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GREENSBORO — Speakers pushed for more money for schools and the arts and for a health care clinic for southeast Greensboro at a hearing on Guilford County's half-billion dollar budget.

All three groups would receive less money than they wanted under the $587.9 million budget proposed by County Manager David McNeill.

About two dozen supporters for those items lined up Thursday to tell the Board of Commissioners how their projects benefit the county and why they should get the money they want.

Now that commissioners have heard from the county's departments in budget workshops and from the public in Thursday's hearing, they must come up with their own budget by the end of the month.

Under the current recommendation, the owner of a $200,000 home would pay $109 more in county property taxes next year.

A health clinic for southeast Greensboro in the 27406 ZIP code wouldn't be funded, either.

"I have to go back to the hospital for my checkups," said Deborah Compton-Holt, who lives in the neighborhood. Compton-Holt recently had surgery, she said, and needs to make a trip to Moses Cone Hospital as she heals.

Something closer would be easier to get to, she said.

The problem is an uneven spread of resources in the city, BJ Gerald-Covington said.

"There's eight urgent care facilities in this town but not one south of Elm Street," Gerald-Covington said.

County health officials previously said that there are high rates of cancer, heart disease and low birth weight there.

After the hearing, Chairman Kirk Perkins said that the clinic may not make it into the budget.

"It's a lot bigger issue than health care," Perkins said, referring to staffing and operating a center.

Other speakers focused on benefits that arts and schools could bring to the local economy, how they improve the work force and work for children.

Guilford County Schools seeks a $15.8 million budget increase next year but would get $12.5 million under McNeill's budget.

"When we think of the future of our kids, it's got to be a continual effort," said Chris Adams, a board member on the Guilford Educational Alliance.

And nonprofit arts groups cut out of this year's budget looked to get back on in 2008-09.

State Rep. Alma Adams (no relation) spoke in favor of the arts — specifically the African American Atelier. When the atelier lost county funding last year, it couldn't keep up arts programs for poor, primarily African American children.

"The arts are basic to the educational development of children." Adams said, "and I know that the arts are not just niceties, but they are necessities."

Now, commissioners must find enough support among themselves to pass the budget, which Perkins will broker in coming weeks. He said there's no definite version of the budget yet, and that the board must still talk among themselves on what they would fund.

Contact Gerald Witt at 373-7008 or gerald.witt@news-record.com