Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget on June 15, 2026

The City of Durham, North Carolina, held a meeting on June 15, 2026, to adopt the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget along with the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and related ordinances. The meeting included public comments addressing concerns about the cancellation of a 10-year lease agreement related to Parks and Recreation, support for immigrant legal services, and calls for budget cuts and improved 911 services. Council members discussed the challenges of balancing the budget amid limited revenue, state and federal funding constraints, and the need to maintain essential services without raising property taxes. The adopted budget included funding for community programs such as fair-free buses, youth employment, public safety, and park improvements, while also implementing a 2% pay increase for city workers without merit raises. The council unanimously passed the budget, acknowledging the difficult decisions made and emphasizing the need for future collaboration with county and regional partners to address ongoing fiscal challenges and community priorities.