Winston-Salem City Council passed a $607.8 million budget Tuesday that includes a 2.5 cent property tax rate increase.
The approval raises minimum salary for sworn officers to $52,500. Current police staff will receive a salary adjustment of around 10 percent, according to a city news release.
City employees minimum wage will rise to $15.45 on Jan. 1. The pay raises will help with employee retention and fill vacancies, the news release said. This year's budget adds no new positions to the city's personnel count.
The property tax rate will be set at 66.1 cents for every $100 in valuation. Water and sewer rates will increase 7 percent beginning July 1. This is around a $6.86 bi-monthly increase for the average resident, the news release said.
Stormwater fees will also increase 8 percent on Jan. 1.
The budget for next fiscal year begins July 1.