government
CATS Hand-Off Deals Go to Charlotte Council Dec. 14
Charlotte's council is to vote Dec. 14 on three agreements the regional transit authority needs before it takes control of CATS operations Jan. 1.
Jack Beckett·Nov 3, 2026
Topic
Budget
Charlotte city and Mecklenburg County budget coverage.
government
Charlotte's I-77 Bill Is $69,577,547.67
The state's claim against Charlotte for walking away from the I-77 South toll lanes is $69,577,547.67, and the money would come out of the fund the city has already programmed for its next affordable…
Jack Beckett·Sep 15, 2026
government
SNAP Penalty Could Cost Mecklenburg Up to $42 Million a Year
A federal penalty tied to North Carolina's food-assistance error rate could take $30 million to $42 million a year out of Mecklenburg County's budget, and the county will owe a share of it even if…
Jack Beckett·Aug 7, 2026
government
MEDIC's Raise Is in the County Budget but Isn't Funded Yet
Mecklenburg County's new budget raised 721 county workers to a living wage but left MEDIC's paramedics and EMTs out, their raise sits in restricted contingency, pending two studies and a second vote.
Jack Beckett·Jun 3, 2026
government
Mecklenburg County Adopts 2026-27 Budget Unchanged
Mecklenburg County's 2026-27 budget was a foregone conclusion, but adopting it still took the board most of an hour, through nine contract recusals, a failed park-appointment slate, three motions to…
Jack Beckett·Jun 3, 2026
government
Council Backs 10% Firefighter Raise in 10-1 Straw Vote
Charlotte City Council voted 10-1 Monday to direct the city manager to give the Charlotte Fire Department the same 10 percent raise as police, closing a pay gap that drew months of firefighter protest.
Jack Beckett·Jun 2, 2026
government
Mecklenburg commissioners advance FY27 budget to June 2 vote
A 7-1 vote sends the FY2027 operating budget to ordinance-drafting for June 2 adoption. Roughly $1.6 million in additional fund-balance allocations cleared.
Jack Beckett·May 29, 2026
government
Mecklenburg adds $1.6 million for 13 community programs
Thirteen new fund-balance allocations cleared at Thursday's FY27 straw vote, eleven external community partners plus two internal Park & Rec restorations.
Jack Beckett·May 29, 2026
government
Mecklenburg board parks MEDIC wage-floor move
A late substitute motion placed $2,293,759 in restricted contingency rather than fund a same-day move of MEDIC's EMT minimum wage to the new $25.53 county floor.
Jack Beckett·May 29, 2026
government
$118M Matthews Training Center Opponents Speak at Hearing
Inside the $2.6 billion budget Mecklenburg commissioners adopt June 2 is the county's share of a $118 million public-safety training complex in Matthews, Central Piedmont's "Community Lifeline,"…
Jack Beckett·May 24, 2026
government
Mecklenburg Budget Hearing: Flat Tax Rate, Long Line of Asks
County Manager Michael Bryant's recommended FY2027 budget holds Mecklenburg's property tax rate flat and fully funds Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
Jack Beckett·May 23, 2026
education
CMS Approves $5.5M IBM Oracle Extension, Eyes 2028 Payroll
The Board of Education approved a $5.5 million amendment to its Oracle enterprise software contract, extending the implementation and adding hypercare support as the district works toward a full…
Jack Beckett·May 15, 2026
education
CMS Ends $2.4M Capturing Kids' Hearts Deal, Redirects Funds
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will end its use of Capturing Kids' Hearts and redirect the program's $2.4 million budget toward classroom-based instruction and a competitive procurement process.
Jack Beckett·May 15, 2026
education
CMS Restores Four Foster-Care Liaisons; a Judge Explains Why
District Court Judge Elizabeth Trosch spent nearly two decades in juvenile court before showing up at the May 12 CMS board meeting to explain what the district's sustained investment in four…
Jack Beckett·May 15, 2026
government
NC Budget Framework: Most Workers' Raises Trail Inflation
Senate Pres. Pro Tem Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall announced a budget framework Tuesday afternoon, ending a ten-month standoff. Teachers get an 8 percent raise and a $48,000 starting floor.
