How Mecklenburg County responds to complaints about flaws in the 2011 property revaluation is now up to county commissioners. An outside consultant who reviewed the revaluation delivered a final report to the county Friday, and it’s on the agenda for Tuesday’s County Commission meeting.
Consultant Pearson’s Appraisal Service found high degrees of inequity in valuations of similar properties in sample neighborhoods it studied, including those around Lake Norman and south Charlotte. Pearson’s recommends that the county conduct a broader review to find out if more neighborhoods also saw discrepancies.
Some critics say the county needs to completely re-do the revaluation, and refund any excess taxes that might have been paid. A re-do also could result in higher valuations for some property. The consultant’s are also recommending changes in customer service at the County Assessor’s Office.
Download a copy of the report and summary letter on the county website.
See also the full agenda for Tuesday’s Mecklenburg County Commission meeting at MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.
ELECTIONS RESOLVED – RECOUNTS AHEAD?
It’s been nearly two weeks since the election, but some North Carolina races are only now being resolved. State elections officials said Saturday that final results are now in from all 100 counties. And trailing candidates in three close races must decide whether they'll seek recounts. In the lieutenant governor’s race, Republican Dan Forest declared victory after the numbers showed him leading Democrat Linda Coleman by 6,307 votes. In the 7th Congressional District, Democratic congressman Mike McIntyre leads Republican David Rouzer by 655 votes. McIntyre also declared himself the winner. Coleman and Rouzer have until Tuesday to demand recounts. State Sen. Stan White of Dare County also could seek a recount. He saw his lead evaporate and now trails Republican Bill Cook by 32 votes.
GOP RE-NOMINATES TILLIS AS SPEAKER
It looks like State Representative Thom Tillis of Cornelius will keep his job as state House Speaker for another two years. The House Republican Caucus nominated Tillis for another term on Saturday. The full House will formally elect the speaker when the legislature returns to Raleigh in January. Republicans expanded their majority during the recent election, and now will hold 77 of the House's 120 seats - nine more than 2010.
McCRORY COULD WORK WITH DEMS
Republican governor-elect Pat McCrory isn’t ruling out having Democrats in his administration. He told The Associated Press in an interview Saturday he's working hard preparing to take office in January, and trying to find the best talent to help meet his vision for state government. He says he hasn’t ruled out appointing Democrats to his cabinet, which includes leaders of state agencies. The former Charlotte mayor is the first Republican governor in North Carolina in two decades.
NOR’EASTER SLOWS TRAVEL AT OUTER BANKS
More rough weather is hitting the Outer Banks of North Carolina, which is still mopping up from Hurricane Sandy. The National Weather Service says coastal flooding, rain and wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour are expected Sunday. Forecasters say heavy weather conditions could last until Wednesday night.
The state transportation department suspended operations of the Currituck Sound ferry Sunday because strong, steady wings have pushed water toward the mainland and resulted in extremely low water. The DOT also is opening and closing four-wheel-drive traffic along a battered section of N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras Island as high tides threaten the road. The highway was badly damaged by Superstorm Sandy.
PANTHERS SEEK A WIN
The Carolina Panthers will be looking for another win when they meet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today. Game time is 1 o’clock at the stadium in downtown Charlotte. The Panthers have just two wins, along with 7 losses. Tampa bay is 5 and 4.
NEW YORKER PARKER WINS MARATHON
Several thousand runners hit Charlotte’s streets Saturday for the Thunder Road Marathon, as well as accompanying half-marathon and 5K runs. 22-year-old Hugh Parker of New York won the 26.2-mile marathon in 2 hours 33 minutes 53 seconds, about a minute and 10 seconds ahead of Caleb Masland of Blowing Rock in second place. Twenty-seven year old Amanda Morris of Fort Mill was the top woman, running 3 hours, 15 minutes, 28 seconds.
About 1,000 runners finished the marathon, 2,350 the half marathon, and 390 the 5K race. The race also raised money for a variety of local charities, from YMCAs to St. Jude Children’s hospital to Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Control
Results: http://www.runcharlotte.com/
WARMER WEATHER FOR THE HOLIDAY
The Charlotte area could be in for some relatively nice weather in the for the holiday. Temperatures are expected to warm from the mid-50s early in the week to the mid-60s by Thanksgiving Day and Friday, when skies are expected to be mostly sunny.
