The city has raised property taxes only once in the past seven years.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ Charlotte City Councilโs budget season has officially begun, with leaders weighing major investments in public safety and transit while facing a key question: whether to increase property taxes.
The city has raised property taxes only once in the past seven years. In 2024, Council raised the rate by 1.37 cents. That makes the current rate 27.41 cents.
However, several high-profile crimes have highlighted a shortage of police officers and a need for expanded public safety measures. Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera, who chairs the councilโs budget committee, said she is advocating against a property tax increase as families face rising costs.
โWe want to make sure that we are keeping our people safe, we are investing in opportunity and not asking families to pay more at a time when they’re already struggling, when we already have a sales tax increase coming in July, gas prices are high, and families are struggling,โ Ajmera said. โThat’s why I pushed for a no property tax increase.โ
The sales tax increase she referenced was narrowly approved by Mecklenburg County voters to fund transit projects.
Ajmera said the budget will require balancing competing priorities, with public safety leading the conversation.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is short about 300 officers. Ajmera said she supports the departmentโs request for a 10% salary increase and the addition of take-home vehicles to help recruit and retain officers.
City officials have also requested support from state and federal lawmakers for public safety funding, but those efforts have not yet been successful.
โWe’ve got to do our part to ensure that we are recruiting and retaining the best talent,โ Ajmera said. โBut at the same time, we are continuing to lobby state as well as the federal elected officials to invest in public safety.โ
The city is still accepting public input on next yearโs budget through an online survey open until April 6. Ajmera encourages residents to attend a public session on Tuesday, as well as use the city’s online budget balancing tool.
The full conversation will air at 9 p.m. Monday on โFlashpointโ on the WCNC Charlotte app.
