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Durham City opens public hearing on FY2025–26 budget; residents push for affordable housing, fare-free transit and expanded violence-prevention funding
Summary
City staff presented the proposed FY2025–26 budget and five-year CIP; public commenters urged council to fund affordable housing, extend fare-free transit, increase funding for the Heart violence-prevention program, and prioritize safety improvements on Rocksborough–Mango corridor.
The Durham City Council opened a public hearing on June 2, 2025, for the manager’s proposed FY2025–26 budget and the FY2026–2031 capital improvement plan. City staff said the proposed tax rate is 43.76 cents per dollar of assessed value (as stated in the staff presentation) and reminded residents that the next budget hearing is scheduled for Monday, June 15.
During the public comment period, residents and representatives of local organizations urged the council to fund a range of priorities. Requests included: a $25,000 allocation to the Charles Hamilton Houston Foundation for workforce and youth programming; continued or expanded funding for free transit (fare-free buses) aimed at increasing equity and access; full funding for the Heart community response program and expansion to 24/7 operations in partnership with Durham Public Schools and the county; additional bonds and incentives for affordable housing, including metrics for inclusionary units at the police-site redevelopment; and funding for safety improvements and design work on the Rocksborough–Mango corridor.
Speakers emphasized equity and prevention. Warren Langley (speaking for a youth-focused foundation) requested $25,000 for a local workforce program that the speaker said has placed graduates in jobs and produced measurable outcomes. Jacques Holtzmann, on behalf of the Human Relations Commission, urged continued tenant-assistance and eviction-prevention funding, expanded homeownership assistance for income-qualified buyers and stronger affordability requirements in development agreements. Several commenters, including members of the Heart coalition, asked the council to fully fund Heart so it can respond to more than 50% of eligible calls and expand hours to 24/7; they also asked the city to coordinate funding with the county and school district.
Multiple commenters thanked the council for including design funding for the Rocksborough–Mango corridor and urged timely construction that improves pedestrian and cyclist safety. Others asked the council to use bond funds and CIP allocations to preserve affordable housing and include specific affordability targets for proposed redevelopment sites.
City staff said the budget presentation and hearing are part of the required public process; the council did not take a final budget vote at the hearing but will continue deliberations in upcoming sessions.
