A chance to tell county how to spend tax dollars

Published Feb. 22, 2011 at 8:32 a.m.
Residents have a chance this week to tell Mecklenburg officials how to put together next year's budget.

Various leaders - including County Manager Harry Jones, Budget Director Hyong Yi and county commissioners George Dunlap and Jennifer Roberts - are expected Thursday at an interactive discussion on the 2011-12 budget.

The event is 7-9 p.m. at the Charlotte School of Law at 2145 Suttle Ave. It is free and open to the public. Willie Ratchford of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee will moderate.

The county is in the early stages of putting together next year's spending plan, with commissioners expected to continue talking about their budget priorities at a workshop today.

Yi recently told the board the county is starting next year's budget talks with a $500,000 shortfall - much less than the budget gaps that reached tens of millions of dollars in recent years, as the recession bit into tax revenues.

But while the county appears to be in better shape financially this year, some services could still face cuts. Instead of across-the-board reductions made in the past two years, Jones and others have said they expect to make more targeted cuts and use money to invest in other areas of the budget.

Brian Gott, citizen engagement coordinator for the county, said Thursday's event will be one chance for the public to say what they believe should be priorities in the budget, months before Jones recommends his budget in May.

"I think it's one of the best opportunities that a citizen will have to be part of the process, right before the hard work" begins, Gott said. Information is expected to be shared with county administrators and commissioners before a final budget is adopted in June.

The county has cut spending by more than $150 million since 2009, which led to layoffs of hundreds of workers and reduced services across county departments, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Central Piedmont Community College.

Officials have tried to be more deliberative in letting the public know about the county's budget picture before cuts are handed down. Commissioners get regular budget updates at their regular meetings. Meanwhile, administrators have offered to appear at community meetings to talk with residents. At least eight to 10 more community meetings are planned for the next month, Gott said.

Thursday's event is hosted by The FreeMoreWest, which is comprised of neighborhoods and businesses near the intersection of West Morehead Street and Freedom Drive.

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