The city of Greensboro approved a new millage rate at this week’s city council meeting. A new millage rate of 5.723 was approved and reflects a decrease of .017 mills from last year’s rate of 5.74, according to City Manager Larry Postell.
Council also approved a $13.1 million dollar budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 against expected revenues of $13,096,611 with $320,000 going into the city’s general fund.
The city also expects to take in $1.147 million in sales tax. The city has planned allocations in key services, including $1.944 million for police, $1.1 million for street maintenance, $110,000 for the fire department, $153,900 for executive salary and expenses and $187,250 and $135,000 for economic and downtown development, respectively.
In comparison, the last fiscal year's budget, which ends Sept. 30, was $10,820,383. Increases in salaries occurred due to state-mandated raises for certified staff on the state-certified salary schedule, according to Postell.
The Department of Economic Development, managed by two part-time employees with combined salaries amounting to just over $100,000 a year, presented an overview of key programs for the city. A mid-year report for January through August of this year highlighted the opening of four new businesses generating 10 new jobs and a Community Home Investment Program (CHIP) grant, which has funding for improvements to two homes in Greensboro through renewing community funding grants.
Economic Development also reported continued promotion of the Rural Zone Tax Credit program to area businesses and business owners. The incentives of the program encourage building rehabilitation, job creation and reinvestment.
The program will expire at the end of next year.
The city is also funding streetscape improvements through the Department of Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Areas targeted include improvements to East and West Broad streets and a smaller section of West Street.
Due to continuous efforts and success thus far, the city was one of the first in the state with a population under 5,000 to utilize the program.
Greensboro is both a certified National Trust Main Street City and Georgia Exceptional Main Street for 2022.
The four new businesses for the city are Broad and Main Antiques, the Burch Food Truck at Oconee Brewing, Family Ties BBQ and Zen Doggie Spa.