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From the Desk of the County Manager, August 21, 2026

Welcoming the 119th NCACC Annual Conference to Durham County
August 21, 2026

Greetings, Durham!

This week, we proudly welcome more than 600 county officials and staff from 89 counties across North Carolina to Durham as the 119th Annual North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Conference officially begins. This event brings together commissioners, managers, clerks, and county professionals to learn, network, and grow; Durham County is honored to host once again.

Durham County was invited late last fall by NCACC Executive Director Kevin Leonard to serve as this year’s host. Then-Durham County Commissioners Chair Nida Allam offered an enthusiastic yes, and Clerk to the Board Monica Wallace quickly began coordinating with NCACC officials. From there, our internal planning team stepped forward, and conference preparations took shape with remarkable collaboration and care.
 

NCACC and Durham County

This year’s theme, Driving County Innovation, reflects the spirit of both the conference and our county. Durham County continues to lead with resilience, creativity, and a commitment to community-centered progress. Hosting this event allows us to highlight the work, partnerships, and forward-thinking approaches that make Durham a model for counties across the state. Over the next several days, county professionals from across North Carolina will exchange ideas, share best practices, and learn from one another to strengthen the collective impact of local government throughout our great state.

Durham has hosted the NCACC Annual Conference several times, most recently in August 2017. It was an especially meaningful year when former County Commissioner Brenda Howerton, who served as the Durham Board of County Commissioners Chair at that time, was installed as NCACC President. That moment remains a proud part of our county’s history.

Conference attendees will experience dynamic general sessions, motivational speakers, and workshops focused on the most pressing issues facing counties today. The conference also includes valuable networking opportunities and the presentation of Civic Awards recognizing outstanding county programs. Sessions cover the issues shaping counties statewide, including disaster response, mental health and the justice system, rural health access, county budgeting and tax reappraisal, data centers, school funding, and workforce wellness.

A special community initiative, “Stuff the Bus,” is underway in collaboration with the North Carolina Association of County Clerks. Attendees will help fill a Durham Public Schools bus with essential supplies for local students, reflecting our shared commitment to supporting education and strengthening communities.

Touring Durham County

Attendees won't just hear about county innovation in session rooms; they'll see it firsthand. Off-site tours take conference-goers behind the scenes at Durham County's new Main Library, through the East Main Street Redevelopment, a public-private partnership that turned downtown surface lots into a mixed-income affordable housing and market based housing. Attendees will also have the chance to gain insight from Knox St. Studios’ on unique approaches to local economic development, empowering residents to become entrepreneurs and employers.

NCACC coordinates partners from across the state to support conference activities. We are grateful for the many partnership from the Durham Community that supported conference efforts including Discover Durham and Downtown Durham, Inc.

A highlight of the conference will be the installation of incoming NCACC President Allen Thomas of Hoke County on Saturday. We congratulate outgoing President Wallace Nelson of Perquimans County for his service.

With Gratitude

I extend my deepest appreciation to the Durham County team who support the NCACC leadership to help make this event a succession:

  • Monica Wallace, Clerk to the Board and Annual Conference Planning Committee Lead
  • Macio Carlton, Deputy Clerk to the Board
  • Deborah Craig-Ray, Chief Communications Officer
  • Maurice T. Jones, Deputy County Manager
  • Lechelle Feinberg, County Manager Executive Administrator
  • Andy Miracle, Economic Development Director
  • Motiryo Keambiroiro, General Services Director
  • Dr. Brent Lewis, Assistant Director of Human Resources
  • Donna Rewalt, Durham County Extension Director
  • Sheriff Clarence Birkhead (Major Clifford Webster and David Bowser)
  • Mark Lockhart, Director of Emergency Services

Thank you to each of you for your commitment, professionalism, and teamwork.

As the conference unfolds, I encourage everyone across Durham County to warmly welcome our guests to the Bull City and help make their visit both memorable and inspiring.

Until next week,

Claudia Hager

Durham County Manager