Focus on funding and the future (Partners for Parks)
This is a most critical time of year for county programs and departments that depend on public funding. Specifically in Mecklenburg County, the Board of Commissioners is weighing all of the County’s budget priorities en route to the County Manager’s development of the FY2024-2025 budget.
Sustain Charlotte is consistently one of our partners advocating for greener, healthier, and yes – sustainable community. Part of that effort relies on maintaining public dialogue about funding for parks, greenways, and equitable access to green spaces. That includes rallying like-minded constituents to call or email their representatives at the County level, signing petitions, or speaking at public hearings.
Shannon Binns is founder and executive director of Sustain Charlotte. He says this year’s asks to County Commissioners are not, “far-fetched,” but feels they can help move the needle in support of funding for parks and greenways.
“We are really framing our mission and our message to the Commissioners this year to say, ‘let’s not lose the momentum,’” he added. “We’ve made great investments in land acquisition the last two budget cycles… let’s build on that investment.”