08-04-2025
Mecklenburg County leaders consider public feedback in 2026 budget proposal
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners met Tuesday afternoon with government and community leaders to continue forming a budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year.
The county currently operates on a $2.5 billion budget. The figure is a nearly 6% increase from FY2024.
Last year, officials considered a 1.5 percent property tax increase. County Manager Dena Diorio identified $25.5 million in realignments of the General Fund, so the increase was lessened to 1 cent.
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County commissioners said Tuesday they are looking to avoid tax hikes for the upcoming year.
However, the public feedback elected leaders have received so far indicates a larger budget may be necessary to cover desired projects, services and facilities.
Staff members within the Office of Management and Budget, a division of the County Manager's Office, presented commissioners on March 25 with the results of thousands of responses from an online survey.
The overall top four priorities of survey respondents are affordable housing, developing parks and greenways, services for senior adults, and mental and behavioral health services.
OMB staff members also hosted in-person engagement sessions for high school and college students for a youthful perspective on the region's finances. Meeting with students from West Mecklenburg, Harding, and Hopewell High Schools as well as Central Piedmont Community College, University of North Carolina Charlotte and Queens University.
Leaders of the county Park and Recreation Commission presented their budget recommendations Tuesday. Staff members request $10 million for repairs and replacements which they say cannot wait until another Capital Improvement Project update, $50 million for land acquisition, and $1 million for routine maintenance.
Members of the PRC also say more money is needed to improve the resident experience at parks, specifically a $400,000 allotment for programming such as youth sports leagues and $450,000 for safety, security and customer service.
Commissioners also considered a request of an additional $328,719,819 for the Capital Improvement Plan for 2026-2030 in projects and land acquisitions. CIP planners will continue meeting with commissioners and the Citizen's Capital Budget Advisory Committee, made up of community volunteers, and present an update in late April.
Mecklenburg County hosts two public hearings on the budget before the board's budget retreat. Residents spoke in front of commissioners for more than an hour during first hearing on January 22. The second budget hearing is set for May 22.
The county manager is scheduled to present her recommended budget proposal May 15.
Commissioners aim to adopt the final budget June 3.
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