<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Aptos;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;}
p.MsoHeader, li.MsoHeader, div.MsoHeader
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Header Char";
margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#467886;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;}
span.HeaderChar
{mso-style-name:"Header Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:Header;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:none;}
span.EmailStyle21
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:11.0pt;
mso-ligatures:none;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:74785464;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:1416911232 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:.25in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:.75in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:1.25in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:1.75in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:2.25in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:2.75in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:3.25in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:3.75in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:4.25in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1
{mso-list-id:218368110;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:688045308 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l1:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l1:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l1:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l1:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2
{mso-list-id:1507134975;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:1210083820 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l2:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:.25in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:.75in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l2:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:1.25in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:1.75in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:2.25in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l2:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:2.75in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:3.25in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:3.75in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l2:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:4.25in;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1027" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style="word-wrap:break-word">
<div class="WordSection1">
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoTableGrid" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse;border:none">
<tbody>
<tr style="height:81.0pt">
<td width="378" style="width:283.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:81.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter" />
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0" />
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0" />
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1" />
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2" />
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth" />
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight" />
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1" />
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2" />
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth" />
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0" />
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight" />
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0" />
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" />
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t" />
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Title: City of Durham Communications Department" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:0;width:243.75pt;height:54.8pt;z-index:251658240;visibility:visible;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:.02pt;mso-position-horizontal:left;mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:top;mso-position-vertical-relative:margin;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
<v:imagedata src="cid:image003.jpg@01DAC0F8.6FCA4400" o:title="" />
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="f" />
<w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin" anchory="margin"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="325" height="73" style="width:3.3833in;height:.7583in" src="cid:image003.jpg@01DAC0F8.6FCA4400" align="left" hspace="12" alt="Title: City of Durham Communications Department" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1"><![endif]><span style="font-size:1.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="372" valign="top" style="width:279.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:81.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:right;line-height:normal;text-autospace:none;vertical-align:middle">
<b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:#00467E"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:right;line-height:normal;text-autospace:none;vertical-align:middle">
<b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;color:#00467E"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:right;line-height:normal;text-autospace:none;vertical-align:middle">
<b><span style="color:#00467E">News Media Contact<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:right;line-height:normal;text-autospace:none;vertical-align:middle">
<span style="color:#00467E"><a href="mailto:CommsMedia@DurhamNC.gov">CommsMedia@DurhamNC.gov</a></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#00467E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoHeader" align="right" style="text-align:right"><span style="font-size:5.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;color:#00467E"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoHeader" align="right" style="text-align:right"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;color:#00467E"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:3.4pt">
<td width="750" colspan="2" valign="top" style="width:562.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:3.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:25.4pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;text-autospace:none;vertical-align:middle">
<span style="font-size:50.0pt;color:#00467F">News Release</span><span style="color:#00467F;text-transform:uppercase">
</span><br>
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#EF3D42">For Immediate Release: June 17, 2024</span><span style="color:#D3372A"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">City Council Approves New Budget for Durham, Includes Property Tax Increase<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Budget Highlights<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b>New Property Tax Rate</b>: 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
<a href="https://app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrIjoiMjE4MGM2ZTctYWZjMi00YTlhLWExZjYtZmI3M2U2ZWI4NzIyIiwidCI6ImMxNmEwMGEzLTU2MDktNDdjMC1iMmMyLTcyZDg2MzVlMzQyMyJ9&pageName=ReportSectionb6ce01eb99ce6e2792ed">
Property Tax Bill Calculator</a> to help determine their new County and City tax bills based on their
<a href="https://property.spatialest.com/nc/durham-tax/#/">property’s value</a>, the new
<a href="https://www.dconc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/10143">County tax rate</a>, and the new City tax rate.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b>Total Budget</b>: 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
<a href="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">
adjust City employee salaries to align with current market rates</a>. <o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b>Employee Compensation</b>: 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.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b>Community Programs</b>: Funding will support a number of programs including the Guaranteed Income Program, Hayti Reborn Justice Movement, Immigrant Legal Defense Fund,
<a href="https://www.deardurham.org/">Durham Expunction and Restoration (DEAR) Program</a>,
<a href="https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-f-z/social-services/aging-and-adult-services/low-income-housing-relief-lihr">
Durham County Low Income Homeowners Relief Program</a>, a new Office of Survivor Care, and a new Summer Camp Grant Fund.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b>Public Transportation</b>: The budget ensures that
<a href="https://godurhamtransit.org/">GoDurham</a> buses will remain free for riders through June 30, 2025.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b>Safety Initiatives</b>: New funding will go to the
<a href="https://www.durhamnc.gov/2995/Vision-Zero">Vision Zero Durham program</a> to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b>New Positions</b>: Three new full-time positions will be added to the Planning and Transportation departments.
<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><b>Total CIP Funding</b>: $232.1 million for new and ongoing projects.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><b>General Capital Projects</b>: $84.7 million for 45 projects including <a href="https://www.dprplaymore.org/516/Soil-Property-Testing" target="_blank">lead soil remediation in parks</a>, school zone speed reductions and trail
crossing improvements, Guess Road improvements for safer bicycling, <a href="https://www.durhamnc.gov/3763/Neighborhood-Bike-Routes" target="_blank">neighborhood bike routes</a>, and bike lane vertical protection. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><b>Enterprise Fund Projects</b>: $147.4 million for 18 projects related to water and sewer, stormwater, and solid waste.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><b>Streets and Sidewalks</b>: $15 million for ongoing maintenance.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Utility Rate Increases<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3"><b>Water and Sewer</b>: A monthly increase of $2.66 for Tier 2
<a href="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">
residential customers</a>.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3"><b>Stormwater</b>: A monthly increase of $1.55 for Tier 2
<a href="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">
residential customers</a>.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">To learn more about the approved budget, visit the City’s Budget and Management Services Department
<a href="https://durhamnc.gov/204/Budget-Development-Process">webpage</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center">###<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>