Come in, Curt. Over.
You need raises to retain city staff? Really? In a county with 12 to 15 percent unemployment your workers are gonna bolt for the door unless you deliver a $6.1m. salary bump? At a time when the city of Charlotte is under a budget crunch? At a time when CMUD — reeling from costs the city of Charlotte imposes on it via annexation (a cash boon for the city) and special development projects — is again short $13m. and looking to raise water rates? At a time when your inept city attorney needs more help to fend off lawsuits brought on by misguided city policy? At the very moment your “synthetic TIF” schemes are blowing up in your face? When the city still owes $21.5m. on the loan it took out to open the NASCAR Hall/Convention Center expansion, with no obvious way to pay it back?
Come to think of it, just stay in orbit. It is safer for all concerned.