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
Topic
Mecklenburg
government
Mecklenburg board adds $1.6 million for 13 community programs, one over the manager's objection
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 commissioners advance FY27 budget to June 2 adoption
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
The County Is Funding a $118 Million Training Center in Matthews. Its Opponents Came to the Budget 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
At Mecklenburg's Budget Hearing, a Flat Tax Rate Met a Long Line of Funding Requests
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
business
SMBC Group Commits to 2,000 Charlotte Jobs in $76 Million Incentive Deal
SMBC Group, the banking arm of one of Japan's three largest financial institutions, has committed to 2,000 jobs in Charlotte over six years in exchange for an estimated $76 million public incentive…
Jack Beckett·Apr 20, 2026
government
International Migration to Mecklenburg County Dropped 41 Percent in One Year
International migration to Mecklenburg County dropped 41 percent in a single year — from 22,545 new residents to approximately 13,000.
Jack Beckett·Apr 15, 2026
government
Three Governing Bodies, One Room, and a Restaurant That Started It All
CMS Board Chair Stephanie Sneed convened the BOCC, City Council, and CMS Board with the General Assembly delegation for the first joint legislative breakfast in at least 20 years.
Jack Beckett·Apr 14, 2026
government
Raleigh's Property Tax Squeeze Could Cap Charlotte's Future
The House Property Tax Study Commission meets April 15 with four draft bills, including a levy limit that would cap Mecklenburg County tax increases at roughly 1.5 cents.
Jack Beckett·Apr 14, 2026
government
McFadden's Closest Rival Just Became His Chief Deputy. Two Others Tried the Job and Quit Publicly.
Ricky Robbins, the CMPD sergeant who came within 2,717 votes of unseating Garry McFadden in the March primary, starts as Mecklenburg County's chief deputy on April 1.
Jack Beckett·Mar 27, 2026
government
Mecklenburg County Invested $390 Million in New Jobs, $334.6 Million in Housing, and Still Had to Feed 140,000 Residents When the Federal Government Shut Down
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 26, 2026
government
Mecklenburg Spent $64.5 Million on a Community Resource Center. Three Commissioners Want to Rethink the Whole 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 County Pauses Its Capital Plan and Shifts $30 Million to Plug a Budget Gap
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…
Jack Beckett·Mar 25, 2026
government
Mecklenburg Commissioners Hear Housing Appeals, Reset A Home for All, and Approve SoFi Incentive
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
business
Why Scout Motors Picked Charlotte For Its U.S. Hub And What Mecklenburg County Put On The Table
Scout Motors picked Charlotte's Plaza Midwood for its U.S. hub, promising 1,200 high-wage jobs and $200 million in investment in exchange for performance-based public incentives.
Jack Beckett·Dec 3, 2025
opinion
A County at Its Boiling Point: Mecklenburg Finally Says What Everyone Else Has Been Avoiding
In a night soaked in fear, anger, and public distrust, Mecklenburg's commissioners confronted Border Patrol tactics, Atrium's broken promises, and the unraveling of public patience.
Jack Beckett·Nov 20, 2025
elections
Mecklenburg County 2025 Election Results: Transit Tax Passes, Democrats Sweep Charlotte City Council and School Board
Mecklenburg County voters approved a landmark transit tax, re‑elected Mayor Vi Lyles, and delivered a clean sweep for Democrats on the council and school board in Charlotte's 2025 municipal election.
Jack Beckett·Nov 6, 2025
elections
Early Voting in Mecklenburg: Sites, ID Rules, Transit Tax, and Races to Watch
Early voting is open in Mecklenburg. What is on the ballot, how same-day registration works, what the transit tax funds, and how NC secures your vote, plus links to our 2025 race guides.
Jack Beckett·Oct 20, 2025
business
Unincorporated South Mecklenburg Plan: What the New Policy Map Does and When You Can Weigh In
A tiny unincorporated wedge south of Pineville is holding up rezonings. The county's new policy map keeps most of it single-family and unlocks a clear path: draft Oct 21, hearing Nov 5.
Jack Beckett·Sep 26, 2025
elections
The Penny That Could Redraw Mecklenburg
Charlotte's 1% transportation sales tax could raise $19B, fund roads and rail, dissolve the MTC, and put the Red Line first. What it means for you.
Jack Beckett·Aug 24, 2025
community
Mecklenburg County ABC Labor Day Hours 2025: Eight Charlotte-Area Stores Open 11 a.m.–4 p.m., One MXB-Only
Mecklenburg County ABC will open eight select stores on Labor Day, Sept. 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with one MXB-only site for bars and restaurants. All other locations will be closed.
Jack Beckett·Aug 23, 2025
government
Mecklenburg County Ends Brooklyn Village Deal with Peebles After Nine Years of Delays
Mecklenburg County ends a nine-year relationship with The Peebles Corporation after missed deadlines and stalled progress on the long-promised Brooklyn Village redevelopment.
Jack Beckett·Aug 8, 2025
elections
Mecklenburg Approves November Vote on 1-Cent Transit Sales Tax Worth $25 Billion
Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners; City of Charlotte; Mecklenburg Public Transportation Authority (proposed); Southern Coalition for Social Justice; Action NC; Charlotte Area Transit System
Jack Beckett·Aug 8, 2025
elections
Mecklenburg's One-Cent Transit Tax Heads to November Ballot—Here's What the Fine Print Really Says
Mecklenburg commissioners advanced a 1-cent sales tax question despite word-smithing wars. Critics call it fuzzy math; supporters say state law ties their hands.
Jack Beckett·Aug 2, 2025
business
Tito's Tops, Tequila Surges: Mecklenburg County Hits Record $71M in Liquor Sales
Mecklenburg County liquor sales hit $71M, with tequila climbing and whiskey sinking. Tito's still king.
Jack Beckett·Jul 8, 2025
elections
Bradley Tusk Explains How Mecklenburg's 13 Percent Primary Turnout Pushes Politics to the Edge
Mecklenburg's March 2024 primary drew just 19 % of voters—about 13 % of residents—fueling the ideological edge that Bradley Tusk says is tearing national politics apart.
Jack Beckett·Jul 4, 2025