Durham City Council passes new budget with increase in property taxes

The Durham City Council voted unanimously to approve its city budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year

The budget includes a property tax rate increase of 3.85 cents to provide funding to "fairly compensate" city workers.

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, this means a yearly City tax bill of about $1,517.

The $668 million proposal is about 9.5% more than last year.

This additional taxpayer money would support an increase in pay for some city employees. So-called general step plan employees would 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 of up to 17.65% and sworn police will see adjustments of up to 22.5%.

The minimum livable wage for city employees will increase to $19.58 per hour or $40,726 per year.

The money will also support numerous programs including the Guaranteed Income Program, Hayti Reborn Justice Movement, Immigrant Legal Defense Fund, Durham Expunction, and Restoration (DEAR) Program, Durham County Low-Income Homeowners Relief Program, a new Office of Survivor Care, and a new Summer Camp Grant Fund.

The budget also ensures that GoDurham buses will remain free for riders through June 30, 2025.

Go here to learn more about Durham's new city budget

Between the city and the county, the new proposed tax increase is a total of 7.1 cents for every $100 of assessed value.

Durham County recently passed its budget totaling $966 million.