Jack Beckett·May 13, 2026
education
CMS's $6.6 Million Hedge May Not Cover a State Raise
CFO Kelly Kluttz told the board the district's $6.6 million salary reserve covers them to about 5 percent, but bills in Raleigh propose up to 9, the state hasn't passed a budget, and the county can't…
Jack Beckett·May 6, 2026
government
Affordable Housing Tops Mecklenburg Survey; Tax Support Dips
Mecklenburg County residents ranked affordable housing as their top budget priority for the second consecutive year. But willingness to accept a tax increase to fund it dropped to 48.8 percent, and…
Jack Beckett·Apr 8, 2026
government
Mecklenburg State of the County: Jobs, Housing, Shutdown Aid
Commission Chair Mark Jerrell delivered his 2026 State of the County address, covering $390 million in new economic development projects, $334.6 million in housing investments since 2018, a record…
Jack Beckett·Mar 25, 2026
government
Three Commissioners Want to Rethink Mecklenburg's CRC Model
Mecklenburg County's $64.5 million Ella B. Scarborough Community Resource Center drew fewer than 150 visitors per day in its first eight months.
Jack Beckett·Mar 25, 2026
government
Mecklenburg Pauses Capital Plan as CFO Proposes $30M Shift
Mecklenburg County's CFO recommended shifting one cent of the property tax rate, roughly $30 million per year, from the capital improvement plan to operating, triggering a full pause on the five-year…
Jack Beckett·Mar 25, 2026
education
CMS Asks Mecklenburg County for $698.6 Million: What's In It
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is asking Mecklenburg County for $698.6 million to fund a $1.97 billion operating budget, including a fourth consecutive 5% teacher supplement increase, while North…
Jack Beckett·Mar 25, 2026
government
Charlotte City Council Q1 2026: Budget, Toll Lanes, Housing
Charlotte City Council spent Q1 2026 juggling a razor-thin budget, a toll lane revolt, affordable housing policy, and a transit authority handoff with a July deadline.
Jack Beckett·Mar 15, 2026
government
Mecklenburg Board Resets A Home for All, Splits on SoFi Deal
A holiday meeting turns serious fast: homelessness strategy shifts, Atrium's housing claims, board appointments, and a divided vote on a SoFi incentive package.
Jack Beckett·Dec 17, 2025
elections
Charlotte $19B Transit Tax Vote Amid Shutdown, Redistricting
Federal shutdown hits day 34 as Charlotte votes on $19B transit tax. How Washington chaos, Raleigh redistricting, and local politics collide three weeks before Election Day.
Jack Beckett·Nov 2, 2025
business
Wells Fargo's $10 Million Fine Vanishes: A Charlotte View
Wells Fargo's last fake‑accounts case ends with a $0 fine for a former executive, drawing outrage from a Charlotte writer duped by the bank. Is this justice for millions affected?
Jack Beckett·Oct 24, 2025
government
Corporate, Crypto Donors Fund Trump's $300 Million Ballroom
Dozens of America's most powerful companies and billionaires are bankrolling President Trump's $300 million White House ballroom, a project built on influence as much as marble.
Jack Beckett·Oct 23, 2025
government
Charlotte Council Weighs Consultants vs. In-House Capacity
A $3 million federal safety plan sparked a bigger question at City Council: should Charlotte keep paying consultants, or rebuild in-house capacity to deliver projects and keep the know-how.
Jack Beckett·Oct 14, 2025
government
State auditor seeks disclosure of $305,000 CMPD settlement
The state auditor urges Charlotte to enter the $305,000 CMPD settlement into public minutes and to consider using the Risk Management Fund instead of the General Fund.
Jack Beckett·Sep 12, 2025
government
Excelsior Club Revival Plan Seeks $3 Million in Public Money
Charlotte developers seek $3M in taxpayer funds for $8M Excelsior Club revival. Historic venue would be demolished and rebuilt as replica despite sub-1% ROI.
Jack Beckett·Sep 5, 2025
elections
NC Politics: Transit Tax Vote, Stopgap Budget, Veto Fight
A hard look at the week: Mecklenburg's transit tax hits the ballot, the governor signs a stopgap budget and vetoes a school-choice tax credit, and local transparency fights simmer in Charlotte.
Jack Beckett·Aug 10, 2025
business
Mecklenburg Liquor Sales Hit Record $71M as Tequila Surges
Mecklenburg County liquor sales hit $71M, with tequila climbing and whiskey sinking. Tito's still king.
Jack Beckett·Jul 7, 2025