Your quarterly update from the City of Durham—visit durhamnc.gov for the latest news.

The approved budget for FY23-24 does not include a property tax rate increase but invests in priority areas, including public safety, transit, and equitable green spaces.

New Budget Invests in Public Safety, Transit, and Disinvested Neighborhoods

The City Council approved a new budget on June 20 that does not include a property tax rate increase for city residents.

The total adopted budget is nearly a 7% increase from last year’s budget without a property tax rate increase thanks to steady growth in real property and motor vehicle taxes, robust sales and occupancy tax collections, and increases in other state-shared revenues. This budget expands public safety, transportation support, and enhanced and equitable green spaces. Employee compensation is also increasing as part of this budget.

The budget funds major Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects for street paving, capital infrastructure needs, and providing enhanced and equitable green spaces in disinvested neighborhoods.

The new budget went into effect July 1.

Find more details on the adopted FY23-24 Budget

Bicycle and pedestrian improvements bring more visibility to bike lanes and crosswalks

New Bike and Pedestrian Safety Improvements

Residents and visitors will see multiple projects aimed at improving bike and pedestrian safety in the coming months.

City transportation projects are meant to eliminate traffic deaths and injuries, and reduce vehicle traffic, congestion, and noise throughout the city. In 2023, the most visible changes will be new Neighborhood Bike Routes, new bike lanes, and a new sidewalk on South Alston Avenue between Capps Street and Riddle Road.

Additionally, Transportation crews have installed Bike Fixit stations downtown and new high-visibility crosswalks were installed in multiple locations with high pedestrian traffic. Other pedestrian safety projects include work filling in sidewalk gaps throughout the city, including several locations identified in the 2017 Bike+Walk Implementation Plan. Construction on these various projects is expected to last into spring 2024.

Find more information on bike and pedestrian safety projects

Flowers and shrubs outside of City Hall. These require less water than many lawns.

Check Your Watering Habits During Smart Irrigation Month

Summer is a great time to inspect your sprinkler and review your lawn and garden watering habits!

Follow These Steps to Improve Outdoor Watering Efficiency:

1. Inspect: Regularly check your irrigation system for worn, damaged, and missing parts. Make sure your rain sensor is working properly.

2. Connect: Do sprinkler heads connect securely to hoses, and hoses to pipes? Keep an eye out for drips, leaks, and pooling water at these connections.

3. Direct: Make sure sprinklers actually water your landscape, not the sidewalk, driveway, street, or neighbor’s yard!

4. Select: Update your irrigation system or watering schedule based on the weather and season.

Odd-Even Watering Schedule:

It’s also important to follow the City’s mandatory odd-even watering schedule. Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. No customers are permitted to water on Mondays. Follow @DurhamWater on Twitter and Facebook!

Find the watering schedule and additional tips

Fun Caravan

Fun Caravan is all about highlighting the fun, games, and exciting offerings at your local parks as a mobile recreation program. Fun Caravan events are scheduled through September. View event details.

Rock the Park

Join DPR at various City parks for a movie or live music. Scheduled for July 22, August 5, and August 19. View event details.

Barktoberfest

DPR and Beyond Fences are joining forces to provide a fun-filled afternoon with our canine friends! The event will have a costume contest, music, a food drive, and a photo booth. View event details.

Upcoming Holiday Closings

Most City offices will be closed to the public on the following dates:

Labor Day, September 4

Visit our calendar for more details and events

Sustainability in Sidewalk Construction

Durham is leading the way as one of the first cities in North Carolina to use a new product in our sidewalks to reduce our carbon footprint. This new technology was used in a small pilot project and trapped as much carbon as an acre of trees!

Keep Durham Beautiful Offers Tool Lending Library

Tools are available from Keep Durham Beautiful for any Durham-based community group or organization on a first-come, first-served basis.

Help pitch in as we all contribute to our wonderful community.

Soil Testing at 5 City Parks

Soil testing is underway at five City parks - Walltown, East End, East Durham, Lyon, and Northgate - after the City received a report from a Duke University student that warranted follow-up sampling.

An environmental consulting firm has been hired to carry out the sampling for the City.

Career Possibilities with City of Durham

Have you ever wished for a career where you can make a good, competitive salary and, at the same time, make a difference in your community?

The City of Durham offers a workplace with diverse jobs.

Show Your Lawn a Little Love This Summer

Our Code Enforcement team is reminding property owners to regularly mow their property to prevent overgrown grass and weeds this summer. City ordinance mandates grass must be below 10 inches, so take pride in your neighborhood and help keep your lawn looking fresh!

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