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CHARLOTTE – Mecklenburg County’s $1.4 billion budget includes deep cuts, including $38 million to county services, nearly $34 million in cuts to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the elimination of about 225 vacant county positions.

Now, all eyes are on state lawmakers who must finish their budget. The question still lingering is whether the finalized state budget cuts will trickle again back down to Mecklenburg and CMS, which gets about two thirds of its funding from the state budget.

But the state budget isn’t expected to be done until after July 1, leaving commissioners uneasy into the summer.

“It appears likely the state’s final budget will include millions in additional cuts for things like public education, health services, law enforcement and criminal justice,” republican Commissioner Neil Cooksey said.

Cooksey said the county should set aside a rainy day fund to potentially withstand more county cuts from Raleigh lawmakers.

“That’s why I’ve advocated setting money aside in a contingency fund to allow the county to react when the storm hits,” he said. “Unfortunately, I have not gained a lot of traction for this idea.”

Democrat Tricia Cotham predicted the budget cuts will hit non-profits in Mecklenburg County especially hard because they will not receive state funding or will have funding cuts.

CMS leaders said they’re preparing for additional reductions which could impact the classroom. The district has already cut roughly $80 million between the county and the state.