Durham, N.C. – The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Monday, August 25, 2025, 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.

Closed Session: At 4 p.m., the Board adjourned into Closed Session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6). Salary adjustments were announced for: Clerk to the Board, Sheriff, Tax Administrator, Register of Deeds, Chair of County Commissioners, County Manager, County Attorney, and Commissioners.

Chair Nida Allam called the regular meeting to order at 7 p.m. The Board voted for an excused absence for Commissioner Jacobs.

All attendees were led by Commission Vice Chair Lee 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 County to Observe Labor Day Holiday - Most Durham County Government offices will be closed in observance of the Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 1, 2025. All offices will reopen with normal business hours on Tuesday, September 2. Please note that the Board of County Commissioners’ Work Session will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2, not the usual first Monday of the month. For other impacts to services, visit www.dconc.gov.
2. Durham County Residents Mailed Tax Bills - The Durham County Tax Administration mailed out 2025 property tax bills to all real property owners on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Current year bills are due by September 1, 2025, and may be paid without penalty through Monday, January 5, 2026. Property owners may visit www.dconc.gov/tax or call 919-560-0300 for more information. To search online for your tax bill, visit https://property.spatialest.com/nc/durham-tax/#/.
3. Disaster Recovery Center Open Through Aug. 30 - If you were impacted by Tropical Depression Chantal, you can get in-person help at the Durham County Library North Regional Branch (221 Milton Rd.) through Saturday, Aug. 30 at 1 p.m. Apply for disaster aid and loans, connect with recovery agencies, and get information on resources available. Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. More info: https://www.durhamnc.gov/4888.
4. Briggs Avenue Community Garden Fall Festival & Plant Sale - The Durham County Cooperative Extension is holding its annual Briggs Avenue Community Garden Fall Festival and Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 13. Come out to 1314 S. Briggs Avenue for free seeds and compost, ask a Master Gardener Table, pepper tasting, kids activities, and the plant sale (cash and check only!). Info: https://durham.ces.ncsu.edu/event/4829739950/briggs-ave-garden-fall-festival-plant-sale/.
5. Welcome Baby’s 2nd Annual Socktember - Join Welcome Baby and help smash the goal of 4,000 pair of socks during the 2nd Annual Socktember Sock Drive during the month of September! Donate children’s socks - sizes newborn through children’s 9 - at 721 Foster Street. All donations will be shared with families during the weekly Giving Closet. You can organize your own sock drive in your neighborhood, social club, sports team, work, or faith community. Contact Volunteer Services Coordinator Cindy Riley at ckriley@dconc.gov or 919-560-7319.
6. 500 East Main Street Parking Deck Opened Aug. 25 - Durham County’s 500 E. Main Street parking deck (physical address of 114 S. Elizabeth Street) is now open to the public as of today, Monday, August 25, 2025. Residents visiting the Human Services Building at 414 E. Main Street, will be allowed to utilize the deck - receiving parking validation inside the Departmental Lobby service areas. You must present your parking ticket for validation. Please note, if you do not receive validation, regular parking deck charges will apply. The deck has three entrances (Main, Dillard and Elizabeth streets) available for use.
7. Protect Yourself from West Nile Virus - Mosquito activity is high this time of year, so it’s important to protect yourself from mosquito bites and illnesses carried by mosquitoes like West Nile virus. Prevent West Nile virus by avoiding mosquito bites, by applying EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing long clothing, using screens on doors and windows, and dumping standing water in objects like birdbaths and tires to prevent mosquitoes breeding near water. For more information on West Nile virus, visit https://cdc.gov/WestNile.
8. HomeShare Durham - HomeShare Durham is looking to help people seeking affordable housing with those who have extra space. This offers companionship support, reducing housing cost and provide security and stability. For more information, please visit www.dcia.org/homesharedurham or email homesharedurham@gmail.com.

Minutes: Commissioners approved the August 4, 2025, Work Session minutes and the August 11, 2025, Regular Session minutes.

Ceremonial Items:

1. Resolution - Honoring the Life of Thomas Henry Krakauer - The Board issued a resolution honoring the life of Thomas Henry Krakauer who made his transition on June 17, 2025. He was the long-time CEO of the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science and renowned for transforming the museum from a small, hometown institution to a leader among museums of science and technology. The beloved Butterfly House is one of the many expansions and improvements that came about via his direction. During his remarkable tenure, he also secured six National Science Foundation grants. After his retirement, he lent his considerable talents to help establish and manage the Museum of Durham History. Read the resolution here.
2. Proclamation - National Preparedness Month - The Board proclaimed September 2025 as National Preparedness Month in Durham County to raise awareness about the importance of being prepared for emergencies and disasters. Read the proclamation here.

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

25-0461- Authorize the County Manager to Execute a Purchase of Goods Contract with GreenTech Solutions Group, LLC for the 500 E Main Street Parking Deck Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in the amount of $75,684.65 plus contingency with a Not to Exceed amount of $80,684.65

25-0473- Approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC016 appropriating General Fund Balance Totaling $312,000 for the Cooperative Extension 4-H Program

25-0474- Approval of Property Tax Releases and Refunds for July 2025

25-0479- Amend the Contract with H3 Cleaning Solutions in the amount of $7,774.40 for weekend Day Porter Janitorial Services at Main Library, for total contract amount of $421,276.43 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, with the option to renew annually, as well as authorize the County Manager to execute future contract amendments if funds are available in the General Services Budget.

25-0480- Approval of a Letter of Support for a Feasibility Study for a Passenger Rail Station in RTP

25-0482- Authorize the County Manager and the Stadium Authority to enter into a MOU with DPS - City of Medicine Academy

25-0484- Approval of Annual Settlement of 2024 Property Taxes and Charge of 2025 Property Taxes to the Tax Collector

25-0486- Approval of Durham County Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board Chair

The Board approved all consent items. 

Public Hearing: The Board held a public hearing to consider naming the 2nd Floor Lobby of the Administrative I Building after William V. “Bill” Bell, former County Commissioner. The Board will amend the naming policy and hold another Public Hearing on September 8 to consider naming the County Administrative Building II instead.

Other Business: Resolution - Supporting State Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -The Board adopted a resolution supporting state funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Read the resolution here.

Items Pulled from the Consent Agenda: None

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

• Alliance Board of Directors - Alexandria Gwynn
• Environmental Affairs Board - Michelle “Meech” Carter and Astrid Cook Dail

Congratulations to the new members!

Adjournment: The Board adjourned the meeting at 7:58 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, September 8, 2025, 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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