Since 1996, the city’s property tax rate has been stable or decreased. There has not been a city property tax rate increase for 19 years and the tax rate was decreased 10% in 2002

In 1996, the City’s property tax rate was 52.5 cents per $100. The property tax rate is down to 42 cents per $100 valuation of property in the FY2006 city budget.

In June 2005, Charlotte was recognized by Reader’s Digest as being the 20th Cleanest City in the nation

92 of our 173 neighborhoods have reached the top level of “stable” as defined by our unique Neighborhood Quality of Life index

The cost of garbage collection is an average of $37 per ton compared to the statewide average of $93 (FY01 numbers)

The Charlotte Fire Department responses cost an average of $800 compared to the statewide average of $1,458 (FY01 numbers)

Customer Service enhancements include advanced City website, electronic payment for city billings (15% of all citizen payments in FY 2003 were electronic), and the new 311 phone line that can address all city issues, except emergency