CHARLOTTE – Mecklenburg County commissioners adopted a $2.6 billion operating budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year on June 2 that does not include an increase to the property tax rate. The tax rate will stay at 49.27 cents per $100 of assessed value. This was important for several commissioners.
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“Being able to have a balanced budget with the realization that you’re not going to raise taxes to hurt those we’re trying to help the most – that’s significant,”
At-Large Commissioner Yvette Townsend-Ingram said. “I realize the talent of the staff of Mecklenburg County to be able to do that.”
County Manager Mike Bryant had unique challenges in putting the budget together but he made it look easy, according to District
collaboration
CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Area Transit System simulated an attack involving an improvised explosive device detonation and vehicle ramming incident overnight on June 6 and 7 at the Charlotte Transportation Center. The full-scale security exercise was done in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration and local, state and federal public safety agencies. It brought together transit personnel, first responders, emergency management professionals and federal partners to evaluate operational readiness, Reactions
Primus has long been known for creativity in the live environment, doing shows that paid tribute to the many influences that have filtered into the hard-to-define sound of the band led by bassist/vocalist Les Claypool. Now Claypool is giving fans a whole new type of tour this summer.
This time out, the tour features a triple header of three different Claypool-related acts – the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, the Claypool Lennon Delirium (with Sean Lennon, son of the late Beatle John Lennon) and Primus finishing the evening.
All three acts have new music to accompany the tour. Primus has released a four-song EP, “A Handful of Nugs.” The Fearless Flying Frogs have a new live
see CATS, Page 2A
album, “Return of the Live Frogs Volume 1” and the Claypool Lennon Delirium has a new studio album, “The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy.”
“We’ve got a few surprises up our sleeves,” Claypool said, noting the show could feature deep cuts, fan favorites and new songs.
Primus can only do that, Claypool acknowledged, because over the last 40 years the band has built up an audience dedicated to seeing them live and hearing their recordings – no matter what they’re doing.
“Thank God for the loyal following,” he said. “The Primus crowd is sort of famous for a big mosh pit. But people want to see more improvisation, deeper cuts, the show changes up every night.”
So, what is that irresistible Primus sound?
“It’s all just devil music,” Claypool
Charlotte Area
3 Commissioner George Dunlap. He appreciated the budget’s clarity and how it encompassed concerns expressed by all of the commissioners.
“When people look at our budget, they’re going to begin to realize that this board did what most people don’t expect us to do,” Dunlap said. “I don’t typically get political when I talk on this board, but it’s a Democratic board, and they don’t expect us to show fiscal
Want to go?
TD Amp Ballantyne hosts Claypool Gold ‘26 on June 16. The concert features three Les Claypool acts: Primus, the Claypool Lennon Delirium and the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. TD Amp Ballantyne is located at 11115 Upper Ave., Charlotte. Get tickets at tdampballantyne.com/ event-calendar
quipped, then took on the question more seriously.
“It’s really not a technique or a style,” Claypool said. “I think with Primus, it’s three guys with very different backgrounds and a multitude of influences coming together. It’s funny, I get asked the Frank Zappa question quite a lot. But I didn’t go down the Zappa road. I think I had like one (Zappa) album my whole life. That’s more
Mecklenburg doesn't raise tax rate
restraint. So I’m extremely proud of the fact that we did not decide to raise taxes, and it was because it was a part of our manager’s recommendation. He said we would not put ourselves in the hole that we’ve done in the past, and I appreciated that.”
District 6 Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell thanked the county manager and his team for their work on the budget. She noted it was the first budget under Bryant’s administration.
CATS simulates an IED
“I can tell it was your baby – your true first-born budget,” Rodriguez-McDowell said.
“Your values and the values of this board are well represented and I see that and appreciate it.” She mentioned that the board deals with challenges that commissioners don’t have control over, including partners at the state and federal level that do not share their values.
Students prove to be problemsolvers
CHARLOTTE – Students from Charlotte-area schools will present community projects at the 2026 Future Problem Solving World Finals at Indiana University this week.
Future Problem Solving empowers students in grades 4 to 12 to identify real-world challenges, develop action plans and implement solutions that create meaningful change in their schools and communities.
Students from Ardrey Kell High School developed WiseWatch, an initiative designed to help seniors protect themselves from online scams and cybercrime. Through educational workshops and easyto-use digital resources, the project helps bridge the technology knowledge gap and empowers older adults to stay safe online.
