Meck County Official Criticized Over Budget Email: Reports

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NC — Mecklenburg Commissioner George Dunlap is facing criticism over what some are calling a lack of transparency in budget planning, reports say. It started with an email last week, according to WFAE.

Following the Tuesday, May 21 budget meeting, Dunlap emailed his colleagues saying he had individually spoken with the other commissioners, claiming he had altered the planned budget and that the changes would pass unanimously.

"Below is the proposed motion that will accomplish the changes that you have requested," the email said, reports say. "Having listened to each of you, the motion should pass unanimously."

Commissioner Pat Cotham objected to the email, telling Dunlap he violated the state's open meetings law by altering the budget without public input, WFAE reported.

Included in the amendments was a $3.1 million increase to the Mecklenburg Parks and Recreation budget, including a $2 million land buy, the email, obtained by WSOC, said.