Everybody knows things are getting more costly these days, and one of those things that’s become very costly indeed for Guilford County government is providing translation services for the increasing number of non-English speakers who live in the county and use the county’s health services.
At the Thursday, May 1 meeting of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners, the board is expected to approve a one-year extension of its contract with Pacific Interpreters, which will provide over-the-phone and remote video interpreting services for the Public Health Division of the Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services.
These services help county residents with limited English proficiency access public health programs.
The demand for interpreters has risen sharply over the past few years, and with it, the county’s costs.
In fiscal year 2020-2021, for instance – the 12 months from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 – Guilford County spent $82,558 on interpreter services for health services.
That amount more than doubled to $170,181 in fiscal 2021-2022, and climbed again to $179,972 in 2022-2023.
In fiscal 2023-2024, spending surged to $306,750.
The cost will be very high again in the current fiscal year: Through the first eight months of fiscal 2024-2025, the county had already spent $198,944 on translation services for public health.
It’s important to note that these costs are only for the translation services in public health in Guilford County. Translation services are needed in many departments across the county’s government – for instance, in social services, the Sheriff’s Office, Child Support, the Family Justice Center and many more.
The Rhino Times is not aware of the amount of the total cost for language translation services needed by Guilford County government overall.
County staff stated in a memo to the commissioners that the rate charged by Pacific Interpreters hasn’t changed. Instead, this spending increase is driven entirely by a surge in call volumes – as more residents seek to use the language assistance service.
As part of the motion to be adopted on May 1, the commissioners are being asked to authorize an additional one-year contract renewal option, which would set a two-year potential maximum at $700,000.
Right now, there are $5 and even free smartphone apps that do a very good job of translating languages and perhaps the county could move more of its translation needs to smartphones and save a lot of taxpayer money in the future – though no doubt there will remain many nuanced situations where a live person will need to do the translating.
Current census.gov estimates put the number of people in the county who use a language other than English when at home at 16 percent.
According to information provided by Guilford County Schools: “GCS serves a diverse population of students. There are more than 118 languages spoken in classrooms throughout the district. Among the top ten languages are Spanish, Vietnamese, Urdu, Arabic and French. There are more than 142 student cultural and ethnic groups represented in our district.”
The school system’s English Learners Department is there to help students acquire the necessary language skills for them to succeed in the school system as well as navigate life in the predominantly English-speaking community that is Guilford County.
Our property taxes are rising to pay for translators for illegal student immigrants, and then we are spending more and more money on teachers to deal with these urchins. Enough is enough. The state may be required by law to provide education to the little urchins, but we are not bound by techniques. Place the burden on the illegal parents to teach their kids English and then, only then, will they be allowed in school. The burden to property taxpayers to pay for schooling for illegal children who cannot speak English is unacceptable. We need cameras in classrooms so the property taxpayers can see what we are paying for. Remember, it is not Guilford County taxpayers in general who are paying for the schools but PROPERTY TAXPAYERS. What are the chances that illegal parents are property taxpayers? Employers who hire illegal immigrants are part of the problem and the employers may not be property taxpayers in Guilford County. The cost of schools falls on the property taxpayers. This is unfair and NC should eliminate property taxes, especially since Raleigh thinks it is okay to give a freeride to retirement communities, country clubs, and the Woolworth Museum.
I totally agree with your comment
Why do you assume all foreign language kids are illegal? Weird.
This is a fair assumption. If you know otherwise, please let the readers of RT know.
It’s not a fair assumption, the immigrant population in Greensboro is overwhelmingly legal. It’s a city that the State Department designated years ago as a safe place for LEGAL refugees and asylum seekers to go.
How do you know that the illegals are overwhelming legal? Refugees and asylum seekers are what illegals call themselves; a way to circumvent the system. Why is it that from 2000 through 2024 we have millions of refugees and asylum seekers at the same time Biden opened the flood gates. Surely, you don’t believe what you wrote.
The majority of Hispanics in this country are legal. Heck, many are US citizens.
64 million people in the US identify as Hispanic.
