State budget would fund enrollment growth, one-time bonuses

The North Carolina Budget Conference Report for 2015-17 will fully fund enrollment growth for UNC campuses and provide a one-time bonus of $750 for all permanent state employees. However, the overall UNC system faces an $18 million reduction for the 2015-16 fiscal year, or approximately $1 million for UNC Charlotte.

The budget, passed by the Senate, is scheduled for a vote in the House of Representatives on Thursday.

For UNC Charlotte, enrollment growth funding will be $18 million for fiscal year 2015-16 and $4.5 million for 2016-17.

University leaders noted that with the University accounting for 46 percent of the growth of the UNC system during the past six years, enrollment growth funding is critical to the campus.

Also, the budget includes monies for debt service to cover up to a $2 billion bond package that would include $90 million for a new science building for the University. The General Assembly is expected to consider a bond bill next week.

Monies for repairs and renovation to UNC campuses also are part of the budget. And in recognition of the University’s excellent Data Science Initiative, legislators selected UNC Charlotte to develop an economic modeling program for the state; this effort is being funded with $500,000 for two years.

In addition, legislators provided an important management tool for UNC campuses by doubling funds that can be carryforward into the next fiscal year and be used for repair and renovations and capital advanced planning.

In fiscal year 2016-17, the UNC system faces a management flex cut of $45.6 million or roughly $1.6 million for UNC Charlotte.

State spending for development functions was capped at $1 million, potentially $2.25 million at UNC Charlotte. University officials plan to work to reverse this cut during the next session.