Board of County Commissioners Regular Session Highlights from November 9, 2026

November 10, 2026

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

Closed Session: The Board adjourned into close session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(5) and G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3). No action was taken.

Chair Dr. Mike Lee called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and read the Public Charge.

Commissioner Michelle Burton read the Land Acknowledgment. All attendees were led by Commissioner Wendy Jacobs in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Agenda Adjustments: The Board made no adjustments to the agenda and the vote to accept the agenda was passed unanimously.

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

Annual Community Resource Fair - Join Senator Natalie Murdock (District 20) and Representative Zack Hawkins (District 31) at the FREE Annual Durham Community event on Saturday, November 14th from 10am - 2pm at Royal Seven Center located at 311 Dowd Street. During this event residents can connect with local organizations, services, and opportunities that make Durham stronger. There will be vendors, music and free food. No registration is required.
East Durham Rail Crossings Study - Durham County Transportation is hosting a kickoff webinar for the East Durham Rail Crossings Study on Thursday, Nov. 12th from 7-8 PM. Learn about what the study will cover, the safety concerns at the Plum St., Driver St. and Ellis Rd. crossings, and how you can get involved. Register for the webinar at www.dconc.gov/railcrossings.
Oxford-Hamlin Areas Small Area Plan Community Workshop on November 12 - Help shape the future of your neighborhood at the next Oxford-Hamlin Small Area Plan community workshop. This workshop will focus on priorities identified by residents, including environmental protections, open space and maintenance, and related topics. The workshop will be held on Thursday, November 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Soul Sanctuary, located at 1016 Old Oxford Road. Join the Durham Planning and Development Department to learn more, share ideas, and help develop solutions to local concerns. Spanish interpretation is available upon request through registration. RSVP here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=gu99KTmUiEOoCDVIpOz0fTRMlaO8j0JHi3E1NlwHfctUMU4zVEROSDJEUFRVTjJGS1YxNUFNUEJFMC4u&route=shorturl.
Durham County Seeks Proposals to Support Youth’s Social, Emotional, Mental, and Physical Health - Durham County is now soliciting proposals for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Youth Services Grant Program, a competitive microgrant designed to support local nonprofit organizations that enrich the lives of youth, and promote their social, emotional, mental, and physical health. A total of $500,000 is available and grant awards will range between a minimum of $40,000 to a maximum of $50,000. Durham County invites proposals from nonprofit organizations with an active 501(c)(3) status or community-based groups with a fiscal sponsor that has an active 501(c)(3) status. Proposed projects must serve youth ages 4-24 in Durham County and focus on one or more of three eligible project categories: (I) Youth Social-Emotional and Mental Health Services, (II) Youth Enrichment and Recreational Activities or (III) Youth Academic Supports. Interested organizations can submit their applications via JotForm at https://dconc2.jotform.com/262796146830869. The deadline to apply is Monday, November 16 at 5:00 p.m.
Join Welcome Baby’s 14th Annual Winter Coat Drive - Help keep Durham's children warm this winter by supporting Welcome Baby's 14th Annual Winter Coat Drive. The annual drive collects new and gently used coats and winter accessories for children ranging in size from newborn to size 8. Public donation boxes will be available from November 16 through January 8 at the Durham Cooperative Extension Building, located at 721 Foster Street, Durham County Library locations, and additional sites to be announced. Community members are encouraged to donate coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and other winter essentials to help the children of Durham stay warm during the colder months. Interested in hosting a private coat drive? Contact Cindy Riley at 919-560-7319 or ckriley@dconc.gov for more information.
Sheriff Clarence Birkhead Joins “In Touch with Durham County” Show for November Episode - The November 2026 episode of “In Touch with Durham County”, produced by the Durham County Public Information Office, is now available. In this episode, host Deborah Craig-Ray, Durham County Chief Communications Officer, sits down with Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead for an in-depth conversation about the role of the Durham County Sheriff's Office, the agency's ongoing efforts to build trust with residents and neighborhoods, and recent investments aimed at expanding its presence across the county and strengthening its workforce. Watch the full episode on the Durham County YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/VOvxwABl2Pc.

The Board approved an excused absence for Commissioner Wendy Jacobs for the Regular Session scheduled for November 23, 2026.

Minutes: Commissioners approved the minutes from the October 26, 2026, Regular Session.

