The budget, and healthcare in 27406
Guilford County's health department saw its initial request to improve access to healthcare in the 27406 ZIP code reduced by half to $250,000 in preparing the 2008-09 budget, according to Merle Green, director of public health.
That reduction could be a harbinger of more lean times for other county departments as County Manager David McNeill works on his recommended 2008-09 budget. The Board of Commissioners will review the budget in May and approve it in June.
This year's budget season could be especially difficult, considering that voters may approve up to $671 million in bonds, and the board already asked McNeill to make a budget with no property tax rate increase in addition to the one he'll recommend.
Any new bond will likely cause the county's property tax rate to rise.
Along with the county department requests, several community groups traditionally receiving funding were cut from the current 2007-08 budget and hope to get back on the books in 2008-09.
And one more thing could hold sway for some board members. The election itself.
The May 6 primary will settle the bonds decision and three races for commissioner. But two At Large commissioners and the District 4 race will be settled in November, after the budget is approved.
Oh, and everything seems to be getting more expensive.
In all those factors, are there any issues that you hope are covered in our work on the 2008-09 budget? List them in comments, or e-mail me.
Comments (2)
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One of the issues that I hope is addressed with the health department's budget is mental health care. Over the years, as a State have spent millions of doallrs in an attempt to care for the mentally ill within our state.
I heard Commissioner Bruce Davis speak at a local event, where he announced hew was running for the North Carolina Senate. He talked about mental care facilities and how the mentally ill were used to make moneyh off of. I am horrified of the thought of absuing our mentally ill citizens.
Our May 6 vote is not only important for the presidential election, but also for our local officials. I want to elect someone who will support implementing policies that set guidelines around how mental agenices conduct business.
Posted on April 29, 2008 3:15 AM
A Lowe -
You said it. All politics is local politics.
Posted on April 29, 2008 10:08 AM