CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After hearing public feedback on the $4.5 billion dollar budget, the City of Charlotte is deciding how to adjust the budget to meet community needs. Council members met Monday afternoon to identify at least 14 categories for city staff to explore funding including funding for SAFE Alliance, raises for firefighters comparable to police, and increasing the Housing Trust Fund.
“Well, it’s chaotic and disorganized, but that’s government, right? That’s the fun piece. So it always starts for me with the community, what is it that people say that we need,” At-Large Councilmember Victoria Watlington said.
Charlotte Fire Fighters are asking for a raise comparable to Charlotte Mecklenburg Police. The original budget outlined by the city manager called for 10% raises for police and 7% for fire. Since then, firefighters have been speaking out about why they believe the budget is unfair…