Durham County commissioners approved a $9.8 million salary increase averaging 7 percent for 1,876 employees and proposed raising stormwater fees 33 percent to fund $67 million in water quality compliance.
Commissioners approved a 7 percent salary increase for 1,876 county employees at a cost of $9.8 million, raising the living wage to $19.22 per hour based on a compensation study showing the county ranks second-lowest on manager pay.
The board proposed a 33 percent stormwater utility fee increase, raising the average residential bill from $48 to $64 monthly to fund $67 million in water quality compliance over two decades.
Durham Tech and Durham Public Schools launched a five-year partnership aiming for 525 high school graduates to earn workforce credentials or associate degrees before graduation, the most ambitious goal in the state.