Should Charlotte property taxes increase in 2026? Some leaders think so
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- City Council members consider a property tax increase to fund public safety needs.
- Charlotte faces a 9% police vacancy and 2% firefighter vacancy impacting services.
- Officials propose raises and higher starting pay to improve recruitment and retention.
Charlotte residents could pay higher property taxes to fund public safety improvements as the city grapples with police officer shortages and fire department needs.
The city has only increased property tax rates once in the last seven years — by 1.37 cents in 2024. The current rate is 27.41 cents per $100 in value.
Council members during a Monday budget meeting suggested it might be time for another increase, especially since they’ve positioned safety as a top priority in light of high-profile killings.
“We need to make meaningful steps. Steps that involve money, and not just shuffling or brave words,” said councilman Ed Driggs.
Charlotte is short about 300 sworn police officers this year, or a vacancy rate of about 9%, according to the city. Sworn firefighters have a 2% vacancy rate.
That shortage creates a slight decline in service delivery, said City Manager Marcus Jones.
A tax increase could help raise salaries for public safety employees including police, according to city officials, and therefore help with recruitment and retention.
“Many times, council says before you come back for a property tax increase show me that you’ve done everything,” Jones said. “I’m telling you we’ve done just about everything.”
The city usually presents a budget in May, followed by public hearings and debate. City Council then votes on a final budget to take effect at the beginning of the new fiscal year on July 1.
City staff highlighted starting pay as an area for improvement for next year’s budget, though they didn’t present an official number to City Council. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson has suggested 10% raises.
Starting pay for police recruits is currently $59,509, nearly $5,000 below the national average, according to city data presented Monday. Starting pay for firefighter trainees is $56,710, nearly $3,000 above the national average. Neither number supports the city’s cost of living, according to council members Kimberly Owens and LaWana Slack-Mayfield.
The top pay for firefighters and police officers are both below the national average.
Firefighters and police should grow in tandem, councilwoman Dante Anderson said. The city is now at “a point of inflection” that could require an increase in taxes if it wants to double down on public safety for both departments.
Driggs, the only Republican on council, put it bluntly.
“I’m telling you, I think we need a tax increase,” Driggs said, adding a wry disclaimer. “Just kidding, in case my Republican friends are listening.”
