RALEIGH, NC — Raleigh’s annual budget, which the city council passed unanimously Monday, checks a lot of boxes. It funds staff pay raises, parks, infrastructure, and affordable housing. It doesn’t increase property taxes. But one wishlist item that didn’t make the cut is separation allowance for firefighters—the temporary retirement benefit Raleigh firefighters have been asking for for years.
After a recent compensation study showed the City of Raleigh underpays its employees compared to peer cities, city manager Marchell Adams David and the city council prioritized competitive staff pay raises in the FY26 budget. Firefighters are set to receive 11 percent raises next year, which will bring their starting salary up to a nationally-competitive $56,825.