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.)
