CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County leaders said they're hoping to avoid a property tax increase later this year.
Commissioners met in uptown for their annual budget retreat and discussed spending, revenues and priorities for the next fiscal year, which begins in July.
County officials said the county is flush with cash and promise.
"I think we can anticipate that the property tax rate will stay the same," said County Manager Dena Diorio. "Based on the revenue forecast that we have right now, there's no imminent need for us to make any adjustments to the property tax."
"I think we keep it (property tax rate) stable," Commission Chairman Trevor Fuller said.
Another issue may yet cause controversy.
Some commissioners said they're concerned about how much money is being sent to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
The county said education spending now equals 50 percent of its $1.1 billion budget.
The percentage shouldn't go higher, Commissioner Bill James said.
"To me, 50 percent is the max," James said. "We have other things we have to deal with. We've got the jail, welfare issues, libraries."
Education issues aside, staff told commissioners the county is on solid financial footing, with an expected surplus of $21 million by summer.
Whether the county will spend the surplus or save it is what formal budget talks throughout the spring will determine.
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