Karen Bentley

Karen Bentley, Mecklenburg County Commissioner for District 1, will be the guest speaker at the next Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce Focus Friday issues session this Friday, June 21. Bentley will give an update on Mecklenburg County issues, including the status of a possible re-do of the 2011 property revaluation, the search for a new County Manager, Public Access Swimming, and the County Budget.

The monthly Focus Friday meetings are open to all chamber members and guests and include a question-and-answer session. The program is sponsored by DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net. Read the full story

Following is a letter to parents from the head of one our local PTAs, Debra Cassidy at Bailey Middle School. It comes as the Mecklenburg County Commission considers its proposed 2013-14 budget, including school funding. The county commission meets Thursday night.

This time of year always brings much discussion and distress as budget decisions are made regarding funding for our schools. Not only do we have the local issues of CMS requesting approval of their budget from County Commissioners, but we also have the State Legislature making budget decisions as well. Read the full story

Winners of special awards from the Lake Norman Chamber’s leadership program were Tim Holder – Vice President of Sales and Economic Development for EnergyUnited, Sally Ashworth – Executive Director of Visit Lake Norman, Tricia Sisson – Co-owner of The Range at Lake Norman and Huntersville Deputy Police Chief Michael Kee. They received the first Leadership Lake Norman L.A.K.E. Award from Chamber President & CEO Bill Russell.

The Lake Norman Chamber recently honored graduates and alumni of its Leadership Lake Norman leadership training program. The chamber also picked the area’s top small business of the year – Currents magazine. Also below, a note about the next Focus Friday issues session on June 21, featuring District 1 County Commissioner Karen Bentley giving an update on local issues including the county budget, the search for a new county manager and public swimming on Lake Norman. Read the full story

SOURCE: Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously approved a proposed 2013-14 budget request of $365.9 million from Mecklenburg County. The budget request identifies greater choice for students and increased capacity for technology as two key areas of focus, reflecting input from students, parents and the public in general. The district also identifies stronger partnerships with business, the faith community and local organizations as a top priority. Read the full story

CMS drawing shows an addition for grades 6-8 at the south end of the school, where mobile classrooms currently sit.

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

CHARLOTTE - The Charlotte Mecklenburg school board on Tuesday adopted a $293.9 million capital improvement plan, which includes four new schools, three replacement schools and multiple renovations and conversions. The plan still needs approval from the Mecklenburg County Commission, which holds the final say on financing and priorities.

CMS’s plan includes two major projects in north Mecklenburg: a $7 million addition that would convert Davidson Elementary into a K-8 school and a new $28.4 million school on the site of the aging Alexander Middle School in Huntersville. Read the full story

Watch the Mecklenburg County Commission meeting discussion Tuesday about the revaluation issue.
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By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Mecklenburg County Commissioners on Tuesday voted unanimously to support state legislation that would authorize refunds for those whose property values are found to have been overstated in the 2011 property revaluation. But there’s new information this week that any revisions and refunds could take several years. Read the full story

Updated Tuesday, 12:36pm
The 2011 Mecklenburg County property revaluation will be on the agenda at the Mecklenburg County Commission again Tuesday night. Commissioners will consider a statement endorsing property tax refunds or new charges for any properties whose values are adjusted in a do-over of the revaluation. Read the full story

Former Mecklenburg County Assessor Garrett Alexander, who resigned last month on the condition that he would get another county job, has been reassigned as a senior financial analyst in the county finance department – with a cut in pay. Read the full story