I’ll give the N&R credit for balanced reporting this weekend. After endorsing the $20 million Greensboro Natural Science Center bond, they run a Sunday front-pager on the massive debt load taxpayers are shouldering. Honestly, any sane person reading the article would conclude that it’s insane to add to that debt. We’ve been saying that all along, yet bonds continue to go on the ballot, newspapers continue to endorse them and voters keep approving them.
Bond supporters argue that that an expanded science center would have an economic impact of between $11 and $19 million and would be one another amenity —– like a greenway —– that would attract employers. But Greensboro’s Gary Wegner says in today’s letter to the editor that lower taxes are the biggest driver of economic development:
Before the new City Council begins handing out incentives it cannot afford, it needs to give some attention to basic facts. The city has one of the highest property tax rates in North Carolina. If the council is serious about attracting new business to Greensboro, making Greensboro a business-friendly community would be a good start.
Implementation of a zero-based budgeting program, an outside independent evaluation comparing salaries paid to city employees to those paid in private industry, and an independent evaluation of staffing would be a second step in the right direction. Add to this a council serious about reducing the cost of government in Greensboro and you’re done.
With a new council and city manager, timing could not be better. It’s time for Greensboro to do a serious evaluation of itself. The continued rise in property tax rates, licenses and fees will only serve to send business looking for a more business-friendly environment.
Something else to think about as you head to the polls on Election Day.
