FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mecklenburg County Agencies Are Cut by $17.4 million
Charlotte, NC -- Mecklenburg County department and agency budgets have been cut by $17.4 million, effective immediately. County Manager Harry L. Jones, Sr., directed the reductions to address a revenue shortfall in the current budget (FY2009) as a result of the recession. The cuts also are intended to help prepare for a projected $70 million gap in funding for next year’s budget (FY2010).
The reductions amount to 15% of unspent non-salary accounts within department/agency budgets. As a result, the greatest reductions come from those departments and agencies with the largest budgets, primarily in health and human services. Department and agency directors have focused cuts on the lowest priorities. As a result, the impact on services and customers is projected to be minimal to moderate in most instances. No County positions are being eliminated due to these reductions.
“Mecklenburg County has been invited to the recession, and we don’t have the option of saying no,” said Jones. “Nearly all our revenues sources are well below budget, which means we need to cut expenses. We are trying our best to limit the impact these cuts will have on the people we serve and the community.”
Last month, Jones informed the Board of County Commissioners of a projected $57.1 million shortfall between revenues and expenses in the current year’s $1.5 billion budget. Although the shortfall could be addressed by appropriating money from the County’s fund balance, this approach would exacerbate the challenge the County will face in eliminating the $70 million gap next fiscal year. Instead, Jones implemented several steps to reduce expenses in the current budget.
In addition to the $17.4 million in reductions, Jones also has enacted a hiring freeze on County vacant positions for the remainder of the fiscal year. The County also has eliminated $9.9 million in prior year encumbrances, resulting in additional cost avoidance. Jones also has requested Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) and Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) to accept reductions in current year funding from the County. In total, Jones has set a goal of reducing the shortfall to approximately $30 million or less, with the remaining gap covered by fund balance appropriation. As a result, Jones said more reductions may be needed in the current year particularly if revenues fall further.
“We will continue to look for ways to cut expenses, while at the same time hoping we see some positive impact on revenues from the federal stimulus package,” said Jones.
In preparation for the FY2010 budget, Jones has directed County departments and agencies to develop scenarios that include up to 20% reductions in funding from the current year. He also has requested CMS, CPCC and WTVI to consider 10% reductions in current year funding.
“For the current year, we are reacting to the conditions placed upon us that are largely out of our control, said Jones. “However, as we prepare for next year’s budget, we intend to be proactive in identifying the choices and consequences of various funding scenarios based on the Board’s priorities.”
Attached is a summary of the reductions by department/agency and potential service impact descriptions.
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Media contact: Danny Diehl at 704.336.2084 (O) or 704.572.1035 or Daniel.diehl@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Saturday, June 21, 2008
I've Heard That Their Is A New Combined Effort To Protect Open Space In Charlotte Mecklenburg! Can You Share More?
Take A Moment To Visit This Site To Learn More and Get Regular Updates On Environmental Politics and Parks For Not Only Charlotte But The Entire Region During This Campaign Season.
Friday, June 20, 2008
What tips can you provide for drought tolerrant plants?
Some tips:
Great planter bed preparation with deep tilling and organic amendments is a great first step. Plant in November- the very best month to plant-cool soil that still encourages root growth and ample rainfall. Summer planting in a drought is a no-no
Accept that you cannot have everything- join a Garden Club and share gardens! Start with a reasonable amount of plants and build on that.
Accept that some plants you try "may not make it"--great learning tool.
Try plants in containers on your patio with basically trees in your yard- but if you go on vacation...
Proper selection of plant material- and only through study or hiring a consultant can you begin to get it right. Like any construction, building a successful garden takes wise planning. Mountain plants for now are probably best to avoid-like many Rhododendrons, Hemlock, even Dogwood is a finicky tree even without a drought.
Use Natives? Many people say it is the way to go- I am a diverse kind of guy and believe we are blessed here in NC to be able to use many types of plants beyond native.
Ornamental grasses are usually very drought tolerant. Purple Muhly Grass, Pennisetum 'Hameln', and "Moudry", many Miscanthus (may be listed as invasive-choose carefully)
Use of drip irrigation- there are many home-owner versions sold and work quite well- what I must caution on is: Timers can have their batteries run down, rodents will eat holes in the drip lines to get to the water during a drought. Soaker hoses count as drip-they work. Providing afternnon shade and watering in the evening (but not on the foliage and not every night- you can get slugs and root rot).
Visit Stowe Botanic Garden and garden centers and take pictures of what is working and what you like.
Great planter bed preparation with deep tilling and organic amendments is a great first step. Plant in November- the very best month to plant-cool soil that still encourages root growth and ample rainfall. Summer planting in a drought is a no-no
Accept that you cannot have everything- join a Garden Club and share gardens! Start with a reasonable amount of plants and build on that.
Accept that some plants you try "may not make it"--great learning tool.
Try plants in containers on your patio with basically trees in your yard- but if you go on vacation...
Proper selection of plant material- and only through study or hiring a consultant can you begin to get it right. Like any construction, building a successful garden takes wise planning. Mountain plants for now are probably best to avoid-like many Rhododendrons, Hemlock, even Dogwood is a finicky tree even without a drought.
Use Natives? Many people say it is the way to go- I am a diverse kind of guy and believe we are blessed here in NC to be able to use many types of plants beyond native.
Ornamental grasses are usually very drought tolerant. Purple Muhly Grass, Pennisetum 'Hameln', and "Moudry", many Miscanthus (may be listed as invasive-choose carefully)
Use of drip irrigation- there are many home-owner versions sold and work quite well- what I must caution on is: Timers can have their batteries run down, rodents will eat holes in the drip lines to get to the water during a drought. Soaker hoses count as drip-they work. Providing afternnon shade and watering in the evening (but not on the foliage and not every night- you can get slugs and root rot).
