Guilford County proposed budget keeps tax rate flat

Guilford County's manager is recommending an $842 million budget that would keep the property tax rate flat, but is at odds with the school district's funding request.

The recommendation would keep the property tax rate at 73 cents per $100 of assessed property value. The budget would add 26 new social workers and 24 new positions for emergency services to increase response times, among other things.

It also proposes a $2.5 million increase for the school district's operating budget, which falls short of the $44 million requested.

County Manager Michael Halford said at a Board of Commissioners meeting on Thursday that funding at that level was not possible without serious policy changes.

"I continue to recommend that the Board of Commissioners work with the school system to, just as it did with the capital program, investigate the operating budget, assess that, recognize all the pressure and challenges that each board has, and work to come together for a sustainable funding model for the operating budget for Guilford County Schools," he says.

A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for June 5.