Thursday’s vote isn’t final, but it will provide a good look at which parts of the budget have strong support from commissioners.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County leaders will take a straw vote on the county’s $2.5 billion budget proposal, which could impact everything from schools to property taxes.
The Board of County Commissioners assembled Thursday morning to cast a straw vote on the proposed budget. It’s not final, but it’s a major step toward deciding how tax dollars will be spent.
During a lengthy hearing last week, residents and nonprofit leaders urged commissioners to allocate and protect funding for affordable housing, health care for the uninsured, disability services, local history programs, Charlotte’s restaurant industry and much more. All this as the county works to erase a $29 million deficit.
The budget proposal includes a small property tax hike, about $36 a year for the average homeowner, and deep cuts to nonprofits, including the near-total elimination of community service grants.
“We looked at things like performance, utilization of county dollars, department recommendation cost per individual,” County Manager Dena Diorio said.
Other leaders say it’s about being fiscally responsible so the county is prepared for whatever happens in the future.
Education is fully funded, however. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools would get the entire amount it requested, including a $28 million increase to support teacher salaries.
Thursday’s straw vote will give Mecklenburg County residents the first real look at which parts of the budget commissioners are lining up behind. The final vote is scheduled for next Tuesday.
Contact Destiny Richards at drichards5@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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