Mecklenburg County

Rusty Rozzelle dedicated 45 years to protecting the County’s waterways — and now, the building where he lived out that mission is named after him. The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners voted to rename the Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA) building to the Russell S. Rozzelle Office Building in his honor after his passing in May 2025: https://meck.co/4x0CQfV Rusty played a vital role in the preservation and restoration of surface water resources at a local, state, and regional level. As a lifelong resident of Mecklenburg County whose family settled in the area in the late 1780s, Rozzelle would use personal stories and family history to educate people on the importance of preserving our waterways. “I’m doing exactly what I thought I’d always do,” Rozzelle said in a 2004 interview. “I grew up wanting to do something to protect the environment.”  

Mecklenburg County was strongly represented at the National Association of Counties (NACo) annual conference! Here's a recap: - For the first time in Mecklenburg County history, a commissioner is leading NACo as its national president! District 3 Commissioner George Dunlap will lead the organization that includes 3,069 counties, 40,000 elected leaders and 3.6 million employees across the country: https://meck.co/4w8QWeZ - District 6 Commissioner Susan Rodriguez McDowell moderated a session about how local governments and partners are leveraging arts and culture to drive economic development, support local talent and create vibrant destinations. - Deputy County Manager Derrick Ramos guided a conversation about strengthening mental health for youth and supporting positive outcomes. - Deputy County Manager Michelle Attreed served on a panel to discuss cost savings in employee benefits for purchasing power options related to prescription medication. - Opioid Settlement Program Manager Marcus Boyd participated in a summit sharing the latest in our opioid settlement work. During the conference, leaders from across the country gathered to learn more about supporting their communities. Information and learning included addressing mental health, navigating changes to Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Services benefits, and adapting to AI.

"That's just how the system works" wasn't an acceptable answer anymore. That mindset earned our Public Health’s Women, Infants & Children (WIC) team the Innovator of the Year award at the 2026 North Carolina WIC Conference. The team completely transformed their workflow using creative problem-solving and digital tools they already had. Their efforts created a more seamless, modern experience for families while demonstrating that meaningful innovation doesn't always require new technology or a larger budget. It’s driven by resourcefulness, empathy and leadership. Our WIC program provides nutrition and breastfeeding support to eligible pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five: https://meck.co/4vYTnAO Congratulations to the entire team on this well-deserved recognition and for continuing to improve how we serve our community!

NOW HIRING: Medical Director, Public Health - https://meck.co/4vUrvxH You'll provide medical guidance and policy leadership for the County's Health Department programs, including clinical services, public health preparedness and response, school health, communicable disease, STI/HIV outreach, and maternal and child health programs. REFERRAL BONUS: Do you work for the County and know someone who would be perfect for this? Earn a bonus for referring a friend. Learn more on MeckWeb.

Strong partnerships help keep our community's food safe. Recently, our Environmental Health team partnered with Cabarrus County North Carolina to host leaders from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) and other public health partners for a behind-the-scenes look at how food safety standards are put into practice at the local level. It takes collaboration across federal, state and local agencies to strengthen food inspection programs, drive continuous improvement and protect public health every day! Like inspections everywhere from local restaurants and healthcare facilities to major event venues like Bank of America Stadium.

Who's your favorite coworker that goes above and beyond? Nominate them for the County Manager's Above and Beyond @ Work Award! It's given to a team member who finds solutions, inspires others and consistently delivers exemplary customer service. Submit your nominations by July 24. More info in the latest Employee News Now. 📸 : Mike Hedspeth from IT was the most recent Above and Beyond @ Work Award recipient.

You can help support and advocate for our neighbors in long-term care facilities. The Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committees are looking for new members! You'll be responsible for visiting facilities across the county, providing information to the public about long-term care and attending quarterly business meetings to address progress. Must live in Mecklenburg County: https://meck.co/3MZ2A8c

June brought the heat and 88 new employees! Congratulations and welcome to the County!

June recap incoming! 1. 18 local hauling companies joined our Office of Economic Development, Asset and Facility Management, Solid Waste and Storm Water Services to ask questions, share information and connect with each other. 2. Caps off to 1,913 children who graduated from MECK Pre-K! This is the largest graduating class since the program launched in 2018. The program provides free pre-k education for eligible 4-year-olds in the County: MeckPreK.org 3. A new 91-acre park is now open in Mint Hill! Ezell Park was shaped by ongoing community feedback collected and incorporated by our Park and Recreation team. The park features a nature-themed playground, trails and multi-use paths, a community garden, a basketball court, pickleball courts, a multi-use field, a sprayground and more. 4. “Budget development is a people business, not a numbers business,” says Lyden Williams, our Deputy Budget Director. Lyden was recently featured in a Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) publication, an organization that recognizes government that works to advance excellence in finance: https://lnkd.in/e9gCUpNZ 5. Public Health hosted more than 300 residents, community partners and leaders at Meck Design, our annual event that brings people together to come up with solutions for Mecklenburg County’s biggest health challenges: https://meck.co/3ZPmDvQ

Leading the way in food safety! Congratulations to our Public Health's Environmental Health team for receiving the 2026 Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award for Excellence in Food Protection at the Local Level from NACCHO — one of the highest honors in food safety: https://meck.co/4wkHkOc This award honors local programs that use innovative approaches to prevent foodborne illness and promote safe food practices in communities. Key achievements our team was recognized for: - Sustained commitment to meeting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards. - Using data and analytics to measure and improve food safety outcomes. - Innovative use of Power BI to track staff training and maintain regulatory standards. - Serving as a state and national leader by developing practices that can be adopted by other agencies. “We are proud and grateful for our dedicated team of environmental health specialists who work every day to protect and promote food safety in one of the fastest growing regions in the country. From supporting large-scale events like the PGA Championship and other professional sporting events, to keeping up with a rapidly rising local food truck industry, our team truly exemplifies the highest standards in food protection,” said Chrystal Swinger, Mecklenburg County Environmental Health Director. Thank you to our dedicated staff for keeping our community safe and making Mecklenburg County a model for communities across the country!