Raleigh passes budget with increase in pay for first responders

Monday, June 13, 2022
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Raleigh City Council adopted the budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year on Monday afternoon.

The $1.14 billion budget includes a General Fund total operating budget of $590.4 million. The General Fund budget represents an 8.5 percent increase over last year.

The measure includes a two-cent property tax increase, raising the rate from 37.30 cents per $100 valuation to 39.30 cents per $100 valuation.

It also includes a raise for police officers and firefighters.
[Ads /]
The budget increases their starting salaries by 19% -- or $15.19 an hour.

In a statement, the Raleigh Professional Firefighter's Association expressed its disappointment, saying the weight of the staffing and pay crisis won't be felt until it hits home to an elected official.
[Ads /]
Critical staffers in the Emergency Communications Center will get pay adjustments as well.



All employees will receive a 2% cost of living adjustment, well below the current inflation rate of more than 8%. But the council voted itself a much larger percentage raise. For example, Mary-Ann Baldwin's compensation for her mayoral duties will rise from $25,792 to $36,511. The mayor pro tem position will receive $32,236, up from $21,548 and council members will get $29,848, up from $18,933 -- a hefty 57% raise.

Solid-waste services are also increasing by 25 cents per month.

The fiscal year starts July 1.

Read more about the budget here.
Copyright © 2024 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.