For the average homeowner, the increase would amount to about $5.71 extra per month.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ Charlotte residents may soon face a property tax hike, after City Manager Marcus Jones unveiled his proposed $4.5 billionย budget plan for fiscal year 2027ย Monday night.
The proposal includes a property tax increase of 1.89 cents per $100 of assessed value โ money Jones says would go entirely toward public safety, adding approximately $85 million to the budget.
For the average homeowner, the increase would amount to about $5.71 extra per month.That figure is based on Charlotte’s median home price of $359,700.
Despite the increase, the city notes Charlotte has the lowest property tax rate among the 13 largest cities in North Carolina and is the only one of those cities to have raised property taxes just once in the last seven years.
Jones said the funds would help address staffing shortages at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
“It’s really important as we start to think about where we are with vacancies in CMPD โ these initiatives will help Chief Patterson get the CMPD fully staffed by the end of ’27,” Jones said.
The budget proposal covers a 10% pay raise for CMPD officers through the rank of sergeant, along with 35 additional take-home vehicles and $1.1 million for dash cameras to be integrated with the department’s existing body camera system.
Charlotte Fire would receive a 7% pay raise for sworn firefighters through the rank of captain, five new positions, and $8 million for equipment โ including $4 million for replacing personal protective gear and funding to replace six engines and three ladder trucks.
The disparity in pay raises drew sharp criticism from Mike Feneis, president of Charlotte Firefighters Association Local 660, who led dozens of firefighters in protest last week.
“The decision to break parity with CMPD sends a clear message the city leadership does not value firefighters and does not see us as a part of public safety,” Feneis told WCNC Charlotte in a statement following Monday’s meeting.
A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for next week. The City Council is not expected to take a final vote until June.
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