Local

Mecklenburg Co. surveys at Festival in the Park for feedback

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you're heading to Festival in the Park this weekend, you might find yourself being asked how Mecklenburg County government is doing.

County leaders will have employees stationed at Freedom Park this weekend handing out surveys they hope will provide valuable feedback.

"We think Festival in the Park is going to attract a lot of different people across Mecklenburg County so we hope to have a large sample as a result," said Monica Allen, who helped develop the survey project.

The quest for public input comes after several years of controversies for the county, from the flawed 2011 revaluation, to the firings of the DSS director and county manager.

"Definitely we have to rebuild trust. That's not going to happen overnight," said County Commission Chair Pat Cotham. The survey questions ask what Mecklenburg County is doing well.

It also asks what areas need improvement. Cotham hopes the information from the survey will help county leaders find ways to rebuild trust and find priorities that the public can get behind.

The surveys will also be available on the county's website and at other community events in the near future.