Raleigh City Manager Marchell Adams-David presented the City of Raleigh's budget proposal for 2026-27 on Tuesday. She is proposing that the city spend $1.77 billion with a focus on improving services and public safety.
Adams-David asked the city council to raise Raleigh property taxes by 1.7 cents per $100 of assessed value, which works out to an increase of $67 a year for the average household.
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Raleigh was facing a $13 million budget gap, and city leaders said the tax increase is necessary to close that gap, in addition to moves to eliminate open positions, hold vacant positions open and other "strategic budget realignments."
This budget recommends hiring 23 additional police officers, 12 firefighters and six emergency communication call takers.
Also in the budget is a recommendation that the city add 21 staff positions to the Solid Waste Services department to manage the plan that Raleigh will begin collecting leaves with yard waste each week beginning in the fall.
The city would continue to subsidise two-hour free parking at five downtown city-owned parking decks.
“The Proposed Budget protects our existing services while adjusting to the realities of the fiscal pressures we currently face,” Adams-David said. “It reflects difficult decisions, grounded in fiscal stewardship, that position Raleigh to sustain the high standards of service our community deserves."
Residents can chime in on the budget proposal at a public hearing on June 2 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers.
The budget has to be approved before the fiscal year begins on July 1.