Morning Minute: Tuesday, June 4, 2019

News About Town: The Town of Matthews is encouraging residents to Know Your No’s in the recycling bin. As more and more recycling is trashed due to contamination, it’s important to know what those contaminants are. What are the No’s? No tanglers (such as wires, hoses, etc.), no scrap metal, no plastic film (including bags, but some “film” can be recycled with bags at retail recycling locations like Target), no food (try composting?), no hazardous and medical waste (not only is it dangerous, there are actual people handling your recycling along the way), no textiles, no bagged recyclables (because the bags can’t be recycled and it makes more work for the people at the facility).

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News Around Town:  During tonight’s regular meeting, the County Board of Commissioners will vote on whether to adopt the amended budget. This budget will determine the county’s property tax rate for Matthews. If approved, the budget will take effect July 1, 2019. If you can’t make it but want to be in the know, the meetings are broadcast online. Meetings are held at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 E 4th St, Charlotte, 28202.

One Fun Thing:  This Saturday, June 8 join Good Cup Coffee for the Father's Day pop-up at the Loyalist. Make a mixed 6-pack of beers from the cooler inside, then head outdoors for some locally-sourced handmade wares! Shop from 6 till 9 PM in the courtyard beside the market. Then go check out the car show in our parking lot with a cold coffee drink!

#ThrowbackThursday: May 25, 2006 Town Manager Proposes New Budget

With permission, The Beacon is archiving past issues of Matthews Record (also called The Matthews News & Record and The Matthews News) articles online. Throwback Thursday articles will include relevant content still facing Matthews today. This article was originally published May 25, 2006 and was written by Jessica Otto and Janet Denk.

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Last week we published the top article on this page, now let’s look at the town budget 13 years ago.

Town Manager Proposes New Budget for ‘06 - ‘07

Sparsely populated for a public gathering, Monday’s Town Board meeting included, among other things, the Town Manager’s Budget Recommendations for the fiscal year 2006-2007. Town Manager Hazen Blodgett, along with Assistant Manager Kay Plyler, Management Assistant Stuart Turille and Finance Director Christine Surratt, showed members of the Board that Matthews is in very good fiscal shape.

“This is a status quo budget,” Blodgett reported. “The Town has a healthy fund balance and there’s money in the bank.”

With a budget just over $16 million, balancing all the elements can be a bit harrowing. But, as Board members emphasized at the meeting, the proposals are well thought out and constructed and they have great faith in Blodgett’s expertise. The budget will be officially adopted on June 12.

Two new elements this year include a Town Vision Plan which was adopted last year and a Performance Measurement program which helps with financial accountability and effectiveness within each department. Thus far, the elements have enhanced the process.

The budget accounts for all the services the Town provides to its citizens. Property taxes are levied on land, buildings, and income-producing personal property. The amount of tax is based on the assessed value of the property and the tax rate. Residents of Matthews continue to enjoy a current rate of 30.75 cents per $100 valuation.

Town Council meetings are held the second and fourth Mondays at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 232 Matthews Station Street.

Projected Expenditures:

39% Public Safety
27% General Government
16% Transportation and Public Works
12% Environment, Health, Sanitation
6% Cultural & Recreation

Morning Minute: October 24, 2018

News About Town:  During last night’s council meeting the Board looked at and discussed the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource Advisory Committee’s recommended annual tourism grants. Recipients are Charlotte City Ballet, Matthews Athletic & Recreation Association, the Matthews Chamber, Matthews Kiwanis Club,  NC Youth Rugby, and Matthews Playhouse.  With half of the Chamber’s request granted, the committee spokesman explained the requested amount for the organization was not granted because the Chamber received funds from the town as a Departmental Operation line item in the fiscal year ‘19 budget. The Board requested reconsideration by the committee on their decision.

News Around Town: Love it or leave it, Nextdoor is tuned into the community at large. They’ve just opened the 2018 Neighborhood Favorites Survey and want to know what members think of area businesses. Categories include, but are not limited to restaurants, nail salons, florists, and auto mechanics, most of which have several Matthews options. Too bad there’s no option for “Matthews-centric Online Newspaper”.

One Fun Thing: Get those obliques working by belly dancing with Nayna tonight and every Wednesday at Rhythm Dance, 120 W Matthews Street in downtown Matthews. Nayna teaches the essentials (including footwork, figure 8s, shimmies, arm and hand movement) in this basics course that’s suitable for all levels.  7:30-8:30 PM, $20 per class or $60 for a four week session.