Mecklenburg County commissioners adopted a $1.6 billion budget Tuesday in a 6-2 vote. The budget won't increase property taxes, but it does include an increase in compensation for county commissioners.
County manager Dena Diorio said the county decided to increase the expense allowance after studying how the City of Charlotte handles it.
"One of the things we found is that you are not receiving the same types of allowances that the city council receives. And so from an equity perspective, we proposed it so you would be treated in a similar like fashion as to the city council," Diorio said.
Annual pay for commissioners will rise to $43,390. That includes a base salary of $26,710, an expense allowance of $8,250, a technology allowance of $4,410 and a new separate auto allowance of $4,020, according to Schedule 4 in the county budget.
This year, commissioners get up to $36,732, including a base salary of $25,932, an allowance of up to $6,500 for technology and travel, and a $4,320 expense allowance.
Commission Chair Trevor Fuller will get a base salary of $33,388 and an auto allowance of $4,380. With the technology and expense allowances, his total could be as much as $50,428. That's up from $46,096.
The vote came after commissioners discussed the compensation issue and the budget allocation for schools, which some argued should be higher.
Commissioners Matthew Ridenhour and Jim Puckett were the two "no" votes.
RAMSEY CREEK FEES INCREASED
Commissioners last night also voted to increase entrance fees at Ramsey Creek Park in Cornelius, where the county recently opened its first public beach in nearly 40 years.
County residents now will pay $5 per vehicle Mondays to Thursdays and $10 on weekends, instead of the previous $3. The fee for non-residents rises from $5 to $10 Mondays through Thursdays, and $15 Fridays through Sundays.
The county also will begin charging an entrance fee for people who walk or bike to the park - $5 for adults and $3 for children 6 to 13. Children under six will remain free.
Commissioners also authorized the Park & Recreation department to continue a free shuttle service on weekends, to help alleviate traffic near the park. Beach-goers can park at the Northcross Park and Ride lot off I-77 Exit 25 in Huntersville.
That service is expected to continue through Labor Day weekend. Parks officials said last night the service worked well in its first weekend,
