Today, Mecklenburg County Commissioners held their second budget meeting and reviewed items on the table that could be cut. Some funding concerns could impact the Pride parade in uptown Charlotte.
Mecklenburg County manager Dena Diorio is recommending nearly 14 million dollars in reductions to county departments. She has said with economic uncertainty, the county needs to tighten its belt.
Several departments in the county are facing reductions, including 2.1 million from Child, family and adult services, 2 million dollars for community service grants and 1 million for the Sheriff’s office.
At the same time, county commissioners are looking to spend $125,000 to support Charlotte Pride, after the festival lost several of its big corporate sponsors like Lowe’s. However, county commissioner Laura Meier said that funding should be used for other county needs.
"I just don't think Charlotte Pride and I'm not gonna make any friends by saying this, it's, I just don't think it's a time to spend money on a parade and I'm not gonna make any friends," Meier said.
"I'm not gonna apologize, but I do think that, I don't think that is in the best interest of the whole county."
County commissioners will hold budget straw vote to see what’s in and what’s out on May 29th
