New budget focused on equity, sustainability
Charlotte City Council unanimously adopted the $2.6 billion Fiscal Year 2020 Budget, focused on ensuring an equitable, sustainable and resilient Charlotte.
The budget enhances ongoing unification and efficiency efforts throughout City of Charlotte government, under the goal of becoming a more collaborative, responsive organization focused on providing high-quality services in a cost-effective and accountable manner.
“Tonight, the Charlotte City Council adopted a budget with no tax increase,” said Mayor Vi Lyles. “City Manager Marcus Jones and Team Charlotte have created a citywide budget that focuses on the people of Charlotte and keeps our city affordable, while still fulfilling the needs of a growing city.”
The FY 2020 Budget includes actionable items that address five themes. These include:
Well-Managed Government
Adopting a budget that aligns with City Council priorities, including neighborhood development, transportation and planning, and economic development
Remaining structurally balanced with a $2.6 billion budget
No property tax increase for the fiscal year, with a revenue neutral rate of 34.81 cents per $100 assessed valuation
Recognition of Team Charlotte
Providing a minimum pay increase of $2,080, or $1 per hour, for all general employees earning less than $69,333 per year and who have a positive performance review to help address upward mobility in the organization
Providing a 3 percent combined pay increase for general employees earning more than $69,333 and who have a positive performance review
Providing a 1.5 percent market adjustment and a step for public safety pay plan employees
No increase in 2020 health insurance premiums for City of Charlotte employees
Addressing police department pay inequities through a 5 percent pay increase for all sergeants and a 5 percent pay increase in top pay for police officers through the Senior Police Officer Program
Rewarding firefighters through a 2.5 pay percent increase for all fire captains and topstep engineers, and an increase in the city’s Firefighter 401k contribution by 1 percent in January
Investments in Our Neighborhoods
Promoting the creation and preservation of affordable housing by doubling the 2020 affordable housing bond allocation from $25 million to $50 million
$7 million to be used primarily for Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH)
Investing $1.8 million in Charlotte’s Eastside and Westside neighborhoods
$4.2 billion in capital investment over the next five years for aviation, transit, water and stormwater projects
Keeping Charlotte clean with a $1 per month increase in the Solid Waste Services fee, which will add two new crews and two new trucks to address demand, and prepare our city for the future of waste collection and disposal
Accelerating training for police officers, with an additional $2 million to provide multidisciplinary training
Preserving our natural environment with the implementation of the Strategic Energy Action Plan
Enhanced Opportunity for All
Establishing the Office of Equity, Mobility, and Immigrant Integration, which will leverage existing resources to enhance access to government services and economic opportunity
Increasing funding for the microgrant program from $100,000 to $500,000, creating more opportunities for innovative ideas that will transform the community
Investing an additional $300,000 in Project PIECE 2.0, a program designed to provide training and job placement which will result in increased upward mobility
Providing $1.5 million combined over two years to the Aging in Place Program, which helps seniors stay in their homes
Fostering innovation with $2.1 million in economic development initiatives focusing on small and minority-owned businesses, as well as new business creation, innovation and entrepreneurship
Enhanced Mobility, Accessibility and Connectivity
Working together with residents to create livable, unique spaces for Charlotte’s residents with an additional $250,000 to the Placemaking Program
Investing $550,000 for Comprehensive Plan engagement and implementation, which will help shape Charlotte’s future for decades to come
Fully funding the planned and designed segments of the Cross Charlotte Trail
To learn more about these and other important initiatives of the adopted fiscal year 2019 budget, visit Charlotte budget Development