Greensboro News & Record Editorial: "When bills come due"

Some taxpayers have short memories, but elected officials can't forget their obligations.

The additional quarter-cent sales-tax revenue would have contributed to debt reduction.

With the elimination of that option, commissioners must rely on property tax revenues.

The economy also has changed,
prompting voters to take a more critical view of tax-and-spend policies.

What about the second and third options

of budget cuts and not borrowing more?

Nevertheless, several bond projects are under construction with bills due.

Bonds which were sold by the Greensboro Partnership,
whose Action Greensboro gave $70,000 to promote the bonds
with the Greensboro News & Record which pushed for most of them,
while publisher Robin Saul served on the Greensboro Partnership Board?

Voters were warned.

After they got fleeced?

Next year's cumulative tax impact was projected to be 12.5 cents,
an amount not easily absorbed by the overall county budget
especially when state cuts for public education pose serious danger
for Guilford County Schools.

Where was the 12.5 cent number during the Quarter Cent Sales Tax push?

What happened to 8 cents?

Where did the Editorial Board come by the number?

What is it comprised of?

How much cash does Guilford County intend to spend next year?

If the 8 cents suddenly turns into 12.5,
was the electorate mislead in the runup to 2010's election?

Commissioners ...should delay what projects they can
and find savings in the budget where they can.

Agreed.

"I know the taxpayers supported these projects, and I respect that,"
Commissioner-elect Bill Bencini from High Point said Tuesday.

But he believes "if voters had the opportunity to vote today,"
they'd tell commissioners to delay projects that aren't under way
to save money in the short term.

"Whatever has been obligated already,
we're going to have to raise the resources to do it," he added.

"I've got a feeling we're going to have to raise the property tax."

Commissioners have to listen to taxpayers' concerns today,
but they can't forget the obligations voters accepted two years ago.

Maybe they won't forget who got sold by whom two years ago?

Greensboro News & Record Editorial Board