Grounds for Change Ep. 1 | Kathy Greggs on Accountability & Audits
Grounds for Change – Episode 1: “Follow the Funds”
By Kathy Greggs | Fayetteville City Council District 7
Real Conversations. Real Accountability.
Every strong community starts with open conversation. That’s why I launched Grounds for Change — a live series where Fayetteville residents can speak directly with me about the issues that matter most.
Episode 1 began with one simple question from local resident Sara Wells:
“Where is our money really going?”
That question opened a deep, honest discussion about public accountability, infrastructure, and transparency in city spending — from recycling and water systems to the use of American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds.
Recycling, Stormwater, and Rising Costs
Sara shared her concerns about paying hundreds of dollars in taxes and fees for services that seem unclear. Together, we unpacked how annexation, outdated stormwater systems, and PWC contracts have increased costs for many households.
I explained how Cedar Creek and other neighborhoods face long-standing stormwater challenges that could have been addressed years ago with better planning. Residents deserve to know why their bills keep rising — and how those dollars are being used.
Why Kathy Called for an Audit
Transparency isn’t optional — it’s essential.
That’s why I’ve called for a state audit of Fayetteville’s finances, not just to track spending but to rebuild public trust. Every year, my nonprofit requests financial audits from both the city and the county to ensure that money reaches the programs it was meant for — like mental-health care, housing, and family support.
During the episode, I showed the same budget presentation I delivered to local and state leaders in 2023. It revealed how millions in ARPA funds could have been allocated more effectively to:
Pay down city debt
Improve stormwater systems
Support small businesses and families
Strengthen infrastructure in rural and urban neighborhoods
Instead, too many of those funds were diverted or delayed. And that’s not just frustrating, it’s unacceptable.
Holding Nonprofits and Contracts Accountable
Another key issue we discussed was accountability in city-funded partnerships. Many nonprofits receive taxpayer-funded grants but lack measurable outcomes, oversight, or regular audits.
When contracts shift all liability to nonprofits and remove city accountability, the community loses transparency. I believe we must:
✅ Vet every organization receiving public money
✅ Require monthly reporting and third-party audits
✅ Ensure funding truly serves Fayetteville residents
Taxpayer dollars are an investment in our city’s quality of life — and every investment deserves measurable results.
Data, Poverty, and Misused Numbers
We also explored how inaccurate census data can misrepresent poverty levels and underfund our communities. As I shared, Fayetteville has been classified as a Tier 1 (high-poverty) community since 2012, with a median household income under $60,000.
When data is manipulated or when nonprofits inflate numbers to gain funding its our most vulnerable residents suffer. Real solutions require real data and leadership that insists on accuracy and integrity.
Why Leadership Matters
I reminded listeners:
“Toxic leadership starts at the top. Change the leadership culture, and we change the city.”
That’s what Grounds for Change is all about empowering citizens to understand budgets, ask hard questions, and expect better.
Change happens when we train the next generation to lead with integrity, accountability, and heart. Fayetteville’s future depends on it.
Kathy’s Final Word
“Each day, ask yourself: What did I do to make someone’s life better?
We are here to love one another — no judgment.
Humanity will prevail because we choose to show up for each other.”
Together, we can ensure that justice, fairness, and truth guide every decision in Fayetteville. This is how we move from conversation to change — and from change to legacy.
