Focus on Funding and the Future

Focus on Funding and the Future

This is a most critical time of year for county programs and departments that depend on public funding. Specifically in Mecklenburg County, the Board of Commissioners is weighing all of the County’s budget priorities en route to the County Manager’s development of the FY2024-2025 budget.

Sustain Charlotte is consistently one of our partners advocating for greener, healthier, and yes – sustainable community. Part of that effort relies on maintaining public dialogue about funding for parks, greenways, and equitable access to green spaces. That includes rallying like-minded constituents to call or email their representatives at the County level, signing petitions, or speaking at public hearings.

Shannon Binns is founder and executive director of Sustain Charlotte. He says this year’s asks to County Commissioners are not, “far-fetched,” but feels they can help move the needle in support of funding for parks and greenways.

“We are really framing our mission and our message to the Commissioners this year to say, ‘let’s not lose the momentum,’” he added. “We’ve made great investments in land acquisition the last two budget cycles… let’s build on that investment.”

Next steps in the Mecklenburg County budget process include the County Manager’s proposed budget presentation, public hearing, and straw vote in May, before a June 4 meeting to adopt the budget.  Binns said a successful campaign leading up to that vote has been distilled to four specific asks of Commissioners:

• Support all of the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation staff recommended capital improvement plan (CIP) projects for fiscal year 2029.
• Support funding for new staff positions as identified in the Meck Playbook, and requested by staff for this upcoming fiscal year 2025.
• Sustain momentum for land acquisition by budgeting at least $50 million, but ideally $75 million.
• Increase funding for maintenance of park and recreation properties.

“The reality is there’s always going to be other priorities that the county has to weigh,” said Binns, “but we think that the benefits of parks, greenways, nature preserves, and rec centers… there’s a lot of data on how the benefits far outweigh the costs of the investment from a health perspective, from a community building perspective, from a climate and environmental perspective.”

Binns said he expects the petition will stay on the Sustain Charlotte website through at least the end of February. Those interested signing it can access it by clicking here, or on this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbR96lGnQ4z9vj7Mp-1kLKhy2e32-DFvH7R_izfelQdlZdrQ/viewform

Mecklenburg County is also soliciting public input on the FY2025 budget.

“Following the County budget process and signing this petition are easy steps advocates can take to support equitable access to parks and green spaces,” said Beth Poovey, president of Partners for Parks. “It’s never too late or too early to let Commissioners know this is how you’d like to see your county tax dollars directed.”

Advocacy is a year-round mission. Now is the perfect time to renew your Annual Partnership with Partners for Parks. Click the link below to select a Partnership Level that suits your budget today: https://partnersforparks.org/sponsor/