NC’s largest city seeks pay freeze for budget

CHARLOTTE — The state’s largest city plans to freeze salaries and cut transportation jobs this year to deal with declining revenues.

The Charlotte Observer reported Thursday that the city of Charlotte expects to recommend a salary freeze in May. Officials said without the freeze, hundreds of the city’s more than 6,000 workers would lose their jobs.

City Manager Curt Walton told the City Council on Wednesday that the city will have less money in the fiscal year that starts July 1 and budget decisions will be difficult.

The council also is discussing an increase in water rates, which already are scheduled to rise 12 percent. The Charlotte Area Transit System also is scheduled to cut 50 jobs.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)