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Residents urge Guilford County to reconsider proposed 10¢ tax recommendation
Summary
Multiple residents told the Guilford County Board of Commissioners on May 20 that a roughly 10¢ proposed tax increase would unduly burden low- and fixed-income households, raised concerns about past budget decisions, and flagged an accessibility issue at a county building entrance.
Public commenters at the Guilford County Board of Commissioners meeting on May 20 pressed the board to reconsider a recommended tax increase they said would hit vulnerable households hardest.
At the start of the speakers-from-the-floor segment, a resident identified only as White said the county manager's proposal — which he described as "almost 10¢ on a 100" — is "not reasonable" and warned that the change could translate to roughly an extra $100 per month for some households. "How do we provide affordable housing when the county and the city is trying to rob their very old citizens?" White said.
Ken Worms, another resident, used his allotted time to criticize the county's political leadership and also raised an operational concern: he said a ramp entrance at a county building was locked, forcing him to climb stairs and creating an access barrier for people using walkers or wheelchairs. "If I was in a walker or in a wheelchair, you're effectively keeping people out of the building," Worms said, and a commissioner asked staff to investigate.
George Hartzmann of Public Integrity Watch told commissioners he had reviewed past budgets and asserted a recurring pattern tied to the board chair, referencing a prior 25% property tax increase and raising questions about past large allocations. Those statements were presented as Mr. Hartzmann's interpretation of documents and past decisions; the board did not make a formal response in the public-comment period.
The speakers' remarks came ahead of presentations and votes later on the agenda. Chair Melvin "Skip" Austin acknowledged the comments and directed staff follow-up on the accessibility issue raised by Worms.
The board did not take immediate action on the tax recommendation during the May 20 meeting; public comment was part of the meeting's input process as the county and city continue budget deliberations.