81% of those are citizens
Nearly 4 out of 5 Hispanic immigrants have lived in the US for over 10 years
Over a 3rd of Hispanics speak Spanish
So, when you see a Hispanic name in the news. They are likely a US citizen or at a min, legal.
But you be you
No, it isn’t a fair assumption. it’s just your bigoted opinion that Trump has trained you all to have as you read news with any Hispanic name doing bad stuff. There are over 2 million legal immigrants in the US from South America. And yes, some of them commit crimes, although at a much lower rate than natural born citizens. Heck, this guy could have even been born here.
Proof is required on you to prove he is illegal as you are the making accusation to support your biased view of Hispanic immigrants.
But you be you.
Why would you assume that I am biased against a certain group of illegals? This piece, written by Scott Yost, was addressing the cost of translators because the urchins do not speak English. I do not believe that Guilford County property taxpayers should pay for translators but should be the responsibility of the parents, legal or illegal. If you, Chris, do not live in Guilford County you are not qualified to tell the property owners in Guilford County what we should be paying for.
Well said TERMLIMITS. This is further exacerbated by parents who don’t speak English (our official language), and as Scott points out, there are apps that are FREE that translate any language into English.
First we must teach County Council to do something beyond tax and spend, and secondly teach the school board what an app is!
We could start by eliminating most Guilford County school employees who are not directly responsible for educating students. We could start by eliminating student phones in schools. We could start by installing cameras in classrooms. Cameras could be positioned so that the view is on the instructor.
This comes across as a very xenophobic article.
Imagine writing an article complaining about how expensive ramps are to build for the handicapped. Or detailing how much money it takes to install audio cues at crosswalks.
We should happily provide services to all those who need help no matter if their barrier is a physical one or a language one.
It is a blessing that this area supports 118 languages spoken in our classrooms thus allowing our children to learn about 117 new and different cultures.
Thank you for your feedback. I did not mean it to be xenophobic and hope it does not come across that way. It is just a cost of government that I don’t think most people are familiar with.
Xenophobic? Really, Scott. Because property taxpayers may not want to pay for the education of illegals is
xenophobic? I understand you consider yourself a libertarian. But do you also consider it acceptable for others to pay for the illegal action of others? Why do you think illegals come here? It is for the benefits that American citizens have already sacrificed for and paid for. Illegals are a drain on our economy. Illegals send money back to their home country thereby removing money from our economy never to be seen again. If I object to paying for illegals, that is xenophobic? You really need to research the definition of xenophobia.
Calling all foreign language speakers ‘illegals’ is the perfect example of being xenophobic.
Thankfully Scott’s article stays above that level of bigotry and sticks to reporting based on actual facts relevant to locals’ readers.
You are joking, right? Your comment is the same message liberals and Democrats have been spewing since the 1960s. Your comment is irrational. There is no space large enough to respond to how utterly ridiculous your comment is. You, Brian, are a bleeding-heart liberal. Your ilk is a major cause of the mess our country is in. Why do you think that under pre-1965 immigration law, favor was granted to people who could already speak English? Our government did not want immigrants to be dependent on government. Why? Because taxpayers paid for the outcome, just as property owners in Guilford County are paying now. Why should property taxpayers bear the burden of educating illegals when government is responsible for the little urchins being here? We cannot afford higher property taxes to waste on a school system that does not enhance society, including the property taxpayers
who are paying for the failing system.
Here is a shocker for you…..immigrants pay taxes too. They aren’t dependent on the government beyond a brief period of transitioning to the US as immigrants come here to work. They come here to work. They work a lot of jobs that average Americans turn their nose at and they live at a lower standard of living that many Americans feel they are entitled.
Immigrant households in the U.S. paid $579.1 billion in total taxes, with undocumented households contributing an additional $35.1 billion1. In 2023, the country’s 47.8 million immigrants paid nearly $652 billion in taxes, with undocumented immigrants contributing nearly $90 billion. Undocumented immigrants paid $59.4 billion to the federal government and $37.3 billion to state and local governments.
