Top Stories for Jan. 31, 2024

older couple sitting outside with a computer

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 Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. The agenda is available online. View the meeting at Watch.MeckNC.gov.

1. Apply Now for Property Tax Exemptions: North Carolina and Mecklenburg County offer several property tax relief programs and now is the time to apply so the relief will apply to the 2024 tax bill. Various exemptions are available for senior citizens, disabled residents, veterans, and businesses. Some programs have income requirements. Most applications must be submitted to the Mecklenburg County Assessor’s Office by June 1. To learn more, residents can visit CAO.MeckNC.gov or call 980-314-4226. 

2. Now Hiring: Mecklenburg County is helping residents climb the career ladder in the construction, maintenance and facility management, and advanced manufacturing industries. The Office of Economic Development will host a Career Expo on Feb. 21 to connect job seekers with field, indoor facility, and office positions at local companies in these industries. To prepare candidates, Mecklenburg County still has spots available in a job readiness workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 7. While employment opportunities are increasing, Mecklenburg County is working to assist job seekers who still struggle to access employment with a sustainable living wage.  

3. You’re Never Too Old to Play: It’s time for our senior citizens to begin warming up for the Senior Games and SilverArts. Mecklenburg County registration is open Feb. 5 – 23 for early bird rates and Feb. 24 – March 8 for standard rates. Athletic events offered include bowling, cycling, swimming, track and field events, and racket events such as tennis, racquetball, and pickleball. SilverArts are a celebration of the creative expression of seniors and are a major component of the traditional athletic competition of Senior Games. The games will be held from April to June, typically feature more than 200 participants, and feed into the N.C. Senior Games finals.

4. A Place to be Heard: In a perfect world, veterans and their families get all of their benefits with no questions. But the claims process is complicated. An appeal will sometimes wind up before a judge in the federal Veterans Affairs office in Winston-Salem. But instead of driving all that way, Mecklenburg County vets can visit our local Veterans Services Office, which holds virtual appeals hearings in a space designed especially for that purpose. Mecklenburg is the only N.C. County with such a space, and since opening, it has saved hundreds of vets the trip up the road.

5. Cool Your Coals: This time of year, we see more fires at Mecklenburg County recycling centers due to hot coals. Residents should never put ashes in with trash or recycling. For safe disposal:  

  • Thoroughly soak ashes in water.  
  • Let coals or ashes sit for at least 48 hours if NOT soaked.  
  • Bring to a full-service recycling center and let staff know you have ashes. There are special metal barrels to put them in.  

Learn more and find a center at WipeOutWaste.MeckNC.gov/Where-Can-I-Recycle.