City Hall Chats

CONCORD – City Manager Lloyd Payne provided his fiscal year 2020-21 (FY21) budget recommendation to the Concord Mayor and City Council on Friday, May 29. The City-wide budget totals $268,898,365 for all funds, including utilities and special revenue funds. The total represents an overall budget increase of 4 percent over the fiscal year 2019-20 adopted budget.
 
The recommended General Fund budget, where the major funding sources are property taxes and sales tax receipts, is $102,168,959. The property tax rate is recommended to stay at 48 cents per 100 dollars of valuation. The City Manager stated that a revenue-neutral FY21 tax rate would be 41.65 cents, based on an overall 18 percent increase in Concord’s assessed property values determined during the 2020 Cabarrus County revaluation process .
 
New for FY2020-21, the recommendation includes designating the equivalent of 2.5 cents of the tax rate towards City Council's goal of creating dedicated funding for Parks & Recreation and Affordable Housing (1 cent for each), and increasing the supplemental funding for State transportation projects by 0.5 cents to a total of 2.5 cents. Each penny of the City's tax rate generates approximately $1.35 million. The City Manager recommends funding half of these amounts initially, and then funding the remaining half through either improved General Fund revenues or appropriating fund balance (savings).
 
"Per Council’s direction, the focus of this budget is maintaining services and continuing to fund the essential projects necessary to maintain and improve the quality of life in a growing community," wrote Payne. "To do this and to continue to make basic capital purchases, I am recommending the use of $10,809,635 from the City’s General Capital Reserve Funds to pay for one-time expenses and projects."
 
The FY21 budget recommendation provides thoughtful service and infrastructure expansions where required to meet the demands of growth. The recommendation includes continues investments in coworkers to ensure the recruitment and retention of talent to deliver community services.
 
The City Council held a budget workshop at a special meeting on April 7, where Payne presented an overview of his recommendation and solicited feedback from the Mayor and Council. The Council will discuss the budget and hold a public hearing at the June 9 work session conducted online. Details on joining the meeting and providing public comments will be available at concordnc.gov/councilagenda .
 
Interested individuals can view the City Manager's recommended budget on concordnc.gov and also in print at the City Clerk's office.

Quick Links
Concord 101 Returns This August

 
CONCORD – The City of Concord is accepting applications for the 2020 Concord 101 program, an annual course designed for citizens to learn about their local government. The free fourteen-week session begins August 18 and culminates with a graduation ceremony in November.

Residents of Concord age 18 and older are invited to  submit an application  by July 24. Class size is limited.

The course was designed to give citizens the opportunity to interact closely with City staff members, who will conduct weekly classes on Tuesdays. Classes will be available in the evenings from 6:15 until 8:30 p.m., and if there is enough demand and interest, an afternoon (2:00 until 4:15 p.m.) offering may be available.
Citizens will get a first-hand look at what it takes to run City services such as solid waste, water, police, fire, parks and recreation, and much more. In addition, several community partners will be on board to give a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Concord such a great place to live.

In addition to learning about Concord, the City hopes participants will provide input and take a more active role in their neighborhoods and community. For example, Council Members Jennifer Parsley and John Sweat are Concord 101 alumni.

Concord 101, like all City-sponsored meetings, events, and programs are subject to change due to pandemic restrictions or other challenges. More information, the application, and the class schedule are available at  concordnc.gov/concord101 . Residents may also call the City Manager’s Office with questions at 704-920-5215.
City Council Thanks
Concord Public Works
Summer 2020 City Circular and Leisure Times
If you have not yet already, you'll soon receive the latest City Circular in the mail. The  Summer 2020 City Circular digital edition  is also available now, where you can read all the articles on your screen of choice. Looking for something from a recent issue? It’s in the  digital archives  – every story, every photo, and every page. The Circular includes to our special digital only Leisure Times which will be updated with programs and events as the COVID-19 situation allows Parks and Recreation staff to plan them. Check back frequently for the latest version.
Scenes Around The City
City Departments receive masks & supplies
On Wednesday, all City departments distributed supplies to staff to ensure access for anyone who wishes to use masks, gloves, and thermometers.

  NC Department of Health and Human Services  reminds us how the 3 Ws (Wash your hands frequently, Wait 6 feet apart from other people, and Wear a face covering) are even more important during Safer At Home Phase 2.  Find out more at covid19.ncdhhs.gov
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Welcome To Team Concord!
Did you miss the first virtual meeting for the George W. Liles Parkway Small Area Plan process?

That's ok, watch this video that contains the entire meeting, then complete a community input survey. The results will help establish a unified vision for future development along George W. Liles Parkway.

Both the virtual community meeting and community input survey will be available on the City's public engagement portal:  concord.publicinput.com.
Reminder: Safe Disposal Event rescheduled for July 18
Reminder: the Safe Disposal event originally scheduled for
Saturday April 25 has been rescheduled for July 18. For more information, please contact City of Concord Solid Waste Deputy Director, Lonnie Bulger at bulger@concordnc.gov .
Sustainable Suggestion: the Waste Wizard
Upcoming Meetings

Please note, until further notice all meetings will be conducted over video conference. Please open the agenda for the desired meeting in the table below to join the meeting via Zoom.

June 9th City Council Work Session 4:00 PM

June 10th Historic Preservation 6:30 PM


June 16th Planning and Zoning 6:00 PM

#LOCALGOV
The City of Concord partners with our community to deliver excellent service, and plans for the future while preserving, protecting, and enhancing the quality of life.
Join #TEAMCONCORD!
City of Concord is now hiring for:

~Human Resources Analyst- Benefits
~Building Maintenance Mechanic I
~Summer Lifeguards
~PT Recreation Leaders
~Police Officers
~Firefighters

Explore these and more job opportunities and apply online at:   concordnc.gov.
Are you or someone you know looking for a challenging career with excellent benefits?

We're hiring for full and
part-time positions with a range of education and experience requirements, including employment opportunities perfect for students.

Visit Concord Careers Portal or call 704-920-5100 tp get started.
High 5 for Excellent Service

If you have had an experience from our team that left an impact, we hope you'll let us know so we can recognize that coworker with a "High 5 for Excellent Service." You can get started by visiting concordnc.gov/High5 or
call 704-920-6400 to submit your acknowledgement over the phone.