MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Mecklenburg County leaders approved a $2.5 billion budget for the upcoming 2025 fiscal year Tuesday night with new funding earmarked to address access to health care, housing insecurity and early childhood development.
The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt the budget during Tuesday night's meeting. The $2.5 billion budget represents a 5.9% — or $140 million — increase over the county's 2024 budget.
These numbers, along with Mecklenburg County's rapid growth and lack of affordable housing options have many people asking where this money's going.
The FY2025 budget will include $153 million in new funding to help support the board's following priorities:
- Health care access
- Housing insecurity
- Educational attainment
- Workforce Development
- Environmental stewardship
- Early childhood development
- Reducing racial disparities
For many Charlotteans, questions about the budget center on the potential tax increases that will be used to pay for these priorities. The original budget proposal included a 1.5-cent property tax increase, but commissioners decided to keep the increase at 1 cent. Revenue from the property tax hike will go toward several construction projects for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
Mecklenburg County voters approved the county tax hike and school projects when the school bond passed in the previous election.
WCNC Charlotte is always asking "where's the money?" If you need help, reach out to WCNC Charlotte by emailing money@wcnc.com.
County staff members told WCNC Charlotte's Julia Kauffman that homeowners with a house valued at $400,000 would pay about $38 more per year.
However, the city of Charlotte is also proposing a 1.5-cent property tax rate increase in its latest budget.
If the city budget is approved as is, the average property owner will pay about $92 more a year on property taxes due to the county and city hikes.
The county budget gives raises to teachers and 3% raises to county employees.
It will also provide funding for many services in the county, including:
- $250,000 to the Charlotte is Home Center for refugees and immigrant services
- $15 million for affordable housing fund allocations in the county's Home for All plan
- $2 million to the Katie Blessing Center
Charlotte leaders will vote on the proposed city budget and tax increase on June 10 and Fiscal Year 2025 begins July 1.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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