(A summary of decisions made by the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners)

 

Homeless Veterans Stand Down
The Board proclaimed March 13, 2009 as Mecklenburg County Homeless Veterans Day.  On this day, the County's Community Support Services will lead a multi-agency event called the Homeless Veterans Stand Down. 

This is a one-day event to provide services to homeless veterans, including dental and health screenings, employment screenings, baths and haircuts, hot meals and clothing.

Federal Legislative Agenda
The Board approved its federal legislative agenda, which comprises two items:

The first was $1.3 million to fund services provided to homeless people in partnership with the Urban Ministry Center (UMC).  The UMC is engaged in a two-year pilot to provide permanent supportive housing of 80-100 apartments for chronically homeless. The federal funds will pay for operational costs including services provided by the County's Community Support Services Department. 

 

Paperless Agenda
The Board deferred until March 17 a decision to test a paperless agenda for Board members. Mecklenburg County already provides the full agenda, meeting minutes, meeting summary and meeting video online for each Board meeting.

 

Gang Prevention Plan
The Board received a report on a gang prevention plan.  The Gang Prevention Coalition was created in May 2007 to partner with the community to eliminate gangs through collaboration, training, and technical assistance.

The Coalition, in partnership with CMPD, is seeking proposals from community organizations to implement prevention and intervention initiatives in targeted communities.

 

CMS Funding
The Board reduced the County's annual appropriation to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) by $5 million due to the recession. 

County Manager Harry Jones asked the Board to reduce the funding in an effort to reduce the $57 million deficit in the current fiscal year budget. This reduction requires Board action, based on NC law.  Reductions from other County services and agencies, totaling more than $30 million, have already taken place.  As a result of the $5 million reduction, CMS will receive $346.3 million in operations funding from the County this year.