Marcus Jones
City Manager — City of Charlotte
Coverage (9 articles)
A Budget Hearing, an I-77 Reset, Data Centers — and the Question Malcolm Graham Wouldn't Answer
Council convened in special session at 4 p.m. Monday to take up three of Charlotte's biggest active fights — a $4.5 billion budget hearing, a resolution on the I-77 South toll lanes, and the council's first formal floor discussion of data centers. Council Member Malcolm Graham, who chairs the budget committee, was asked twice on television Sunday whether he is a candidate to fill Mayor Vi Lyles's seat after she steps down June 30. Both times he answered with the public hearing.
Vi Lyles Seeks a Fifth Term as Charlotte Mayor, Facing Little Resistance and a Big Mobility Tax Question
Vi Lyles files for a fifth mayoral term, faces scant opposition, and eyes a mobility sales‑tax legacy while City Council dysfunction simmers.
Charlotte City Council Passes First Post-Sales-Tax Transit Budget, Sends Street Vending Back to Committee
The first CATS budget built on the new 1% sales tax totals $571.7 million. Council rejected criminalizing street vendors. Staff recommended thirteen of eighteen housing trust fund proposals. The Stellar Awards are coming — but the city's check is not.
Charlotte's $50 Million Housing Bond Is a Non-Starter. Council Said So Monday.
City staff proposed cutting Charlotte's affordable housing bond from $100 million to $50 million in the FY2027 budget. Council members from across the dais rejected the number, with Mayfield requesting modeling at $200M–$300M and Graham calling $50M a non-starter. The November 2026 bond referendum is the deadline.
Charlotte Crime Down 29%, But Perception of Safety Remains Challenge for New Police Chief
New CMPD Chief Stella Patterson told state legislators violent crime is down 29% in Charlotte, but residents still feel unsafe. Bridging that gap defines her first 90 days on the job.
How Charlotte Transit Leaders Botched Their Crisis Response After Blue Line Murder
Charlotte's transit leaders turned a tragedy into a communications disaster. Here's the crisis management playbook they ignored—and what they should have said instead.
Charlotte City Council 2026: Budget Pressures, Toll Lane Fights, and the Topics That Actually Matter
Charlotte City Council spent Q1 2026 juggling a razor-thin budget, a toll lane revolt, affordable housing policy, and a transit authority handoff with a July deadline.
Charlotte Sports Week: Panthers reset vs Miami, Hornets leadership test, Charlotte FC's nine-man win, ROVAL Sunday at 3
Panthers take a 42–13 bruise in Foxborough as Chuba Hubbard sits and Rico Dowdle steps up, Charlotte FC banks a 1–0 road win after two D.C. reds, the Hornets preach leadership, and the ROVAL goes green at 3.
Charlotte Council Votes 10-1 to Give Firefighters the Same 10% Raise as Police
Charlotte City Council voted 10-1 Monday to direct the city manager to give the Charlotte Fire Department the same 10 percent raise as police, closing a pay gap that drew months of firefighter protest. The $4.4 million cost comes from fire overtime and public-safety technology budgets. Final budget adoption is June 8.