What is in the Durham County FY 2024-25 Budget?

What expenses encompass the Durham County $652 million General Fund budget?

The General Fund provides services and support to all 328 thousand Durhamites. The three main categories of services provided include – Education, Service Delivery and Programs, and Debt Service Payments. 

Education:

• $208 million to support Durham Public Schools
• $12.4 million to support Durham Technical Community College
• $9.4 million to support Durham Pre-K

Service Delivery and Programs:

• $165.8 million for programs and service delivery, which includes:
• Direct services such as ($53.2 million):
• Preventative Vaccines, Health Education, and Dental Cleaning by Public Health staff
• Nutrition and Food Safety program by Cooperative Extension employees
• Reentry, Mental Health, and Employment Services by Justice Service staff.
• Social Programs & Services by Social Service employees
• Ambulances for EMS – Emergency Services
• Books and digital material at the County’s 7 libraries
• Provides community intervention services and resources for high-risk community youth members by Community Intervention & Support staff.
• Trash and recycling pick up around the County provided by Solid Waste employees
• Salary and benefits for 2,313 employees and their families ($206.7 million):
• This includes service-delivery employees including first responders, public health workers, social workers, and
• Internal service employees such as IT professionals that provide cyber-security, janitorial staff that maintain 85+ public buildings, and budget analysts that forecast annual tax revenues

Debt Service Payments:

Just like an average household, Durham County (like other governmental entities) take out loans to finance large purchases, such as residents do for houses. This not only allows Durham County to pay off large expenses over 20-30 years but keeps the tax rate stable for County residents.

• $65 million is designated to support debt service on buildings for Durham Public Schools and County buildings – such as libraries, animal shelters, and the Justice Services buildings.

How does is Durham County $652 million General Fund budget disburse collect taxes and other revenues to support the categories listed above?

Most of the revenue that supports the $652 million general fund mostly comes from property and sales taxes paid by County residents and visitors. A few other revenues make up a small portion including intergovernmental grants (from the State and Federal Government) and user fees charged for specific services (such as permitting or inspection fees).     

Where do your taxes go?

The average property tax payment is $2,633 a year (based on a house valued at $350,000). The average resident pays $390 a year in sales tax. Breakdown:

• $1,050 of your tax dollars support educational services
• $1,660 of your tax dollars support other service delivery and programs
• $330 of your tax dollars support debt service payments

FY 2024-25 APPROVED DOCUMENT COMING SOON

*87% of Durham County residents are also City of Durham residents, which includes another property tax rate (75.22¢ per $100 of property valuation) and additional services delivered. More information can be found on the City’s budget webpage - Budget & Management Services Department | Durham, NC (durhamnc.gov)[AH2]