Cabarrus Today

City Manager Lloyd Payne has submitted the Fiscal Year 2023 budget proposal to the Mayor and City Council. The plan emphasizes maintaining essential services while offering new opportunities for Concord's residents.

“Concord continues to be a preferred place to live, work, and play,” said City Manager Payne. “As our community grows, so too must the services we provide. The proposed budget not only maintains the excellent service from Team Concord that sets our city apart, but it also builds upon our strengths, tackles existing challenges, and in doing so seeks to enhance the quality of our daily lives.”

The proposed city-wide budget amounts to $302,825,728 for all funds, including utilities and special revenue funds. This marks a 10.1% increase over last year's adopted budget.

The recommendation keeps the city's tax rate at 48 cents per $100 of valuation—unchanged since 2013. For a home valued at $217,000, which is the median single-family assessed value in Cabarrus County, this equates to a property tax of $1041.60.

Additionally, 4.5 cents of the property tax rate is allocated for top priorities: one cent for parks and recreation, 2.5 cents for transportation, and one cent for affordable housing. Each cent represents approximately $1.44 million.

A significant focus of the budget is enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities with projects such as park designs ahead of a General Obligation Bond referendum this fall and adding pickleball courts at Les Myers Park.

Transportation improvements are also included with funding for design enhancements at Poplar Tent and Harris roads intersection and Lincoln Street bridge replacement construction.

Affordable housing remains a priority with continued funding allocation aimed at increasing options for residents in partnership with WeBuild Concord.

A slight increase in solid waste fees is proposed due to rising recycling processing costs and collection contracts as services transition in-house starting July 2022.

Following an April workshop where Payne presented his recommendations, further discussions will occur during a public hearing on June 9 at the City Council meeting.

The full FY23 Recommended Budget can be reviewed online or at City Hall's Clerk’s office.