After months of debate, public meetings and adjustments, the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County approved their budgets for fiscal year 2027, which will take effect on July 1.
The decisions include property taxes, salary increases, investments in housing and education, and changes that will directly impact residents' wallets, including thousands of Latinos. in one of the fastest growing regions of North Carolina.
Charlotte adopts the biggest budget in its history
At their meeting on Monday, June 8, the city Council It approved a record budget of $4,490 billion, with a general fund exceeding $1,000 billion, in a 9-2 vote, which includes funding for aviation, public transportation, water, stormwater and general government.
The plan demonstrates a clear commitment to public safety and the retention of key personnel:
- 10% salary increases for police officers (CMPD) and firefighters, with the aim of improving staff retention and recruitment.
- Salary increases of 4% for other municipal employees.
- Establishment of a minimum salary of $25 per hour for all city workers.
“The goal is to strengthen teamwork in public safety,” Councilor Dimple Ajmera said during the debate.
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Impact on taxpayers
To finance some of these improvements, the city approved a increase of $1,89 for every $100 of the appraised value of property tax.
This represents approximately $5 to $6 more per month for the average homeowner.
According to the Council, 100% of this increase will be allocated to the public security, including better pay for those who respond to emergencies.
Although the measure was approved, it sparked opposition among some council members, who expressed concern about the impact on taxpayers.
City manager Marcus Jones noted that the budget aims to maintain essential services while responding to the city's rapid population and economic growth.
Housing, transport and growth
Other key points in Charlotte's budget include:
- $125 million in bonds for affordable housingThe highest in the city's history, which include a $25 million fund earmarked for preventing displacement of residents.
- Long-term investments in public transportation, with plans reaching $5,700 billion over 30 years.
- Preparing for future investments in mobility thanks to the one-cent local sales tax approved by voters last year.
- Funding for road infrastructure, sidewalks, pedestrian safety and transportation projects, including resources for the Vision Zero program and improvements in urban connectivity.
- Increases in rates for services such as water and solid waste.
In addition, the Council approved a 150-day moratorium on new data centers while their potential effects on neighborhoods and the environment are studied.
You can find more information about the budget adopted by the City of Charlotte for fiscal year 2027 in the City of Charlotte website.
Mecklenburg prioritizes education and services without raising taxes
Meanwhile, at the meeting on Tuesday, June 2, the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners approved a budget of $2,600 billion, that is, an increase of 2% (about $50,4 million) over the current budget.
Unlike Charlotte, the county decided not to increase the property tax, which remains at 49.27 cents for every $100 of assessed value.
The measures impact residents of the municipalities that make up the county, in addition to Charlotte: Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville.
Main investments
The county budget emphasizes essential services and economic opportunities:
Education
- $25 million for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) district, and resources requested to sustain educational operations and services.
- Funding for Central Piedmont Community College
- Support for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, including the new Uptown location
Health & Wellness
- More than $4 million for a new behavioral health crisis center
- New Emergency Home Repair Initiative
Workforce and Economy
- Investment in programs such as Road to Hire, which helps high school students find jobs, and in Project BOAST, a public transportation-related program to help small businesses.
Public safety and emergencies
- $11.2 million for MEDIC and recruitment paramedics
- $5.3 million for the maintenance of the Sheriff's detention center, which faces a jail overcrowding crisis, medical services for prisoners, housing for minors, and overtime pay for officers.
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Parks and community
- $10 million for park maintenance
- $1.6 million for the development of several parks in East Charlotte
The budget also includes a 3% salary increase for county employees, with the possibility of additional 5% increases based on performance.
According to county officials, the new budget represents the start of a multi-year strategy to control costs while maintaining essential services for a population exceeding 1.2 million.
You can find more information about the fiscal year 2027 budget in the Mecklenburg County website.
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