CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte City Council cast straw votes Monday night to approve a proposed $3.6 billion budget.

It touches nearly every corner of daily life for Charlotte residents — from trash pickup and water bills to employee pay and long-term investments in affordable housing and public safety.

The FY2026 budget , introduced by City Manager Marcus Jones in early May, represents a 5.2% increase from last year.

Despite the bump, the budget does not include a property tax increase.

Instead, the city is leaning on cost recovery strategies to close a $6.5 million shortfall in sales tax revenue. That includes eliminating 17 vacant positions and modestly increasing monthly fees for city services.

If approved, most Charlotte households will see an average monthly increase of $7.49 i

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