2025 Legislative Agenda

What is a Legislative Agenda?

The City of Monroe’s Legislative agenda is the City Council’s request of the North Carolina General Assembly. The Council has prioritized its requests to the legislature, addressing key City issues, including water resources, street infrastructure, services, and economic development.

Council Presentation

View the 2025 Legislative Agenda Presentation (PDF)

Monroe requests that the DOT shall not reduce funds appropriated for the Powell Bill.
Monroe requests that the General Assembly repeal, amend, or exempt Monroe from SL 2024-57.
Monroe requests a study and changes to the county tier 1, 2, 3 ranking system.
Monroe requests to amend the law for Inter Basin Transfers, removing sub-basins from the law.
Monroe requests that the state require high-quality service consistency throughout the state for EMS
Monroe requests increased funding for the Powell Bill.
Monroe requests grants to fund Winchester area redevelopment items totaling $2.5 million.
Monroe requests $8.5 million in funding for improvements at the Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport.
Monroe requests $100 million for improvements to water and wastewater systems and more.
Monroe requests funds of approximately $21 to $28 million to replace City Hall.

Funding Items

Powell Bill

The City of Monroe supports increasing Powell Bill funding by 20% over the 2025-27 biennium, adding $18.6M annually statewide. This funding benefits over 500 municipalities, with Monroe estimated to receive around $250K.

Winchester Redevelopment

Monroe seeks $2.5M in grants for Winchester area redevelopment through multiple state agencies to fund the following:

  1. Winchester Heritage Trail: $125,000 to $200,000
  2. City/Private Partnership Business Incubator 
  3. City/Private Retail Center
  4. Winchester “Ceramics” Building Repurpose: The renovations inside are expected to be about $600,000 and outside $135,000 for a total project budget requirement of $735,000
  5. Community Center Improvements: Approximately $50,000
  6. Pedestrian walkway Winchester to Downtown/Five Points
  7. Greenway Extension - Creft Park to Winchester: continue the City’s Greenway system and will connect to the current project underway from Griffin Park to Creft Park
  8. Branding of Winchester: Street signs, additional lighting, wayfinding signage

Airport Improvements

The City requests $8.5M in special appropriations for improvements at the Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport. Funding will support hangar renovations, t-hangar construction, and site preparation for public/private partnerships. These enhancements aim to increase airport capacity, attract business investment, and support economic growth.

City Hall Replacement

The City of Monroe is requesting funds to replace its existing City Hall due to space and operational needs. Based on a 2011 assessment, the new facility could require up to 50,000 square feet, with an estimated cost between $21M and $28M. The new City Hall would improve efficiency, accommodate growth, and enhance public services.

Water Resources Funding

Monroe seeks approximately $100M to expand its wastewater treatment plant and enhance water and wastewater infrastructure. The request includes funding for infiltration and inflow mitigation, replacement of aging infrastructure, and increased capacity for future growth. These improvements are critical to ensuring reliable water service and meeting regulatory requirements.

Policy Items

Water Basins

Monroe proposes amending G.S. 143-215.22I to revise inter-basin transfer regulations. The request seeks to apply transfer rules only to major river basins, removing restrictions on smaller sub-basins. This change would provide greater flexibility for managing regional water resources while maintaining environmental protections.

Powell Bill

The City requests a provision to maintain 2019 funding levels for cities over 400,000 population while allocating extra funds to smaller municipalities.

Downzoning SL 2024-57

SL 2024-57 limits local governments’ ability to rezone properties without unanimous property owner consent. The City of Monroe opposes this restriction, arguing it hinders comprehensive planning and smart growth efforts. Monroe seeks to repeal, amend, or secure an exemption from this law to maintain control over local land-use decisions.

County Tier Ranking System

Monroe requests a study on revising the state's economic distress classification system from county-based to census tract-based. A census tract approach could more accurately reflect economic conditions and ensure better-targeted state resources. The Department of Commerce is asked to evaluate costs, feasibility, and policy implications, with a report due by March 2026.

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Delivery

EMS service delivery varies across North Carolina, resulting in inconsistent response times and quality of care. Monroe urges the legislature to establish statewide EMS standards to ensure all residents receive equitable emergency services. A review of EMS models in neighboring states will help identify best practices and necessary reforms.

Local Bills

Planning and Development in the City of Monroe

A Bill To Be Entitled An Act To Restore The Authority To Plan And Develop The City The Monroe

The General Assembly enacts:

Section 1. G.S. 160D-601(d) reads as rewritten:

"(d) (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, G.S. 160D-601(d) does not apply to the City of Monroe, effective retroactively to December 11, 2024. 

Read the Bill (PDF)

Continue Planning and Development in the City of Monroe and Union County

The City of Monroe strongly opposes any legislation that would restrict the ability of the City and other municipalities to annex only after first obtaining approval from Union County.

A Bill To Be Entitled An Act To Preserve Individuals’ And Corporate Rights To Seek Voluntary Annexation Into The City Of Monroe For The Purpose Of Growth And Prosperity

Section 1. "Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, including any legislation enacted during the 2025-2027 legislative biennium or thereafter, the City of Monroe and all incorporated municipalities within Union County shall have the authority to accept voluntary annexation requests of new territories and place these into its municipal boundaries, in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 160A-31 and G.S. 160A-58.1, as they exist on January 1, 2025."

Read Bill (PDF)