Supporting downtown
The center city will likely get a close look Tuesday night.
Council will be asked to authorize city funds that will be spent on Downtown Greensboro Incorporated. Council does this every year, and some council members -- including the mayor -- say the money they spend on DGI is well worth it. But this year, various council members have asked to know exactly how the organization is spending the taxpayers' money, and have wondered whether DGI really needs their financial contribution.
DGI, which has the singular mission of making the center city a better place, was allocated $255,000 in this year's city budget. They also receive money from a special tax levied on businesses within the center city. This year, that adds up to $480,000.
In fiscal year 06-07, DGI had a budget of about $880,000, according to that year's annual report. The bulk of the operating budget came from the tax revenue. But the city also contributed $255,000. About $111,000 came from private contributions.
Check out DGI's last annual report to see how that money has been spent.
More council meeting details:What: City Council
When: 5:30 p.m. today
Where: Melvin Municipal Office Building, 300 W. Washington St., Greensboro
On the agenda: Council will hold a hearing on a proposed Kernersville-Greensboro annexation agreement, which sets the future dividing line between the communities.
They will also be asked to accept grants that will pay for surveillance cameras on city buses.
Watch it: Time Warner Channel 13 or www.greensboro-nc.gov/citygovernment/council
How to speak: Sign up before the meeting. Speakers have up to three minutes for nonagenda items. The speakers-from-the-floor section is 30 minutes.
Comments (1)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
There is ample evidence that DGI has done a nice job of promoting and helping build value in the downtown area. That doesn't mean, however, that questions shouldn't be asked about how the money is used, and whether city funding is needed. No offense intended, but It is a mistake to assume without question that monies are always applied in the manner expected.
Highly regarded programs that had annual audits (United Way, Charlotte; Project Homestead, Greensboro) still found ways to get around expectations and raise a public outcry. We should be thankful for city leaders who are willing to ask questions.
Posted on September 3, 2008 12:37 AM