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Durham’s FY25-26 Budget Proposal: Tax Rate Hike, Infrastructure Boost, and Community Safety Top Priorities

At Monday night’s Durham City Council meeting, City Manager Bo Ferguson introduced a proposed $772 million budget – his first on the job – for the upcoming fiscal year that aims to balance rising service demands, staff pay, and critical infrastructure needs. That’s while navigating the financial impact of recent property revaluations.

The proposal includes a recommended property tax rate of 43.71 cents per $100 of assessed value, marking a 5.48-cent increase over the revenue-neutral rate of 38.23 cents. While that’s a significant increase from the revenue-neutral threshold, it’s also a decrease from the current rate of 59.62 cents.

The budget, Ferguson said, is rooted in four clear priorities: community safety, employee compensation, core service delivery, and infrastructure investment.

Read more in Southpoint Access...

What's Happening Today?

• Durham Rise Initiative Press Conference. Adults. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration required. Announcing Durham Rise Initiative, a venture capital incubator aimed at empowering historically underrepresented entrepreneurs in our community. Supports diverse, early-stage entrepreneurs through an 8-week program focused on scaling their businesses, building networks, and accessing capital. Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St.) (Durham County Library)
• African Writers Book Club. Adults. 1 to 3 p.m. Meeting room at Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd.) (Durham County Library)
• Durham Book Club. Middle school students. 4 to 6 p.m. Reading and discussing Greenglass House by Kate Milford. Get your copy at the children’s desk. Meeting room at Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd.) (Durham County Library)

Check out this week's activities!

Southpoint LEGO Store Opens Friday

The LEGO Group is set to open its newest retail location at The Streets at Southpoint on Friday, May 23, bringing immersive play and the brand’s signature brick-building experience to South Durham.

Located on the mall’s upper level next to Zumiez, the 2,217-square-foot store will feature one of the region’s widest selections of LEGO sets, along with exclusive products and interactive displays such as a Pick & Build Wall, Build a Mini Tower, and dedicated play tables.

Durham Offices Closing Memorial Day

Most City of Durham offices and non-emergency operations will be closed Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day, with several key services adjusting their schedules for the holiday.

IN MEMORIAM

• Durham Obituaries - May 20, 2025

FOR SUBSCRIBERS

• [Subscriber Bonus] Durham High School Senior Spotlight!
• [Welcome to the World] Durham Births - April 26-May 2, 2025
• [Dearly Beloved] Marriage Applications - March 22-28, 2025
• South Durham Restaurant Inspection Scores for April 2025
• [SoDu Shopping Basket] May 16, 2025

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