Citywide Newsroom

​Media Kit

​This media kit provides information about the City of Charlotte, its government, leadership team, elected officials and more. Members of the news media will also find details about media requests, public records and covering city meetings.

If you have additional questions about the city, or are a member of the media seeking more information, please contact Charlotte Communications and Marketing at 704-336-3052.

​About the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is one of the 25 largest cities in the U.S. and is the largest city in North Carolina. Nicknamed the Queen City, Charlotte and its resident county are named in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of British King George III during the time of the city's founding. 

Nearly 800,000 live and work in the Charlotte community and the city provides services to much of this population. The city’s focus areas are Housing and Neighborhood Development, Community Safety, Transportation, Economic Development and the Environment.

Charlotte consistently ranks as one of the top-growing cities and is the home to more than 10 Fortune 1000 companies, including household names such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Belk, Shutterfly, Duke Energy, Lance and Nucor. Charlotte is also home to the Carolina Panthers of the NFL, the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA, the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the U.S. National Whitewater Center.  

Other amenities that make Charlotte a great place to live and work include numerous higher learning organizations, cultural centers and health care facilites.

  • Ranks 1st among top 10 cities with the best employee engagement (Forbes)
  • Ranks 2nd among 25 largest cities for most desirable place to purchase a home (Nerdwallet.com)
  • Ranks 2nd in the best areas for job-seeking college graduates (Careerbliss.com)
  • Is the 5th fastest growing metro from 2000-2012 of the 52 largest metro areas (US Census)
  • Ranks 6th among top 10 hot cities for IT jobs in 2013 (Modis, Inc.)
  • Ranks 7th among the top Spring Break destinations for families (Livability.com)
  • Is one of the top 10 cities for newlyweds to live and work (Rent.com)
  • Ranks 8th among the top 10 big booming cities (CNNmoney.com)
  • Ranks 9th among top 50 cities with the most job openings per capita (Beyond.com)
  • Is among the top 20 best cities for businesses and careers (Forbes.com)
  • Ranks 9th among the top moving destinations of all cities (Penske Truck Rental)
  • Is the 17th largest city in the U.S. in total population
  • Is a top 10 city for urban forests (American Forests)
  • Has been named “Tree City” for 33 consecutive years by the National Arbor Day foundation
  • Is home of ImaginOn, the top ranked children’s museum in the country (Livability.com)

City Government

Charlotte has a council-manager form of government with a mayor and 11 council members elected every two years in November, and a professional city manager to run the day-to-day operations. The mayor and four council members are elected at-large by a city-wide vote. Seven council cembers are elected from districts by voters who reside in each district.

Charlotte adopted the council-manager form of government in 1929. This form of government divides responsibilities between elected officials and an appointed city manager.

The mayor and city council are the "board of directors" for this municipal corporation. As such, they set policy, approve the financing of all city operations and enact ordinances, resolutions and orders. Their responsibilities also include appointing the city manager, city attorney, city clerk and members of various boards and commissions.

The city manager, functioning as the chief operating officer, administers the policy and decisions made by city council and oversees the day-to-day operations of city government. It is the city manager's responsibility to ensure that all city services are delivered in an efficient and cost-effective manner and to provide vision and leadership to the city organization.

Frequently Asked Questions about Charlotte government.

​Charlotte Mayor and City Council

The mayor and city council members are responsible for establishing the general policies under which the city operates.

These include:

  • Appointing the city manager, city attorney, city clerk and members of various boards and commissions enacting ordinances, resolutions and orders;

  • Reviewing the annual budget, setting the tax rate and approving the financing of all City operations; and

  • Authorizing contracts on behalf of the City.

​City Manager and Assistant City Managers

The City of Charlotte operates under a council-manager form of government. The Mayor and Council are responsible for making policy decisions for the community. The city manager is resp​onsible for carrying out those decisions, as well as providing vision and leadership to the organization and for overseeing the daily operations of city government. 

​City of Charlotte Vision and Mission 

Vision

Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses, and visitors alike; a safe family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive.

Mission

The mission of the City of Charlotte is to ensure the delivery of quality public services and to promote the safety, health and quality of life of its citizens.

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​Public Records

The City of Charlotte is committed to an open and transparent government. As a rule, we respond to all requests for information as quickly as possible and strive to communicate a realistic time frame.

More information about public records, including the public records request form.

​City of Charlotte Public Meetings

There are various meetings held throughout the City of Charlotte. These meetings are listed on the event calendar.

Speak at a Public Meeting - Call, visit or fax the City Clerk's Office to request to speak at a City Council meeting

Parking and directions

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center (CMGC) is located in the government district of uptown’s second ward, at 600 E. Fourth Street, Charlotte NC. View a map of the Government Center and surrounding area.

Parking for visitors to CMGC can be found in the adjacent parking deck, accessible from Davidson Street. If the deck is full, on-street parking and other pay lots are in close proximity.

Media vehicles may use the circle drive entrance on Fourth Street; see below for more details.
 
Visitors may call the CMGC Control Room 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 704-336-4535 with questions.

Media Parking

Members of the media wishing to park in the Government Center circle along Fourth Street (not those who wish to park in the Davidson Street parking deck): 

All vehicles must have exterior markings that identify the media outlet; a card on the interior dashboard is not satisfactory.

Vehicles must be parked only in the reserved/marked spaces in the circle closest to Fourth Street.

Government Center security enforces the parking ordinances. If a vehicle without a placard is parked in the wrong space or does not have exterior vehicle identification, it will be ticketed. 

Media outlets providing live feeds will receive priority parking. 

Media advisory updates will include parking information for other City facilities as needed.