Visit Stowe Botanic Garden and garden centers and take pictures of what is working and what you like.
How Do I Attract More Birds, Butterflies & Such To My Yard?
Not knowing how big your yard is- I think the best way to attract birds is feeders with plants as: cover and a food supplement-
Hollies that berry are great for spring food when the red berries soften up, including deciduous Hollies like Sparkleberry- hollies need both a male and female to produce fruit.
The best way to determine what you need is to hire a consultant-or- use websites for pictures-or visit a local garden center- or- visit Reedy Creek Nature Center and I know they have an exhibit in the back with labelled plants and staff to help-very useful-
For butterflies- the following are excellent plants:
Butterfly Bush, Abelia, Yarrow, Asclepias (Butterfly Weed), Clethra, Coreopsis, Purple Coneflower, Joe Pye Weed, Sedum, Lantana, Bee Balm, Phlox, Black-Eyed Susan, Verbena-others- all of these are easy to grow-except maybe Asclepias-
You know, one or two Butterfly Bush with Lantana (annual) provides many butterlies and bees. Just a warning--a Butterfly Bush can get big- good time right now to visit a nursery and see what is blooming and ask for a size you need- Lowe's may even have some-
Hollies that berry are great for spring food when the red berries soften up, including deciduous Hollies like Sparkleberry- hollies need both a male and female to produce fruit.
The best way to determine what you need is to hire a consultant-or- use websites for pictures-or visit a local garden center- or- visit Reedy Creek Nature Center and I know they have an exhibit in the back with labelled plants and staff to help-very useful-
For butterflies- the following are excellent plants:
Butterfly Bush, Abelia, Yarrow, Asclepias (Butterfly Weed), Clethra, Coreopsis, Purple Coneflower, Joe Pye Weed, Sedum, Lantana, Bee Balm, Phlox, Black-Eyed Susan, Verbena-others- all of these are easy to grow-except maybe Asclepias-
You know, one or two Butterfly Bush with Lantana (annual) provides many butterlies and bees. Just a warning--a Butterfly Bush can get big- good time right now to visit a nursery and see what is blooming and ask for a size you need- Lowe's may even have some-
Monday, May 12, 2008
Where To Begin!
I really appreciate this question. To begin with, you probably understand the consequences of doing nothing. Our community will end up with fewer parks, nature preserves and less open space than other cities our size, in fact, and we are already there. If you believe as I do that these things effect the quality of life the only conclusion is that our quality of life will deteriorate. From a real estate perspective property values will decrease due to increased pollution, fewer recreational activities and the health of our citizens will diminish.
The question becomes, what kind of Mecklenburg County do we want in the future? We have what we have now because people before us fought and advocated for it. If we want more it (which we need as population and development increases) then current
And future residents should continue to fight for and advocate for it.
1) As always, contact elected officials and let them know of your support for preservation efforts, initiatives, and that you believe this enhances quality of life. Don’t forget to contact city council rep., town reps, county commissioners and representatives at the state and federal level. There contact information can be found on the internet at http://www.meckboe.org/
2) Encourage others to visit and enjoy our parks, nature preserves, and greenways. Word of mouth is always the best "marketing" or promotional action. As more and more people become familiar with the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation facilities and services, more and more people will understand their inherent benefits and advocate for more (land, programs, open space, etc.)
3) Practice what you preach and incorporate good preservation and management practices at you own residence. (ex: do not use or limit pesticide/herbicide use, create a butterfly garden or plant natives in your yard, decrease "turf grass" areas and replace w/ natural areas - which require less maintenance and
Fuel, less or no watering, and are better for wildlife, etc.)
4) Educate yourself on open space preservation policies, practices, and decisions being made every day.
Currently, there is a plan seeking approval entitled the 2008-2013 Mecklenburg County Comprehensive Park and Open Space Plan. A copy of the plan can be found at http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Park+and+Rec/Home.htm
This is simply a plan based upon what citizens recently stated as needs and wants for the community that they would be willing to support through future funding opportunities.
Let your voice be heard regarding these again, to elected officials and departments responsible for implementing this plan.
The question becomes, what kind of Mecklenburg County do we want in the future? We have what we have now because people before us fought and advocated for it. If we want more it (which we need as population and development increases) then current
And future residents should continue to fight for and advocate for it.
1) As always, contact elected officials and let them know of your support for preservation efforts, initiatives, and that you believe this enhances quality of life. Don’t forget to contact city council rep., town reps, county commissioners and representatives at the state and federal level. There contact information can be found on the internet at http://www.meckboe.org/
2) Encourage others to visit and enjoy our parks, nature preserves, and greenways. Word of mouth is always the best "marketing" or promotional action. As more and more people become familiar with the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation facilities and services, more and more people will understand their inherent benefits and advocate for more (land, programs, open space, etc.)
3) Practice what you preach and incorporate good preservation and management practices at you own residence. (ex: do not use or limit pesticide/herbicide use, create a butterfly garden or plant natives in your yard, decrease "turf grass" areas and replace w/ natural areas - which require less maintenance and
Fuel, less or no watering, and are better for wildlife, etc.)
4) Educate yourself on open space preservation policies, practices, and decisions being made every day.
Currently, there is a plan seeking approval entitled the 2008-2013 Mecklenburg County Comprehensive Park and Open Space Plan. A copy of the plan can be found at http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Park+and+Rec/Home.htm
This is simply a plan based upon what citizens recently stated as needs and wants for the community that they would be willing to support through future funding opportunities.
Let your voice be heard regarding these again, to elected officials and departments responsible for implementing this plan.
A Question For Ask Scott!
Scott, what can I do to promote the preservation and expansion of green and rural land use in Mecklenburg County? What are the consequences if we don't?
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