The County operates as a Council-Manager form of government, with the Board appointing a professional County Manager to administer a variety of County functions. The County Manager’s office provides professional management and leadership for the County government by directing and supervising all County offices, departments, and agencies under the general control of the Board of Commissioners. The Manager is the Chief Administrator of the County government and is appointed by the nine-member Board of Commissioners. Under the County Manager are three Assistant County Managers overseeing Successful People, Strong Community, and Quality Government service areas. Assistant County Managers are responsible for assisting the County Manager in preparing and administering an annual budget and capital improvement program; advising the Board on fiscal and policy matters; and equitably administering the policies, laws, and ordinances, and other directives and goals of the Commissioners.
The County has adopted a total budget (all funds) of $754.5 Million for FY 2021-2022. Guilford County employs personnel in approximately 2,700 positions. The budget includes specific new investments in the Guilford County Schools and Guilford Technical Community College, public engagement and communication, data analytics, school medical services, and initiatives to address health disparities and support equitable access to services. Guilford County spends most of its generated revenue on Education, followed by Law Enforcement, Social Service, Public Health, and Emergency Services.
Core values for Guilford County are Transparency & Communication, Equity & Inclusion, Accountability, Service & Outcomes Excellence, and Our People Matter. The Board of Commissioners has identified the following high priority focus areas for FY 2021-22 to support their mission to provide efficient, effective, and responsive government:
- School Bonds: Implement the $300 million bond program approved by voters in November 2020 and plan for future school bond referenda.
- Reduce Community Disparities: Address disparities in health, infant mortality, education, income, and other areas.
- Improve County Communications: Ensure transparent communication with the public about services and programs and build a consistent county brand to help with resident engagement and economic development.
- Intentional Collaboration: Deepen the County’s working relationships with other cities, towns, the school system, and other community partners and collaborate on service and program improvements.
- Staff Resources: Ensure staff have the resources they need to do their jobs and accomplish the Board’s priorities, with an emphasis on developing data metrics to better understand workloads and how those compare with peer counties.
- School Nurses: Increase the availability of school nursing services in the Guilford County Schools.