Top Stories for Sept. 10 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, Sept. 9. The agenda is available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV. The Board's next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m.
1. Roads, Rail, and Buses: Ahead of November’s countywide referendum on raising the sales tax by 1% for transportation projects, the Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to hear public input and vote on whether to authorize a Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority (MPTA). The public hearing and vote are scheduled for Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. Residents can learn more and sign up to speak at BOCC.MeckNC.gov/Clerk. If the Board authorizes the formation of the MPTA, residents interested in serving can submit an application beginning Sept. 17.
2. Breaking Barriers on Opioids: Mecklenburg County leaders will take part in a comprehensive gathering designed to address the multifaceted challenges of the opioid crisis. Breaking Barriers: Compassionate Care and Community Engagement in the Opioid Crisis Conference will be an all-day event with goals to encourage active participation and collaboration. The conference is scheduled for Sept. 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center. Mecklenburg County will present up-to-date data on the Opioid Settlement work and spending plan, now in its fourth year of funding. There will also be updates in the areas of addiction treatment, employment-related services, early intervention, recovery support services, and recovery housing support.
3. Government to Government: The Board received a presentation on a proposed strategy to guide Mecklenburg County’s interaction with federal, state, and regional governments, and its advocacy for the priorities on the annual legislative agenda. The proposed intergovernmental affairs strategy includes goals, measures, strategies for implementation, actions, and focus areas. Currently, those focus areas are Medicaid and SNAP, budget, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
4. Caring for Kin: The Board has proclaimed September as Kinship Care Month in Mecklenburg County, honoring those who step up — often without preparation or support — to care for children in the families and communities during times of crisis. The proclamation reinforces Mecklenburg County’s commitment to raising awareness, advocating for support, and celebrating the resilience and compassion of these families. Kinship care is not just a placement — it's a promise: A promise that family will show up, step in and stand strong. Learn more about adoption and foster care in Mecklenburg County at MeckNC.gov/KIDS or by calling 704-336-KIDS.
5. MeckRoots: This Thursday, Sept. 11, and throughout the fall, Park and Recreation is offering residents several opportunities to understand local history and to learn how to collect and tell their own histories and stories. These events are hosted by MeckRoots, a program to connect the people and spaces of Mecklenburg County through history and storytelling. MeckRoots features presentations and workshops by local historians, authors, genealogists, and other professionals. The program also records and preserves oral histories from Mecklenburg County residents. All events will be held 6-7:30 p.m.
6. Hit the Trail at Reedy Creek: Construction at the new Reedy Creek Greenway is complete. The 3.25-mile trail is open to the public, connecting the surrounding community to the amenities found within Reedy Creek Park and Nature Preserve. After stream restoration at Reedy Creek, the design of the greenway further protects and is respectful to the ecological environment, while making this valuable resource more accessible to the public. Mecklenburg County is also working in partnership with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Remembrance Project to install a historical marker for Willie McDaniel adjacent to the greenway.