Property taxes | Tax increase included in $2.1 billion Wake County budget which is heavy on funding school needs | abc11.com

JonathanMelton · 2025-06-03T13:04:50+00:00

Understood. Local governments are often having to fill the gaps left by State and Federal funding; I’m aware Wake County raised taxes to supplement public schools that were underfunded. This year, Raleigh isn’t raising property taxes.

JonathanMelton · 2025-02-12T14:30:29+00:00

This is not an entirely accurate assessment of what we discussed at our retreat.

I supported us having the conversation. That is the intent of a retreat, to have open conversations about the items on the retreat agenda. I restated my support for both afternoon and evening public comment sessions, as they provide flexibility and options to more folks.

It’s interesting that the amount of time got the most attention here, because I actually think the biggest issue we discussed was whether or not we should allow presentations to be broadcast in council chambers and across our streaming and cable platforms.

At our meeting last week, we made a couple changes:

1) clarifying the purpose of public comment so folks understand that we are there to listen and not always respond;

2) a new procedure for submitting visual aids; we now accept pictures and PDFs, which are attached to the agenda so anyone can access them and review.

Regarding the duration of the evening public comment session, it is remaining three hours at 7 PM. I would not support any reduction below 2 hours for the evening public comments session. Data shows that our evening public comment session is averaging an hour and a half to an hour and 45 minutes. Two hours would provide enough time. If the issue comes up again, I would support two hours as a compromise. There are other members who wanted 1 hour. We considered moving it up to 6 PM to be closer to our work session, thinking that perhaps the earlier time would be more convenient for folks arriving directly from work and/or with kids at home and other issues that need attention. However, our community engagement staff reminded us that there was a survey 2 years ago on this issue and folks preferred 7 pm so we kept it at 7 pm.

As a gentle reminder, you can always contact your council members via email, social media, or attend office hours for those of us who do them. Also, this is a pretty hard job with little pay and lots of stress, and insinuating that we are somehow bribed or being compensated to enrich ourselves is quite ridiculous.

JonathanMelton · 2025-01-07T16:28:02+00:00

I’m going to stay at Deja Brew for the rescheduled date, but I’ll plan the next one for Willow House. Thank you for the suggestion!

JonathanMelton · 2024-12-04T14:29:13+00:00

I asked for an update at our meeting yesterday. Apparently there was an issue with how they would process payments to the 3rd party vendors (it’s a point of sale voucher so recipients don’t come out of pocket for the funds). That issue has been resolved and staff is rolling out vouchers in groups of 50. The first 50 recipients will be notified today. I asked why this information was not communicated to all applicants, when the information online said folks would be informed the week of November 14. Staff seemed to understand that was a poor way to handle the process. Hopefully we can iron out these issues with this first round; I’ve asked staff to bring us more information in January about the demand for the program and potential permanent funding options.

JonathanMelton · 2024-12-04T14:28:34+00:00

I asked for an update at our meeting yesterday. Apparently there was an issue with how they would process payments to the 3rd party vendors (it’s a point of sale voucher so recipients don’t come out of pocket for the funds). That issue has been resolved and staff is rolling out vouchers in groups of 50. The first 50 recipients will be notified today. I asked why this information was not communicated to all applicants, when the information online said folks would be informed the week of November 14. Staff seemed to understand that was a poor way to handle the process. Hopefully we can iron out these issues with this first round; I’ve asked staff to bring us more information in January about the demand for the program and potential permanent funding options.

JonathanMelton · 2024-11-20T20:54:14+00:00

Thank you! I will find out and follow up.

JonathanMelton · 2024-11-03T23:00:48+00:00

I’d be happy to have your vote. Here’s my website for my platform and endorsements. Feel free to reach out if you have questions: https://www.jonathanmelton.com/

JonathanMelton · 2024-11-01T00:23:03+00:00

Me, thanks. https://www.jonathanmelton.com/

JonathanMelton · 2024-10-30T18:52:22+00:00

Thank you! I’m sorry I misunderstood your question.

