City Manager Outlines $4 Million Budget Cut Plan

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CHARLOTTE, NC — The Charlotte City Council is trying to close the gap on a $22 million budget shortfall for next year.  City Manager Ron Carlee says everything is on the table.

Carlee outlined a plan to make $4 million in targeted cuts to city departments during a budget workshop Friday.  The deficit comes mainly from the loss of the business privilege tax and the Mecklenburg County property revaluation.  Council also debated dumping a $47 garbage fee for homeowners, while increasing property taxes.

“I think everybody is still anxiously awaiting what some of the potential service reductions could be,” said City Councilman Greg Phipps (D).  “And that’s still very much out there, apart from some of these things.”

Council also discussed increasing 66 of the city’s 327 fees.  Most of those are paid by developers.  Even with the cuts proposed Friday, the city would still have a shortfall between $5 and $7 million.