No property tax increase in proposed Durham city budget

Homeowners will not experience a property tax increase under the city's proposed 2015-16 budget, released Monday night.

Posted 1:00 a.m. May 19, 2015 — Updated 1:04 a.m. May 19, 2015

DURHAM, N.C. — Homeowners will not experience a property tax increase under the city’s proposed 2015-16 budget, released Monday night.

Keeping the tax rate at 59.12 cents per $100 of assessed property value means a homeowner with a house valued at $166,753, the city’s median house value, would pay a tax bill of $986.12, city officials said.

The $386.5 million budget represents a less than 1 percent decrease from last year’s budget, officials said.

"This year’s budget represents a tipping point, putting us at a place where we see the vision of just a few years ago taking on all of the characteristics of reality,” Durham City Manager Tom Bonfield said in a statement. “We can see it. We can feel it. We can put it to use for the benefit of our community.”

Priorities in the proposed budget include:

$5.6 million for fleet vehicles.
$2.1 million for public arts and culture, including the Durham Sports Commission, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and the Durham Blues Festival.
Adding $500,000 to the street resurfacing fund to increase it to $2 million.

Residents can comment on the budget during the June 1 city council meeting. City council members will also answer pre-submitted questions during an e-town hall, which will also take place during the June 1 meeting. Residents can submit questions through Facebook, Twitter (use #DurhamETH) or email etownhall@durhamnc.gov.

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