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Updated 05/20/2009 06:49 AM

Proposed budget holds taxes, cuts jobs

By: Brad Broders

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CHARLOTTE – Mecklenburg County Manager Harry Jones officially unveiled the coming year’s proposed budget, indicating that hundreds will be laid off, but there will be no new property taxes.

The proposed budget includes millions of dollars in cuts to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, the sheriff’s office and Parks and Recreation.

Jones said the new budget would cut 300 positions, including 89 which are filled. CMS would take the biggest hit, losing $34 million next school year.

Superintendent Dr. Peter Gorman said the proposed budget would mean 700 layoffs, including 400 or so teachers, though Jones said keeping the status quo would hurt the county elsewhere.

“I believe that funding education services at 100 percent of current funding, at this time and in this environment, would put this board in the very difficult position of finding $36 million more in cuts,” Jones said.

The budget recommends cutting another $38 million from other county departments.

The Public Library System is already considering shutting down on Sundays. Reductions would also reach the Sheriff’s Office. The cuts wouldn’t eliminate any positions, but leaders fear any further reductions would.

CMS officials said the teachers who will be laid off because of the county budget cuts will learn their fate between now and the end of the month.