-Contributed by Nick Fountain
The City of Raleigh is currently in the midst of its annual budget process for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This collaborative process involves input from residents, city departments, and the City Council. Putting together the City of Raleigh’s annual operating budget and five-year Capital Improvement Program is a collaborative process. City departments work on the budget year-round, and the process includes public hearings, a Budget Communities Priority Survey, and City Council work sessions.
The Budget and Management Services Department is hosting a series of listening sessions throughout December and January to gather public input on how tax dollars should be allocated. These sessions provide an opportunity for residents to voice their priorities and concerns regarding city services and programs.
At one of these listening sessions on December 10th, Nick Fountain, VP of Preservation Raleigh and a former member of the Raleigh Historic Development Commission (RHDC), presented compelling arguments for increased funding for the RHDC.
Preservation Raleigh urges the City of Raleigh to recognize the critical importance of the RHDC and invest in its success. Increased funding will allow the commission to better fulfill its mission, protect our city’s valuable historic resources, and contribute to a more vibrant, equitable, and sustainable Raleigh for all.
Mr. Fountain highlighted several critical issues facing the RHDC:
- Severe Staff Underfunding: The RHDC has been chronically understaffed for over a decade. With a growing number of historic properties and an exponentially expanding city, the current three-person staff is overwhelmed.
- Increased Legal Complexities: Legal requirements imposed by the City Attorney have significantly increased the workload and costs for both the RHDC and property owners.
- Inadequate Federal Law Compliance: Understaffing hinders the RHDC’s ability to effectively participate in Section 106 reviews, leading to potential violations of federal law.
- Threat to Significant Historic Resources: The lack of proper review processes has put landmarks like the Harrison Library and the Oakwood Historic District at risk, as demonstrated by the Bus Rapid Transit and High Speed Rail projects.
- Mid-Century Modern Preservation Crisis: Raleigh boasts a significant collection of mid-century modern architecture, a valuable cultural and tourism asset. However, these structures are being demolished at an alarming rate due to insufficient resources for identification, designation, and preservation incentives.
- Limited Affordable Housing Solutions: The RHDC’s Revolving Fund, a crucial tool for preserving historic and affordable housing, is severely underfunded. Expanding this fund would empower more residents to become homeowners.
Preservation Raleigh believes that investing in the RHDC is an investment in Raleigh’s future. A well-resourced commission will not only safeguard our city’s irreplaceable history but also contribute to a more vibrant, equitable, and sustainable community for generations to come. We urge the City of Raleigh to prioritize the RHDC’s needs in the upcoming budget deliberations.
- To learn more about the City of Raleigh’s budget process https://raleighnc.gov/grants-funding-and-relief/services/current-city-budget
- More information on upcoming listening sessions is here: https://raleighnc.gov/government/news/help-shape-city-budget
In-Person Sessions, January 2025
Come share your thoughts about the City budget in January for a listening session held at a community center in each district.
Follow the links below to register. Registration is not required for in-person sessions, unless you would like interpretation services (available free of charge at all sessions) and/or child care services (available free of charge at all in-person sessions.)
- Monday, Jan. 6, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: District D: – Pullen Community Center, 408 Ashe Avenue
- Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. District A: – Millbrook Exchange Community Center, Meeting Room 2, 1905 Spring Forest Road
- Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. District E: – Laurel Hills Community Center, 3808 Edwards Mill Road
- Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. District B: – Abbots Creek Community Center, MPR, 9950 Durant Road
- Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 6-7:30 p.m. District C: – location Barwell Road Community Center, MPR 2, 5857 Barwell Park Drive
While residents are invited to attend any of the listening sessions, at least one in-person session is taking place in each district so that everyone has an equal opportunity to attend. To find your district, enter your address in the Services section of our homepage.
Learn more about the budget process. For questions, call 919-996-4270 or email budget@raleighnc.gov.