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Southeast Durham residents seek reevaluation after large property tax appraisal increases
Summary
Residents from Southeast Durham urged the Board of Commissioners to revisit recent property reappraisals, describing large percentage increases, hardship for seniors and farmland affected by critical‑watershed and soil constraints.
Residents from Southeast Durham told the Durham County Board of Commissioners that recent property reappraisals have produced steep increases that threaten long‑term homeowners, seniors and farmers and asked the county to reevaluate land valuations and support appeal assistance.
Speakers at the public hearing described wide disparities in appraisal increases, said many affected parcels are outside the urban growth boundary and in critical watershed areas, and urged the county to adjust land‑valuation factors for rural and agricultural parcels. “When you increase the taxes based upon development that's away from you — and I'm in the critical watershed and I'm outside the UGB — and you're using the basis [of new developments], that is an example of gentrification,” said Donna Steinbeck.
Other testimony cited large percentage increases and asked the county to provide reevaluation and assistance filing appeals. Tony Bordeaux presented an analysis he said showed an “average property tax increase across Durham of 79%” and described specific neighborhoods and parcels with much larger increases. Senior residents said sharply higher appraisals will be untenable for fixed incomes. “You can't hit seniors who are on incomes where they've lost incomes because of a spouse dying or something else going on,” said Randolph Cole.
What residents asked for - Reevaluate appraisals for homestead and residual land using rural/soil/permitting constraints (septic/perk issues), and apply factors that reflect agricultural and watershed restrictions. - Proactive outreach and assistance with appeal filings, including support for elderly residents on fixed incomes.
Board process These comments were part of the public hearing on the manager’s recommended FY2025–26 budget and the public record; commissioners did not rule on reappraisals during the meeting. Residents said they have already met with appraisal staff and are organizing appeals.
Ending note: Speakers framed the increases as a form of displacement and urged the county to adopt valuation methods that reflect local soil, septic and watershed constraints rather than relying on nearby new development values.