A second team from Ardrey Kell High School developed It’s Time to Change School Start Times, an advocacy initiative focused on addressing teen sleep deprivation. Through research, expert interviews, data collection and outreach to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools leaders, students are promoting later high school start times to improve student health and well-being, academic performance and attendance.
A collaborative team from Alexander Graham Middle School, Trinity Episcopal School and Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School created Pet Pals on Patrol, a volunteer network that assists pet
TD Amp preview: Les Claypool talks Primus, bass style
(guitarist) Larry
“Tim Alexander (drummer) has some world music. So that element comes in,” the
said. “Obviously, I have a
LaLonde.
frontman
background with guys like Geddy Lee and Larry Graham and Peter Gabriel. Early Peter Gabriel was
The
with Transportation Security Administration helps the Charlotte Area Transit System maintain a safe transportation system. Photo courtesy of CATS
The
Transit System serves thousands of riders daily. The exercise was part of ongoing efforts to keep the transit system safe.
Primus has been keeping music interesting since 1984. The band’s first major label release was “Sailing the Sea of Cheese” in 1991. Photo courtesy of Red Light Management
by L. Kent Wolgamott Contributor
SOLVERS, Page 2A
Race comes up with park & rec board appointments
by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
CHARLOTTE – The topic of race came up June 2 when Mecklenburg County commissioners were considering their advisors for parks and recreation-related issues.
Eugene Kiser, who chairs the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Commission, offered recommendations to commissioners on how to fill the vacant seats.
Kiser recommended Mint Hill resident William Colyer and South Charlotte resident Linda Ashendorf be reappointed. He also recommended Lyn Dodillet, Horace Holmes and Sarah Calugar be appointed.
Commissioner Laura Meier made a motion to approve all of
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Kiser’s recommendations but George Dunlap made a substitute motion with recommendations of his own.
“We’re about to make six appointments to the park and recreation commission, and this board has worked tirelessly to try to diversify all of our boards,” Dunlap said. “I couldn’t believe that out of all of these appointments, there wasn’t one African American that was qualified to be appointed.”
All of Kiser’s recommendations were classified as “caucasion/nonHispanic.” Dunlap moved that Dodillet be replaced with African American James Smith and Calugar be replaced with African
SOLVERS
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owners who are unable to care for their animals due to illness, injury or mobility challenges. By connecting volunteers with community members in need, the project helps pets remain in loving homes while strengthening neighborhood connections.
Students from Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy developed CentSafari, a financial literacy initiative that introduces elementary school students to money management concepts through engaging workshops and interactive learning experiences. The project has already trained more than 120 students, increasing average financial literacy scores from 15% to 98.5%, while laying the groundwork for future expansion through a nonprofit model and student ambassador program.
Representing Myers Park High School, Fuel Your Future helps middle school students explore career pathways through guest speakers, podcasts, newsletters, classroom activities, interactive games and community events. The initiative encourages
American Edward Lawson.
“I’m not going to support that for my district,” said Elaine Powell, who represents North Mecklenburg. “I’ve done the due diligence, and I think that Lyn is the best candidate for that slot.”
“Your statement was that you were only nominating those people whom you perceive to be qualified that were African American,” Leake said to Dunlap.
“I would hope that we would still recognize the fact that African Americans are nominated like anybody else right now on this list.”
The substitute motion created some confusion about how commissioners would handle the vote but chairman Mark Jerrell got everything back on track.
“I don’t know if you all know this, but “Kip” Kiser interviewed the candidates,” Meier told colleagues. “He’s very qualified to make the recommendations.”
“We don’t question that but the board makes the determination,” Dunlap replied.
Jerrell said Dunlap raised a good point about diversity. He asked the clerk to provide a breakdown of diversity on the park and rec commission.
The commission consists of 11 members. Seven are designated as caucasian/non-Hispanic and four are African American. Eight are male and three are female.
Of the 12 applicants, six were Caucasian/non-Hispanic, four were African American, one was Hispanic and one was designated as other. Nine were male and three were female.
students to think proactively about future opportunities while building confidence and career awareness.
These students will join participants from around the world at Future Problem Solving World Finals, an international conference that celebrates student innovation, leadership and creative problem-solving.
Their projects will be featured at the Community Projects Showcase on June 13, highlighting student-led solutions that are creating meaningful change in schools and communities.
More than 30,000 students participate in Future Problem Solving programs each year.
