Adopted Budget Projected Budget 2016-2017

City Manager’s Budget Message

over $3 million in approved City funding. The first building of the complex, Union Square Campus, is under construction and scheduled to open in August 2016. The Downtown Greenway will ultimately encircle the downtown with a four mile walking and biking greenway, promoting fitness, encouraging alternative transportation and serve as a key economic development tool for our community. Phases 1 and 1A are complete with all remaining phases expected to be under construction or under contract by the end of FY 16-17. Greensboro scored a major economic development coup in securing the Greensboro Swarm, the new NBA Development League affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets. The Coliseum Complex Fieldhouse, consisting of a complete renovation of the existing Pavilion into a world class basketball fieldhouse, will serve as home court for the Swarm. Greensboro Transit Authority is a key element of the City’s overall economic development efforts. Maintaining its financial integrity is paramount. The Recommended FY 16-17 budget increases the dedicated property tax allocation for Transit from 3.34 cents to 3.50 cents. This will generate about $413,000 additional revenue for the Transit operations and supplement potential losses in federal grants revenue. To achieve this increase while keeping the overall tax rate level, the Recommended Budget reduces the General Fund tax rate allocation from 58.72 cents to 58.56 cents. The City will contribute $39.6 million toward the $78.1 million Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, a 3,000 seat multi-purpose performance venue funded through a public/private partnership. Construction is expected to begin in late Fall 2016 with completion in 2018. The Center will be located adjacent to the new privately financed Carolyn and Maurice LeBauer City Park. The MWBE program is a critical element of the City’s economic development initiatives. During FY 16-17, the City will conduct a disparity study update to assess the effectiveness of the City’s efforts to achieve MWBE goals and objectives and make recommendations for program improvements. The MWBE Office continues to offer enhanced business development initiatives, such as public education programs, training seminars and networking symposiums to prepare businesses for contracting opportunities with the City. “Promote public safety and reduce crime.” Closely aligned with our economic development strategic goal is the organization’s desire to

promote public safety. A safe community is a critical component of an economically vibrant community. During fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16, City Council authorized 12 total additional fire fighter positions. The Recommended FY 16-17 budget adds six (6) more positions. These 18 total new positions will increase the manpower availability on all Fire Department ladder companies to the recommended four positions per shift. During the FY 14-15 year, the Chief of Police established six strategies to transform the Police Department into a national model for exceptional policing. Among the most significant are implementation of Neighborhood-Oriented Policing, which should be completed in June 2016, and revisions to training provided to recruits in the 100th Police Academy. Instruction provided to recruits focuses heavily on interpersonal communication skills, problem solving and the use of technology to prevent and solve crimes. Lastly, the new Office of Community Engagement focuses directly on the police department’s efforts related to community outreach . “Maintain infrastructure and provide sustainable growth opportunities.” Bond referenda passed by the residents of Greensboro in 2006, 2008 and 2009 authorized borrowing of over $228 million for streets, fire stations, parks and other improvements. These projects improve the quality of life for our residents and support our various economic development activities by providing the necessary infrastructure to encourage private investment in our community. The City continues its strategy of managing the borrowing for these needed capital improvements with minimal tax rate adjustments for debt service. The FY 16-17 Recommended Budget requires an increase in the General Fund support for debt service expenditures related to these bonds roughly equal to one cent on the tax rate. The Recommended Budget has accounted for this need through other available revenues and expenditure control. Significant projects underway with land acquisition and/or construction include improvements to Horsepen Creek Road (widening from New Garden Road to Battleground Avenue) and improvements to Cone Boulevard/Nealtown Road. In addition, sidewalk improvement projects are underway throughout the City, including improvements along sections of Randleman Road, Florida Street, West Friendly Avenue, Vandalia Road, McConnell Road and West Wendover Avenue. Design will be underway soon for sidewalk projects along Lowdermilk Street and Holts Chapel Road.

Adopted FY 2016-17 Budget

5