Republican Commissioners Push Lower Property Tax Rate

The four Republicans on the Mecklenburg County Commission have proposed an alternative budget that calls for reducing the property tax rate by 5.4 cents for every $100 in assessed value. That would make the rate 78.45 cents. The Charlotte Observer's April Bethea reports that would be slightly less than the revenue-neutral rate of 78.83 cents. County Manager Harry Jones has recommended a 1-cent decrease to 82.49 cents, which would still raise taxes for a majority of homeowners because of the increased values reflected in property reappraisals. His proposal would send $26 million additional revenue to CMS, and increase the funding for libraries by $3 million, among other things. The Republican proposal would send $15 .4 million more to CMS and increase library funding by $2 million. It would also require larger cuts to other services. Commission Chairwoman Jennifer Roberts wants to keep the tax rate at $83.87 cents Commissioners are scheduled this evening (Wednesday) to have a straw vote on the budget.