Despite cuts, Charlotte leaders focus new budget on groups helping seniors, kids

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte City Council is scheduled to vote Monday on a $3.5 billion budget that includes no property tax increase but features cuts to some nonprofit organizations.

The proposal, which passed a straw vote after some amendments Monday, touches nearly every corner of daily life for Charlotte residents — from trash pickup and water bills to employee pay and long-term investments in affordable housing and public safety.

The FY2026 budget, introduced by City Manager Marcus Jones in early May, represents a 5.2% increase from last year. 

However, the budget faces a $6.5 million shortfall due to sales tax revenue that isn’t generating as much as anticipated. They’re also dealing with the inevitable expiration of COVID-era ARPA funds.

“We have cut our own costs. We have absorbed inflationary pressures. We have absorbed tariff costs where other cities, municipalities across the state and across the nation, raised their property tax rate. We did not,” Council member and Budget Chair Dimple Ajmera said. “I don’t see why someone would not support our budget this year. I hope to see this getting approved unanimously on Monday.”

However, funding constraints mean not all partner organizations will receive their full requested amounts. Ajmera said, when choosing, they prioritized nonprofits that work with seniors, youth, and affordable housing.

Even ones that are receiving the full amount they requested are still nervous about looming federal cuts and external economic uncertainty.

The Greater Enrichment Program, which provides free after-school care in local Title One schools, will receive the $200,000 they requested from the city. 

“We are allowing our parents to have free child care, we’re allowing them to be able to go to work and know that their children are in a safe, nurturing place,” Bronica Glover, the program’s executive director, said.

Glover said this city funding is crucial and will have to be stretched even further than normal, as they face cuts elsewhere, including a federal grant.

“We’re very concerned because our program won’t be able to operate if we don’t receive funding,” Glover said. “The landscape of fundraising and nonprofits is changing, and so we’re very worried, and we want to ensure that we’re able to continue to provide this program for our students and families that really need it.”

Ajmera said that the uncertain landscape influenced the budget’s creation and encouraged the City Council to add more funding to some nonprofits earlier this week, including Power Up USA.

“A lot of these organizations have lost federal funding dollars, so it is so important that we show our commitment to these organizations who are doing great work on a daily basis,” Ajmera said.

Given the multiple adjustments made and the lack of a property tax increase, Ajmera anticipates the plan will pass at Monday night’s meeting.

The problems the city is facing are not unique. Mecklenburg County approved its budget Tuesday with a slight property tax increase and some nonprofit cuts as well.

Contact Julie Kay at juliekay@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.

For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts that impact you from WCNC Charlotte, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.