Top Stories for April 3, 2024
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 Tuesday, April 2. 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 April 9 at 2:30 p.m.
1. ARPA Investments for the Community: The Board heard an update on the $215.6 million received by Mecklenburg County in COVID-19 recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The update included recent changes to guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury as it relates to funds that are obligated vs. spent, and the County’s decision to claw back unspent ARPA funds from partner organizations. Only 15 of 85 partners will be returning some of their unspent funds, most commonly due to staffing challenges. Twelve of those projects will receive an extension to allow additional time to spend the remaining dollars. The return of the unspent funds allows Mecklenburg County to address other needs to ensure the entire ARPA award is fully spent by the deadline of Jan. 31, 2026. To learn more about the impact of ARPA funding on communities, visit TheMeckEffect.MeckNC.gov.
2. In Memoriam: Jerry Fox: County Manager Dena R. Diorio remembered and recognized the accomplishments of former County Manager Gerald G. “Jerry” Fox, who died last week at the age of 91. Fox served as manager from 1980 to 2000. Over a public service career spanning more than 50 years, he earned local, state, and national recognition as an effective public leader. Fox was a key figure in the transformation of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, shepherding the community through tremendous growth and building of a world-class government workforce. Watch a video tribute to Jerry Fox.
3. Above and Beyond: County Manager Diorio presented the “Above and Beyond at Work” award to Dr. Stephen C. Strzelecki, clinical director for the forensic evaluation unit in the Department of Criminal Justice Services. According to his supervisor, Dr. Strzelecki demonstrates a passion and desire to improve the quality of services to individuals and families involved in the justice system. He has implemented considerable change within the justice system and established valuable partnerships within both the private and public sectors. The “Above and Beyond at Work” award allows the County Manager to show her appreciation to employees who go the extra mile to serve Mecklenburg County residents. Watch a video of her surprise presentation to Dr. Strzelecki.
4. Unpaid Taxes to Be Published: More than 40,000 Mecklenburg County property owners who are late paying their taxes will have their names and the principal amount they owe published in The Charlotte Observer on April 7, 2024. North Carolina law requires all local governments to advertise delinquent taxes. Bills paid after Feb. 29 may be included in the advertisement. The purpose of the advertisement is to notify taxpayers of their 2023 tax obligation. Delinquent taxpayers are subject to having their N.C. income tax refund and/or lottery winnings seized, and the Tax Collector is empowered to garnish funds, levy (seize and sell) personal property, and foreclose on real property to satisfy unpaid taxes.
5. Packing the Days: What will the kids do this summer? Mecklenburg County has plenty of ideas and is bringing them together under one roof. Families are invited to the 11th annual “Summer Experience Fair” to explore options to keep busy this summer. It’s a time for children, teens, and parents to learn more about the summer camp and educational opportunities available this summer as well as seasonal employment. The fair will be held Saturday, April 6, 2024, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (drop-in), at the Valerie C. Woodard Center, 3205 Freedom Drive, Entrance D, Charlotte, NC 28208.