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June 25, 2018
Legislative Update
We are approaching the end of the 2018 short session. Speaker of the House Tim Moore and President Pro Tem Phil Berger both agreed to take up only local bills and proposed constitutional amendments, which do not require the governor’s signature, along with any legislation that is viewed as non-controversial and unlikely to be vetoed. Both also indicated that they are still on track to formally adjourn no later than June 30.
Constitutional Amendments
The legislature is considering several proposed constitutional amendments, which if passed by both chambers, would be added to the ballot for the November 2018 elections. The County has raised concerns about Senate Bill 75 and the impact lowering the maximum income tax rate might have on County finances.
Veto-Overrides
With 77 pieces of legislation still pending on the governor’s desk, the 10-day clock continues to tick. While the General Assembly is in session, the governor has 10 days to act on a given piece of legislation. Governor Cooper can choose to either sign the legislation, veto it or simply allow it to become law by taking no action.
For information, contact Starla Tanner, legislative affairs liaison, at 980-314-2884 or Starla.tanner@mecknc.gov.
County Receives Community Reinvestment Initiative Award
I am pleased to announce that Mecklenburg County has been awarded $462,818 through the Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Community Reinvestment Initiative.
The award will help fund the development of a psychiatric residential treatment facility for female adolescents that the County is working on in partnership with Thompson Child and Family Focus.
Cardinal Innovations created the Community Reinvestment Initiative as a way to make stable, sustainable investments across its 20-county service area. Through this initiative, Cardinal Innovations asked organizations to submit proposals for programs that would improve health outcomes for its members with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
Cardinal Innovations received hundreds of proposals from entities and organizations across its 20-county service area: Alamance, Cabarrus, Caswell, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Mecklenburg, Orange, Person, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, Stokes, Union, Vance and Warren counties.
Projects were selected for funding through a comprehensive process that included reviews by members of a cross-departmental evaluation committee as well as reviews by the Cardinal Innovations Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors, followed by approval by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
Congratulations to staff for their hard work on this project.
CSS Shelter Plus Care Receives Favorable Audit from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Last month, Diane Dillahunt, a representative from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), completed a monitoring visit focusing on Community Support Services' Shelter Plus Care program.
Monitoring is the process HUD uses to ensure that the programs they fund are operating efficiently, effectively and comply with applicable laws and regulations. On June 19, CSS received the final report of the monitoring, which illustrated no instances of non-compliance in all of the areas reviewed.
During the three days she was on site, Diana reviewed multiple program areas, including homeless and at-risk determination/recordkeeping requirements, overall grant management, compliance with the permanent supportive housing program component of the Continuum of Care program and required grant match documentation. In addition, Diane met with CSS program staff, Department of Financial Services (DFS) staff, and completed three client home visits to get feedback about their experience in the program.
This is an enormous success and is a result of a wonderful partnership between CSS and DFS to ensure that the program continues to operate effectively and efficiently.
For more information, contact CSS Director Stacy Lowry at 980-314-8903 or Stacy.Lowry@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.
Charles T. Myers Golf Course to Close for Renovations
Next Thursday, July 5, 2018, Park and Rec will close the Charles T. Myers Golf Course, located at 7817 Harrisburg Road, Charlotte, for renovations.
The project, which is expected to take six to eight weeks to complete, will include enhancements to the tee boxes, new Mini Verde grass on the greens (the same grass used on the greens at the Dr. Charles L. Sifford Golf Course), cart path repairs and improvements to the clubhouse. The course will reopen immediately following the completion of the project.
During renovations, golfers are encouraged to enjoy a round of golf at one of the County’s other golf courses.
For more information, contact Park and Recreation Director Lee Jones at 980-314-1017 or Lee.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.
