County approves tax hike, employee raise
Durham County set its $558.9 million budget for the 2003 fiscal year, which included a 3.3 percent hike in property taxes, as county commissioners voted 3-2 Monday night.
The tax rate increase amounts to 2.4 cents more per $100 of valuation, pushing the new tax rate to 75.3 cents. That means the owner of a $150,000 home would pay $1,129.50 in county property taxes next year. It comes on the heels of a 2 percent tax raise in the City of Durham's budget for next year.
Commissioners said the increased tax revenue will pay for county capital improvement projects, such as new library branches, which voters approved in a referendum vote in November.
Many of the county's 1,900 employees will see a 5 percent raise as of January. The commissioners approved the plan, dependent on performance, seniority and salary level.
Most county departments were told this spring to trim 5 percent from their budgets. "We just can't play Santa Claus in July," said Ellen Reckhow, the board's vice chair.
Raleigh, Durham battle worsening drought
Before last night's brief rain, Raleigh and Durham announced mandatory water restrictions Wednesday.
Durham officials limited lawn watering to night hours, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Car washing was restricted to 30 gallons at private homes, and restaurants were ordered not to serve water unless a customer asks, among other restrictions.
At the current consumption rate, city officials said Durham would run out of water in about three months.
Since Oct. 1, Durham has received 15.35 inches of rain or snow in Little River Lake and Lake Michie, the city's two reservoirs. That compares to 20 inches for the same period in 1933-34, the previous record drought. The average annual rainfall for Durham is 46.83 inches.
Helms returns home
Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., recovering from heart surgery, was transferred Wednesday from a rehabilitation center in Virginia to his hometown of Raleigh, spokesperson Jimmy Broughton said.
Broughton said Helms clapped when the plane landed Wednesday morning at Raleigh-Durham International Airport and said, "It's great to be home."
He said Helms was transferred from Woodbine Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Alexandria, Va., to Raleigh, to continue recovering from heart surgery. Helms, 80, had an operation April 25 to replace a worn-out pig valve installed in his heart 10 years ago.
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