It took a year longer than usual, but the Charlotte City Council approved a 3-cent property tax increase for capital improvement projects on Monday night.
The same plan got derailed last year because it included money to extend the streetcar. When the council passed a capital plan without the streetcar, Mayor Anthony Foxx vetoed it. The city is now pursuing funding for the streetcar separately and the council easily passed the rest of the capital plan last night.
A relieved Mayor Foxx quipped: "Given the things that are going on in my life right now, I'm glad that this issue is now being put to rest."
Foxx's nomination to become U.S. Secretary of Transportation is moving easily through the U.S. Senate, including a unanimous senate committee vote Monday afternoon.
The property tax increase Charlotte City Council members approved Monday takes effect next month and means an extra $63 a year on a home worth $200,000. Voters will not be asked to approve bonds to build capital projects that tax will pay for until next year. Higher water, sewer and stormwater rates take effect next month, too, and will cost the average homeowner about $25 more, per year.
Tonight the Mecklenburg County Commission will take a preliminary vote on plan to raise its property tax rate by 2.5 cents.
