No Charlotte property tax raise in proposed $2.1M budget

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte city manager presented a $2.1 billion spending plan asking for more money than last year but that doesn't mean taxpayers will have to pay more.
 
Charlotte did well this year with sales tax revenue that will help pay for some things.
 
The city may also get some loans to pay for improvement projects if the voters say yes.
 
City Council members listened Monday night to how City Manager Ron Carlee would propose they spend the city's money.

Carlee's budget is 6.5 percent more in spending for fiscal year 2015 compared to 2014.
 
Instead, that money will come from higher sales revenue and money collected from last year's property tax increase.
 
But under Carlee's proposal, homeowners will have to pay slightly more on storm water fees and water bills to pay for rising operation costs and maintenance projects.
 
The budget office estimated the average Charlotte homeowner with a home value around $150,000 will pay about $2 more a month.
 
The proposal does not include cuts to services and funding for services would remain the same with 75 percent of the budget going towards community safety.

This year begins council's four-year $816 million community investment plan.

Carlee recommends starting with $146 million with most going towards transportation projects like roads and sidewalks.

A bond for the project would go to the voters in November to approve it.

On May 12, residents will have their chance to voice their opinion on the city manager's recommendations before council has a chance to make some changes.
 
A budget is set to be approved June 9.

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WSOC