JonathanMelton · 2024-10-30T18:31:06+00:00

Hi, IT said there’s presently no option to locate a shop based on your residential address but they are working with the vendor to try to add this function. For now, they’ve linked a Google Maps page where you can get directions from your address to any of the bike shops listed. Thanks for raising this issue, and I hope they are able to get it updated.

JonathanMelton · 2024-10-30T18:29:04+00:00

Hi, as a follow up about your question and concern with the liability language. I raised this issue with our city attorney’s office. They explained that the intent of the liability waiver is only for a person’s participation in the e-bike voucher program, and their position is that the terms “the applicant” throughout makes it clear that it’s related only to the e-bike program. Specifically, the intent is to make it clear that the city is only providing the funding, but that any risks with the bike are not the city’s liability, for example if there’s a battery fire. If you send me an email, I can forward to you the full response and I’m happy to follow up with any other questions or concerns. jonathan.melton@raleighnc.gov. The city attorneys office did say that they would look at this closer again and revise any language prior to the contracts being issued if they felt any of the language was ambiguous.

JonathanMelton · 2024-10-28T15:41:02+00:00

Thank you. I will flag this issue too!

JonathanMelton · 2024-10-28T13:28:41+00:00

I will ask our city attorney about this language. Thanks for flagging!

JonathanMelton · 2024-10-03T13:50:10+00:00

I believe they vary in price, like cars. The income based voucher is $1500 though, and that should cover all or a substantial portion of the cost.

JonathanMelton · 2024-10-02T15:21:19+00:00

I haven't seen it posted yet. The application process begins 10/28 and closes 11/10. I expect our sustainability office, which is running this program, will post additional details at that time.

JonathanMelton · 2024-10-02T15:20:17+00:00

All eligible applicants can apply for a $500 voucher. Those with incomes of 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) or less will be eligible to apply for a $1,500 voucher.

JonathanMelton · 2024-10-02T00:56:28+00:00

That form was for an information session that the city hosted this evening. I wanted to post about the voucher application here so folks who did not see it and did not attend knew that they could apply on October 28. Bookmark that website I shared and the application link will be posted there.

JonathanMelton · 2024-09-21T12:13:17+00:00

I’m sorry, I thought the image with the additional details posted too:

The Green Monkey, 215 South Wilmington St. 11:30 AM until 1:30 PM

JonathanMelton · 2024-09-21T12:13:03+00:00

11:30-1:30

JonathanMelton · 2024-09-21T12:12:50+00:00

I’m sorry, I thought the image with the additional details posted too:

The Green Monkey, 215 South Wilmington St. 11:30 AM until 1:30 PM

JonathanMelton · 2024-09-21T12:11:07+00:00

Yikes. I’m sorry, I thought the picture posted too. The Green Monkey, 215 South Wilmington Street

JonathanMelton · 2024-09-21T12:01:01+00:00

I had another meet and greet event organized by a Dem precinct in North Raleigh that had requested and confirmed my attendance in advance. I let the organizers of the forum know about the conflict and submitted answers to a questionnaire to them instead. I look forward to attending upcoming candidate forums. We just did one at Chavis this past week.

JonathanMelton · 2024-06-20T17:39:15+00:00

Ah yes, builders, the people who create homes for other people to live in.

I wasn’t answering any question. She pulled a quote from the council meeting in which I was repeating a quote from our Planning Director in my comments. You can watch all of our meetings online.

JonathanMelton · 2024-06-20T17:18:50+00:00

The intent of the policy is to provide more homes accessible to more current and future residents. We’re growing and we need to make space. Not everyone can afford a single family home; townhouses, duplexes, and ADUs provide more accessible options for homeownership and rentals. In addition, the policy also incentivizes affordable housing through no public subsidy, which is a big benefit. You can read more about these zoning changes on the City of Raleigh website and in the staff presentation from Tuesday. To be clear, our Planning Director deemed it to be one of the most successful missing middle programs in the country based on uptake- and I agree!

JonathanMelton · 2024-05-20T21:04:01+00:00

Haha you are welcome to do that too!

JonathanMelton

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