Ceremonial Items:

Recognize Extension Agent Ashley Troth for winning the 2026 Distinguished Early Career Award from the Extension Master Gardener (EMG) National Committee - The Board recognized Extension Agent Ashley Troth for winning the 2026 Distinguished Early Career Award from the Extension Master Gardener (EMG) National Committee for her work with the Extension Master Gardener Program at Durham County Cooperative Extension.
Resolution - Operation Green Light and Veterans Day 2026 - The Board adopted a resolution in support of Operation Green Light and in Observance of Veterans Day 2026. Read the resolution here.
Proclamation - Recognizing and Celebrating 20 Years of Kids Voting at Durham County and Durham County Cooperative Extension - The Board recognized 20 years of Kids Voting Durham at Durham County and Durham County Cooperative Extension. Read the proclamation here.

Consent Agenda: Commissioners unanimously approved the following items after staff provided additional information about Consent Agenda Item 26-0586. See full agenda for complete details:

26-0517- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 27BCC031 OES - Emergency Management to recognize FY26 NC Tier II Grant funding in the amount of $8,300 to Support the Local Emergency Planning Committee

26-0518- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 27BCC032 OES - Emergency Management to recognize FY26 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant funding in the amount of $18,500 for Hazardous Materials Response Training

26-0527- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 27BCC032 OES - Emergency Management to recognize FY26 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant funding in the amount of $18,500 for Hazardous Materials Response Training

26-0531- Authorize the County Manager to Renew the Interlocal Agreement with Orange County for Management of Little River Regional Park and Natural Area

26-0539- Approval of Capital Project Amendment No.27CPA018 Reducing Appropriated Funding to Support the New Durham County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Capital Project (4730DC158) by $5,656,912 for a Revised Total Budget of $49,499,403; and Authorizing the Execution of the Construction Manager At-Risk Guaranteed Maximum Price Contract with Bordeaux Construction for the Construction of the Emergency Operations Center at a Total Amount Not-To-Exceed $38,913,235 (Base Bid, Alternates Plus Owner’s Contingency) Subject to the Review and Approval of the County Attorney's Office

26-0541- Authorization of an Amendment to the Design Contract with RND Architects, PA for Design Development and Construction Administration Services Related to the Durham County Sheriff’s Training Facility (Project No. 4310DC091) in the Amount of $124,890 for a Total Revised Contract Amount not to exceed $1,093,390

26-0542- Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 27BCC037 Public Health to Recognize $13,830 from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health, Women, Infant, and Community Wellness Section, Reproductive Health Branch for Prenatal and Postpartum Care for Low-Income Individuals

26-0543- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No.27BCC035 and Capital Project Amendment No.27CPA017 Appropriating $5,045,000 in Debt Service Fund Fund Balance and Transferring the Funding to the PAYGO Fund to Support the Purchase of Real Property at 2828 Croasdaile Drive (5910SH331), and Authorize the Manager to Execute Documents Related to this Purchase Pending Final Approval of Documents by the County Attorney’s Office

26-0544- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 27BCC036 to Recognize $4,000 in Additional Funding for the Justice Services Department from the Durham Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board for the Durham Recovery Court

26-0547- Approval Of Contract with Duke University Cancer Center in the Amount Of $118,000.00 to Provide Development of Substance use Training, Educational Resources, and Awareness Materials to Support Patients, Providers, and Community Partners Affiliated with Duke Cancer Center (DCC), as well as Delivery of Developed Trainings to Relevant DCC Staff

26-0550- Approval of Capital Project Amendment No.27CPA020 and Budget Ordinance Amendment No.27BCC039 Reducing the Open Space & Farmland Preservation Capital Project (4730DC083) by $434,000 and Transferring the Funding to the General Fund to Support Triangle Land Conservancy’s Acquisition and a Durham County-held Conservation Easement to Permanently Protect 64.5 Acres of Forestland at 6509 and 6511 Cassam Road

26-0551- Approve Acquisition of 15 acres at Southview Preserve, Conveyance of a Conservation Easement to Triangle Land Conservancy on these 15 acres, and Acceptance of a Conservation Easement on 62 acres Acquired by Triangle Land Conservancy for Permanent Protection of 77 acres at Southview Road

26-0557- Exercise the Option and Authorize the Manager to Accept the Donation of a 5.67 Acre Parcel Located at 1207 Shiloh Glenn Drive

26-0558- Approve and Authorize the Manager to Execute A Resolution and Lease Agreement with Squared Corners Holdings, LLC, D/B/A Suite Cutz, for a suite at Shoppes of Hope Valley, Pending Final Approval of the Lease Agreement by the County Attorney’s Office