I actually argue that Conservatives desire to run off immigrants of low income from the country is what is actually going to destroy America. So maybe you should stop your ‘spewing’ your bigoty and hate and take the time to actually understand the truth versus what Trump tells you to believe. They are two very different things.
If immigrants are coming here to work, then get a work visa. There is a LEGAL way to enter the US.
Illegals want to cut in line and enter illegal. And people like you, Chris, make excuses for them, just like in the 1960s. What pro illegal immigration website did you get your information from. Many, many illegals are paid “under the table.” And what about the money the illegals, known as asylum seekers, send back “home” never to be seen in the US economy again? The worst is yet to come for the US and the hordes of illegals when AI enters full tilt. And Chris, unlike you, I have not mentioned any particular group of illegals, contrary to your statements. Illegals are coming from all over the world.
There isn’t a ‘work visa’ window at the border. And I doubt they can afford the $5million dollar visa Trump is selling. But again, I am all for blocking illegal crossing at the border. The phrase ‘open border’ is a lie. Republicans should have passed the immigration reform act but Trump needed his boogeyman to scare his base up.
But you be you
There’s nothing xenophobic, racist, or bigoted about speaking truth ( so long as it is actually true).
The truth will set you free… right?
Some people try to suppress the truth. They are the real fascists.
If your version of the ‘truth’ is blinded by your bigotry and hate of those different than yourself, than your ‘truth’ is most likely BS. Examples of Austin’s bigotry:
Referring to Muslim immigrants in UK as smelly or animals (am paraphrasing)
Referring to LGBTQ people as Deviants (then claiming this isn’t an insult to people)
Assuming all immigrants are illegals unless proven otherwise
Parrots falsely that illegals and legal immigrants drive up crime
Claims that Africans have a lower IQ than Europeans (never answered question if by Africans that that includes African Americans)
The above examples are easily found here in the comment sections of the Rhino Times over the last few years. Look for them yourself when he denies his bigotry. Just because the above tropes are repeated by him (and others) on a regular basis here in the rhino times doesn’t make them true.
So careful who you believe is telling you the truth versus their bigoted / ignorant views of people that are different then themselves.
But you be you
Oh, and Austin thinks his opinion is more accurate than a dictionary. LMAO
——————
This individual’s attempt at character assassination of me is false, twisted, and baseless.
It is the hatred in HIS heart that’s on display as he tries to skewer me as a bigot and a hater in his very first line. He is a bitter and angry little man. And I believe he has mental health issues.
And the truth is just the truth, so enunciating it is never wrong.
classic duck and run from his past comments here on rhinotimes. not shocked. Shall i provide links to them Austin? or are you just afraid to defend all your bigotry in one place?
You never stop twisting the truth in your attempts to smear other people, do you? You need to let go of your hatred, before it destroys you. You need to let go of every rhetorical defeat you have suffered at my hands.
And while I’m not going to rehash arguments from years ago (because I have a life), I’ll at least take on your first false allegation. I have never referred to muslim immigrants to the UK as “smelly” or “animals”.
Go ahead; provide a link that proves otherwise. The only thing that will be proven is that YOU LIE.
No, the one I want you to answer is the question you have avoided each time I have asked. In your bigoted rant that Africans are genetically less intelligent than Europeans, do you include African Americans in that same argument?
Truely the fundamental basis of bigotry is this baseless argument.
*********
LOL ! You pathetic little prick!
I called your bluff – and YOU HAVE NOTHING. You have provided No link – as you promised. Zero. Nada. Zilch! Because you made up lies about me.
You’re full of s**t.
Liar, liar, liar.
*
PS
I expect you to apolgise to me for your libelous vile lies…. IF you possess a shred of honesty and integrity.
Still ducking the question. Yup. Not shocked. A bigot will do all they can to avoid direct racist statements. A classic tactic for people like Austin.
WHERE IS YOUR LINK THAT’S SUPPOSED TO BACK UP YOUR LIES?
BSer.
Answer the question.
SHOW US YOUR LINK.
