Group of advocates, residents weigh in on Charlotte’s $3.6B budget

CHARLOTTE, NC – Charlotte City Council will soon decide how to spend its $3.6 billion dollar budget. In a council meeting Monday, 24 residents signed up to speak in front of city leaders about what they believe should be funded. Before the meeting a group of advocates and residents laid out their demands for the city budget that they say will support “everyday people” like Roy Pegram.

“I’ve been fighting for this for three years now, trying to get housing, and I’m still struggling,” Pegram said. “I’m still staying with people staying in hotels, and I know a lot of people that are going through the same thing.”

Pegram is a solid waste worker. He’s a part of the group asking city council to raise the minimum wage for city workers to $25 dollars an hour. He stood with his colleagues and advocacy organizations.
A group called “The People’s Budget Coalition” – or PBC is asking the city for $2 million dollars to help landlords install air conditioning in every unit in the city.

“We already have an affordable housing crisis,” June Blotnick, Climate Justice advocate said. “So, you’ve got people living in homes that don’t have adequate energy efficiency or it doesn’t protect those residents from extreme heat or cold that’s a justice issue.”

PBC also wants $1 million for a displacement fund and a little over two million dollars for several organizations to help fight homelessness in Charlotte. Some advocates also want to see more funding to address youth services.

“The total cost for what the whole people’s budget is asking for, according to the city manager, is less than 1% of the total budget,” Rodney McGill, from Save our Children Movement said. “That’s a small investment for life saving, community building impact if we want a city where every child has a chance, every family has a foundation, and no one is left behind.”

The city manager’s budget proposal does include raising the minimum wage for city workers to $24 dollars an hour. Pegram says that one dollar could make a difference.

“If you think about what we do you would understand why we’re asking for this money,” Pegram said.

City council will start budget discussions and adjustments on Monday May 19th at 1pm at the Government Center. Council plans to approve the budget by June 9th.