Charlotte City Council members announced Monday they might raise property taxes to fill police and fire department vacancies and increase pay for public safety workers. The city lacks about 300 sworn police officers this year. That’s a 9% vacancy rate. Firefighters face a 2% vacancy rate.
“We need to make meaningful steps. Steps that involve money, and not just shuffling or brave words,” said councilman Ed Driggs, according to The Charlotte Observer.
The city has raised property tax rates once in the last seven years — by 1.37 cents in 2024. The current rate stands at 27.41 cents per $100 in value…