26-0560- Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 27BCC0040 FY 2026-27 Encumbrance Rollover - Increasing Multiple Funds Budgeted Expenditures and Revenues by a total of $22,655,384.42

26-0561- Authorization of an Amendment to the Design Contract with O’Brien Atkins Associates, PA for Construction Administration Services Related to the Durham County Emergency Operations Center (Project No. 4730DC158) in the Amount of $346,260 for a Total Revised Contract Amount not to exceed $5,322,951.50

26-0563- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 27BCC043 OES - Emergency Management to recognize FY25 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) in the amount of $62,500 to Support Emergency Management in Durham County

26-0564- Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 27BCC042 Community Intervention & Support Services to Recognize $130,000 From the Durham County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) Grant for Gang Prevention and Intervention

26-0565- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 27BCC045 Appropriating $186,938 in General Fund Restricted Fund Balance to Increase State Asset Forfeiture Expenditure Authority for a New Total of $206,938 for the Sheriff’s Office

26-0566- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 27BCC041 Appropriating $93,156.73 in General Fund Restricted Fund Balance plus an Additional $68,847.88 in Overcollection of Current FY 2026-27 Revenue to Increase Federal Asset Forfeiture Spending Authority by $162,004.61 for the Sheriff’s Office

26-0567- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 27BCC044 Appropriating General Fund Restricted Fund Balance in the Amount of $440,945 to Increase Expenditure Authority for the Sheriff’s Office Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Grant

26-0569- Approval of Capital Project Amendment No. 27CPA019 Appropriating $49,245,841 to the Chin Page Road Lift Station, Force Main, and Outfall Project (SE064) Increasing the Total Project Budget to $52,321,091; as well as Approve the County Manager to Enter Into a Contract Amendment with Garney Companies, Inc., to Provide Construction Services in the Amount of $46,983,993 Bringing the Total Contract Amount from $1,400,000 to $48,383,993

26-0572- Approve Acceptance of Impervious Surface Conservation Easement (approximately 26.1 acres, a portion of REID 187897, 187946, and 187948) at 604 Orange Factory Road and 6904 & 6902 Innesbrook Way for Permanent Open Space

26-0573- Execution of a Contract with Summit Design & Engineering Services, Inc. for Construction Materials Testing (CMT) and Special Inspections for the New Durham County Emergency Operations Center in the amount of $163,800 plus ten percent (10%) contingency in the amount of $16,380 for a total contract not to exceed $180,180

26-0574- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 27BCC046 Recognizing $475,000 in Grant Funds to Cooperative Extension for the Golden Leaf Foundation Farm Campus Grant

26-0580- Approval of a Contract for Janitorial Services under RFP No. 26-06 at Admin I and William Bell Buildings, and for Restaurant Cleaning Services to Joy Cleaning Service LLC over the FY27 Term for a total Contract Amount of $280,188.00.

26-0581- Approve Contract for Courthouse Fire Alarm Migration Capital Improvement Project with Siemens Inc. Under Siemens Sourcewell Contract #071624-SIE in the Amount of $446,118.44

26-0586- Authorize the County Manager to Execute a Contract with Access Services, Inc. in the Amount of $275,360 for Temporary Staff at the Durham County Youth Home

26-0587- ARPA Budget Reconciliation and Approval of ARPA Grant Ordinance Amendment No.27ARPA001 Moving Funding Between Functional Areas to Reflect Final Program Alignment and Approve Reallocation of Funds from Under Budget Projects

26-0591- Approve Budget Ordinance Amendment 27BCC051 Appropriating $1,654,000 of General Fund Fund Balance for Two Contracts Approved in FY 2025-26 for the Sheriff’s Office

26-0596- Approval of Property Tax Releases and Refunds for October 2026

26-0597- Appoint Voting Delegate - North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Legislative Goals Conference

26-0600- Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 27BCC053 Appropriating $934,500.54 of General Fund Fund Balance to the Alliance Health Approved FY 2026-27 Budget to Support Additional Behavioral Health Investments not to Exceed $4,503,802 and to Amend the Alliance Health Contract for Total Funding of $4,503,802.

Other Business: The Board received an informational report outlining the currently proposed changes to the Federal Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG), the regulations that establish rules and guide administration of federal grant funding, from the Durham County Department of Organizational Effectiveness and the Durham County Attorney’s Office. On May 29, 2026, the United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced proposed revisions to the UGG through the formal Federal rulemaking process.

Items Pulled from the Consent Agenda: None

Adjournment: The Board adjourned the meeting at 9:01p.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, Monday, November 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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