Durham County Commissioners Approve $966 Million Budget, June 10 Meeting Highlights

Durham, N.C. – The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Monday, June 10, 2024, in Regular Session. Meetings are held in person or via a hybrid option inside the BOCC Chambers, located at 200 E. Main Street on the second floor. 

Chair Nida Allam called the meeting to order. 

Budget: The BOCC adopted the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget ordinance totaling $966,175,117. This year’s budget includes a County property tax rate increase of 4.65 cents to 79.87 cents per $100 valuation. The budget passed with a ­­­4-1 vote by the BOCC.

The FY 2024-2025 adopted budget is approximately 8.62% more than the previous year’s budget. As a part of the budget process, the Board increased the County Manager’s Recommended Budget by $10.3 million. The largest amount of the Board’s increase will provide additional funding for Durham Public Schools (DPS). The General Fund budget, providing the necessary financial resources for most of Durham County’s activities and services, is $652,471,185.

The adopted budget provides $208,601,332 in funding for DPS, increasing by $20,649,705 million to support the per pupil amount of $5,368 in direct funding. Additional DPS funding includes $6.58 million for “certified” salary/benefit increases, $3.95 million for teacher supplement increases, $1.26 million to support master’s degree pay, and $8.88 million for “classified” salary increases. Additional DPS support will come from available American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with $4 million allotted for DPS capital needs and $716,624 for Pre-K support at the new Murray-Massenburg Elementary School. The County is also providing contracted Pre-K support with additional funding of $965,448, increasing total annual funding to $8.89 million.

The FY 2024-2025 budget also provides $12,432,083 for Durham Technical Community College (DTCC), an increase of $725,018 or 6.19% from the previous year.

County departments were asked to “pause” all requests for new or expansion programming while reviewing their overall operations. This resulted in realigning existing operating budgets to address increased service demands. In addition to budget realignments, departmental operational budgets were permanently reduced by slightly over $1 million, which was used to balance the budget.

Other highlights from the FY 2024-2025 adopted budget include: 

•     3% increase in employee salaries
•     $1.4 million for the Eviction Diversion Program
•     10 new positions, 8 for the new Youth Home, and 2 for food security programs
•     $845,000 in additional funding for operational needs in the Sheriff’s Office
•     $1 million in continued funding for Hayti Reborn Justice Movement
•     Durham County Fire and Rescue Special Tax District property tax rate decreases 1.5 cents from 14.49 cents per $100 valuation to 12.99 cents. Redwood Fire District property tax rate increase of ½ cents from 12.25 cents per $100 valuation to $12.75 cents.

To review the adopted budget details for FY 2024-2025, visit the County’s Budget and Management Services webpage at dconc.gov/budget. Budget information on adopted budgets dating back 10 years prior is available to view and download on the webpage. The full FY 2024-2025 adopted budget document will be online by the end of August 2024.

Agenda Adjustments: The Board made no adjustments to the agenda.

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

1. Coming 2025 – Renegade, located in Downtown Durham, is the new up-and-coming urban living community located at 300 E. Main Street. Interested residents are asked to visit the website http://www.renegadedurham.com/ to complete a request form for more information.
2. Innovate Durham Demo Day – Everyone is invited to learn more about the results from four startups that recently tested their new technology with Durham County and the City of Durham’s governments at 2024 Innovate Durham Demo Day. This year’s event is Thursday, June 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Fayetteville Street. Register for free here: https://events.humanitix.com/innovate-durham-demo-day.
3. What’s the 411: Besides food, what other things raise my sugar? – In another episode of What’s the 411 from the Durham County Department of Public Health, we talk about topics related to diabetes, we will have Duke Endocrinologist Dr. Bryan Batch, talk about things that affect blood sugar-hormones and other conditions such as pain, stress, etc. Free session. On Tuesday, June 18, from 6 to 7 p.m. via Zoom. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkdu2gpzMtE9XhKKs4pEhB7.
4. Juneteenth Holiday Impacts Services – Most Durham County Government offices will be closed in recognition of the Juneteenth Holiday on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. All offices will reopen with normal business hours on Thursday, June 20. To read about the impacts on specific services, read here: https://www.dconc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/10135.
5. Durham Refugee Day on June 29 – Come and celebrate Durham’s refugee and immigrant communities at Durham Refugee Day 2024 at Durham Central Park on Saturday, June 29 from 3 to 6 p.m. Durham Refugee Day is a community-wide event that celebrates the contributions and cultures of our refugee and immigrant neighbors and provides an opportunity to stand in solidarity with these communities. This is a FREE, family-friendly event with live music, community education booths, activities for kids, and food vendors from around the world! Learn more at https://durhamrefugeeday.com/.
6. Davis Appears on Latest “In Touch with Durham County” – The latest edition of the Durham County Public Information Office’s “In Touch with Durham County” show for June 2024 features a full episode with Durham County Register of Deeds Sharon A. Davis. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/iBrSi3E9vDY.
7. DCo Library Summer Reading Program – Summer is here, and with it comes the National Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme is Adventure Begins at Your Library. Throughout the month of June, each Durham County Library location will hold a Summer Reading kickoff celebration. Be sure to stop by your library, pick up your reading tracker, and stock up on books! Learn more at http://www.durhamcountylibrary.org/.
8. Durham Rezoning Explorer – Find active zoning and annexation projects and share your input. Community members can navigate to areas of Durham on this Durham City-County Planning interactive map and share their input with staff, applicants, and governing bodies on current rezoning and annexation proposals submitted by applicants. This input may be used to inform the project itself, staff analysis, and information communicated to the Planning Commission, City Council or Board of County Commissioners. Visit it here: https://engagedurham.com/.

Minutes: Commissioners approved the minutes from the May 28, 2024, Regular Session. Read them here.

