Council Questions City Manager’s Budget Plan

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 CHARLOTTE, NC — A tax increase, or a cut in jobs and services.  Charlotte’s City Manager says that’s what the budget boils down to.

The city is trying to make up for a $22 million budget deficit.  Council members are questioning Ron Carlee’s plan to eliminate garbage fees, while raising property taxes.  Carlee’s staff says without the tax hike, staff and service cuts could be coming.

“We can look at options from a staff perspective,” said Interim Budget Director Kim Eagle.  “But it really becomes a policy question for City Council now as they work through their adjustments process and their deliberations.”

City Council will hear more options from Carlee’s office on Monday.  The first straw votes are scheduled for May 26.  The budget will be adopted on June 8.