City of Charlotte Adopts Fiscal Year 2027 Budget

Published on June 08, 2026

Close up of government center exterior against blue sky behind green leaves.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 8, 2026) – Charlotte City Council has adopted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget and FY 2027 – 2031 Capital Investment Plan. The fiscal year will begin on July 1, 2026. 

Highlights of the FY 2027 Budget  

  • Presents a structurally balanced budget with a two-year lens that:  
    • Proposes a 1.89 cent property tax increase dedicated to enhancing public safety  
    • Preserves core services  
    • Maintains reserves  
  • $4.49 billion budget net of transfers, including the Aviation Department, the Charlotte Area Transit System, Charlotte Water, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, and the general government funds  
  • $1.04 billion General Fund budget; a 10.7% increase from FY 2026  
  • Continues Charlotte’s achievement of affordability for government services, ranking lowest among North Carolina’s largest cities with a population of 250,000 or more  
  • Continues efforts to align with established budget principles that support organizational wellbeing, including maximizing cost recovery for applicable services through user fees  
    • FY 2027 marks year two of increasing the cost recovery rate for Solid Waste Services curbside services with the goal of reaching 50% cost recovery by FY 2029  

Promoting Public Safety  

  • Funds efforts that support retention and recruitment for public safety personnel  
    • Provides 10% pay increase for sworn Police and Fire personnel in the Public Safety Pay Plan  
    • Continues military, education and language incentives; now includes option of stacking two-year degree and military experience incentives.  
    • Provides additional funding toward necessary overtime, retirement, and other personnel expenses  
  • Includes $2.3 million to add Fire Engine 46 at Miranda Road Infill Station to improve response times  
  • Adds Civilian Support to Improve Fire Training and Response Times (two full-time employees)  
  • Adds an additional 35 cars for the police take- home vehicle program  
  • Provides $4 million in funding for Fire turnout gear and other critical safety equipment  
  • Invests $10 million to construct a new helicopter hangar for Police, with another $10 million planned in FY 2028  

Investing in Small Businesses and Neighborhoods  

  • Supports Business District Organizations/Main Street program ($600,000)  
  • Expands Neighbors Building Neighborhoods pilot program ($500,000)  
  • Revitalizes Business Corridors with Business Matching Grant program ($500,000)  

Advancing Mobility Goals  

  • Plans for the second, $300 million total Transportation and Neighborhood Bonds that would support continued investment in Strategic Investment Areas (SIAs), Vision Zero, Bicycle Facilities and accelerate seven projects in five years (Big Moves 2030)  
  • Invests $5.95 million in Mobility+ programming to proactively build workforce and small business capacity alongside increased capital transportation investments  

Investing in Team Charlotte  

  • Raises minimum pay to $25 per hour for city employees, bringing the proposed minimum salary for 40-hour-week, non-temporary employees to $52,000  
  • Budgets for a 4% pay increase for all hourly employees comprised of a market rate adjustment and merit pool  
  • Provides a 4% merit pool for salaried employees  
  • Continues 2.5% incentive pay for second and third shifts; pre-paid tuition assistance and career coaching; CATS All-Access Transit Pass; rental and down payment assistance; financial counseling and assistance; 2.5% incentive for General Employees with CDLs  

Learn more about these and other important initiatives of the FY 2027 budget online.

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