previous budget, despite changes in overall tax values.
This is the first budget process for most of the new council, but several members are making clear they hear those concerns.
“We’re a customer service organization,” said At-Large Council Member Hugh Holston at last week’s council meeting. “And our responsibility is to take care of our customers. And those are our residents.”
“Know that the budget sessions and budget negotiations are still in process,” said Council Member Tammi Thurm, who represents District 5. “And nothing has been decided yet.”
Davis, for his part, has maintained that his proposed budget walks a difficult line at a challenging time.
“The recommended budget reflects the reality of a difficult budget year and a revaluation year,” said City Manager Davis. “It reduces the property tax rate while still providing the resources necessary to maintain essential services, support our employees, invest in public safety and infrastructure, and continue building a stronger, more competitive Greensboro.”
Today we’re taking a by-the-numbers look at the budget process, from tax rates and big asks to where the money’s getting spent.
Figures come from the proposed city budget and budget requests from departments.
$913 million
The total 2026-2027 budget proposed by the city manager.
$83 million
The proposed increase over the 2025-2026 budget, which continues until the end of this month. That’s a bump of about 10 percent.
58.3 cents
The proposed property tax rate, per $100 of assessed value. That’s a reduction of about 9 cents from the current property tax rate. But it’s not a revenue-neutral rate, which would be even lower at about 48 cents per $100 of assessed value.
30
The proposed number of new police officers, a portion of the cost of which would be offset by a Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for three years.
$20.5 million
The proposed overall increase to public safety services, which would include additions to the staff of the behavioral health team.
2.5%
The proposed cost-of-living wage increase for general city employees.
1.5%
The proposed average merit increase for qualifying general city employees.
4%
The proposed step increase for employees of the city’s police and fire departments.
Members of the Greensboro Fire Department are also pushing to include a special separation allowance for them in the next budget. The allowance, a benefit already available for the city’s police officers, would allow firefighters to receive retirement pay if they retire before age 62, when they would be eligible for Social Security. The cost would be less than 1% of the proposed budget, the department’s representatives say.
$21.25
The proposed per-hour minimum wage for benefitted city employees, up from $20 per hour.
$18
The proposed per-hour minimum wage for roster or non-benefitted city employees, up from $17.21.
