May 5, 2009

 

Beginning with the Strategic Planning Conference in January, we have discussed having our business partners assume a fair share of funding reductions in both the current fiscal year and in FY2010. As a result, the County Manager's Recommended Budget for FY2010 will include funding reductions for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) and Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC).

 

For CMS, I will be recommending funding of $313,367,391 to support its operations in FY2010. This is a reduction of $33,999,394, or 9.8%, from its FY2009 Adopted Budget amount of $347,366,785. In addition, CMS would receive $4 million from court system fines and forfeitures, which is the same amount allocated in the current year's budget. CMS also would receive $5,200,000 for capital replacement, which is the same amount as in FY2009.

 

I also will recommend CPCC receive $24,492,884 in FY2010. This is a reduction of $2,481,658, or 9.2%, from the FY2009 Adopted Budget amount of $26,974,542.

 

Collectively, these recommendations would reduce funding for Education Services by $36,481,052, not including debt service. This would be a 9.6% reduction in funding from the current year (FY2009). This compares with the average recommended reduction of 9.6% for County departments and agencies (with several departments recommended for cuts ranging from 11.5% - 16.2%).

 

For additional information, please contact Budget & Management Director Hyong Yi at Hyong.Yi@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov or 704 336-6945.

 

 

Effective June 6, 2009, the Department of Social Services will extend its operating hours at the Wallace Kuralt Centre and Chapin Hall at the Valerie Woodard Center. Both these facilities, including the call center, will be open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. The Wallace Kuralt Centre is located at 301 Billingsley Road. The Valerie Woodard Center is located at 3205 Freedom Drive.  

 

This extension of DSS business hours will increase the availability of services by 10%. It also offers greater flexibility and convenience to those customers who are either working or in school during the current operating hours of 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday - Friday.

 

DSS staff will maintain a 40-hour work week despite the expanded operating hours. This is being accomplished by eliminating compressed work week schedules and implementing flex scheduling for employees who work on Saturdays.

 

DSS is collaborating with the County's Public Service & Information Department staff to inform existing and potential customers of the new Saturday hours.

 

For additional information, please contact DSS Director Mary Wilson at 704 336-6279 or Mary.Wilson@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov.