The City of Winston-Salem maintains a Triple-A (AAA) debt rating, which is the highest rating for a local government. | Photo by WStoday
You’ve heard the famous Jerry Maguire saying, “Show me the money.” We’re showing you the money (well, figuratively). In June, the Winston-Salem City Council adopted a budget of $724.7 million proposed by City Manager Pat Pete. Today, we’re focusing on total net expenditures. This is what our local government spends. Think of it like your net salary, if you earn a paycheck.
Let’s break down numbers
General Fund (38.7%): Think property taxes, police, and fire department, etc.
Enterprise funds (~28%): This is the “business” activities of the city, which include expenses like water and sewage.
Capital Project Funds (~14 %): This is used to track capital improvement costs and related financing.
Debt and lease funds (13%): The city uses this fund to pay down its debt principal and interest.
The city budget for FY2026-2027 kicks off in the month of October,
Screenshot via City of Winston-Salem
If you’d like a say on what project the city should prioritize, show up to city council meetings, which are scheduled on the second Monday of the month at City Hall on North Main Street downtown. The meeting starts at 4 p.m. You can also stream it online or watch past meetings to see what was discussed.
Some sweet news to chew on. Former Food Network contestant and Winstonian Anna Simeonides announced the opening of her new bakery in Mt. Airy. Head over to Meli Bakehouse’s soft opening Saturday, Oct. 10 + Sunday, Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. until sellout to celebrate. The grand opening is Saturday, Nov. 1.
Edu
UNC School of the Arts will soon launch a Music in American Roots program for undergraduates and high school students. This initiative is thanks to a lead gift of more than $10.1 million the university received from Winston-Salem residents with ties to the school.
Biz
The report card is out. Greater Winston-Salem Inc. has released its Q3 report, showcasing collaboration and an upward trajectory when it comes to economic turnover. This project milestone includes 92 active projects, $20M+ in new investments, and 70+ new jobs created.
Closed
P.F. Chang’s in HanesTowne Village is now closed. The Asian and Chinese restaurant operated for 10 years in the Twin City. The shopping center is also under new ownership as Massachusetts-based Waterstone Properties purchased the majority portion of the space for $27 million. (Triad Business Journal)
Active
Cristiano Ronaldo is the first soccer player in history to accrue a net worth of $1 billion, per Bloomberg statistics. The 40-year-old shows no sign of calling it quits anytime soon. Check out The Winston-Salem Adult Soccer League to master your dribbling skills with other recreational players — maybe you’ll amass a similar fortune.
“The process is super easy and far more cost-effective than using a recruiter.” That’s what one business owner said about hiring through our Job Board. See for yourself — post your open positions for free.
Sharing is easy. The Little Free Art Gallery in Washington Park is restocking goodies. Drop by anytime to leave a piece of art and take one. You never know what you might find. You could also message the art gallery through Instagram for a mailing address to ship your creation.
A pair of versatile men’s pants that offer a stylish, yet relaxed fit. Whether it’s for work, on the golf course, or a date night, these straight fit pants are crafted with premium, four-way stretch fabric for a refined look that doesn’t sacrifice comfort.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Talking numbers isn’t always my forte, hence why I’m a writer. Diving into the city’s budget during my City of Winston-Salem University program was engaging and informative. I was intrigued to see how the city spreads funds to address the needs of residents as a whole. Got more questions about the budget? Reach out to the budget and performance management team to learn more. They love hearing from residents.
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