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Board of County Commissioners Regular Session Highlights from April 27, 2026

April 28, 2026

Durham, N.C. – The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Monday, April 27, 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 Jacobs 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. Durham Cooperative Extensions 2026 Report to the Community - Join Durham Cooperative Extension for the presentation of their 2026 Report to the Community on Wednesday, May 6. Enjoy a delicious breakfast, hear inspiring stories, and experience hands-on demonstrations that showcase Durham Cooperative Extension’s impact throughout Durham. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about how they serve our community through education, outreach, and partnership. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/durham-cooperative-extension-report-to-the-community-2026-tickets-1987411371913?aff=oddtdtcreator.  
  2. Durham–Orange County Pond Clinic – Join the Durham County Soil and Water Conservation District for the annual Durham–Orange County Pond Clinic on Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6602 Orange Grove Road in Hillsborough. This free clinic is perfect for anyone who owns—or plans to own—a large or agricultural pond. Learn about pond construction, pond management, weed control, pond wildlife, and more. Free lunch provided for those who pre-register. Kids ages 5–17 can also participate in a Catch and Release Fishing Tournament before the clinic, with prizes awarded. Register by April 30 at https://dconc2.jotform.com/260683020996866 or call 919 560 0558.    
  3. Hattie Meadows Gardening School Announces Spring Class Series - The community is invited to join a new round of classes in the Hattie Meadows Gardening School. This free community learning series is a partnership between Durham Cooperative Extension, Durham County Library, and the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Classes will run through June at the Stanford L. Warren Branch Library. These free monthly classes led by local teachers and gardening experts, session topics include soil health, seed starting, garden design, native plants, and vegetables. All classes are free, but registration is required. More information here: https://dconc.gov/DurhamCo-News/Hattie-Meadows-Gardening-School-Announces-Spring-Class-Series.htm.  
  4. Get “In Touch with Durham County”! - This month’s “In Touch with Durham County” features two can’t miss segments. Meet Our New Library Director, Dana Conners, who joined the County in January 2026. Get to know Conners as she shares her vision for the future of Durham County Library. The second segment highlights National County Government Month, an annual celebration recognizing the nation’s 3,069 counties. Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/INnX8ZmWfuM.

Minutes: Commissioners approved the minutes from the April 2, 2026, Work Session and April 13, 2026, Regular Session.

Ceremonial Items:

  1. Introduction of Newly Appointed Internal Audit Director– The Board was introduced to Shirley McFadden, Durham County's new Internal Audit Director. McFadden officially assumed the role on April 13, 2026, bringing more than 20 years of experience in internal audit, compliance, and risk assessment across city, county, and state government. She was selected for her proven track record in building systems and processes that strengthen oversight and improve departmental efficiency. Most recently, McFadden served as Deputy Director of Internal Audit for Guilford County, where she developed the County's annual audit plan, directed quality assurance across departments, and drove improvements to business processes and operational efficiency. Prior to that, she held the role of Business System and Internal Control Manager at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, where she designed workflow automation for internal and external customers and analyzed controls for new request system procedures. Her career in internal audit began at the Wake County Public School System, and she has also served at the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor and the City of Raleigh, where she was a Senior Internal Auditor. In her new role, McFadden will lead an internal audit team responsible for conducting performance audits, evaluating internal controls, and advancing the County's commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility.

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

26-0105- Consideration and Adoption of Updated High Performance Building Policy

25-0210- Approve Execution of Construction Contract with Central Builders of Mebane for the Renovation of the South East Corner of the Legal Department Suite in the amount of $144,500 plus (10%) contingency, $14,450, for a total not-to-exceed $158,950

26-0221- Approval of Property Tax Releases and Refunds for April 2026

26-0226- Approve Certain Adjustments to the County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Allocation and the Allocation of $1,690.296 to Early Years, Inc.

Public Hearing: The Board held a public hearing on the Bond Order entitled “Bond Order Authorizing the Issuance of Not to Exceed $240,000,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds of the County of Durham, North Carolina”.

Following the public hearing the Board voted to adopt the Bond Order without change or amendment and adopt the Bond Resolution authorizing the issuance of the Series 2026B Bonds and providing for the terms thereof.

Other Business: The Board received a presentation of the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Financial Audit and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Single Audit and Compliance Report presented by LeAnn Bagasala, Partner with Mauldin and Jenkins, LLC. View the presentations here.

Board and Commission Appointments: The Board made appointments to the following boards and commissions:

  • Board of Equalization and Review--Cynthia Burns
  • Discover Durham Tourism Development Authority--Wendy McManus Abram
  • Durham-Wake Counties Research and Production Service District Advisory Committee--Randi Saulles and  Edward M Webb Jr
  • Juvenile Crime Prevention Council--Kamiyah Mullen

Congratulations to the new appointees!

Items Pulled from the Consent Agenda: None.

Adjournment: The Board adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

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, May 11, 2026, inside the Commissioners' Chambers on the second floor at 200 E. Main Street. This meeting will feature the presentation of County Manager Claudia Hager’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Recommended Budget. 

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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