Charlotte City Manager proposes property tax increase to give raises to police and firefighters

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte’s City Manager wants to increase your property taxes to pay for improved public safety. Marcus Jones presented his $4.5 billion proposed 2027 budget Monday night. It would provide a 10 percent pay raise for police officers and a seven percent raise for firefighters. But it would come with a 1.89 cent property tax hike.

The owner of a $360,000 home would pay about $70 more a year in property taxes. Jones says the tax increase will help recruit and retain police officers in CMPD. Jones says, “So it’s really important as we start to think about where we are with vacancies in CMPD. These initiatives will help Chief (Estella) Patterson get the CMPD fully staffed by the end of ’27.”

Under the proposed budget, fees would also go up for storm water services, along with water and sewer. The city says the typical customer would pay close to $5 more a month. Minimum pay for City of Charlotte employees would increase to $25 an hour.