Top Stories for Nov. 27, 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’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. The agenda will be available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV.

1. Taking the Oath: The 2024-2026 Board of County Commissioners will take their oaths of office during a ceremony on Monday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 East 4th St. in Charlotte. Following the swearing-in ceremony, the new Board will elect a chair and a vice chair. The Board will hold its first regular business meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. The swearing-in ceremony and all meetings can be viewed on MeckTV at Watch.MeckNC.gov. 

2. Help with Heat: Residents who have trouble paying their winter heating bills can get help through Mecklenburg County’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). Mecklenburg County will begin taking LIEAP applications on Dec. 1 for senior citizens aged 60 and older or disabled individuals who get help through the N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services. All other households can apply beginning Jan. 1, 2025. The deadline for all applications is March 31, 2025. An applicant does not need to be behind on energy bills to receive a one-time LIEAP payment in the amount of $300, $400 or $500 based on their heating source. Visit MeckNC.gov/Energy or call 704-336-3000 to begin the application process. 

3. Everybody Counts Charlotte: The Board has proclaimed November as Homelessness Awareness Month and preparations are underway for the 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. In the early morning hours of Jan. 23, 2025, volunteers will span out across Charlotte-Mecklenburg streets, shelters, and encampments to identify individuals who are living without homes. Mecklenburg County is now seeking those volunteers to help ensure everybody counts. The Point-in-Time Count takes place on a single night in January each year and provides a snapshot of homelessness. During last year’s Point-in-Time Count, 2,095 people were counted, including 193 families, 77 youth (18-24), and 384 people sleeping outside. 

4. Crowns of Enterprise: Nominations are open for the 2025 Crowns of Enterprise Awards, sponsored by Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte. The awards recognize and honor small businesses that demonstrate exemplary leadership and sound business strategies. The awards committee specifically recognizes firms that grow and strengthen the local economy, as well as welcome and participate in diversity and inclusion efforts. Through Jan. 17, 2025, members of the community can nominate an outstanding business or individual in each of six categories. 

5. Record 97 Children Adopted: November is Adoption Awareness Month, and last weekend Mecklenburg County and N.C. Courts celebrated a record number of children adopted in the past year. It was National Adoption Day, recognizing the 97 youth who received decrees and found their forever families. That is nearly three times the number of adoptees in Mecklenburg County compared to the previous year. The children were all adopted through Mecklenburg County Child, Family, and Adult Services, Youth and Family Services division. With about 385 children in custody, Mecklenburg County is always recruiting for loving families to provide a permanent home for these children. To learn more about fostering or adopting a child, visit MeckNC.gov/KIDS or call 704-336-KIDS (5437).  

6. Happy Thanksgiving! Most Mecklenburg County offices and services will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29.