Guilford County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Guilford County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
State Constitutional Amendments Impact on Public Schools
Multiple speakers and commissioners voiced concern that proposed state tax amendments would permanently restrict state revenue and defund public schools.
Water Restrictions
Greensboro is gearing up for mandatory water restrictions, so expect to change how you handle your lawn and car washing routine soon. It's all about conserving resources before things get too dry.
Farmland Preservation vs. Rural Residential Development
Residents and multi-generational farmers pushed back against a rezoning proposal on Coble Church Road, arguing that expanding residential development threatens local agriculture and sets a dangerous precedent. The board ultimately agreed, voting unanimously to protect the rural zoning.
Property Transfer
Guilford County is giving the old animal shelter property to the City of Greensboro completely for free. This means the empty space will likely be turned into something useful for the community soon.
Residential Rezoning Denial at 645 NC Highway 62 East
Neighbors successfully fought off a rezoning request for a truck repair shop, raising concerns about noise, traffic, and water pollution near the Polecat Creek watershed.
Employee Benefits and Health Plan Sustainability
Rising medical and prescription costs, particularly driven by diabetes treatment, are straining the county's health fund. Commissioners discussed various policy dials and wellness strategies to stabilize the plan.
North Carolina Railway Project Construction and Closures
Up to 69 miles of railway between Greensboro and Raleigh are being replaced, leading to temporary daytime road closures at single-access railroad crossings in Guilford County. County officials are coordinating with emergency services and railway partners to minimize disruptions and keep residents informed.
Piedmont Triad International Airport Terminal Renovation Bonds
The county approved a $300 million bond issuance for PTI Airport terminal upgrades, funded through airport fees and revenues without taxpayer burden.
Community-Based Organization Funding Revision
In response to state Senate Bill 257, Guilford County revised its CBO grant application processes, rules, and funding agreements to ensure compliance with new state expenditure laws.
County legislative priorities for 2027 long session
The county is pushing the state and federal governments on four fronts: regional water and sewer infrastructure, property tax relief for seniors and disabled veterans plus childcare and SNAP penalty fixes, ambulance reimbursement and first-responder programs, and more school/GTCC funding. The SNAP error-rate penalty could hit the county for about $12.5 million even though Guilford performs better than the state average.
State budget law (SB 257) changes to county operations
The new state budget repeals diversity contracting statutes, rewrites private well permitting rules, and changes procurement requirements — meaning county contracts, well permits, and fees all need to be reworked. Residents with private wells could see new state-set setback and permit timelines instead of Guilford's stricter local rules.
Election Administration
Guilford County just decided to ditch early voting sites at NC A&T and UNCG for the 2026 elections. If you're a student, casting a ballot just got a whole lot less convenient.
Subsidized Child Care Assistance Waitlist Clearance
DSS announced that Guilford County has cleared its childcare subsidy waitlist, allowing families to receive assistance without delays.
Legal Aid and Eviction Prevention Funding
Community advocates urged the county to continue funding eviction mediation and establish a formal tenant right-to-counsel policy to reduce homelessness and legal disparities.
Jamestown Law Enforcement Interlocal Agreement
The county and the Town of Jamestown are negotiating the renewal of their law enforcement contract, focusing on full cost recovery for enhanced patrol services.
FEMA Floodplain Map Updates
The county adopted new FEMA flood insurance rate maps and updated regulations to ensure local property owners stay eligible for federal flood insurance and disaster assistance.