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BOCC Regular Session Highlights from March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

Durham, N.C. – The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Monday, March 9, 2026, in Regular Session. Meetings are held in person with a hybrid option, inside the BOCC Chambers, located at 200 E. Main Street on the second floor.

Chair Dr. Mike Lee called the meeting to order.

All attendees were led by Commissioner Stephen Valentine in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Agenda Adjustments: The Board made no adjustments to the agenda.

Announcements: Monica Wallace, Clerk to the Board, read the announcements.

  1. Free NC Voter Photo ID Outreach Event on March 14 -The Board of Elections will continue to host free NC Voter Photo Identification Card outreach events for registered Durham County voters throughout 2026! Each month, staff will be at one of the Durham County libraries to distribute free IDs, assist with voter registration, and answer any questions. Join us at the North Regional Library on March 14 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  2. Creek Week - Creek Week 2026 is coming up March 14–21! This annual spring event invites everyone to learn about, explore, and help protect our local waterways. Durham County Stormwater will host several activities, including the Connected Currents Panel, Trivia Night, the Creek Critter Crawl, and more. For details, contact ekinsey@dconc.gov. The Durham County Open Space Program will host a guided nature walk at the New Hope Creek Bottomlands Trail on Friday, March 20. Participants are asked to RSVP for this event. Contact David Bradley, Open Space Specialist, at dabradley@dconc.gov or 919-943-3997. See the full list of Creek Week events at https://www.keepdurhambeautiful.org/creek-week-events.
  3. Public Safety Career Exploration Camp – Applications are now being accepted for the annual North Carolina Emergency Management Experience. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to join us for a free five-day public safety career exploration camp for young women in grades 9-12. Gain hands on experience and learn about a variety of careers through field trips, training, and so much more! Apply by midnight on March 23rd at https://www.ncdps.gov/ncem-management-experience. For questions, contact Durham County Emergency Management Planner Jinizha Johnson, jinjohnson@dconc.gov or 919- 560-0661.
  4. Conservation Education Teacher of the Year – Do you know a Durham County teacher who’s passionate about conservation? The Durham County Soil and Water Conservation District wants to celebrate an outstanding conservation educator! Nominate a teacher for the Conservation Education Teacher of the Year Award. Open to all Elementary, Middle, and High School conservation education teachers. Winners will be honored at the annual DSWCD Awards Banquet and advance to the state-level competition! The deadline for nominations is March 27, 2026. For more information: https://dconc.gov/Soil-and-Water/Environmental-Education/Awards.
  5. FY 2026-2027 Durham County Resident Budget Survey-  We want to hear from you! Tell us your top community priorities for the FY 2026–27 budget by taking the annual resident budget survey. Your feedback plays a key role in shaping Durham County’s future. Take the survey, add your voice to the budget discussion. Share your input by May 26! Scan the QR code or follow this link, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XB8J5WH, to fill out the survey.
  6. Extended Clinic Hours - The Durham County Department of Public Health will offer extended hours for family planning, STI, and immunization clinics on the second Tuesday of each month, beginning Tuesday, March 10. Clinics will remain open until 6:00 p.m., providing an opportunity for guests to schedule appointments for sexual health testing, COVID vaccinations, measles vaccinations, and more. To schedule an appointment, call 919-560-7600.
  7. Get in Touch with Durham County- On the March 2026 episode of the “In Touch with Durham County” show, Public Health’s Willa Robinson Allen discusses mental health being one of the County’s Community Health Assessment's top health priorities. On the second segment, Soil and Water Conservation District’s Elicia Senff, shares how her department teaches youth about the environment, agriculture and farming. Watch the show our YouTube channel or when you visit h https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJa9SXZz2xk. Don't miss an- episode; subscribe to our YouTube channel today at YouTube.com/dcowebmaster!

Minutes: Commissioners approved the minutes from February 9, 2026, Regular Session.

Ceremonial Items:

  1. Proclamation - 52nd Annual Durham CROP Hunger Walk – The Board proclaimed March 29, 2026, as Durham CROP Hunger Walk Day. Read the resolution here.
  2. Recognition of the Board of Equalization and Review Members - The Board recognized the Board of Equalization and Review Members. The current Board of Equalization & Review members are David Smith, David Williams, Wendell Bullard, Jeanette Hussey, Gian Hasbrock, and Myrick Peacock. All members have served for over a year and have been responsible for hearing the 2025 Reappraisal Board of Equalization & Review appeals.

Consent Agenda: Commissioners approved the following items. See full agenda for complete details: 

26-0063- Memorandum of Agreement between Durham County and the Sedimentation Control Commission

25-0067- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC055 Cooperative Extension to Recognize $14,820.61 in additional Smart Start funding for the Welcome Baby Program

26-0069- Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC057 to recognize $50,396 in year 4 of grant funding to the Office of Emergency Services-EMS Division (OES-EMS) from the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (MMDDSA), and to authorize the County Manager to sign and execute all contracts for authorized and approved uses associated with the grant program throughout the grant’s period of performance

26-0073- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No.26BCC058 Recognizing a $240,000 Grant from the NCDEQ Division of Water Resources to the Stormwater & Erosion Control Program for the Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park Stream Restoration Project

26-0075- Authorization for Execution of Enbridge Gas North Carolina Encroachment Agreements

26-0076- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No.26BCC059 Appropriating $100,000 of General Fund Fund Balance for Matching Grant Recipient Contracts in the County’s Matching Grant Program

