MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Mecklenburg County will have $45 million more than it thought for the next year. Some of the extra money is coming from the new property tax values that just took effect.
Eyewitness News was at a budget workshop for the town of Huntersville Monday morning. The first thing commissioners talked about was a letter they plan to send to Mecklenburg County, showing their concern over the tax revaluation process.
Huntersville Town Commissioner Charles Jeter said higher taxes are hurting homeowners and business.
“For small businesses, that could really damage their cash flow,” he said.
That's why they're drafting a letter to Mecklenburg County, suggesting a committee be formed to take a closer look at the entire process, with no elected officials or staff members and representatives from all seven municipalities in the county.
Adding to the controversy, Mecklenburg County now has a projected $45 million budget surplus for next year.
While some struggle to pay their tax bill, the county is now flush with extra cash.
“One thing folks need to remember is we are still in the middle of our appeals process,” Mecklenburg County Commissioner Jennifer Roberts said.
Roberts said the process is already being reviewed.
In the meantime, they could cut the taxpayers a break.
“We can look at keeping tax rates the same or maybe even have a little reduction to ease some of that revaluation pain,” Roberts said.
Huntersville is also considering a lower tax rate. While they can’t reverse the current revaluation, Jeter hopes it can at least be improved.
“It’s not going to fix everybody's issue,” he said. “But we can learn from this and move forward -- fix some problems and make sure we don’t make mistakes again.”