Greensboro City Council members signaled a willingness to change the city's proposed budget after hearing a wide range of concerns from residents during a public hearing on Tuesday.
Council first heard from firefighters, who packed the meeting to request a retirement benefit that’s already available to police officers. Nonprofit leaders also took to the podium, pushing for more funding for everything from a veteran’s memorial to tenant legal aid.
But other speakers urged the council to scale back spending, arguing in part that the budget invests too much in policing technologies. Resident Deanna Marie De'Liberto warned that the proposed property tax hike could have unintended consequences.
“Increasing financial burden on residents can unintentionally worsen housing instability and make it harder for people to remain in their homes," she said.
Council members, including Hugh Holston, appeared receptive to their concerns, telling residents that the proposal remains dynamic.
"We're a customer service organization, and our responsibility is to take care of our customers, and those are our residents," he said.
Council will hold another budget work session on June 11. A final vote is scheduled for June 16.