Top Stories for July 2, 2025
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, July 1. The agenda is available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV. The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 6 at 6 p.m.
1. New Manager, New Era: New County Manager Mike Bryant was sworn into office on Monday, June 30, in a ceremony before his family, the Board of County Commissioners, County employees, and the residents of Mecklenburg County. In the role, Bryant will provide leadership for County departments and agencies, draft the annual budget, and work to carry out the Board’s priorities and initiatives. Bryant brings more than 30 years of public service experience to the role. He joined Mecklenburg County in 2003 and has served the past five years as deputy county manager. "I assume this role with great honor, appreciation, gratitude, and humility,” Bryant said in his remarks. View photos or watch the swearing in ceremony.
2. Transit Timeline: The Board of County Commissioners set in motion a process that will place a referendum on the November ballot for a 1-cent sales tax dedicated to transportation. The Board’s action comes after the enactment of N.C. House Bill 948—aka the PAVE Act—which permits the local referendum. The Board scheduled a special meeting for July 30 to consider the language for the referendum. The Board also gave notice of a public hearing at its Aug. 6 regular meeting, where residents can speak on the referendum after which Board members will vote on whether to place it on the ballot. If approved, the funding stream produced by the 1-cent sales tax will be spent on Mecklenburg County transportation projects, such as roads, rail, and buses.
3. Emergency Medical Services: The Board received an update on a forthcoming study of emergency medical services in Mecklenburg County. Following meetings among representatives from Mecklenburg County, City of Charlotte, the County’s six Towns, and Medic, the scope of an independent study by a third party was agreed upon. Mecklenburg County will serve as the lead and the study will be funded from the allocation provided to Medic by the County. The next steps will be to form a steering committee and develop a Request for Proposals (RFP).
4. Skeeter Season: With a rainy summer so far, that can mean more mosquitoes. So far in 2025, Mecklenburg County Public Health has received 73 mosquito complaints compared to 48 at this time last year. The Public Health Mosquito Control program protects health and prevents mosquitoes by providing surveillance of mosquitoes that carry diseases like West Nile Virus or Zika, treating standing water where mosquitoes breed, and investigating complaints through 3-1-1. Everyone can help prevent mosquitoes by emptying standing water around their house, including buckets, flowerpots, bird baths, etc. Learn more about the program from Environmental Health Services or view this video.
5. Excellence in Finance: For the 50th consecutive year, Mecklenburg County has earned the highest recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. In June, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada announced it has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Mecklenburg County for last year’s annual report. The Financial Services Department creates the annual report each year to communicate financial health of the County, and to comply with N.C. requirements.
6. Happy Independence Day: Mecklenburg County offices and services will be closed on Friday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday.