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City manager budget recommends additional officers, no property tax increase

By Joe Bruno, wsoctv.com
By Joe Bruno, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The City of Charlotte will have more than $2 billion at its disposal to play with in the 2018 fiscal year.

City Manager Marcus Jones is not recommending a property tax increase in his proposed $2.4 billion budget for FY2018.

Jones presented his budget to Charlotte City Council Monday night.

[READ: BUDGET FOR 2018 FISCAL YEAR]

Jones is recommending a solid waste increase of about 50 cents a month and a Charlotte Water rate increase of $1.73 per month.

There is no recommended rate increase for stormwater services, CATS fares or parking at the airport.

City staff members said the budget was created with the Charlotte City Council’s letter to the community in mind. City leaders sent a letter to the community following the Keith Scott riots and promised to commit to public safety, affordable housing and good-paying jobs.

Public Safety

Jones is proposing an additional $22 million investment in public safety for FY2018.

[RELATED: Charlotte neighbors hope city budget will help curb violence]

City leaders are being asked to spend $6.1 million to hire 62 CMPD officers, 25 civilian positions in CMPD and 18 firefighters in CFD.

“We're spending the money in the right places for the right things and we are going to get good results,” said Mayor Pro Tem Vi Lyles.

Kim Eagle, the assistant city manager and one of the leaders behind the budget, has been crunching numbers with city leaders over the past few months to find a way to hire 62 new police officers.

“We've accomplished a lot,” Eagle said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Chief Kerr Putney has been aggressively pushing to fight Charlotte's rising crime.

“They have a lot of work to do,” Putney said.

Charlotte has already had 29 homicides this year.

Residents, like Da’Quan Barnett, are hoping more police on the streets will curb the violence.

“That's what I'm really praying for. Hopefully they do make it a safer place,” Barnett said.

The budget presented Monday night adds dozens of new officers without raising property taxes.

The proposed FY2018 budget includes $1.3 million to purchase and equip 31 new police vehicles and one crime scene vehicle. The city is also recommending $12.5 million in Community Investment Plan funds to build a new Central Division Station. The city has set aside $4 million for new equipment for CMPD officers.

The 18 new firefighters will be for Engine Company 65, for a second engine company at Fire Station 42 near Eastland. City leaders say the Eastland Mall area has the highest call volume in the city. Included in the FY2018-2022 CIP is $5.8 million for a new fire station at Clanton Road and Interstate 77.

Affordable Housing

Jones wants to invest an additional $6 million in affordable housing. The city has a goal of building 5,000 units in three years. Currently 1,876 units have been built. Around $2.8 million of the additional $6 million would be available for use in FY2018, with an additional $1 million each year after until 2022.

Jones said the city will partner with “anybody willing to partner” in order to achieve its goal of 5,000 units in three years.

Good Paying Jobs

Jones wants to pump an additional $8.5 million into programs that support well-paid jobs. Included in that $8.5 million is $1 million a year to a program aimed at attracting and retaining businesses. Around $3 million will be invested in North Tryon’s redevelopment project.

Under the proposal, the minimum wage for City of Charlotte employees will rise to $15 per hour. Currently the minimum wage is $13.25. If approved, this would be two years ahead of schedule.

The city manager’s budget includes a 3 percent merit pool raise for city employees. Despite a request from Mayor Jennifer Roberts, paid family leave is not included in the city manager’s budget.

Charlotte City Council members will hold straw votes throughout May. The final vote on the budget will be June 12.

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