Top Stories for Nov. 6, 2025

A web banner featuring an American flag at the bottom and the words Veterans Day - honoring all who served at the top on a dark blue background.

Mecklenburg County provides this weekly rundown of top stories from the Board of County Commissioners meetings and the Public Information Department’s newsroom. The Board met on Nov. 5. The agenda is available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV. The Board’s next budget and public policy meeting is scheduled for Nov. 12 at 2:30 p.m.

1. Roads, Rail, and Buses: Voters approved raising the Mecklenburg County sales tax by 1% to 8.25%, effective July 1, 2026, to fund transportation projects. The next step for the Board of County Commissioners is to appoint six representatives to the newly formed Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority (MPTA). The Board’s ad-hoc committee on the MPTA continues to review applications and interview candidates being considered for appointment, ahead of the Jan. 1 activation of the authority. Mecklenburg County received 180 applications during the application period of Sept. 17 through Oct. 13. 

The MPTA will be charged with financing and operating the public transportation system. Its 27 members are to be appointed by: Mecklenburg County (six), City of Charlotte (12), Towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville (one each), N.C. Senate President Pro Tempore (one), N.C. Speaker of the House (one), and the Office of the N.C. Governor (one). 

2. Project BOAST: Following the approval of the transportation referendum, the Board received a presentation from the Office of Economic Development on its new Project BOAST framework. BOAST, or Business Opportunity and Supportive Transit, is intended to support small businesses and anti-displacement efforts amidst the more than $25 billion in construction and infrastructure changes during the next 20+ years. The goals, in partnership with others, are to position small businesses to take part in economic opportunities, benefit from improvements, and avoid gentrification and displacement.

3. Food Resources During SNAP Suspension: The Board received a presentation on Mecklenburg County’s plan to devote $740,000 to support food resources that can assist residents who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. SNAP benefits for November are currently suspended due to the federal government shutdown. Mecklenburg County leaders have met with local community and food resource partners to coordinate multiple efforts, including:

  • Expanded pantry resources  
  • New emergency food assistance  
  • Vouchers for local farmers markets  
  • Expanded community food distribution including mobile markets and a holiday turkey distribution
  • Food donation boxes and an online portal for financial donations

WATCH: Mecklenburg County’s announcement on Nov. 3 of added resources during the pause of SNAP benefits.

4. Saluting Those Who Served: The Board proclaimed Nov. 4 – 11 as Operation Green Light, encouraging residents to shine a green light at their residence or business in support of veterans. The Charlotte skyline will also be illuminated in green in honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11. Operation Green Light is intended to raise awareness of veterans’ unique challenges and showcase the resources available from Mecklenburg County Veterans Services and other local, state, and national partners. The Board also recognized Mecklenburg County employees who are veterans at its Nov. 5 meeting. View photos Mecklenburg County will observe Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11 with most offices and services closed for the day. 

5. Everybody Counts Charlotte: The Board proclaimed November as Homelessness Awareness Month, raising awareness about issues related to housing insecurity and homelessness. To begin the process of conducting the annual Point in Time Count in January, Mecklenburg County and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Continuum of Care are hosting a “Community Conversation” with Donald H. Whitehead, Jr., Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless. Join us on Wednesday, Nov. 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the McColl Center. As of Sept. 30, 2025, there were 2,430 men, women, and children experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, according to the One Number benchmark. In this year’s budget, the Board addressed homelessness and affordable housing with more than $30 million in funding. Learn more at MecklenburgHousingData.org. 

6. Jury Service Scam Alert: Mecklenburg County is warning residents of a jury service scam making the rounds. Residents have reported receiving suspicious calls, texts, or emails for failure to appear and threats of large fines or a warrant for arrest. Residents are asked to hang up or ignore these calls, texts, or emails, and DO NOT provide personal information or payment. In North Carolina, official jury summonses, as well as failure to appear notices, are always delivered to a resident’s home or post office box by first class mail. Court officials and law enforcement officers never make phone calls or threaten arrest in this manner. Any Mecklenburg County resident with concerns can confirm their jury service status by contacting the Jury Management Office at 877-649-7133 or [email protected].