Durham City Council approves $409.9M budget for 2016-17

The City Council has unanimously approved a $404.9 million budget for the fiscal year 2016-17, beginning July 1.The budget represents an increase of about 4 percent over last year and includes funding for 20 new Durham Police Department officers and a three-year phase-in for a take-home car program for officers, a three-year phase-in for a $15 minimum wage for all full-time city employees and the inclusion of Veterans Day as an official city holiday.