Greensboro City Council passed an annual budget on Tuesday that included several cuts to offset losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The city will lower its debt payments, cut the building maintenance budget, and delay some programs, among other things.
Council also moved forward with creating a fund to assist business owners whose properties were damaged after mostly peaceful protests gave way to some unrest late last month.
The $250,000 fund will be administered by Downtown Greensboro Incorporated. Mayor Nancy Vaughan said many affected businesses were already struggling to stay afloat due to the pandemic.
“They were hit the hardest. They closed the soonest," said Vaughan. "And then not only did they close, they were hit with all this damage. And finally, we now have an opportunity to help.”
At an earlier meeting, Councilwoman Sharon Hightower clashed with Vaughan over the fund, saying the city was too focused on property damage rather than the racial justice message of the protests.
The city will convene a special work session to discuss law enforcement policy on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.