1. www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation
Town of Matthews
This is a PDF. Contact us for editable presentation document.

2. www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation2
The Town
Municipality = city, town, village
In Mecklenburg County
• One city ‐ Charlotte
• Six towns ‐ Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville,
Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville
No legal difference between a city, town or
village – is preference of the residents

3. www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation3
Matthews
Residents and businesses settle in 1800s
Town incorporates in 1879
Population
– 191 citizens in 1880
– 30,000 citizens today
Area
– 13 square miles

4. www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation4
Government
Town Council
– Mayor and Town Board of Commissioners
– Nonpartisan election every 2 years
Council‐Manager Government
– Elected Town Council sets policies
– Professional Town Manager administers policies and
manages town government
Town Ordinances (local laws/rules)
– http://matthewsnc.gov/TownGovernment/TownOrdinances.aspx

5. www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation5
Town services
Planning
• Zoning, planning and land use
Public Works
• Sidewalks, streets, garbage, recycling, stormwater
Parks & Recreation and Cultural Services
• Parks, athletics, arts programs, festivals
Public Safety
• Police, Animal Control
• EMS/Fire
Town Government
• Operations, Finance

6. www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation6
Budget
FY2015 = $21,071,185
Sources of funds= Taxes, fees, other
• Property tax=31.75 cents/$100 of property
Where each dollar goes*
• 26 cents – Police and public safety
• 17 cents – General government and Governing Board
• 10 cents – Tourism and Culture
• 9 cents – Solid waste and sanitation
• 8 cents – Public works
• 8 cents – Fire and rescue
• 7 cents – Debt service
• 6 cents – Powell Bill
• 3 cents – Storm water
• 2 cents – Parks and Recreation
• 2 cents – Planning
• 1 cents – Other
• 1 cent – Economic Development Source: Mecklenburg
County FY14-15Tax
Brochure
Powell Bill = funds
from NC to be used
for town streets,
sidewalks, bike
lanes

7. www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation7
Who runs the town?
The Mayor and Town Council
Elected, nonpartisan
• Mayor and Town Council
• Establishes priorities on community needs, sets policy,
establishes the budget, levies taxes, creates ordinances
Hazen Blodgett
• Hired by Town Council
• Responsible for daily
operations of the town
and
Town Manager

8. www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation8
Town Council Meetings
Town Council Meetings
– 2nd and 4th Monday each month, 7PM at Town Hall
– Who can attend? Anyone
– At each meeting, you can speak for up to 4 minutes on a
topic. Sign up in the lobby before the meeting.
Website: www.matthewsnc.gov
Follow town government meeting agendas, minutes
and news
– www.matthewsnc.gov/TownGovernment/TownBoard.aspx
– select Agendas and Minutes