Durham's proposed $667 million budget would raise property taxes 3.85 cents per $100 of assessed value, driven primarily by $28.5 million in employee pay increases including 14.35 percent raises for police officers.
Council heard a proposed $667 million budget raising property taxes 3.85 cents per $100 of assessed value, costing median homeowners about $153 more annually.
The budget prioritizes $28.5 million in employee pay restructuring, including 14.35 percent raises for police officers and 10.5 percent increases for firefighters, to address recruitment and retention challenges.
The city is investing $16.4 million in affordable housing, $41.1 million in transit including service expansions, and $5 million to remediate lead contamination at five parks.