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For Our Kids.
For Our Community.
For All of Us.

Voters in Mecklenburg County will be asked to approve a quarter-cent sales tax referendum that will provide additional funding for our parks, arts and education. This sales tax will amount to five cents per $20 you spend. It’s a small price to pay for a major investment in Mecklenburg County’s quality of life.

Para nuestros hijos.
Para nuestra comunidad.
Para todos nosotros.

A los votantes de Mecklenburg County se les dará la oportunidad de aprobar un referéndum para un impuesto de venta de un cuarto de centavo, lo cual se utilizará para proporcionar fondos adicionales a nuestros parques, a las artes, y a la educación.

Este impuesto constituirá cinco centavos de cada $20 gastados. Es un pequeño precio pagar por una inversion mayor en la calidad de vida de Mecklenburg County.

Parks

Arts

Education

Parks

By voting FOR this referendum, you are making an investment in improved parks and greenways, and our quality of life. You may have noticed how woefully underfunded our parks system is compared to that of other metropolitan areas. A recent study found only 36% of Charlotte Mecklenburg residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, compared to the national average of 72%. And the county spends just $48 a year per resident, compared to the national average of $87.

We can do better than this, and new revenue will make that possible.

Mecklenburg County’s parks and greenway system will be rejuvenated and planned improvements will be realized if the November referendum passes. Our youth will have more outlets to stay busy with recreation and exercise while adults of all ages will be able to see the beauty of our area without having to drive far away.

Parques

Al votar “FOR” (a favor de) este referéndum, usted hace una inversion en el mejoreo de nuestros parques y vías verdes, así como en nuestra calidad de vida. Tal vez ya se ha fijado en la lamentable falta de fondos para nuestro sistema de parques comparado con otras zonas metropolitanas. Un studio reciente descubrió que solo 36% de residentes de Charlotte Mecklenburg viven a una caminada de 10 minutos o menos de un parquet, comparado al promedio nacional de 72%. Y el condado solo paga $48 por año por resiente, a comparación al promedio nacional de $87.

Podemos hacerlo major, y una nueve fuente de ingreso lo hará posible.

Si pasa el referéndum de noviembre, nuestros parques y nuestro sistema de vías verdes serán renovados y se realizarán mejoras que están planeadas. Nuestra juventud tendrá mayoor acceso a recreación y ejercicio, y adultos de toda edad podrán disfrutar de la belleza de nuestra comunidad sin viajar lejos.

Arts

Students and parents across Mecklenburg County have felt the affect of the cancellation of numerous school field trips to museums and cultural attractions, depriving our kids of the chance to learn and expand their horizons. New revenue from the sales tax would fund a joint effort by local organizations and Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools to restore and expand arts, science and history education in public schools.

In addition, this funding would be used to to eliminate barriers to participation, reduce economic disparities, and enable programs to reach deep in neighborhoods across the county to ensure residents have access to programs regardless of where they live and what they can afford.

Kids who are not as interested in sports as some of their peers will have more opportunities to keep active and out of trouble. This is beneficial to our kids, our families, and our entire community.

Education

This additional school funding will be used to help CMS hire more teacher assistants and counselors – making critical investments in our students and their classrooms. The funds will also be used to boost teacher supplements so Mecklenburg County has the ability to attract the very best educators.

Frequently Asked Questions

Preguntas Frecuentes

Why are we voting on a sales tax referendum?

The Mecklenburg County Commission authorized a voter referendum to consider a one-quarter cent sales tax dedicated to add funding to expand our parks and recreation programs; to ensure geographic equity and access to arts, science and history programs; to provide additional funding for our public school teachers and classroom personnel, and new monies to local governments across the county to fund their parks and arts programs.

¿Porqué estamos votando sobre un referéndum de impuesto de ventas?

La Comisión de Condado Mecklenburg autorizó un referéndum para considerar un impuesto de venta de cuarto centavo que aumentaría fondos con el fin de ampliar nuestros parques y programas recreativos; aseguar la equidad geográfica y acceso a programas de arte, ciencia, e historia; y proveer financiamiento adicional a los maestros y personal de nuestras escuelas públicas, así tambien como a gobiernos locales a lo largo del condado para apoyar sus parques y programas de arte.

How much is this referendum going to cost me?

This will amount to one-quarter cent more in sales tax – 25 cents per every $100 spent in Mecklenburg County.

¿Cuánto me costará este referéndum?

Será un aumento de cuarto centavo al impuesto de venta – 25 centavos por cada $100 gastados en Mecklenburg County.

Don’t we already have great parks in Mecklenburg County?

Mecklenburg County does have a parks system, but it is among the most underfunded parks systems in the country, according to a 2019 ParkScore ranking.

In fact, the local government spends just $48 per year for parks; compared to the national average of $87. Also, the study found only 36% of Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, compared to 72% of the national average.

¿No temenos buenos parques en Mecklenburg County actualmente?

Es cierto que Mecklenburg County tiene un sistema de parques, pero está entre los sistemas más escasamente financiados en el país, según una calificación de 2019 de ParkScore.

De hecho, el gobierno local invierte solo $48 anuales en los parques, comparado al promedio nacional de $87. Además, el estudio descubrió que solamente 36% de residentes de Charlotte-Mecklenburg viven a una caminada de 10 minutos de un parque, comparado al promedio nacional de 72%.

How will this referendum benefit school children in Mecklenburg County?

As you may have heard, an increasing number of public school field trips to local museums and cultural attractions have been cancelled due to lack of funding. New revenue from the sales tax referendum will be allocated to restore these events and other cultural programming for children in neighborhoods all across the county. In addition, students will benefit from new revenue that will fund classroom staff, including teacher assistants and school counselors.

