More than 200 people packed the County Commission meeting Thursday night, many to protest the proposed 2010-11 budget that would keep property taxes flat but erase $81.1 million from schools, libraries and other services.

More than 80 people signed up to speak. Many held signs or donned uniforms in support of various causes, according to the Charlotte Observer.

If the budget is approved, more than 440 county workers could lose their jobs. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools also may fire hundreds of teachers because of reduced county funding.

Mecklenburg commissioners are expected to vote on the budget in mid-June.

Some speakers called for a November referendum that would allow voters to decide between service cuts or higher taxes. Some proposed a quarter-cent sales tax to help fund schools.

"In the end we've got to give people an opportunity to change the future of their community,” Larry Bosc was quoted in the newspaper as saying.

Read more at CharlotteObserver.com.
 

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