The Board of County Commissioners is made up of nine elected members. Six of the members represent citizens in certain areas of the county, so only citizens living in that particular area or district can choose a member from that district. People living in district two, for example, can vote for a commissioner from that area, but they cannot vote for a commissioner to represent the people in district six. Three of the commissioners, however, are elected by all the people in the county. Because these officials represent all the people in Mecklenburg County, they are called "at-large" members.
The job of the county commissioners is to decide rules for zoning (what kind of buildings and businesses can be built on certain streets, for example), to approve the county budget, to decide how much tax money is needed so services can be provided, and to appoint people to committees which help officials decide what is best. The person who presides at the meetings of the county commissioners is called the Chairperson. In Mecklenburg County, the members of the county commission choose their Chairperson, or Chair, who is usually the person who received the greatest number of votes in the election. Sometimes counties, like cities, have elected officials in addition to their commissioners.
When you are asked who your elected officials are, your answer will depend on where you live. If you live in Matthews, your mayor's name will be different from the one for Charlotte. People who do not live in a town or city have only county officials, and people who live in cities or towns have both city or town, and county officials.
If you are asked to name your county commissioners, remember to include all three at-large commissioners and your district commissioner. To find out the name of your district commissioner, ask someone who lives in your home what district you live in. If the person you ask is a registered voter, the information will be on his or her voter registration card. If no one at home can help you, there are several other ways to find out what district you live in.
If you have a computer available, you can go to www.meckboe.org.
This is the official website of the Mecklenburg Board of Elections. Once you access this page, click on “Voter Info” and enter your address. When the next page appears, click on "Maps to Your Precinct" on the right. The next page lets you enter your house number and street name, andf when you submit the information, the page changes to give you the parcel number and owner of the property. If you click on the parcel number, the next page lists the district numbers for city and county elected officials. You can also call the Board of Elections (704-336-2133) to ask for help. You must be able to tell them your address, and whether you want the name of a member of the City Council or the name of a County Commissioner.
If you are asked to name all the members who serve on the City Council or on the Board of Commissioners, you do NOT have to call the Board of Elections - you can use the lists shown on the previous pages.
There is another important group of elected officials -the members of the School Board. Their job is to set policy for the public schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System. They also choose the Superintendent of the school system. The Superintendent carries out the policies of the Board and chooses people to help with all the work of running the school system.
If you want pictures of elected officials, you can go to www.ci.charlotte.nc.us, click on “Government” and on the next screen, choose Mayor or City Council.
For more information on Mecklenburg County Government, visit their website at http://www.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/Governing/home.htm.
The names Charlotte & Mecklenburg
When North Carolina was still an English colony, the King of England, George III, married a German Princess named Charlotte who was the daughter of the Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. After Charlotte became Queen of England, the settlers in our area chose the names Charlotte and Mecklenburg in her honor.
Formation of Mecklenburg County
The plan to form Mecklenburg County from part of Anson County was drawn up in 1762, but it did not go into effect until February 1, 1763.
Incorporation of Charlotte
Charlotte was incorporated on Nov. 7, 1768.
Oldest Building
The oldest building in Mecklenburg County is the Hezekiah Alexander House, which was completed in 1774.
Population
The county population in 2000 was 695,454 and the city population was 540,828. The projected population for Mecklenburg County in 2010 is 895,454.
Statistics taken from: Keys to your county: a citizen’s guide to Mecklenburg County government services. 2001.
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