3 days ago
Mecklenburg County leaders adopt $2.5B FY26 operating budget with property tax hike
MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Mecklenburg County leaders adopted the FY26 budget ordinance Tuesday night, establishing an operating budget of $2.5 billion.
The budget includes $65 million in new funding for programs that align with the Board's priorities, like economic development and education.
Among the many services and programs receiving funding, here's some key takeaways:
The budget sets a property tax rate of 49.27 cents per $100 of assessed value. That represents a .96-cent increase in the tax rate over FY2025. The average homeowner will pay $36.19 a year more or $3.02 a month.
The budget fully funds Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools with $666.1 million in operating funds for CMS, which is a 4.4% increase over the previous year. The increase will primarily supplement teachers' salaries.
$9.9 million for salary increases for locally funded staff
$8.3 million to address below-market salaries and increase compensation based on years of service
$8.1 million to increase in local supplements
$2 million to fund the second year of a four-year plan to provide students with technology or devices needed
$33 million in capital spending for repairs and maintenance
Other education investments include $3.4 million for 10 new MECK Pre-K classrooms and $1.7 million in additional operating funds for Central Piedmont Community College, plus $3.6 million in capital maintenance.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library also will receive $2 million to add 15 library branch positions and support planning for the opening of the new Main Library.
Mecklenburg County has more than 6,000 employees and the budget invests $38.7 million in new funding for employees.
$15.7 million for a 3% across-the-board pay increase.
$11.4 million for a performance-based pay increase, up to 5%.
$5.3 million for an expected 8.75% increase in medical premiums.
$3.3 million for the County's contribution to the Local Government Employee Retirement System.
$389,000 for law enforcement for special separation pay.
$7.9 million was allocated to fund Medic's request for additional ambulances and equipment, which will enable Medic to increase its staffing by 78 positions.
The budget distributes more than $53 million in funding to a wide variety of nonprofit partners that offer services to address the Board of County Commissioners' priorities.
$14.3 million for more than 20 organizations that work to address homelessness and housing, such as Legal Aid of N.C., the Salvation Army, Roof Above, the Relatives, United Way of Greater Charlotte, and others.
$12.5 million for 16 organizations that address the Board's mental and behavioral health priorities, such as Anuvia Prevention and Recovery Center, Promise Resource Network, Teen Health Connection, Alliance Health, and others.
$9 million for the Arts and Science Council, plus nearly $1 million in additional arts funding.
$3.1 million to more than 30 organizations that work to reduce or eliminate health disparities, such as the Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Center, Care Ring, InReach, RAIN Charlotte, and others.
$2.6 million for Crisis Assistance Ministry.
$1.6 million for Unified Workforce Development.
Child, Family, and Adult Services
$1.4 million to annualize the operating costs for the Youth and Family Services emergency shelter.
$2.3 million to expand in-home aide subsidies to serve an additional 60 clients, and to expand adult day care to serve an additional 50 clients.
$416,000 in one-time funding for additional vehicles.
$357,000 to increase meal, guardianship and interpreting services.
$250,000 to support phase one of the implementation of the Behavioral Health Strategic Plan.
$226,000 for three new social workers within Adult Protective Services.
Community Support Services
$1.1 million to annualize the operating costs for Forest Point Place permanent supportive housing for seniors.
$464,000 for housing placement and navigation, and a subsidy increase for Keeping Families Together.
$75,000 to fund new locations for homeless meal services.
$60,000 in one-time funding for Hearts for the Invisible Charlotte to complete an ARPA-funded program.
$996,000 to fund the operations of newly opened greenway and park amenities
$355,000 for an increase in contracted mowing services for County properties
$261,000 for three new, full-time employees to support existing demand for park services
The budget goes into effect July 1.
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