Meck County commissioners consider expanding access to universal Pre-K

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Mecklenburg County commissioners are spending the next couple days going over their budget priorities at their annual retreat.

A priority of the board is to expand access to early childhood education.

Staff told commissioners soda and cigarette taxes were explored but not found to be viable.

In a presentation, county staff told commissioners it will cost an additional $23.6 million to expand universal Pre-K. A funding source has not been identified but when asked about options, staff cited last year’s property tax increase.

Proposed topics on Wednesday's agenda:

Early childhood education
Parks and recreation
Capital projects

With a 9-0 Democratic Mecklenburg County Commission, universal Pre-K and its potential cost experienced no pushback.

“If we don't do it today, it will never get done,” Commissioner Vilma Leake said.

Last year, county commissioners raised taxes by ¾ of a cent to fund early childhood education for 600 children.

The $23.6 million would allow 648 more children to attend Pre-K, and it would require 36 more classrooms. The $23.6 million includes funding for a talent development program and child care subsidies.

“Our county manager is going to have to work to figure out how to pay for this,” Commissioner Trevor Fuller said. “But I believe we ought to pay for it.”

County Manager Dena Diorio did not present funding options at the retreat Wednesday.

Commissioner Susan Harden asked commissioners to compare the universal Pre-K request to what the county was prepared to offer Amazon for HQ2. County staff informed her and the commission the county was prepared to offer $190 million but said it is not a direct comparison.

“When we talk about investments and you see that $24 million, you think about what we were going to do for companies like Amazon. I just wanted to put that in perspective,” Harden said.

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