¿De qué manera ayudará el referéndum a los estudiantes de Macklenburg County?

Como tal vez haya escuchado, nuestras escuelas públicas han tenido que cancelar un número creciente de excursiones didacticas a museos locales y atracciones culturales debido a la falta de fondos. Nuevos ingresos de referéndum para el impuesto de ventas serán dedicados a la restauración de estos eventos y otros programas culturales para niños en vecindarios alrededor del condado. Además, los alumnus se beneficiarán de nuevos fondos que financiarán personal escolar, incluyendo profesores auxiliares y consejeros.

How will CMS classroom teachers benefit from the sales tax referendum?

If voters approve the referendum, the county commissioners will dedicate funding to CMS schools for teacher supplements; additional teaching assistants and new school counselors and psychologists.

¿De qué manera ayudará el referéndum a los profesores de escuelas CMS?

Si los votantes aprueban el referéndum, los comisarios del condado dedicarán fondos a escuelas CMS para profesores auxiliares, ayudantes, y nuevos consejeros y psicólogos.

How will the new funding compare to money already allocated by Mecklenburg County to these issues?

In the 2019-2020 fiscal year budget, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools were funded at a level of $534 million, while $51 million was allocated to parks and recreation and $2 million was allocated to arts, science and cultural programs. Much of the monies dedicated to the parks and arts programs will directly benefit students within the CMS system. If we are successful in passing the November referendum, based on current budget levels, schools will receive approximately $542 million, parks and recreation will receive a total of $68 million, and $22.5 million would go to arts, science and history programs in schools and neighborhoods across the county.

¿Cómo compararán los nuevos fondos al dinero que Mecklenburg County actualmente dedica a estas causas?

En el presupuesto de año fiscal 2019-2020, Charlotte Macklenburg Schools fue financiado a un nivel de $534 millones; $51 millones se asignaron a parques y recreación y $2 millones fueron distribuidos a programas de arte, ciencia, y cultura. Mucho del dinero dedicado a los parques y programas de arte directamente beneficiarán a los estudiantes dentro del sistema CMS. Si exitosamente pasamos el referéndum de noviembre, en base a niveles de presupuesto actuales, las escuelas recibirán alrededor de $542 millones, parques y recreación recibirán un total de $68 millones, y $22.5 millones irían a programas de arte, ciencia, e historia en escuelas y vecindarios en todo el condado.

Will we see direct benefit from the investments in our arts, sciences and cultural programs?

The sales tax revenue will be used to eliminate barriers to participation, reduce racial disparities and enable programs to reach deep in neighborhoods across the county to ensure residents have access to programs regardless of where they live or what they can afford. This investment will go a long way in serving every community across Mecklenburg County.

¿Miraremos algún beneficio directo de la inversion en nuestros programas de arte, ciencia, y cultura?

Los ingresos del impuesto de ventas se utlizará para eliminar barreras a la participación, reducir desigualdades raciales, y habilitar a que los programas tengan un extenso alcance en todo el condado para asegurar que los residentes tengan acceso a los programas sin importer donde vivan o su situación financiera personal. Esta inversion tendrá un gran impacto al servir a cada comunidad de Mecklenburg County.

Supported by

Apoyado por

For ALL Of Us!

When you vote FOR on the November referendum, you’re voting for expanded parks and greenways; enhanced arts, science, and history programs; and to help our kids fulfill their potential. Check back throughout the campaign to hear the powerful personal stories of people who have benefited from parks, arts, and education and how we want to expand these opportunities to everyone!

Al votar “FOR” (a favor de) en el referéndum de noviembre, votará por la ampliación de nuestros parques y vías verdes; por mayor apoyo para programas de arte, ciencia, e historia; y para ayudar a nuestros hijos realizar su pleno potencial.

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The Mecklenburg County Sales & Use Tax Referendum

On Tuesday, July 02, 2019, by a 7-2 vote, the Mecklenburg County Commissioners authorized a quarter-cent sales tax referendum to be placed on the November 5th ballot. It is estimated that the quarter-cent sales tax will generate $50 million a year annually.

The proceeds from the quarter-cent sales and use tax will be allocated accordingly:

  • $17 million or 34% to expand our parks & greenways
  • $22.5 million or 45% for local arts, science, history and cultural programs
  • $8 million or 16% for critical investments in our Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Schools
  • $2.5 million or 05% to local towns across the county for their parks & arts programs

The additional monies will help the county expand parks, greenways and open spaces. The allocated monies for the arts, science, history and cultural programs will be used to eliminate barriers to participation and will enable programs to continue that work with underserved populations and neighborhoods.

The monies directed for CMS will be used to increase teacher salaries, add new teaching assistants and increase classroom support staff.

This is a transformational opportunity for the citizens of Mecklenburg County. This quarter-cent sales tax will improve our quality of life by expanding our parks and greenways; supporting community arts, science, and cultural programs and investing in our public-school system. Passing the referendum will enable Mecklenburg County to reach across our communities providing our citizens with better services and uplifting our quality of life – and allowing us to remain competitive when new businesses and industry are looking at locating in our county.

The quarter-cent sales tax will mean you pay 05 cents for every $20 dollars you spend. That’s a small price to pay to make a big difference in the lives our citizens. The current tax rate is 7.25 percent. A $20 bill purchase has $1.45 in sales tax. A quarter-of-a-cent tax increase would raise it to $1.50 in sales tax.