[Durham INC] City Council Approves New Budget for Durham, Includes Property Tax Increase

Mon Jun 17 20:53:43 EDT 2024

[Title: City of Durham Communications Department]

News Media Contact
CommsMedia at DurhamNC.gov<mailto:CommsMedia at DurhamNC.gov>

News Release
For Immediate Release: June 17, 2024

City Council Approves New Budget for Durham, Includes Property Tax Increase

DURHAM, N.C. - The City Council has unanimously approved the City of Durham's budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, which includes a property tax rate increase of 3.85 cents to provide funding to fairly compensate City employees.

Budget Highlights

  *   New Property Tax Rate: The new rate is 59.62 cents per $100 of property value, up from last year's 55.77 cents. For a home valued at $254,421, the median home tax value according to the Durham County Office of Tax Administration, this means a yearly City tax bill of about $1,517. Residents may use this Property Tax Bill Calculator<https://app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrIjoiMjE4MGM2ZTctYWZjMi00YTlhLWExZjYtZmI3M2U2ZWI4NzIyIiwidCI6ImMxNmEwMGEzLTU2MDktNDdjMC1iMmMyLTcyZDg2MzVlMzQyMyJ9&pageName=ReportSectionb6ce01eb99ce6e2792ed> to help determine their new County and City tax bills based on their property's value<https://property.spatialest.com/nc/durham-tax/#/>, the new County tax rate<https://www.dconc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/10143>, and the new City tax rate.

  *   Total Budget: The budget totals $668 million, which is 9.5% more than last year. The main reason for the increases in the total budget and the property tax rate is to adjust City employee salaries to align with current market rates<https://cityordinances.durhamnc.gov/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Documents/ViewDocument/WS-Published%20Attachment%20-%2016946%20-%20PRESENTATION%20-%202%20-%20FY24%20CLASSIFICATION%20AND.pdf?meetingId=642&documentType=Agenda&itemId=37962&publishId=214067&isSection=false>.

  *   Employee Compensation: General step plan employees will receive market-based adjustments ranging from 7.6% to 20.21%; open range plan employees will receive adjustments ranging from 6.62% to 9.76%; and executive employees will receive adjustments capped at 5%. Sworn fire employees will receive adjustments up to 17.65% and sworn police will see adjustments up to 22.5%. In addition to market-rate salary adjustments, the budget also includes pay-for-performance raises of 5% for general employees; 4-6% for open range employees; and 5% for police and fire employees. The minimum livable wage for City employees will also increase to $19.58 per hour or $40,726 per year.

  *   Community Programs: Funding will support a number of programs including the Guaranteed Income Program, Hayti Reborn Justice Movement, Immigrant Legal Defense Fund, Durham Expunction and Restoration (DEAR) Program<https://www.deardurham.org/>, Durham County Low Income Homeowners Relief Program<https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-f-z/social-services/aging-and-adult-services/low-income-housing-relief-lihr>, a new Office of Survivor Care, and a new Summer Camp Grant Fund.

  *   Public Transportation: The budget ensures that GoDurham<https://godurhamtransit.org/> buses will remain free for riders through June 30, 2025.

  *   Safety Initiatives: New funding will go to the Vision Zero Durham program<https://www.durhamnc.gov/2995/Vision-Zero> to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries.

  *   New Positions: Three new full-time positions will be added to the Planning and Transportation departments.

Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)

*        Total CIP Funding: $232.1 million for new and ongoing projects.

*        General Capital Projects: $84.7 million for 45 projects including lead soil remediation in parks<https://www.dprplaymore.org/516/Soil-Property-Testing>, school zone speed reductions and trail crossing improvements, Guess Road improvements for safer bicycling, neighborhood bike routes<https://www.durhamnc.gov/3763/Neighborhood-Bike-Routes>, and bike lane vertical protection.

*        Enterprise Fund Projects: $147.4 million for 18 projects related to water and sewer, stormwater, and solid waste.

*        Streets and Sidewalks: $15 million for ongoing maintenance.

Utility Rate Increases

  *   Water and Sewer: A monthly increase of $2.66 for Tier 2 residential customers<https://cityordinances.durhamnc.gov/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Documents/ViewDocument/WS-Published%20Attachment%20-%2016936%20-%20PRESENTATION%20-%203%20-%20FY%202025%20WATER%20AND%20SEW.pdf?meetingId=642&documentType=Agenda&itemId=37943&publishId=214062&isSection=false>.

  *   Stormwater: A monthly increase of $1.55 for Tier 2 residential customers<https://cityordinances.durhamnc.gov/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Documents/ViewDocument/WS-Published%20Attachment%20-%2016921%20-%20PRESENTATION%20-%202%20-%20ATTACHMENT%20A%20-%20STORMWAT.pdf?meetingId=642&documentType=Agenda&itemId=37963&publishId=214097&isSection=false>.

To learn more about the approved budget, visit the City's Budget and Management Services Department webpage<https://durhamnc.gov/204/Budget-Development-Process>.

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