Guilford County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Guilford County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Pedestrian Plaza Project
Greensboro's pilot pedestrian plaza on Elm Street is currently paused while the city gathers more feedback from locals. If you were hoping for a permanent walking zone downtown, you'll have to keep waiting.
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.
Data Center Moratorium and Clean Energy Advocacy
The county is looking at putting a temporary pause on data center projects to study utility demands, water usage, and appropriate zoning standards. Commissioners want to ensure proper safeguards are in place before developers submit formal proposals.
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.
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.
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.
Health & Human Services Agency Consolidation
State policy changes are shifting child and pregnancy care management to private health plans, reducing county revenue and affecting health department staff. The county voted to fund local services to ensure uninsured residents don't fall through the cracks.
10-Year Capital Improvement Plan & Facility Upgrades
Due to collapsed drainage pipes in the aging High Point jail kitchen, the county is moving forward with a design-build project to construct a new kitchen and laundry annex.
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.
Annexation
Burlington just annexed a rustic retreat for disabled adults sitting on the Guilford County side of town. Bringing this facility into city limits means it can finally expand and offer more services.
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.
C-PACE Program Resolution of Intent
The county initiated steps to join the C-PACE program, allowing commercial property owners to finance energy efficiency and water conservation upgrades voluntarily.
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.
Employee Health Benefits Fund Sustainability
Rising medical and pharmacy claims are straining the county's internal health fund, prompting staff to propose administrative updates and plan design changes for the 2027 benefit year to maintain financial stability.
Parking Ticket Amnesty
Guilford County is letting drivers pay off parking tickets by donating school supplies instead of cash. It's a win-win that saves you money while loading up local classrooms with the gear they need.
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.
Overhauled economic incentive guidelines
The county's incentive rules haven't been updated since 2016. New guidelines would require incentive-backed jobs to pay at least the county's average wage and be located in Guilford County, add clawback protections, and come with a push to explain incentives to the public in plain language. Final approval is expected in September.
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.
Piedmont Memorial Cemetery Maintenance and Ownership
A resident raised serious concerns about the neglected state, lack of maintenance, safety hazards like copperhead snakes, and unclear ownership of Piedmont Memorial Cemetery on Greensboro's east side.
Residential Rezoning and Subdivision Approval on Highway 150
Developers received approval to build an 80-home subdivision on Highway 150, sparking intense debate over the loss of farmland, high-pressure petroleum pipeline safety, and rural infrastructure.
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.
FY2027 County Budget and Strategic Priorities
County Manager Victor Isler presented a $935.4 million budget that drops the property tax rate to 61.9 cents per $100, providing funding for schools, employee pay raises, and unhoused support services.
Interactive Resource Center Safety Fencing
The county approved $30,000 in ARPA funds to help build a perimeter fence around the Interactive Resource Center in downtown Greensboro to improve safety and manage trespassing.
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.
Rural Fire Districts Funding and Staffing
The county is merging the Pleasant Garden and Climax fire protection districts into a single Central Piedmont district to streamline operations and taxation, effective July 2026.
Opportunity Zones 2.0 Nominations
Local jurisdictions are evaluating census tracts for nomination under the federal Opportunity Zones 2.0 program to spur economic development and affordable housing.
State Legislative Tax Caps and Moratorium Impacts
The county board joined a statewide push to oppose state legislation that would restrict local county property tax authority and flexibility.
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.
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget and Federal Revenue Losses
Residents and commissioners debated the proposed county budget and property tax rates following significant property revaluations. Many speakers urged the board to adopt a revenue-neutral tax rate to protect homeowners and fixed-income seniors, while others supported the manager's proposed reduced-rate budget to maintain essential funding for public schools, health services, and homelessness prevention.
Property Tax Revaluation Process
Residents and local officials raised serious concerns about massive property tax increases resulting from recent revaluations. Many speakers and commissioners called for the county to adopt a revenue-neutral tax rate to prevent homeowners, seniors, and small businesses from being priced out.
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.