Raleigh residents frustrated as city warns of possible tax hikes
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Tommy Gattis is a retired Raleigh firefighter. He lives off Spring Forest Road in a tucked-away townhome community.
Gattis said rising property taxes through the years have become a growing burden for him and his neighbors.
"Ten years ago, property taxes were not that much of an issue. But over the last several years, every time we get those statements, we just cringe because we know they're continuing to go up," he said.
As he walked through his neighborhood, Gattis pointed to the toll the rising costs have taken.
"The elderly lady that lived there had to move out because she couldn't afford it anymore. She's lived here for 30 years. Just taxes and things were going up," he said.
The concerns come as Raleigh leaders warn that another increase may be unavoidable. During a City Council work session this week, budget director Sadia Sattar told council members, "There remains little doubt that we will need to raise property taxes to solve this base budget gap."
The city faces a $13 million shortfall. Officials say expenses are outpacing revenue, while exemptions for affordable housing and developers -- along with unresolved property value appeals -- have significantly reduced the tax base.
Sattar said the city can no longer rely on its most dependable source of income.
"Property taxes are a most stable source of revenue, but given some of the things that we are experiencing here at the city, at the county level, that doesn't happen to be the case anymore for our base budget moving forward for fiscal year 2027."
City leaders now face a choice: reduce services or raise taxes.
For residents such as Betty Dolby of southeast Raleigh, the increases have already been difficult to manage.
"The first year I was out in my pocket, like $350, I said next year it went up like $750. This year is $1,500," she said.
Dolby said she typically receives assistance to help offset her property taxes, but not this year.
"It's hard to when you're on a fixed income," she said.
Gattis said families are frustrated. "They ask us to cut back. Why can't they? I don't understand," he said.
A request for comment from all Raleigh City Council members went unanswered. The city's budget recommendations are expected in May, followed by public hearings where residents can weigh in.
