[Durham INC] New Durham Budget Includes 1-Cent Tax Increase for Housing Fund

[Blalock, Amy]

CITY OF DURHAM

Office of Public Affairs

101 City Hall Plaza

Durham, NC 27701

 

 

News Release

 

News Media Contact:

Beverly B. Thompson

Director

(919) 560-4123 x 11229

(919) 475-2362 (cell)

Beverly.Thompson at DurhamNC.gov

http://Facebook.com/CityofDurhamNC 

http://Twitter.com/CityofDurhamNC   

 

For Immediate Release: June 19, 2012

 

 

New Durham Budget Includes 1-Cent Tax Increase for Housing Fund 

Modest Fee Increases For Water & Sewer and Stormwater Rates

 

DURHAM, N.C.  - Last night, the Durham City Council approved the fiscal
year 2012-2013 budget, which includes a 1-cent tax increase per $100 of
assessed property value. That increase raises the annual taxes for the
owner of a $150,000 home by $15, and brings the total tax rate to 56.75
cents per $100 of assessed value.

 

The new tax, generating about $2.4 million over a year, will create a
dedicated funding source for housing initiatives. The total budget is
$373.2 million, an increase of a little more than $10.5 million from
last year's budget of $362.5 million, including a 3.4 percent smaller
general fund budget of $176.7 million as compared to last year's budget
for the City's core services. 

 

Small rate increases for water and sewer volume and service charges
averaging about $1.26 more per month for the average household that uses
about 4,750 gallons per month are also included, along with an average
$5.40 yearly increase for stormwater rates. The water and sewer
increases will support operations and maintenance of water and
wastewater facilities, water pipelines, and infrastructure. Stormwater
fee increases support major capital projects for compliance with state
and federally-mandated environmental regulations for Falls and Jordan
Lakes and other state and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandated
water quality standards.

 

The final budget also includes public safety needs, with this budget
funding all sworn law enforcement positions and a framework to fill
vacant positions in a timely manner. Special attention will continue for
the Operation Bull's Eye areas, with additional overtime dollars
allocated to increase police presence in those areas. Funding is also
included to continue the joint city/county warrant control office, along
with money for a domestic violence judge. Three additional firefighter
positions, along with safety equipment, also are funded.

 

The Capital Improvement Program budget includes $63.9 million for new
projects and to complete current projects. Funding is provided though
impact fees, water and sewer revenues, revenue bonds, stormwater fees,
and program income. Other capital needs, including $500,000 for deferred
maintenance projects, $750,000 for ongoing street resurfacing, and funds
for playground safety are included.

 

With a combination of federal funds and local funds, more than $5.6
million will be allocated for sidewalk improvements and construction in
2013. Additionally, the $9.2 million final phase of the American Tobacco
Trail has begun, including a pedestrian bridge over I-40. 

 

Other budget highlights include:

*         A 2 percent increase for general pay plan employees along with
0.5 percent increase to employee 401(k) plans.  

*         $400,000 for neighborhood commercial revitalization in
targeted neighborhoods.

*         $313,000 for small business and underutilized commercial
properties in downtown.

*         $100,000 for a joint city-county disparity study for
compliance with legal guidelines to administer programs to help small
and disadvantaged business.

*         Establishment of a Business Improvement District for enhanced
services downtown - funded with a 7-cent tax rate.

 

A copy of the approved budget will be available on the City's website by
June 30 at http://DurhamNC.gov/ich/as/bms/Pages/Home.aspx.

About the Budget & Management Services Department

The Budget and Management Services Department is responsible for
preparing, implementing, and monitoring the City's annual operating
budget as well as the five-year revenue/expenditure projections for all
City government services. The department also provides operational and
organizational studies as identified by the City Council, City Manager's
Office, and department staff. Guided by the City's Strategic Plan, which
the department established and maintains, the department helps to ensure
that the City of Durham is a well-managed city by working with City
agencies to build and implement performance measurement monitoring and
evaluation. The department is also responsible for preparing the Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP), coordinating the City's process for petition and
City-initiated annexations, conducting resident satisfaction surveys,
and evaluating departmental achievement of City goals and objectives. To
learn more, visit http://DurhamNC.gov/ich/as/bms/Pages/Home.aspx. 

 

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