After several months of deliberations with Guilford County, Greensboro Mayor Bill Knight has asked the City Manager to initiate the City's own tax collection program. Currently, Greensboro residents' property taxes are collected by Guilford County. However, the County has proposed an increase -- from $400,000 per year to $1.5 million per year -- in the cost of property tax collection. For more information on the tax collection issue, read a statement from Mayor Knight.

At its meeting on February 1, City Council voted to approve local legislation as part of the 2011 state legislative agenda. The approved items aim to provide Council with a current and accurate City Charter, and address needed updates and changes to legislation to ensure the continued welfare of the residents of Greensboro. Items approved on the local agenda include City Council's support of legislation requiring North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles to refuse to register vehicles for individuals with past due unpaid parking tickets owed to the City of Greensboro. Meanwhile, Council also voted to lobby other municipalities and counties to repeal or reform the North Carolina General Assembly's Jordan Lake Rules. The rules impose high regulatory restrictions and expenses on the City and Guilford County, despite their relatively minor impact on the Lake's water quality issues.

In other action, Council voted to approve the legislative agenda for the Greensboro Partnership, which serves as the City's lead economic development partner.  

The next City Council meeting is set for Tuesday, February 15, at 5:30 pm in the Council Chamber of the Melvin Municipal Office Building, 300 W. Washington St.