Greensboro Approves Budget With Raises For Police And Firefighters

Greensboro City Council has approved a budget for the new fiscal year that begins July 1st. 

The spending plan totals close to $535 million, and includes a 7.5 percent pay raise for police and firefighter starting salaries.

The News and Record of Greensboro reports the budget passed on a 6-3 vote, with some dissenters saying all city employees deserve comparable raises.

There will be no change to the current property tax rate of just over 63 cents for every $100 dollars of taxable property.

That's still higher than a revenue-neutral tax rate, meaning the city will collect more money from residents despite keeping the rate level. One council member insisted that amounts to a tax hike for property owners.

Residents can also expect to see an increase in their water and sewer bills.