Top Stories for Jan. 10, 2024

images of a person balancing a budget with a calculator.

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’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. The agenda will be available online. View the meeting at Watch.MeckNC.gov.  

1. Building the Budget: The Board of County Commissioners is beginning to shape its FY2024-2-25 budget. The first step is a public hearing where residents can speak on the programs and services that are most important to them. The public hearing will be held at the Board’s next regular meeting on Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. Residents can sign up to speak or submit comments via mail or email. More information about the budget and public engagement opportunities is available at Budget.MeckNC.gov.

2. Annual Retreat: The Board will discuss fiscal policies and priorities during its three-day budget retreat Jan. 24 – 26. The retreat will be held at Central Piedmont Community College, Harris Conference Center, 3216 CPCC Harris Campus Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208. It will include updates from the County Manager and senior staff as they prepare the recommended budget. The County Manager is scheduled to present her recommendation on May 16, with the Board adopting the FY2025 budget on June 4. The retreat can be viewed live at Watch.MeckNC.gov.

3. Crowning Achievement: Friday, Jan. 19, is the last day to nominate an outstanding business or person in the 2024 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crowns of Enterprise Awards. The awards recognize and honor small businesses that demonstrate exemplary leadership and sound business strategies. Members of the community can nominate an outstanding business or individual in each of the following categories (self-nominations are welcome):

  • Certified Minority Business Enterprise of the Year
  • Certified Woman Business Enterprise of the Year
  • Certified Small Business Enterprise of the Year
  • Prime Contractor of the Year
  • Diversity Advocate of the Year
  • Media Personality/Media Outlet of the Year

4. New Year, New You: Mecklenburg County has a few suggestions for residents looking to make a change in the new year. Whether it’s getting into better shape, quitting smoking or vaping, finding a new job, or even just reading a few more books, we have some ideas. Getting started is the hard part, so start with one and work your way up to a healthier 2024. Keep an eye on our blog for this and other happenings in Mecklenburg County government. 

5. Honoring MLK Jr.: Mecklenburg County offices and services will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15, for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.