The Guilford County Board of Commissioners normally just holds one retreat a year; however, in 2025 they thought two two-day retreats would be twice the fun and the board has scheduled their second retreat in the county’s second largest city.
Unlike a usual business meeting – which the commissioners usually hold on the first and third Thursday of each month – the all-day retreats allow the commissioners to get together with key county staff and take an in-depth look as to where the county stands, do some long-term planning and decide key goals for the coming fiscal year.
High Point residents and the commissioners who represent the city and surrounding area have said over the years that at times the city feels like a “red-headed step child” of the county, and that High Point is always playing second fiddle to Greensboro. So, every now and then the board likes to hold a regular meeting in High Point, or, as in this case, a retreat, to show that city some love too.
In the early 2000’s, the Board of Commissioners would usually hold its retreat in January or early February; however, over the years, the dates of the retreat have been pushed back later and later – and now they consistently fall in March, as will be the case with this second retreat of 2025.
In February, the board met for a two-day retreat at North Carolina A&T University. At that two-day meeting, the commissioners heard a lot of reports from various departments and discussed at length some key issues facing the county.
Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston told the Rhino Times this week that this second retreat will be largely budget-focused since the board is currently crafting its fiscal 2025-2026 budget that will go into effect on July 1.
He said one thing that will be discussed is whether there should be an increase in the county’s tax rate for the coming fiscal year.
The Guilford County Board of Commissioners’ 2024 Annual Retreat was also held in High Point. That was in early March of last year at the Congdon Yards Event Center at 410 W. English Road.
This year the High Point retreat will be held at High Point University in the Congdon School of Health Sciences located at One N. University Parkway, The board held a retreat at the university about a decade and a half ago.
They plan to begin at 8:30 a.m. each day. In addition to budget talks and other matters, the commissioners will receive training from the UNC School of Government on strategic initiatives.
The retreat, like all meetings of the board, is open to the public.
Those who want to watch but not attend in person may watch and/or listen to both days of the second 2025 Annual Retreat using Zoom via their computer, tablet or smartphone.
Those who wish to watch using Zoom should go to https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1611338836, complete the webinar registration and select the option to join from the confirmation email prior to the start of the meeting. Users may choose one of the following audio options: (1)Use your computer, tablet or smartphone’s speaker (a headset or headphones are recommended) or (2) Select “Use Telephone” after joining the webinar, call (646) 828-7666 (and enter the webinar ID 161 133 8836, if required.)
So when is this County Commissars Dog & Pony Show for the masses?
Why are they using a very expensive venue (being paid for by taxpayer blood money) for a public meeting? What’s wrong with their Throne Room in the County building? Put out a detailed list of costs.
Why so late in the year, so close to the mandatory date for passage. (Figure the meeting is mid April which gives them 2 to 21/2 months to discuss and vote on a multi-BILLION dollar budget. After all, the schools want over 900 million dollars ($900,000,000.00) for “operations”.) My guess is this is more Kabuki Theater for the benefit of the subjects (thralls, peons, peasants, your choice)
My opinion is they’ve already made up their minds, individually, about this fleecing of the taxpaying subjects. There will be some “disagreement” among them but unless some stand up and at least TRY to defend the taxpayers by voting NO on this legal robbery, I will continue to refer to ALL of them as the Board of Commissars. The ball]s in your court.
Am I using hyperbole when referring to them? Yes. Do they deserve it? Yes, as long as they fail to come out and speak to the general public expressing their opinion on what’s going on. YOU WORK FOR US, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND! Actions speak louder then words.
I think it goes without saying that cutting the budget is not on the agenda.
What is the date and time of the “public”meeting?
Why are the Commissars waiting until the last minute to publicly gather input from their subjects (peasants, thralls, peons} on what appears to be a potential BILLION+ dollar budget? (An earlier report says the school board alone is requesting $947 million dollars ($947,000,000.00)).
Why can’t the Board of Commissars conduct their meeting in County facilities instead someplace as expensive as High Point University and save the taxpayers a little money? (Nothing against HPU. It’s an awesome facility.)
Like too many of the Board’s meetings this will be a Kabuki Theater for the benefit of those taxpayers that attend. Assuming they ask for public input, they will sit and try to look interested, like they are listening, and when all is said and done, some will talk about how disappointed they are and then pass it with a unanimous vote like the last budget vote. This is why I have began referring to them as the Guilford County Board of Commissars. If any of them want to show they truly are there to represent the people that elected them they will vote NO on the final approval. We know, based on the makeup of the Board and the directions Herr Skippy will give them, it will pass but those that are truly being a Representative of the People will at least be able to proudly hold up their heads and say they tried to do the right thing rather then go along to get long.
I know I have managed to “sorely disappoint” some people and to that I say look deep into my eyes and tell me if you see a little man jumping up and down screaming “I CARE”.
Sorry for the double posting. My computer told me the first one disappeared.
Another fools exercise to sum up how citizens will be screwed again with more waste, pet projects and higher taxes.
In the words of Howard Beale of the movie Network
I’M MAD AS HELL, AND I’M GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!!!
Google it. It’s inspirational
Couldn’t they just……..retreat?
LOL
Good one Miller