Episode•April 7, 2022•30 min

The Role of City Council with Hugh Holston | Ep. 96

Hugh Holston joins Tiffany on the podcast to discuss how city council effects your money and your day to day lives. In this episode, Hugh explains his role within the Greensboro city council and how city council effects different areas of your life. About Our Guest Hugh Holston is a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Professionally, Hugh currently serves on the Greensboro City Council as a Council-member At Large. Additionally, he serves as a Senior Project Manager with Old North State Medical Society. Previously, Hugh has served in leadership positions with Fortune 250 companies to include Wells Fargo, AT&T, and Lincoln Financial Group. His career skills include strategic planning, finance, accounts receivable, relationship management, client services, and project management. Hugh has lived, worked, and engaged in Greensboro, North Carolina for over 30 years. His wife, Olymphia (LeGrand) Holston, is a native of Greensboro and graduated from Dudley High School. Hugh and his wife have an adult son, Jonathan, who currently works as a systems analyst. All three are alumni of UNC Chapel Hill. Connect with Hugh Website: https://hughholston.com Instagram: @Hugh4gso Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hugh4gso/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Hugh4GSO Connect with Tiffany on Social Media Facebook: Money Talk With Tiff Twitter: @moneytalkwitht Instagram: @moneytalkwitht LinkedIn: Tiffany Grant This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

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Key Takeaways

1
City council is the legislative branch that decides what local services are provided and how to pay for them
Focuses on local issues like public safety, transit, water/sewer, trash, sidewalks, and parks rather than national issues
Creates the annual city budget, raises money through taxes, and can borrow via bonds for long-term projects
Enacts laws, approves contracts, and serves as the promoter/cheerleader for the city
2
City council structure includes nine members with equal votes: five district representatives, three at-large members, and the mayor
Chartered by the state legislature
All members have equal voting power regardless of position
The mayor and at-large members run city-wide while district members represent specific areas
3
Residents can report issues and track resolutions using the GSO Collects app
Report potholes, streetlights, overgrown yards, and other issues
Track status updates and repair notes through the app
Alternative phone number: 336-373-2489 or 333-373-CITY
4
Greensboro's new social district allows patrons to carry beverages between downtown businesses from noon to 9pm daily
First city in North Carolina to implement this state-authorized program
Uses special cups and participating businesses display welcome signs
Designed to energize and revitalize the downtown area
5
City council does not control school funding; that's handled by county commissioners
Guilford County Schools are funded by Guilford County Commissioners, not city council
City council maintains a vested interest and working relationship with school leadership
Understanding which body controls what helps residents direct concerns appropriately

Intro

Tiffany discusses with Hugh Holston how city council affects residents' money and daily lives, explaining the role of municipal government beyond what people typically see on national news.
Hugh Holston is a Greensboro City Council member at-large, Senior Project Manager with Old North State Medical Society, and former Fortune 250 company leader. A UNC Chapel Hill graduate with over 30 years in Greensboro, he brings expertise in strategic planning, finance, and project management to local government.

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– What City Council Actually Does

City council is the legislative branch focused on local services rather than national issues like immigration or foreign affairs.

All politics is local. And that's what City Council, that's what our responsibility is, is to take care of the local things for our residents.
– Hugh Holston

Key responsibilities include public safety (fire, police, 911), transit, water/sewer, trash, sidewalks, parks, libraries, and business licenses.

– City Government Structure

City government has three branches: legislative (city council), executive (city manager's office), and judicial elements.

The mayor and all nine council members fall under the legislative branch as policymakers with equal votes.

– Council Composition and Representation

Greensboro has nine council members: five district representatives, three at-large members, and one mayor—all with equal votes.

City councils are chartered by the state legislature, not created independently.

– How to Report Issues: GSO Collects App

Residents can download the GSO Collects app to report potholes, streetlights, overgrown yards, and track repair status.

Alternative contact: 336-373-2489 or 333-373-CITY

– Budget, Taxes, and Funding

City council creates the annual budget covering infrastructure, public safety, community services, and debt service.

Revenue comes from property taxes, sales taxes, and bonds for long-term projects like parks, housing, and transit.

I don't have an appetite for those taxes going up that much... I'm not in support of that.
– Hugh Holston

– Economic Development and Retention

Council focuses on retaining existing businesses (Toyota, Volvo, Syngenta) and attracting new ones to create a self-perpetuating economic model.

Greensboro has seven colleges and universities; the goal is to retain graduates by creating matching job opportunities.

– Social District Initiative

Greensboro was the first city in North Carolina to implement the social district, allowing patrons to carry beverages between downtown businesses from noon to 9pm daily.

Participating businesses display welcome signs; the program aims to energize downtown and compete with cities like Charlotte and Raleigh.

– Schools and County vs. City Roles

Guilford County Schools are funded by county commissioners, not city council—important distinction for directing concerns appropriately.

City council maintains a vested interest and collaborative relationship with school leadership despite not having direct funding authority.

– Citizen Engagement and Voting

Council meetings occur first and third Tuesdays monthly and are open to the public with opportunity for public comment.

Your vote is your voice and your vote is your power. Never, ever give up your voice or your power for any reason.
– Hugh Holston

Early voting: April 28–May 14; Primary: May 17; General election: July 26

Resources

Topics

local governmentcity councilmunicipal budgetpublic servicescivic engagementGreensboro NCproperty taxeseconomic developmentvotingcommunity involvement