26-0077- Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC060 Public Health to Approve $576,219 General Fund fund balance Appropriation to Increase Durham County’s Contract with Wellpath to Provide Comprehensive Medical Services for Inmates in the Durham County Detention Center and Residents of the Durham County Youth Home

26-0078- Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26OPA004 to Approve an Additional $30,000 from the North Carolina Opioid Settlement Fund to Purchase Additional Naloxone Units to Reverse Opioid Overdoses in Durham County Government

26-0079- Environmental Affairs Board 2025 Annual Report

26-0081- Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC064 Public Health to Recognize $2,248 from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health, State Office of Child Fatality Prevention to Improve Delivery of Services for Children and Families

26-0082- Approve a Letter of Submission to N.C. Department of Health & Human Services Outlining the Aggregate Percentage Change of 0% to Public Health’s Chargemaster Rate

26-0083- Approve a Service Contract of $60,000 in County Early Childhood Action Plan Funds for North Carolina Diaper Bank to Provide Diapers and Essential Supplies

26-0085- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC066 Cooperative Extension to Appropriate $40,000 in General Fund fund balance for the Durham County Food Security Program to Support Food Security Work with the Durham Center for Senior Life

26-0086- Authorize the Chair (or designee) to sign on behalf of the County as supporting the Local Government Comment Letter Regarding the Duke Energy Carbon Plan-Integrated Resource Plan (Docket No. E-100 Sub 207)  

26-0088- Approval of Capital Project Amendment No.26CPA019 & Budget Ordinance Amendment No.26BCC061 Appropriating $400,000 of Debt Service Fund Fund Balance to the PAYGO Fund to Support the Project Build at Shoppes of Hope Valley Renovation Capital Project (4730DC161), and Authorize the Execution of the Construction Manager at Risk Guaranteed Maximum Price Contract with Holt Brothers Construction for the Renovation of the Project Build Facility for the Not-To-Exceed Total of $1,733,929

26-0089- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC067 Cooperative Extension Appropriating $30,000 in General Fund Balance for the Durham County Food Security Program

26-0090- Authorization of an Amendment to the Design Contract with HH Architecture, PA for Design Development and Construction Administration Services Related to the Office of Emergency Services Fleet Maintenance Project in the Amount of $24,400 for a Total Revised Contract Amount of $603,282.50

26-0091- Authorize the County Manager to Increase the Contingency by $401,025.39 for the Construction Manager at Risk Contract with Samet Construction for the OES Fleet Maintenance to a not-to-exceed amount of $3,100,944

26-0092- Approve Execution of Contract with Gregory Poole Equipment Company in the amount of $103,558.00 for a Generator for the Office of Emergency (OES) Services Fleet Maintenance Facility

26-0103- Approval of Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for the Division of Sales Tax Between the County of Durham and the City of Durham July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027

26-0104- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC065 Cooperative Extension to Recognize $475,000 in Golden LEAF Foundation funding for Durham County Farm Campus and Creation of One New Farm Manager FTE Position

26-0106- Approval of Capital Project Amendment No.26CPA020 & Budget Ordinance Amendment No.26BCC062 Appropriating $584,085 of Debt Service Fund Fund Balance to the PAYGO Fund to support the 500 E. Main St. Downtown Parking Deck Capital Project (47302635DC151); as well as Authorize an Increase in the Owner’s Contingency in the Amount of $584,085 to Execute Any Necessary Change Orders for the Deck Development Agreement with ZOM Living for a Total Not-to-Exceed of $34,585,185.00

26-0112- Approve and Authorize the Manager to Execute four (4) Lease Agreements for the County-owned Shoppes of Hope Valley Shopping Center, to Make Minor Changes to the Lease Agreements Prior to Execution Based on County Legal Approval and Provided Such Changes Do Not Materially Affect the Intent and Purpose of the Agreements, and Adopt a Resolution Allowing the Leasing of Property as Directed in North Carolina General Statute 160A-272

26-0114- Authorize the County Manager to approve an Amendment to Boiler Masters Contract, FR 26-045, in the amount of $234,000 for the Immediate Replacement of the Southwest Library’s HVAC Chiller Utilizing Funds from General Services Operating Budget and CIP Program

26-0116- Approval of Property Tax Releases and Refunds for January 2026

26-0121- Board of Equalization and Review Member Appointment Renewals

26-0125- Approval to Advertise 2025 Tax Liens on Real Property

All Consent Items were approved.

Public Hearing: The Board conducted a public hearing, as required by North Carolina General Statute §153A-320(c), to receive comments on the creation of the Mangum Fire Protection Service District in Durham County.  No residents spoke.  The Board voted to move forward to establish the Mangum Fire District which will serve an area of 3.55 miles and approximately 500 residents.

Other Business: The Board received an update on the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) initiative. Staff provided a summary of recent activities and presented recommendations for next steps. The Board voted to move forward with staff’s recommendation.

Closed Sessions: The Board adjourned into Closed Session pursuant to G.S. 143- 318.11(a)(4) and G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3). No action was taken

Adjournment: 8:58pm

Board meetings are cablecast live and rebroadcast on Durham Television Network (DTN) on Spectrum channel 8 and 1302, Frontier channel 70 and AT&T U-verse channel 99. Meetings can also be viewed on the County’s YouTube channel. To view the agendas and recordings of the BOCC’s Regular Session meetings, visit the BOCC’s Website.

The next hybrid Regular Session is scheduled for Monday, March 23, 2026, inside the Commissioners' Chambers on the second floor at 200 E. Main Street.

For more information about BOCC meetings, contact the Clerk to the Board's Office at (919) 560-0025 or email clerk@dconc.gov.

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