Top Stories for Jan. 29, 2025
Mecklenburg County provides this weekly rundown of top stories from the Board of County Commissioners meetings and the Public Information Department’s newsroom.
1. Share Your View. Shape Our Future. The Board of County Commissioners’ annual budget retreat is underway through Friday, Jan. 31, as Mecklenburg County builds its FY2025-2026 budget. During the three days, Board members will receive an update on the County’s financial status, address fiscal policies, and review priorities. The Board also heard an update on the resident budget survey which is now open for residents to provide feedback on funding levels and what they feel are the community’s greatest needs. The survey is one of several ways residents can let Mecklenburg County leaders know what’s important to them when it comes to services and programs funded by their tax dollars.
County Manager Dena R. Diorio is scheduled to present her budget recommendation on May 15 with the Board adopting the FY2025-2026 budget on June 3. The retreat agenda and other materials are available at Budget.MeckNC.gov. The meeting can be viewed on MeckTV at Watch.MeckNC.gov.
2. Search for a County Manager: The Board is now accepting applications for the position of County Manager. Executive recruitment firm MGT is conducting the nationwide search and has posted the job description. The closing date for applications is Feb. 7. With County Manager Dena Diorio’s retirement effective July 1, 2025, the Board’s goal is to select a candidate for an April 1 hire date to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership.
3. Supporting At-risk Youth: Mecklenburg County is spending $2 million this year to support organizations that work with at-risk youth. Programs that serve at-risk or delinquent youth are invited to apply for dollars through the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council to help them carry out their missions. Applicants are required to submit a proposal and must attend one of two pre-bid information sessions being held on Feb. 3. The Juvenile Crime Prevention Council is supported by the County’s Department of Criminal Justice Services.
4. Find Your Adventure: A newly redesigned app makes it easier than ever for Mecklenburg County residents to connect with parks, greenways, and public art. The Park Explorer app combines cutting-edge technology from Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and information from Park and Recreation to produce four interactive maps. With more than 230 parks in Mecklenburg County and more than 74 miles of greenway, there’s plenty to find and explore. Residents can begin on the Park Explorer app or visit ParkandRec.MeckNC.gov for more information.
5. Save the Scraps: Eggshells, coffee grounds, and vegetable peels can now have a second life. Mecklenburg County Solid Waste is now accepting residential food waste scraps for composting at two full-service recycling centers: Hickory Grove and Compost Central. Items include eggshells, coffee grounds, vegetables, and meat. Simply toss the food scraps into a bin, and once full, bring it to the special food scrap containers at one of the two recycling centers. This program is free for Mecklenburg County residents but is currently not available for commercial purposes.