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GREENSBORO — The new city budget has a little bit of this, a little bit of that — and no new taxes for residents.

When Greensboro City Council members review and possibly approve the $423 million

2008-09 budget tonight, they will likely find more than $2 million for projects that weren't in the budget a few weeks ago. Those projects include paving, a new bus route and a landscaping contract.

The council will likely also stick to a plan set in April to keep taxes unchanged at 63.5 cents per $100 of home value, according to Mayor Yvonne Johnson.

"Pretty much everything that we've asked has been done with a balanced budget and no tax increase," Johnson said.

At tonight's meeting, the council is also scheduled to request a Nov. 4 ballot measure for $200 million worth bonds for street improvements, War Memorial Auditorium renovations, parks and housing.

Council members have spent much of the past seven months finding ways to slash the city's bottom line, including a six-month hiring freeze and eliminating 49 jobs.

The city manager was working toward a 2.75 cent tax increase, but the council nixed that plan and cut $7 million.

Once the public and the council got around to reviewing the final budget proposal, council members reconsidered some issues.

City Manager Mitchell Johnson and city staff tapped various reserve funds, including the Powell Bill Reserve and a special technology fund, to put council-recommended items back into the budget.

"We're draining funds to try to achieve these goals," the city manager said. "It's a tough budget year."

Some items that have survived budget debates, so far:

* A new bus route to serve Summit Avenue, an item promoted by Councilwoman T. Dianne Bellamy-Small

The city will seek federal money for the project but will be able to fund the route as of January if that money doesn't come through, Mayor Johnson said.

* $400,000 for a city landscaping contract

* $1 million worth of paving, cut down from a projected $2 million

* $200,000 in housing and community development money, which council members hope can be used as startup funds for a day center for homeless residents.

"We're not raising taxes and we're getting the things done that need to get done," Councilman Robbie Perkins said.

As budget season comes to a close, there are some unresolved issues.

The council had hoped to receive a consultant's comprehensive review of the police department before it approved the budget. The budget includes $1.3 million for a police gang unit. Councilwoman Mary Rakestraw said she did not want to vote for the budget without the report.

The consultant will present the report July 7.

The council also might have to revisit library funding if the budget passes tonight. City leaders projected they would receive $2.5 million from the county. The proposed county budget instead offers $2.1 million.

Council members, who have been lobbying the county for reconsideration, hope some more money will come Greensboro's way.

In the future, the two governments need a contract that guarantees the county's contribution, Councilwoman Sandra Anderson Groat said.

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com.