‘Balancing act’: Durham County could raise tax rate as budget proposal targets schools

DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — A $1 billion budget proposal in Durham County could raise the tax rate for property owners.

The Durham County manager’s recommended budget includes a tax rate increase of two cents that would add $20 to the annual bill for every $100,000 of assessed property value.

“The proposed budget continues a delicate balancing act between limited resources, resident economic stress, and nearly infinite needs,” Durham County Manager Claudia Hager said. “It’s presented while Durham County is navigating a new and challenging environment.

“Growth has moderated significantly,” Hager said. “This recommended budget and the near future must plan accordingly.”

Things could still change before the budget is finalized on June 8. There is a public hearing scheduled for May 26 when residents can voice their own opinions on how the county should be directing its money.

Residents can also take the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Resident Budget Survey.

The revenue generated from taxes would partially support education, which is the county’s top expenditure in the proposed budget.

Durham Public Schools would receive nearly $11 million in new funding, which is still lower than the district’s request.

“All of us are trying to figure out how we create a really strong budget to continue operations for the community in Durham, for the students in Durham, as well as thinking about what’s going to happen at the state level,” Durham school board chair Bettina Umstead said.

“There is going to need to be some advocacy from now until when that budget is finalized to see if there’s any more that we can get,” Umstead said.

Durham Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Lewis released a statement to CBS 17 on Tuesday.

“Durham Public Schools appreciates the partnership and ongoing effort put forth by the Board of County Commissioners to meet our critical financial needs,” Lewis said in his statement. The request we made addressed major financial challenges that included teacher and staff pay, capital expenditures, and continuation costs.

“Durham Public Schools is proud of our strong partnership with the Board of County Commissioners, and the courage it has taken to advocate for and finance our district,” he continued in his statement. “Ours is a model for collaboration.

“Thank you to the Board of County Commissioners for its continuous support.

“But there is a missing link,” the superintendent said in his statement. “When the state fails to fully invest in public education, it is our children who pay the price. I’ll repeat what I’ve said before: Now is the time for leaders at every level to decide whether we will stand up for public education or stand by as it is slowly dismantled.

DURHAM COUNTY NEWS