Trump admin, NC legislature are stretching local budgets, Mecklenburg leader says
State budget issues and federal spending cuts are stressing Mecklenburg County’s finances and services, county leadership says.
In his nearly hourlong State of the County address Wednesday, County Commission Chairman Mark Jerrell touted Mecklenburg’s accomplishments in the last year, telling attendees the county is “strong, agile and resilient.”
But, Jerrell added, “it is no secret that our load could have been lighter had we received additional assistance from our legislative partners.”
His comments come as the North Carolina General Assembly remains at a budget impasse and as the country navigates the Trump administration’s shake-up of federal spending and priorities.
Jerrell said Mecklenburg needs more federal and state support, not less.
“I am calling on our friends and partners in the General Assembly and Congress to continue to carry and communicate our needs regardless of the political headwinds,” he said.
Jerrell specifically referenced state funding levels for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. County leaders, who fund a significant portion of the CMS budget, have frequently said the state isn’t giving enough money to the public school system and, therefore, strain the county’s budget to make up the gap.
District officials said this week they plan to ask for $25.1 million more from Mecklenburg County this year.
“As we go into the upcoming budget cycle, it is our hope that the General Assembly will be able to fully fund some of the critical budgetary needs that our school system is in desperate need of,” Jerrell said Wednesday.
The board chairman also said the 2025 federal government shutdown disrupted food assistance programs for “close to 140,000 county residents.” The county “stepped up” alongside nonprofits and other local groups to help families in need, Jerrell said, but that effort cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Mecklenburg spent $740,000 on thousands of meal boxes and other assistance during the shutdown.
Jerrell called on federal and state officials to fully fund programs and areas typically under their umbrella rather than passing along costs to local governments.
“Whether in Washington or Raleigh, we have a constitution that outlines our respective responsibilities,” he said. “We are imploring our leaders to be true to what continues to be on paper, for our work will continue to be interdependent.”
This story was originally published March 25, 2026 at 12:43 PM.
