FINAL ADOPTED BUDGET FY2021-22

The Greensboro Transit Agency (GTA) provides a vital transportation service that is a key component of our efforts to support economic development and opportunity. The service continues to evolve and improve to meet the financial challenges of providing this service, including introducing a new fleet of electric buses, the first for any North Carolina municipality, and continued efforts to implement the Mobility Greensboro 2040 plan. These efforts, combined with continued expansions to trails, greenways, and other alternates to transportation are essential to meeting the Council adopted goal of increasing the number of people that can reach their place of employment without the use of their personal vehicle by 20% by 2023. The M/WBE program is a critical element of the City's economic development initiatives. In February 2019 City Council adopted enhancements to the Greensboro Code of Ordinances and M/WBE Program Plan intended to increase utilization of minority and women owned businesses in City contracting. M/WBE participation continues to show improvement in contract areas, and focus continues on improving participation for all areas of city business. The numbers show that the City achieved M/WBE utilization of 15.5% in construction services and 20.5% in professional services in 2020. The grand opening for the downtown Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts was set for March of 2020, but understandably was delayed due to the pandemic. But the 3,000 seat multi purpose performance venue, funded through a public/private partnership is expected to begin full operation in the fall of 2021. With over 16,000 season ticket sales and community excitement, the venue is projected to be a success and significant catalyst for downtown. In addition, a fourth pool has opened at the Greensboro Aquatic Center, making it one of the premier facilities of its type. Early during the pandemic improvements were made at both the aquatics center and the Coliseum Complex for improved and safer ventilation to allow for responsible and safe use. With the expansion, the aquatics center has continued to host national and regional championships, and has been one of the few venues with any significant activity in the City. "Promote a safe community" The Greensboro Police Department remains focused on violent and property crime reductions through creative policing strategies that combine evolving technology with innovative police initiatives, allowing the department to remain at the forefront of its profession. The department presented an updated strategic plan to Council in December of 2020 with a focus on efforts to meet the adopted goal of reducing violent crime overall by 20% by 2022. A central component includes the implementation of the Violent Crime Reduction Strategy which calls for inter agency collaboration, expansion of the priority offender program, and cross departmental focus on reducing violent crime. We are moving towards a focus on violent crime reduction through excellence in policing and strategic engagement in areas of violent crime to address systemic issues that contribute to crime through community involvement and partnership. The plan called for, and Council approved, an additional five homicide detectives, an additional crime analyst, and a victim ¶ s advocate. In order to address more effective community policing efforts and provide patrol officers with the necessary proactive time to tackle crime in communities the budget includes the addition of eight patrol officers in FY 21 22 and another eight projected for FY 22 23. City funding to support the efforts of the Cure Violence program continue in FY 21 22. Funding to bring mental health crisis responses services in house are also included. A city staffed behavioral health response team was established in January of 2021 consisting of six counselors and one team leader. Additional support was established with a dedicated police team to co respond to calls. Fire facility growth and maintenance continues with the anticipated completion of station replacements for Fire Stations #7 (Gatewood Avenue) and #56 (Franklin Boulevard) by the fall of 2021. These are the first two stations replaced as the Fire Department begins a multiyear effort to replace and improve aging fire stations. Additionally, the Public Safety Training Facility's 60 year old fire training tower and burn building were replaced with new construction in the summer of 2020.

"Maintain infrastructure and provide sustainable growth opportunities."

The proposed FY 2022 2031 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) totals almost $1.5 billion in identified projects and outlines a future financing plan to maintain our current infrastructure and develop new facilities as needed. While most infrastructure projects funded through successful bond referenda in 2006, 2008 and 2009 are now complete, a few significant Transportation projects are still in progress.

Adopted 2021-22 Budget

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