Welcome to the weekend, readers.
On Monday, the Durham city council passed its 2024-25 fiscal year budget. The $668 million budget comes with an additional 3.85 cent property tax increase, bringing the rate up to 59.62 cents per $100 of property value.
Highlights include raises for some city workers, additional funding for the guaranteed income program, and Legal Aid eviction diversion support.
The city council voted unanimously to pass the budget. Only one public speaker signed up to give comments. Before the meeting, Mayor Williams told the INDY that the city council worked hard to build a strong, representative budget and communicate any challenges with constituents ahead of the vote. As a result, the budget vote went off without much fanfare.
Both the city and county chose to include tax increases in their budgets.
Combined, some residents could see a total property tax increase of 8.5 cents.
Members of the city council and county commissioners have expressed concerns about how this will affect Durham’s most vulnerable residents, even if the tax rate increases are mostly covering salaries for public workers at the city and Durham Public Schools.
It’s officially summer. Stay hydrated, readers. Enjoy your weekend.
—Justin
Durham
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Wake
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Orange
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North Carolina
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Today’s weather
Sunny with a high of 93 degrees.
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