CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte leaders unveiled their proposed budget for the next fiscal year on Monday.
In a budget meeting, officials revealed the $3.3 billion proposal that would fund a slew of programs and infrastructure projects, raise salaries for city employees and police officers, and provide money for housing assistance.
City officials are emphasizing that the plan does not increase taxes but the city manager is warning it could be necessary in a future budget to sustain Charlotte's rate of growth.
"If we need more time to have a discussion about more revenue, I would hope that time starts tonight so that as we look at future budgets and having big audacious goals, we won't be able to do it with this type of budget I'm putting towards you tonight," Charlotte City Manager Marcus Jones said.
While the 2024 budget proposal does not include tax increases, it does include service fee increases. The largest of those is water services, which will go up by around $3 per month for the typical customer.
"We have a diverse workforce on so many levels," Jones said. "We need to make sure we address our employees' concerns."
Additionally, the budget does not call for layoffs or furloughs of city employees. Instead, the budget proposes a 6% increase for all general hourly employees and a 4% salary pool for salaried employees.
"We have made sure that the general fund has the resources that it needs to provide the level of services that we're trying to provide and enhance," Jones said.
The budget also allocates money toward improving housing conditions, limiting violence, and transportation needs.
A public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for May 8, 2023.
To learn more about the city of Charlotte's budget proposal, visit here.
Contact Colin Mayfield at cmayfield@wcnc.com or follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.