The organization received $397,000 last year, yet would receive nothing in next year’s budget plan.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ Some Charlotte City Council members are pushing to restore nonprofit funding left out of next year’s proposed budget. The discussion came during Monday afternoon budget workshop to hash out potential changes following City Manager Marcus Jones’ budget presentation two weeks ago.
Advocates from Safe Alliance, a nonprofit that provides around-the-clock services for domestic violence survivors, showed up to the government center to make their case.
The organization received $397,000 last year. Under Jones’ proposed plan, it would receive nothing.
“Our services are 24/7. Crisis doesn’t just happen during business hours,” Cori Goldstein, Safe Alliance’s chief program officer, said. “We are a lifeline for a lot of survivors that are reaching out and seeking support and giving them alternatives to complement the long legal process.”
Jones’ 2027 proposal includes a property tax increase of 1.89 cents per $100 of assessed value โ money he says would go entirely toward public safety, adding approximately $85 million to the budget.
Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera argued that cutting Safe Alliance would undermine that goal.
“From what I understand, the 24-hour hotline would not exist if we do not support it, so I am concerned about that,” Ajmera said. “I consider Safe Alliance funding as also part of public safety to protect survivors โ domestic violence survivors.”
Several other council members supported her motion to restore the funding, along with her push to reconsider the proposed property tax increase. Many members also supported keeping pay parity between CMPD ad Charlotte Fire.
However, they have less than a month to find money to fill those gaps.
“We cannot figure out how to provide all the services to all the organizations and keep our taxes at the current rate,” Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield said.
The next step is a straw vote meeting on the proposed amendments on June 1. The council is expected to vote on a final budget June 8.
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