Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio presented her budget to County Commissioners Thursday. Here's a look at what is, and is not in her $1.5 billion proposed budget.
Financially, Diorio stressed, the county is doing well. Sales tax revenue is up, as is the number of building and new business permits. The books look good enough she even asked for $15 million in county funds allocated to one time expenses, on things like buying some new vehicles, deferred maintenance and some new computers.
If you’re a Mecklenburg resident, you’re probably wondering if a property tax cut is in your future. Diorio says no.
"I am recommending that the property tax remain at the current level."
She then laid out her recommendations on where county money should be spent. Increased funding for adoption and foster care, money to build a supervised visitation and safe exchange center where parents and children can go without the threat of trauma or abuse. Money to put a full time nurse in every public school. And as for the school system, it will receive nearly $391 million in county funds, an 8.8 percent increase. Its everything CMS asked for - with one big exception - the $19.4 million to fund a pay increase for teachers.
Asked after the meeting why no teacher pay increase in this budget Diorio said she doesn’t believe the county should give raises to state employees.
Her purposed budget is now in the hands of county commissioners and open to public comment. The final budget will be adopted on June 17.
