Funding for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and a possible property tax increase are among the items likely to generate comments Monday evening during a public hearing on the proposed Mecklenburg County budget.
County Manager Dena Diorio last month recommended to commissioners a $1.7 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. That’s a 1.5 percent increase over the current budget.
The manager’s proposal includes the first increase in Mecklenburg County’s property tax rate in five years. The 3/4 cent increase recommended by Diorio would add about $19 per year in property taxes for the owner of a $250,000 home.
The proposed county tax hike is in addition to a one-cent increase in Charlotte’s property tax rate that city council members are considering as part of their budget deliberations.
Diorio’s budget recommends an increase of about $24 million in county funding for CMS. CMS had requested $40 million more as the district seeks to boost teacher pay, improve school security, add pre-K seats and hire more health care professionals for schools.
The county manager’s spending plan includes $1.7 million for countywide security improvements such as more guards and security cameras at parks, and increased funding for the sheriff’s office.
Monday's public hearing on the budget begins at 6:00 p.m. at the government center. County commissioners are scheduled to take straw votes next week, and could approve a new budget on June 19.