During my first year as a county commissioner, I have learned a myriad of things about county government and all of the services that we provide for the betterment of Durham County residents, such as EMS, the animal shelter, public libraries, the Department of Social Services (DSS), public schools, etc. To fund these services at the local level, the primary funding sources are property and sales taxes.
Sales tax revenue is generated when individuals buy goods and services. In Durham County, the sales tax rate is 7.5%, with the state retaining 4.75% and the remaining 2.75% being returned to Durham County. In fiscal year 2024-2025, Durham County received approximately $188 million in sales tax revenue. With a General Fund Budget of almost $690 million, that means the bulk of Durham County’s revenue comes from the property tax.
2025 was a reevaluation year for Durham County, and many of our residents experienced sticker shock from rising property values and, consequently, higher property taxes. Across North Carolina, many residents in larger urban counties have seen increases in property values and higher property taxes. Now, the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) is stepping in with the creation of the House Select Committee on Property Tax Reduction and Reform.
House Speaker Destin Hall created a twenty-nine-member committee of legislators from across the state to examine the possibility of reforming how property taxes are assessed in our North Carolina counties. Many of you reading this op-ed may think this is a good idea. As a county commissioner, I have heard from many Durham County residents, particularly our seniors, that the increase in property taxes has become quite burdensome. However, the opposite is true. As a community, we should be deeply concerned about the committee’s recommendations. Many of the services we rely on in Durham County to make it a great place to live and that drive our economy are primarily funded by property taxes…