No More Blank Checks: Taxpayers Deserve a Full Audit Before Another Dime Is Spent

By Nicky Smith
April 8, 2025

As a long-time resident, business owner, and taxpayer in Greensboro, I believe it’s time to have a serious conversation about how our local tax dollars are managed. The recent budget town hall held by the Guilford County Commissioners at Simkins Elementary School revealed what many of us already know—taxpayers are fed up and frustrated. We are being asked, once again, to shoulder more of the financial burden, even as our wages stagnate, inflation rises, and essential services like public education continue to fall short.

Let me be clear: we cannot afford another tax increase. And we shouldn’t have to.

When residents speak out with sticky notes saying, “Do not raise property taxes” and “Stop prop taxes! No wasteful spending DOGE! ” They’re not just venting—they’re issuing a cry for accountability. We need to listen—not just listen—we need action. It’s time for an independent review of Guilford County’s budget to expose wasteful spending and identify bloat in our administrative overhead that continues to grow unchecked.

Ballooning Bureaucracy, Lagging Outcomes

We’ve all heard the figures. County departments are requesting $49 million, and Guilford County Schools is asking for an additional $44 million in funding—a combined $93 million increase. According to County Commission Chair Skip Alston, this would require a property tax increase of more than 12 cents per $100 valuation. That’s outrageous and unsustainable, especially for working families and landlords already stretched thin.

I agree with Andrea Pegram from the Greensboro Landlords Association: a tax hike like this could raise rents by 30% or more. That’s not just a burden—it’s a direct blow to our affordable housing goals.

At the same time, our schoolchildren continue to fall behind academically. Our teachers are doing the best they can, often with limited resources. Commissioner Mary Beth Murphy, herself a high school teacher, made a passionate plea about the state’s failure to fund education. But while it’s true that Raleigh needs to step up, it’s also true that we must clean our own house first.

Prioritize Classrooms, Not Cushy Contracts

Over the past several years, Guilford County has increased school funding by $151 million. Yet we see little meaningful improvement in student outcomes. So where is that money going? Why are we not seeing better results in the classroom?

The uncomfortable truth may be that too much of our budget is tied up in administrative salaries, consultants, and layers of management that do not directly benefit students or taxpayers. It’s time to demand transparency and results.

A Path Forward: Demand an Independent Budget Audit

Here’s what we need to do—commission an independent, line-by-line audit of the Guilford County and City of Greensboro budgets. Let’s bring in neutral, professional auditors who can identify:

• Redundant roles and bloated departments

• Inefficient programs with low return on investment

• Contracts and vendor agreements that aren’t competitive or accountable

• Opportunities for technology to reduce manual labor and administrative costs

We don’t need gimmicks. We need data-driven decisions that respect the hard-earned money of Guilford County taxpayers.

Citizens Must Speak Up—Now

There’s still time. The County Manager presents the recommended budget on May 15, with a public hearing scheduled for June 5 and a final vote on June 18. That means we, as citizens, must show up, speak out, and demand better.

Tell our commissioners: No new taxes without accountability. Demand an independent review before approving any new budget. Let’s restore trust in local government by proving we’re not just taxing for the sake of growing government—we’re investing wisely, with a laser focus on outcomes that matter.

Enough is enough. It’s time to fix the system—not feed it.

Let’s build the future our city deserves. Greensboro is ready for a new era—let’s get to work.