Charlotte, NC – Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on Tuesday adopted a $1.35 billion annual budget that does not increase the property tax rate, but does include a rate increase for police services to the County residents living outside a city or town jurisdiction.

The Board voted to approve the FY 2011 budget, which includes cuts to services and programs and layoffs for 291 full-time employees. In addition to the layoffs, the adopted budget eliminates 75 vacant full-time positions. The adopted budget is $10.2 million more than the $1.34 billion recommended budget presented by County Manager Harry L. Jones Sr.

The budget raises the Law Enforcement Services District property tax rate in the unincorporated areas of the County by 2.58 cents per $100 valuation to 20.46 cents, which provides an additional $1.57 million in available revenue. Mecklenburg's property tax rate remains at 83.87 cents per $100 of valued property.

The adopted budget anticipates less than 0.1 percent growth in the property tax base from FY10 and sales tax revenue consistent with the revised FY10 estimate of $144 million.  Based on these revenues, the adopted budget includes: 

·         $300 million for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS)

·         $131.7 million for CMS and Central Piedmont Community College debt service

·         $84 million for the Sheriff's Office

·         $56.4 million  for the Department of Social Services

·         $17.6 million for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library, excluding $3.5 million set aside in a restricted contingency fund

·         $22.7 million for Park and Recreation. Read about Park and Rec cuts

BOCC Chairman Jennifer Roberts said the cuts in services and the layoffs of employees have been difficult and challenging decisions that had to be made because of the economy and the subsequent reductions in County revenues.

"Our choices have not been choices really, but attempts to do the least harm,'' Roberts said in remarks before the vote.

   The County's fiscal year begins July 1, 2010. Visit the County's website for more details about the budget.

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Media contact: Danny Diehl at 704-336-2084 (O) or 704-572-1035 (mobile) or Daniel.Diehl@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov