1. What is the MonroeStrong Initiative?

MonroeStrong is a vision and plan for building the best city in America to raise a family, start a business, invest in the future, and leave a legacy. It focuses on responsible growth, conservative fiscal policy, and protecting the values that make Monroe strong.

2. What are Mayor Burns’ top priorities?

Mayor Burns is focused on:

• Public safety and child protection

• Revitalizing downtown Monroe

• Attracting businesses and boosting local jobs

• Improving infrastructure without raising taxes

• Strengthening Monroe’s airport as a business hub

• Enhancing transparency through media communication

3. How is Monroe protecting children and families?

Mayor Burns has led efforts to strengthen definitions and enforcement around adult entertainment laws, aligning with state and federal protections to ensure children are not exposed to inappropriate content. This includes clearer ordinances, better enforcement, and collaboration with law enforcement and social services.

4. Is Monroe raising taxes to pay for all these initiatives?

Mayor Robert Burns—and Councilmember David Dotson—have not supported any tax increase. While the City Council recently passed a budget that increases taxes by approximately 5 cents per $100 of valuation, Mayor Burns and Councilmember Dotson voted against it.

This increase, when combined with Union County’s recent property tax reassessment, means higher costs for Monroe families and businesses—a burden Mayor Burns strongly opposes.

As Mayor, Robert Burns remains a steadfast advocate for lower taxes and disciplined city spending. He is committed to rooting out waste, ensuring every tax dollar is spent wisely, and holding the line against unnecessary increases. Unlike the rest of the Council (other than Dotson), Mayor Burns will continue to fight for the hardworking taxpayers of Monroe.

5. What’s happening with downtown Monroe?

Downtown Monroe is the beating heart of our city, and under Mayor Burns’ leadership, it’s coming back to life. With the creation of the new Monroe Economic Development Committee, the city has launched targeted incentive grants designed to attract and support new businesses in the downtown core.

These grants are part of a strategic plan to revitalize downtown, enhance its walkability, and make it a daily destination for residents and visitors alike. Weekly events, beautification efforts, new restaurants, shops, and housing developments are all part of the vision to make downtown Monroe vibrant, family-friendly, and economically strong.

Mayor Burns sees downtown not just as a location, but as a symbol of Monroe’s future—and he’s committed to making it thrive.

6. What’s the plan for Monroe’s airport?

The Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport is one of the city's greatest untapped assets—and under Mayor Burns' leadership, it’s being transformed into a powerful engine for economic growth.

Mayor Burns is committed to honoring and retaining Monroe’s long-term aviation partners, refusing to raise fees just to push them out. Instead, he believes in strengthening those relationships with smarter contracts and mutual investments—because it’s more costly to lose a good partner than to keep one.

At the same time, the airport is being used as a magnet for large businesses looking to relocate or expand. From improved access corridors to new amenities and potential entertainment venues, the vision is clear: use the airport to bring jobs, revenue, and recognition to Monroe.

This isn’t about airport traffic—it’s about economic lift-off for the entire city.

7. How can residents CONNECT WITH THE MAYOR?

No mayor in Monroe’s history has been more accessible, visible, and engaged with the community than Mayor Robert Burns.

Whether it’s through constant social media interaction, regular video updates, public events, or on-the-ground conversations, Mayor Burns is giving the people of Monroe more direct access to their elected leader than ever before. He doesn’t hide behind bureaucracy—he answers calls, responds to messages, and listens.

This isn’t about titles—it’s about trust. Mayor Burns lives in the heartbeat of the city, and his connections stretch across every part of Monroe. From local businesses to church groups, neighborhood events to council chambers, the Mayor is present, active, and always willing to speak plainly about the issues that matter.

In a city long plagued by political distance and insider politics, Mayor Burns is breaking the mold—bringing real transparency, real accountability, and real connection to Monroe's leadership.

8. What’s being done to improve infrastructure and manage housing growth?

Under Mayor Robert Burns’ leadership—and with his firm push—the City Council has not approved a single high-density neighborhood since he took office. Alongside Councilmember David Dotson, Mayor Burns has stood against irresponsible development that strains Monroe’s infrastructure and lowers quality of life for current residents.

In contrast, prior to his leadership, the Council routinely rubber-stamped high-density projects, often favoring developers with longstanding political connections. That era of automatic approvals is over.

Mayor Burns is also taking a stand against business-as-usual development deals—refusing to hand out approvals to the same old groups and demanding quality, vision-driven projects that elevate Monroe’s image and enhance its long-term value. He believes Monroe is a gem, and he's working to make sure every project reflects that belief.

The focus now is on smart growth: development that improves property values, attracts strong businesses, preserves infrastructure, and builds a Monroe future generations will be proud of.

9. How is Monroe supporting veterans?

Mayor Robert Burns is deeply committed to making Monroe the most veteran-friendly city in North Carolina. While establishing Monroe as a hub for the Veteran Transportation System (VTS) is a long-term process, it’s one the Mayor has been actively lobbying for since taking office.

In addition to improved transportation, Mayor Burns is exploring housing programs and other care services to better support those who served. His mission is to ensure veterans in Monroe are not just appreciated in words—but honored in action.

As part of this commitment, Mayor Burns also plans to create a permanent monument honoring all veterans, recognizing their sacrifice, courage, and service. It will serve as a lasting reminder that Monroe stands with its heroes—not just on Veterans Day, but every day.

10. How is Monroe ensuring transparency?

Like him or not, Mayor Robert Burns has been the most transparent elected official in Monroe’s history. No mayor has done more to bring city government into the public eye—through social media, YouTube updates, interviews, and real-time engagement with the people.

But that’s just the beginning. In the second half of his tenure, Mayor Burns will launch a full-scale initiative to expose what’s really happening behind closed doors—calling out backroom deals, holding fellow Council members accountable, and making sure residents know the truth about how decisions are made.

For decades, Monroe’s Council has operated in the shadows, which has led to public confusion and controversy. Mayor Burns has rebuked unethical behavior directly in meetings—confrontations the public rarely sees. That’s about to change.

Transparency isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a mission. From now on, the people of Monroe will hear the truth. Everything that’s been hidden will be brought to light.