Ceremonial Items:

1. Recognition of Award Winners – The Board recognized and awarded the winners of the DCo On The Go Contest. Durham County has recently launched the “DCo On The Go” mobile initiative, featuring a new vehicle designed to extend county services directly to residents. In order to beautify this innovative mobile office, Durham County initiated an art contest, inviting local artists to contribute designs. The contest sought distinctive artwork from youth and adult artists for the rear and sides of the vehicle, respectively. A panel of judges evaluated the submissions based on creativity, adherence to contest rules, and representation of Durham County’s diversity and landmarks. The following artists were selected as winners:

Adult Artists (18+):

First Prize: Janice Little

Second Prize: Brandon Hampton

Third Prize: Aaron Overington

Youth Artists (Grades 6-12):

First Prize: Jena Im

Second Prize: Erin Lee

Third Prize: Dahlia Louis

The winning artwork can be viewed here.

1. Resolution—World University Games 2029—The Board issued a resolution showing full support for the 2029 World University Games being held in Durham County, NC. Read the resolution here.
2. Introduction of New County Food Security Coordinator – The Board welcomed New County Food Security Coordinator Raina Goldstein Bunnag. Created by the BOCC in 2020 with community input and support, the County Food Security Coordinator is responsible for driving county – and community-wide efforts around food access and food policy initiatives and practices in Durham County. She joined Cooperative Extension as County Food Security Coordinator on May 13, 2024. Bunnag is a Registered Dietitian and food security advocate dedicated to working alongside communities to create an equitable, nutritious, and sustainable food system. Most recently, she has worked with the DINE nutrition program at the Durham County Department of Public Health, where she led work on policy, systems, and environmental changes in elementary schools. Bunnag has a Master of Public Health from UNC-Chapel Hill and is currently completing a Master of Food and Agriculture Law and Policy from Vermont Law and Graduate School.
3. Proclamation—Pride Month 2024—The Board proclaimed June 2024 as Pride Month in Durham County. The purpose of the proclamation is to acknowledge and honor Pride in Durham County, bringing awareness and celebration to the experiences and contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community in Durham County. LGBTQ Pride Month traces its roots back to the 1969 Stonewall riots. The first Pride marches started the following year, June 28, 1970. Read the proclamation here.
4. Proclamation—Juneteenth 2024—The Board proclaimed June 19, 2024, as Juneteenth in Durham County. The purpose of the proclamation is to acknowledge and honor Juneteenth in Durham County and bring awareness to its history in the United States and Durham County. Read the proclamation here.

Consent Agenda: Commissioners vote to approve the following items. See full agenda for complete details: 

1. Approval of the FY25 Durham Annual Transit Work Program Global Operating and Capital Agreements
2. Approval to Enter into a Contract with Elections Systems and Software Maintenance, Firmware, and Software
3. Approval to Grant a Permanent Utility Easement to Duke Energy and Charter Communications at 406 Rigsbee Ave. and 215 W. Seminary Ave
4. Approval to Grant of a Permanent Sign Easement to the City of Durham for a Historical Marker at the Stanford L. Warren Branch Library at 1201 Fayetteville Street
5. Approval to Amend a Contract with EPlus Technology, Inc. in the Amount of $13,583.52 (for a new total of $52,445.20) for Contracted IT Consulting Support for the County’s Virtual Private Network (VPN), Using Current CIP Project Funds
6. Approval to Enter a Contract with NWN in the Amount of $182,431.80 to Manage and Support Durham County’s Information Technology ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure) Environment
7. Budget Ordinance Amendment No.24BCC00106 Transferring Available Unspent Funds Among Departments and Functional Areas to Support Personnel Expenses through the End of Fiscal Year 2023-24. No Additional Funding is being Requested
8. Review of the Draft Grant Agreement between Durham County and the Federal Railroad Administration for the Durham Rail-crossing Engagement, Planning, and Innovative Revitalization (Durham REPAIR) Study
9. Approval of Capital Project Amendment No.24CPA00029 Appropriating $5,000,000 of Limited Obligation Bond Funding (LOBS) for the New Emergency Operations Center (EOC) & Backup 911/Sheriff’s Call Center Capital Project (4730DC158), and Execution of Contract for Architectural/Engineering Design Services with O’Brien Atkins Associates for the EOC & Backup 911/Sheriff’s Call Center Project for a fee of $4,820,510
10. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 24BCC000104 Cooperative Extension to recognize $241,500 from the Duke Endowment to Enhance Parenting Skills and Support Services for Fathers by Offering a Culturally-Adapted Fatherhood Program through Extension’s Welcome Baby program to May 31, 2027
11. Approval of the Maintenance Contract with Granicus, LLC
12. Approval to Enter into a Contract with SHI International in the Amount of $106,869.91 to Renew Smarsh Text Archiving Licenses
13. Appoint Voting Delegate – 2024 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference

Other Business:

1. Adoption of the FY 2024-25 Budget Ordinance: The Board voted to approve the FY 2024-25 Annual Budget Ordinance. By a vote of 4-1, the 2024-2025 Fiscal year budget of $966,175,117 was approved.  The adopted budget is approximately 8.62% more than the previous year’s budget. 
2. Commissioner Comments: Each Commissioner had two minutes to provide comments on the FY 2024-25 Budget Ordinance.

Items Pulled from the Consent Agenda:

Closed Session: The Board adjourned into Closed Session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(4).

Adjournment: The Board adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.

Board meetings are cablecast live and rebroadcast on Durham Television Network (DTN) on Spectrum Channel 8. Replays are available on DTN along with AT&T U-verse Channel 99 and Frontier Communications Channel 70. 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, June 24, 2024, in 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.