Well, well. Turns out all is not peachy in happy town. The city of Charlotte is finally admitting that it just might, might be living beyond its means. City Manager Curt Walton has instituted a hiring freeze, effective through January at least, over concerns about revenue going forward.
Now, did Walton announce this change at a press conference? In one of his many memos? Announce it in an open city council setting? No, Walton emailed the city council last week after telling city department heads about the freeze. Only the Uptown paper of record’s standing sweep of city emails caught the major change in city policy or the public would still be in the dark about it.
Now why keep this on the down low the first week of October? Could something to do the first week of November, when city taxpayers will be asked to approve $227m. in city bonds? Nah, that’s crazy talk. Everyone knows that voters must approve those bonds, even if it means massive property tax hikes to pay for them. Ditto the $250m. county park bond.
Bonus Observation: Don’t look now, but CMUD is back rooting around for money. This includes massive — 243 percent!! — hikes in the price of commercial tap fees. Think that might impact the cost of doing business in Charlotte?
