There’s a way to put real, decision-making power into the hands of the community– Participatory Budgeting. That’s a program that lets you propose ideas to change your neighborhood. Then everyone gets a chance to vote for them to be funded in the next budget.
Continue ReadingMecklenburg County wants you to make your voice heard as we’re making the budget for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). If you are following the steps we take to make the budget every year, you might know we are entering step two. This is where the County listens to you in new ways. In December 2019, we launched the Resident Budget Priority Survey. It helps people understand how we are using County dollars and how we fund departments and agencies. Then it asks them to rank their top priorities based on their community needs. This survey goes to the Manager’s office when they’re making budgetary decisions. Residents can also come share their feedback at budget meetings on January 7 and May 7.
Winter is a magical time of year. When I see snow flurries, I think of making a snowman, skiing in the mountains, or sitting near a warm, crackling fire at home. But not everyone has these same thoughts. Nearly 3,200 people in Mecklenburg County are homeless. Winter to them means cold conditions and the struggle to keep warm and fed.
What can we as a compassionate society do to help our homeless neighbors? Here are a few ideas:
Continue ReadingIf you’ve been following along with the steps we take to determine our annual budget, you may be aware that we’ve just completed one of the biggest ones – the recommended budget. After careful consideration of requests from the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), County departments, community partners and residents, the County Manager presents her recommended budget to the BOCC each May.
Continue ReadingDo you ever wonder what’s important to your government? There is an easy answer – just look at the budget.
While the federal and State governments get a lot of attention for the laws, regulations and policy decisions they make, it’s local governments that administer the programs and services that usually have the most direct, day-to-day impact on people’s lives. Mecklenburg County government is responsible for parks, health programs, operating the jails and much more.
Here are the seven steps the County goes through to determine the annual budget every year.
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