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Remembers & Honors
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THOSE WHO SERVED
Friday, May 27, 2022 • Vol. 15 • No. 21
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Leaders want more authority by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Town leaders favor a state legislative agenda that allows municipalities to have more authority on taxes, development and urban growth. Town Manager Becky Hawke sought input from commissioners May 23 about eight legislative priorities, most with multiple bullet points. For starters, Matthews supports giving municipalities the option to enact a quarter-cent sales tax. The town opposes the state redi-
recting sales tax revenue from urban counties and issuing unfunded mandates. Leaders also want the flexibility to use food and drink tax revenues on improving landscaping and parking like communities in South Carolina. The town has five transportation priorities, including supporting state funding for Matthews, maintenance of the Powell Bill at current levels, additional litter pickup on state-maintained roads and increased funding for the N.C. Department of Transportation. “Matthews has been significantly impacted by NCDOT’s funding issues, with many local projects
being delayed, canceled or value-engineered, to the detriment of our community,” according to the agenda. Mayor John Higdon said he has talked with members of the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization about this very issue. He’d prefer the state use some of its $7 billion surplus to help NCDOT. “When I speak to the governor or our legislators, I’m going to say, 'hey help us out here,'” Higdon said. “We don’t want to raise taxes. We don’t want to have toll roads everywhere. You’ve got a lot of surplus money. How about helping
Town plans to pursue bonds on ballot
see AGENDA, Page 5A
Diorio stresses fiscal discipline
by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Town leaders are putting the community on notice – they plan on adding two bond referendums on the November 2022 ballot. Matthews commissioners voted May 23 to publish a notice of intent to apply to the Local Government Commission to pursue the bonds. “This board has been very involved in discussing the possibility of general obligation bonds on the November 2022 ballot,” Town Manager Becky Hawke Hawke said. “As we continue to march down that path, this is the next step.” Right now, the thinking is that voters will see a bond referendum for up to $21 million for transportation projects and $14 million for parks and recreation facilities. Numbers may still be adjusted. Commissioner Mark Tofano asked Hawke if the notice would include information about a potential property tax increase. Hawke replied that Public Information Officer Maureen Keith is putting together a webpage that details how the bond referendum could affect taxpayers. That information will go out around June 1. Last month, Hawke said $30 million in general obligation bonds would cost about $2.03 million in annual debt service payments (20-year term at 3% interest), which would require a .032 cents on the tax rate if issued in fiscal year 2024 or later. In other business, commissioners approved the following: • Appointed Michael Burnham to the Matthews Veteran Advisory Committee • Proclaimed June 4 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day.
NCDOT out, which they are in a big deep hole right now.” Matthews also supports the General Assembly allowing a municipality to increase sales tax or other revenue sources to fund mass transit or other transportation needs. The City of Charlotte was in the process of lobbying towns in Mecklenburg County to support a sales tax increase to support longrange transportation plans last year before learning it would have to push back elections. Other items on the agenda include supporting legislation that
Customers can explore the Sephora experience with a carefully curated assortment of makeup, skincare, hair and fragrance brands. Photos courtesy of Kohls
A new customer
Experience
Kohl's plans to bring Sephora to Matthews
Kohl’s announced the list of the 400 stores that will be adding Sephora at Kohl’s shops this year. The Matthews addition opens May 27. “We’re thrilled to be bringing Sephora at Kohl’s closer to millions more of our customers nationwide through this 400 store expansion,” said Doug Howe, Kohl’s chief merchandising officer. “The quick and vast rollout of Sephora at Kohl’s is a testament to how much we believe in this partnership and making prestige beauty more accessible to people everywhere. We’re excited to grow and bring this elevated beauty experience to more of Kohl’s existing and new customers this year.” Sephora at Kohl’s features a 2,500 square foot, fully immersive beauty experience that mimics the look and feel of a freestanding Sephora.
Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio anticipates moderate economic growth in the coming year, citing pressures such as inflation, labor volatility, disrupted supply chains and the War in Ukraine. Diorio presented a $2.1 billion operating budget recently to county commissioners. This is $111 million more than last year’s budget but it won’t increase propDiorio erty taxes. The tax rate will stay at 61.69 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. “While I am optimistic about next year, I am more certain than ever that the county must remain committed to maintaining our strategy of fiscal discipline that has served us so well for over 15 years,” Diorio said. Even without a property tax rate increase, the county expects values to rise to $200.8 billion, which will generate an extra $26.8 million. The county is also banking on increased sales tax revenue. The budget may trigger some increased friction between county commissioners and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board. CMS requested an increase of $40.4 million from the county, but Diorio recommends funding $19.9 million. Diorio said this includes local salary increases, which will keep CMS teachers as the top earners among all state school districts. "Our community is strong, and our county government is strong," Diorio said. "My staff and I do not take that for granted and we take our responsibility seriously. Our goal is to never leave a person, or group behind. My budget weaves that goal into every recommendation."
Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity connects family to dream home by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Natalie and Isaiah used giant scissors May 21 to cut the ceremonial ribbon to their home – a first of its kind for the Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity. This marked the first time the nonprofit and its volunteers built a four-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom model, according to President and CEO Natisha Rivera-Patrick. The couple has five children.
“I think people have a picture in their mind of what a Habitat house might be,” she said. “I can tell you that this is far from anything they can imagine. We are very proud of the work we put into our homes. Our volunteers are tremendous and very talented.” The home also has the distinction of being the 115th delivered to a family over the nonprofit’s 33-year history. The family worked with Habitat’s building committee and volunteers, logging 250 hours of sweat equity toward a 30-year in-
terest-free mortgage. “It has been just an incredible journey,” Natalie told supporters. “Lots of prayers have gone into making this happen today. There’s no doubt that this home was built with a lot of faith, hope and love. We couldn’t have done it without all of you. Habitat has become family to us and we are just so grateful for each part everyone has done to make this dream and home come true.” Representatives from Brace YMCA gave the family a one-year membership to the
Y as well as a few parents nights out. Matthews Presbyterian Church provided some housewarming gifts. Clonnie Lambert, chairman of the board of directors, took a nontraditional approach to the invocation, encouraging people to keep their heads up, eyes open and look at each other. These are the faces of God, he said. “This place is filled with a lot of love, a lot of dedication, a lot of tears, a lot of smiles, a lot of pain, but it was built with love,” he said.