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Mecklenburg County could see tax increases

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

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County taxpayers could soon be forced to pay two significant tax increases.

The city of Charlotte and the county are trying to come to an agreement on police jurisdictions but without one, they'll have to turn to a tax increase.

County leaders are also considering a separate increase to pay for universal pre-kindergarten.

There could be a third increase down the line with the 2019 property revaluation. That means taxpayers who live in unincorporated communities, like the homes near Independence High School, may be hit with a triple whammy.

Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio and Charlotte City Manager Marcus Jones are locked in tense negotiations over who services more than 60,000 people who live in unincorporated parts of the county.

The county terminated its contract with the city that allowed the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to police those areas, so local police forces like Huntersville and Cornelius could police their own unincorporated areas.

The disagreement now is over who polices those parts, and for how much.

“The city should be able to do it for less money because there is less geography,” Jim Puckett, R-District 1, said.

This fiscal year, the county is paying the city $18.3 million for the service.

Because not all of the same towns will need the policing, Diorio said the most the county can pay for that is $13.9 million. Anything more will require a tax increase.

But the 2019 property re-evaluation is looming and commissioners also are considering a tax increase for universal pre-K.

If negotiations fail, Puckett said that could mean a hefty hike for some taxpayers.

Puckett is hoping for a one-year contract extension with a rate freeze.

Charlotte Councilman Ed Driggs, R-District 7, is helping lead discussions for the city and wants a multiyear extension.

Despite the disagreement, he thinks the two bodies will soon have a deal

“I think we are actually getting closer,” Driggs said.

The backup plan for the county is to have the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office police those areas, but the sheriff needs to know as soon possible so he can start recruiting and building a police force which will also cost more money.

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