See how this works?
Following an election in November 2004, the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners passes an 11 percent property tax rate hike in the Spring of 2005. At the same time, the Charlotte city council, facing a November 2005 election, avoided a property tax hike while passing other tax hikes. With the November election behind them, the city council is now openly discussing a city property tax rate hike to be passed in the next few weeks in the Spring 2006.
Meanwhile, county officials are now the ones due to face voters again in November 2006 and — surprise — a county property tax hike suddenly does not look so good.
To recap: Odd year, county tax-rate increase; even-year, city tax-rate increase. Repeat. This the formula for our local tax-and-spend governance.
