Council adopts $3.6 billion budget, advances Spectrum Center financing and approves several contracts; interim city attorney contract extended

The Charlotte City Council approved a package of major fiscal and administrative actions at the meeting, including unanimous adoption of the $3.6 billion FY26 operating and capital budget, procedural steps to advance long‑term financing for Spectrum Center improvements, contract approvals for several city programs and a contested extension of the interim city attorney’s contract.

Key actions at a glance

Budget: Council adopted the FY26 budget (approximately $3.6 billion) with no property‑tax increase. Dimple Ajmera, chair of the budget committee, moved the budget, and council voted unanimously in favor. Council and staff highlighted investments in youth programming, workforce and public‑safety priorities and an ongoing commitment to maintaining the city’s A‑level credit rating.

Spectrum Center financing: The council held a public hearing on the Spectrum Center draw program and refinancing of outstanding certificates of participation. Matt Hassett, city treasurer, told council that the city “has now expended that entire $110,000,000 [of the bond anticipation note], so we’re ready to take that out, convert it to long‑term debt, as well as start the next line of credit for continued construction.” The council closed the hearing and voted to approve the initial findings and advance actions (a‑d) needed to apply to the Local Government Commission for authorization. Councilmember Malcolm Graham moved to approve items a–d; the motion carried (one councilmember recorded in opposition on one vote).

Contract approvals and procurement notes

Learn‑to‑Earn grant administration: Council approved a contract with Gecko Strategies (contract administrator) to run a digital inclusion/grant program funded by federal pandemic‑era funds. The motion passed but drew three recorded “no” votes — Councilmembers LaWanna Mayfield, Renee Johnson and Tijuana Brown — who said they preferred a locally driven procurement approach and wanted more transparency about the other proposals considered.

Other procurement and project votes: The council approved consent agenda items (consent items 13–26) as a block, and later voted to deny options a and b for the Haven Ridge at Sharon‑Amity affordable housing proposal; the denial was approved and returned the requested Housing Trust Fund allocation to staff for reconsideration. Council also adopted a resolution to invest certain assets in the state treasurer’s ancillary investment program.

Interim city attorney contract extension

Council voted to extend the contract of interim City Attorney Anthony Fox through December 31, 2025, and to include a retention payment in the extension package. The vote passed but was contested in debate. Several councilmembers asked for clearer, regular updates from the retained executive search firm that is conducting the national recruitment for the permanent city attorney.

Why it matters

Budget adoption sets the city’s service and capital priorities for the coming year, funding police and fire training facilities, new fire stations and continuing investments in housing and youth programs without raising property taxes, staff and council said. Advancing the Spectrum Center financing will let the city convert short‑term project borrowing into long‑term debt and keep construction schedules on course. The procurement and contract votes show council interest in both rapid program delivery (using an external administrator) and stronger local‑business inclusion in future procurements.

What council asked next

Council requested a written list of community benefits tied to the Spectrum Center agreement and asked staff to publish the procurement record for the Learn‑to‑Earn contract (list of proposers and scoring). Several members also asked Human Resources and the executive recruiting firm to provide periodic briefings on the city‑attorney search so council can review candidate materials and timelines while the firm completes screening and interviews.

Ending note

Most items passed with substantial support but several drew public dissents and requests for added transparency. Staff committed to returning with additional implementation details, vendor lists and clearer timelines where asked.