Top Stories for Nov. 7, 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 met on Wednesday, Nov. 7. The agenda is available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV. The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 2:30 p.m.
1. Search for a County Manager: The Board of County Commissioners selected executive recruitment firm MGT to conduct its search for a new County Manager. The selection comes after a process that included the evaluation of several proposals and interviews with three finalist firms. County Manager Dena R. Diorio announced her retirement effective July 1, 2025. MGT will be asked to conduct a nationwide search for a new County Manager, with the goal of making a selection in time for an April 1, 2025, hire date to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership.
2. Helene Buyouts: The Board approved a plan to offer voluntary buyouts or retroFIT grants to property owners near Mountain Island Lake whose homes were damaged or destroyed during Hurricane Helene. Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services estimates about 170 homes were affected, with about 46 damaged to the point they cannot be repaired to their pre-damaged condition. Storm Water Services plans to allocate $8.5 million for a voluntary buy-out program, which has proven effective in reducing future flood losses. It also gives homeowners another option to consider before investing in substantial repairs.
3. Helping the Homeless: The Board proclaimed November as Homelessness Awareness Month. Since 2018, when Mecklenburg County partnered with Community Solutions’ Built for Zero initiative to address veteran homelessness, there has been a nearly 50% reduction in veteran homelessness. The past year alone saw a 29% reduction. Read more about this progress in Mecklenburg County’s Building Bridges Blog. Residents will have opportunities to recognize Homelessness Awareness Month at two special upcoming events—a screening of the film Beyond The Bridge on Nov. 19 and a vigil on Nov. 21. Learn more about the ongoing work to address homelessness at MecklenburgHousingData.org.
4. Operation Green Light: Mecklenburg County is inviting the community to show its support of veterans on Monday, Nov. 11, by shining a green light at home. The Charlotte skyline will also be illuminated in green in honor of Veterans Day. It’s Operation Green Light, an initiative to raise awareness of veterans’ unique challenges and showcase the resources available from Mecklenburg County Veterans Services and other local, state, and national partners. Mecklenburg County will also observe Veterans Day on Nov. 11 with most offices and services closed for the day.
5. The More You Read: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library presented its annual report and a recap of FY2024 to the Board of County Commissioners. Accomplishments include:
- Use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding on a Mobile Internet Lab (MiLa), electronic resources and digital collections, free hotspots, and redesigned “DigiLit” curriculum.
- Progress on the new University City Regional Library, which is scheduled to open Feb. 2025, and the new Main Library, scheduled to open in 2026.
- A Capital Improvement Plan that includes the future relocation of Sugar Creek and West Boulevard libraries and a new branch in the Nations Ford Road area.
- New and continued partnerships within the community.
- Growth through the filling of critical positions, including a new chief equity and inclusion officer.
6. Environmental Stewardship: Mecklenburg County has been recognized for its environmental stewardship efforts. The Solid Waste and Recycling division received the North Carolina Rising Environmental Steward of the Year Award from the N.C. Department of Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI). ESI supports agencies that implement practices to reduce their impact on the environment. Membership in ESI’s Rising Steward Program recognizes Mecklenburg County’s commitment to going above and beyond what is required by law. Solid Waste has been part of the voluntary program for five years and has received exemplary ratings for every annual audit.