Durham City Council approves tax increase, budget
City council members approved a 2.37 cent property tax increase as part of the city's $389.9 million budget Monday night.
Posted — UpdatedThe budget approval increases the tax rate to 59.12 cents per $100, meaning the owner of a $180,000 home will now pay a $1,064.16 tax bill.
Part of the tax increase – 1.29 cent – will cover voter-approved debt service costs from previous bonds and the salaries of 16 police officers and 15 firefighters previously funded by expired federal grants.
An additional half-cent will cover six new full-time employees for inspecting, repairing, cleaning, neatening and landscaping city parks and greenways.
The rest of the tax increase – 0.58 cent – will cover solid waste fleet capital needs, which were previously collected with a $1.80 monthly fee that was eliminated.
Other budget highlights:
- $500,000 for deferred maintenance
- $1 million for street repaving
- $6 million for fleet vehicles
- $1.7 million for arts and culture, including the Carolina Theatre, Durham Arts Council, St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, American Dance Festival, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, Durham Blues Festival and other public art initiatives
The 2014-15 budget represents a 3.4 percent increase from last year.
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