The City of Durham’s top priority during the solid waste collectors’ protest, which started on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, was to ensure that solid waste collections, specifically garbage, continued for the more than 88,000 households in our city. 

As solid waste collectors and drivers have returned to their jobs, solid waste collections have returned closer to normal operations. You can stay up to date with the current status on our Solid Waste webpage.

Throughout the protest and discussions, we have received questions about compensation for all job classifications, and how we plan to move forward to ensure all employees are compensated for the valuable services and programs they provide to our community.

City Manager Wanda Page shared a proposal in a September 15 video with initial recommendations for one-time bonuses for City employees.

October 5 Update on FY 23-24 Proposed One-Time Employee Bonuses

At the October 5 City Council work session, the City Council voted to approve “Option 3” that was presented as a range of options from City Manager Wanda Page for one-time employee bonuses.

Option 3 provides bonuses ranging from $500 to $5,000 to employees using the area median income levels as a guide.

Presentation of how the one-time bonuses will be paid to employees based off of their salary level

You can listen to the discussion on this topic in the October 5 work session on the City’s YouTube channel.

Employees can expect to see the bonus on their paycheck in November.

September 29 Update on FY 23-24 Proposed One-Time Employee Bonuses

At the September 21 City Council work session, City Manager Wanda Page shared her proposal for one-time employee bonuses, using carryover funds totaling $6.5 million from last fiscal year for City Council’s consideration.

Following discussion, Council members directed the City Administration to provide additional options that will be presented at the Thursday, October 5, work session.  

These options, using guidelines provided by Council during the work session, show various levels of bonuses for employees using this area’s median income levels as a guide, and not exceeding $6.5 million, the amount previously proposed for the bonuses. The options can be found in Agenda Item No. 6 on the City’s website.

Full and part-time employees hired by June 30, 2023, and actively employed when the bonuses are paid, are eligible for the one-time bonus which would be paid soon following Council approval. All bonuses are considered taxable income.

A full presentation will be made during the October 5 work session, at which time, Council members will consider the options and provide instructions to the City Administration on how to move forward.

To watch Thursday’s work session, which begins at 1 p.m., visit the City’s YouTube channel.

September 21 City Employee One-Time Bonus Update

During the Thursday, September 21, Work Session, the Durham City Council requested for City Manager Wanda Page to develop three new options for distributing $6.5 million in one-time bonus money to roughly 2,655 City employees.

The City Manager will bring the three options to the City Council for their consideration at their Thursday, October 5, Work Session.

To watch October 5 Work Session, which begins at 1 p.m., visit the City’s YouTube Channel.