MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Mecklenburg County leaders adopted the FY26 budget ordinance Tuesday night, establishing an operating budget of $2.5 billion.
The budget includes $65 million in new funding for programs that align with the Board’s priorities, like economic development and education.
Among the many services and programs receiving funding, here’s some key takeaways:
Impact on taxpayers
The budget sets a property tax rate of 49.27 cents per $100 of assessed value. That represents a .96-cent increase in the tax rate over FY2025. The average homeowner will pay $36.19 a year more or $3.02 a month.
Education
The budget fully funds Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools with $666.1 million in operating funds for CMS, which is a 4.4% increase over the previous year. The increase will primarily supplement teachers’ salaries.
- $9.9 million for salary increases for locally funded staff
- $8.3 million to address below-market salaries and increase compensation based on years of service
- $8.1 million to increase in local supplements
- $2 million to fund the second year of a four-year plan to provide students with technology or devices needed
- $33 million in capital spending for repairs and maintenance
Other education investments include $3.4 million for 10 new MECK Pre-K classrooms and $1.7 million in additional operating funds for Central Piedmont Community College, plus $3.6 million in capital maintenance…