You can’t, because your smears are all untrue..
YOU LIE.
ALL. THE. TIME.
You have been exposed as a bitter lying little creep who tries to smear people who disagree with him. You’re despicable.
Regarding Muslim emigres to Britain, I cannot attest either way to an unpleasant order from the emigres. However, I can attest that cultures have different ideas about cleanliness. As far as deviant behavior is concerned, societies have a norm of behavior. If a behavior deviates from the norm, that behavior is considered deviant. LGBTQs’ behavior is deviant. Africans have a lower IQ than Europeans? Compared to what? Surely, Chris, you do not consider the lack of advancement by Africans on par with Europe. As far as American Blacks who are descended from slaves, they were not born to European culture. They were thrust into a European culture and to this day retain vestiges of their African culture. Although some vestiges are not disappearing, which are numerous.
TERMLIMITS, you’re dealing with an antisocial Prima Donna with mental health issues when you attempt to debate Chris. He’s not debating to forge a way to truth through socratic reasoning, or any reasoning. Here’s here to score points in his desperately insecure psyche, so he can feel better about himself.
There is a disparaging British epithet for people like him. It fits him perfectly :
Wanker.
Claiming that referring to a group of people isn’t an insult is disingenuous and unionist but that is the norm for conservstives. Not shocked.
But you be you.
Christian. C. Rice : I suggest you withdraw your libelous statements.
Agree with you, Brian. The Afghan student who lives with us is legal. We paid thousands of $$ for him to be able to stay. He makes good grades, works part time and is more respectful than most kids who were born & raised in the U.S.
So Linda. I’m just curious with so many American children I children’s homes that would love to have a forever home in America, why sponsor a foreign child No judgement just asking
One of the many costs of sanctuary city… That I don’t believe the taxpayers ever revoted on. Town Council decided we would be a sanctuary city..
Guilford County (Greensboro city) is a sanctuary city. Therefore, there would be a high demand for these services. I totally agree with the post made by “TERMLIMITS”. Why is it on the property owners to pay for these services? Stop being a sanctuary city and this would not encourage illegals to come into the city/county for safe haven. The County Board of Commissioners along with City Council agreed to make Greensboro and Guilford county a sanctuary city. I think those board members should be the ones footing this expense because I was NEVER asked if I wanted this and I don’t think any other property owner was either!
We have two Republican Senators in NC. Would they be a good contact about the status of GSO being an illegal sanctuary city? Oh yeah, Chapel Hill, too. I will make that suggestion.
Greensboro’s and Chapel Hill’s response would be that they are not sanctuary cities. No, no law has been passed but the actions by the politicians and police are the practices of sanctuary status. A rose by any other name to paraphrase Shakespeare.
My phone translates for free
Yeah, but my govt hasn’t given me a phone, yet.
Progressives don’t care how they spend/waste YOUR hard earned money. You feel it every day in Guilford County and Greensboro. The latest local tv freebie request is baby diapers and other baby products. You will probably be taxed on that in the very near future.
Conservative don’t care about the value immigrants add to our local and national economies. You ignore and take it for granted every day.
But you be you
I am an immigrant, and I am a conservative.
You are a bigoted asshole who will never allow the facts to interfere with your opinion.
I have come to believe that you have mental health issues, Chris.
Seek help, before they spiral out of control.
Really. You need to deal with your anger.
More childish name calling from Austin having a little temper tantrum. Yawn.
You have nothing.
All these personal attacks and mud-slinging don’t accomplish anything.
Then tell Chris (who has mental health issues) to stop.
So long as the enemy attacks, we fire back. Right?
Learn English or provide your own interpreter. No communication=no services or handouts. Anywhere else in the world you’d be expected to communicate in their official language.
is it presumptuous to travel to another country voluntarily not knowing how to speak the language ? a planned ‘imposition’ ? is this the ‘attitude’ of ‘colonizers’ expecting ‘deference’ or tourists with $$ expecting ‘service’ ? why publicly fund this when it can be, should be purchased privately ? capitalism.