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Durham County Commissioners Re-elect Howerton as Chair and Jacobs as Vice Chair

@SpectacularMag

Durham, N.C. –  The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) have selected its chair and vice chair for the upcoming year. During the Monday, December 5, 2022, Work Session, Commissioners Brenda Howerton and Wendy Jacobs were re-elected as chair and vice chair respectively.

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Chair Howerton and Vice Chair Jacobs were re-elected unanimously by fellow County Commissioners Nimasheena Burns, Heidi Carter, and Nida Allam.

Chair Howerton read a statement thanking the Board for their “vote of confidence in allowing me to continue to serve as the chair of the Board for another term,” she said.

She continued by congratulating Vice Chair Jacobs saying, “we have made a great team in the past few years, and I look forward to our continued progress next year.”

Chair Howerton continued, “As we move forward, we will continue to demonstrate our collective resiliency in these challenging times. While the COVID pandemic continues, we have learned great lessons about how to keep the health, safety, and well-being of our community as a top priority.”

She reflected on several of the Board’s key accomplishments including the hiring of Dr. Kimberly Sowell as the County Manager, the approval of the County’s $794 million spending plan, with no property tax increase, as well as the approval of the County’s largest-ever Bond Referendum of $550 million for Durham Public Schools, Durham Technical Community College and the Museum of Life and Science.

Finally, she noted, “I am confident that our Board will work to support several key priorities including: 

  • Providing ARPA Funding for community programs
  • Supporting our Seniors and helping them age with dignity
  • Reducing the level of violence in the community
  • Working collaboratively with the City and the private sector to provide more Affordable Housing for our citizens
  • The provision of a Mental Health HUB with programs and services, by working with churches and others to bring mental health services closer to residents.
  • Increasing access to Broadband in underserved communities
  • And a continued emphasis on reducing Black Maternal Health Disparities and improving the health of their babies. 

As I conclude, let me say that we have a dynamic Board of County Commissioners who bring forth passion, energy, and talent to this role. Please know that I am excited as we move forward together to serve our residents, and as we continue to tackle the emerging challenges that lie before us. Thank you again for your support.”

The Board will hold its final scheduled Regular Session of 2022 on Monday, December 12, 2022. The first Work Session for next year will be held on Monday, January 2, 2023. Archives and videos for the Board of Commissioners can be found here.

More information about the BOCC, including contact information for the Board of Commissioners, can be found on the Board’s webpage. Additional questions about the BOCC can be directed to the Clerk to the Board at (919) 560-0025 or email clerk@dconc.gov.