City budget continues record investments in transportation and affordable housing
The City of Charlotte’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, unveiled by City Manager Marcus Jones on May 5, 2025, reflects the city’s commitment to sustainable mobility, climate action, and equitable growth that Charlotte voters endorsed when they approved city bonds in November 2024 (part of FY2025). While we recognize the need for a transformational investment in mobility, we are encouraged by the city’s continued investments in public transit, clean energy, and affordable housing—key pillars of a thriving, inclusive community.
Our overview of the budget focuses primarily on transportation, and we encourage you to view the full budget to learn more about other departments.
Advancing Sustainable Transportation
Building on the momentum from the voter-approved 2024 bonds, the FY2026 budget allocates record funding for transportation infrastructure. These investments aim to enhance mobility, reduce congestion, and improve safety for all road users. The proposed budget maintains the CATS All-Access Transit Pass for city employees.
The FY2024 voter-approved transportation provided $55 Million for investment in Strategic Investment Areas (SIAs), as shown on the map below. The city has successfully demonstrated that this new approach of 14 departments coordinating and working together rather than in silos can deliver transportation projects much more efficiently than the old approach. Jones emphasized that the city is now “able to do [infrastructure projects] twice as fast and at half the cost”.
The bonds also included record high amounts of funding for sidewalks ($50 Million) and the Vision Zero program ($20 Million) over two years to create safe places to walk and ride bikes as the city works towards their adopted goal of ending traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
Commitment to Climate Action
In alignment with the Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP), the budget proposes $2.5 million to install sustainable infrastructure at city-owned facilities. Additionally, it includes funding for 45 electric vehicles and 155 hybrid vehicles, furthering the city’s efforts to reduce emissions and promote clean transportation options.
Expanding Affordable Housing
The 2024 voter-approved bonds have also funded unprecedented investments in affordable housing. The FY2026 budget continues this trajectory by funding the creation of additional affordable housing units and supporting urgent home repairs, ensuring that more residents have access to safe and stable housing.
Looking Ahead: The One Cent for Mobility Sales Tax
The proposed One Cent for Mobility sales tax presents an opportunity to generate dedicated funding for transportation projects including a major expansion of public transit and complete streets for walking and biking safely. If approved by first the state legislature and then voters, this measure would free up city bond capacity, allowing for additional investments that our community needs. It’s estimated that the tax would generate approximately $102.4 Million per year, or $5.7 Billion over a 30 year period. That’s 10.85% of the General Fund Budget.
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