“We are incredibly proud of these students and the impact they have made through their projects,” said April Michele, executive director of Future Problem Solving. “They identified a need, developed a solution and took action to make a difference in their community. This year’s Community Projects Showcase brings together student leaders from 11 countries and 33 U.S. states who are creating meaningful change through their ideas and actions.”
REASONS
“We live in a minority-majority community,” Dunlap reiterated. After hearing the numbers, Jerrell said the board should also consider gender.
Both Dunlap and Meier’s motions failed. The board then considered vacancies individually. Colyer and Ashendorf were reappointed unanimously. A majority voted to appoint Holmes and Calugar. James Smith and Anthony Timmons were nominated for the seat Dodillet was recommended for, which delayed that particular vote.
Later, Powell and Dunlap agreed to a compromise by shifting geography associated with a couple of the seats to appoint both Dodillet and Lawson.
CATS
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strengthen interagency coordination and identify areas for improvement in emergency response planning.
“Exercises like this are critical to ensuring our teams are prepared to respond quickly and effectively during major incidents,” said Eric Osnes, chief safety and security officer at CATS. “While we hope to never face an event like the one simulated, training alongside our public safety partners helps us strengthen our preparedness and enhance the safety and security of our riders, employees and community.”
The exercise had more than 200 participants, including actors portraying victims, and involved simulated emergency response activities and extensive coordination among participating agencies.
CATS said no actual emergency occurred, and the exercise was carefully planned and controlled to ensure the safety of participants, riders and the public.
Treasure Sale returns this weekend
CHARLOTTE – The St. Stephen Treasure Sale, one of Charlotte’s largest thrift and rummage sales for charity, will feature a variety of housewares, furniture, jewelry, sports equipment, vintage items and antiques. This year’s beneficiaries are Feeding Charlotte and Center of Hope. The sale takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 12 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 13 at St. Stephen United Methodist Church, 6800 Sardis Road,. On the web: ststephenumc. net/treasure-sale/
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some of the biggest influence on me and Primus forever. But a lot of people don’t really spot that.”
Claypool was instantly drawn to the bass the first time he saw and heard someone play it back in the 1970s.
“I remember going to these dances when I was a kid that had live bands,” he said. “And I’d see these guys up there playing these instruments and I was like, ‘I want to do that.’ Then I saw that skinny one with the six strings and I thought that one with four strings must be easier.”
“Then I ran across John Paul Jones (of Led Zeppelin) and that reinforced it,” the bassist said.
Claypool was about 14 when he got a bass.
“That thing never left my hands. As soon as I got the damn thing, it was just playing it all the time. I was playing along with records, so the notation was probably way off,” he said. “But that’s how I got going, just playing along with records and not actually being able to hear what it was.”
He picked up some influences, like jazz bassist Stanley Clarke, from record covers and by seeing others, like Louis Johnson of the Brothers Johnson thumping his bass on Don Kirschner’s "Rock Concert," a 70s/ early ‘80s syndicated television show.
“Back then, you either had to go to the concert, or (watch) Don Kirshner,” Claypool said. “That was the only way to get exposed to that.”
Then, how did Claypool develop his distinctive style and impressive technique that gets him listed as one of rock’s top and most innovative bassists ever?
“I’ve been at it for a long time,” he said. “It’s like anything else, the timbre of your voice, the style of your clothing. As you move through life you get exposed to more and more, whether it’s film or literature or, for me, bass playing. And then there’s all the people you’re around. That’s what builds your brand. That’s what makes me as a guy, not even just a bass player, you know.”
Claypool founded Primus with two other musicians in 1984. The “classic” lineup with LaLonde and Alexander
debuted on the 1989 live album “Suck on This.” Signed to Interscope Records, Primus released their major label debut “Sailing the Sea of Cheese” in 1991, which featured its breakout single “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver.”
The band’s top 10 single, “My Name is Mud,” came two years later and “Winona’s Big Brown Beaver” became their only song to chart outside of the U.S. in 1995.
“We got a little bit of MTV play,” he said of the singles. “We didn’t get a lot. We were always kind of under the radar. But we had a couple sparkles in the mix.”
Primus now has nine studio albums, two of them platinum sellers, and regularly tours the world playing arenas and amphitheaters. That, on a commercial level, would seem to be a success for the under-the-radar band.
“I always say you have to define success,” Claypool said. “Is success making a bunch of money? If you want to make a bunch of money, then you find what’s popular on the radio and you copy it. To me, success has always been being able to do what I want to do.
“And hopefully when we do a record, we’re writing something to please ourselves … and that translates to other people coming and wanting to see that,” he said. “That’s an amazing, wonderful thing. But any attempt I’ve ever made at trying to write something to please people or to be popular, it just comes off as contrived and it falls on its face, at least in my mind.”
Claypool has his side projects to spin off work that doesn’t fit with Primus, and he isn’t looking to put down the bass any time soon, if ever.
“It’s funny, we did this tour celebrating Maynard (James Keenan) turning 60,” Claypool said. “I was like the old guy on the tour. People have always asked ‘How long are you going to do this?’ I love Willie Nelson’s response. He said, “When are you going to retire?’ He said, ‘Retire from what? Our life? This is what we do.’ He says that’s what keeps you getting up in the morning.
“So I’m going to go as long as I can go, you know,” he said. “My buddy Bernie Worrell went to the very end and he was a glorious human and musician.”
COUNTY
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“We have to work within these roadblocks and limitations,” she said. “I am truly concerned about the politics of today and how certain bodies are trying to power-grab with an urgency that feels unprecedented.”
Rodriguez-McDowell shared a couple of items in the budget that she was especially excited about:
• 22 new positions in Child Family and Adult Services. Minimum wage for full-time employees raised to $25.53 per hour.
Rodriguez-McDowell was among multiple commissioners to raise concerns that Medic's minimum pay for first responders falling short of the county’s pay plan.
District 1 Commissioner Elaine Powell said she struggled with the idea that Medic employees wouldn’t be receiving the same living wage as Mecklenburg County. She described its funding as broken.
The agency is governed by a board appointed by commissioners with leaders from Mecklenburg County, Atrium Health and Novant Health. County subsidies cover expenses not paid for entirely by service fees from patients.
Rodriguez-McDowell said the funding model could use an update with other stakeholders contributing so that the financial burden doesn’t fall on taxpayers.
District 5 Commissioner Laura Meier told Medic employees in the crowd that members of the board support the idea of raising their pay to match the county’s minimum wage. She noted how they are waiting on a pay study.
“Hold tight. We got you. I hope you hear us,” she said. “We are very, very supportive of Medic, and we want to see you paid more because that’s what you deserve.”
Meier congratulated the manager on his first budget and acknowledged the hard work of staff who contributed to the effort.
“I know it was tough,” Meier said. “ You dug deep, and you went through it with a finetooth comb. I know that was hard and timeconsuming, so thank you.”
Meier thanked her colleagues on the board for being open and showing concern for citizens. She is glad they invested more in crisis assistance, specifically the mobile mental
health response team.
“The fact is, we just didn’t know about them at all,” Meier said. “No one on this board knew about them. We just kind of take it for granted that they’re there, and I’m just so excited this board saw the value in that.”
District 2 Commissioner Vilma Leake believes this is the best budget she has seen over the years. She credited Bryant for creating one that “meets the needs of all people of Mecklenburg County.” She acknowledged the support that the county gives to residents.
“When we talk about taxing, we can’t afford to pay any more taxes in Mecklenburg County,” Leake said.
At-Large Commissioner Arthur Griffin Jr. didn’t vote in favor of the last budget but he supports this one for not having a tax increase and the manager’s support of a Balanced Scorecard and SMART goals.
“I think the citizens of Mecklenburg County will be better off, and the residents that we serve, because of this new approach for doing business here in Mecklenburg County,” Griffin said.
While Griffin also appreciates how the budget invests in county employees, he still has concerns about racial disparities, specifically mentioning how African Americans die prematurely more than any other racial group in Mecklenburg County.
Commissioner Leigh Altman echoed Griffin’s sentiments about a Balanced Scorecard.
“The Balanced Scorecard will help us ensure that our residents are getting value for the programs that we’re investing in so that we continue to be as nimble in the delivery of services and provide the best value for the money,” Altman said.
Altman was also pleased the county was able to fully fund the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools budget as well as maintain the same property tax rate.
“I think most of us sitting here feel like it probably was a really great piece of work, if not the best piece of work that I’ve been able to see since I’ve been here,” District 4 Commissioner Mark Jerrell said of the budget. “When you take in totality the economic conditions that we’re dealing with and the pressures that we’re dealing with as a community, as a country and really global economic factors, I echo everyone’s sentiment there.”
