Durham, N.C. – The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Monday, March 24, 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.

Chair Nida Allam called the meeting to order. Commissioner Jacobs was excused.

All attendees were led by Commissioner Valentine 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. Chair Allam Participating in the 22nd Women’s Forum - The City of Durham and ISLA NC welcome everyone to the 22nd Annual Women's Forum: Moving Forward Together - Women Educating and Inspiring Generations on Thursday, March 27, in honor of National Women's History Month. This event will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, 101 City Hall Plaza. BOCC Chair Nida Allam joins other local women on a panel to discuss education, creating balance, personal growth, and more! Live broadcast on Durham Television Network and YouTube. More info at https://www.durhamnc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3833.
2. DCo Residents: Give Your Budget Priorities - Durham County residents are invited to give their feedback on budget priorities as Durham County staff, management, and Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) plan for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 annual budget. Durham County Government has established an easy-to-use budget portal to collect input from residents at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FY2025-26DCOResidentSurvey. Resident participation in the budgeting process is key to deciding Durham County's operational, personnel, and capital spending. Open until May 30.
3. Legal Eagle Community Day & Social Justice Fair - Join Durham County Library in partnership with NCCU’s School of Law, Legal Aid NC, Disability Rights NC, Emancipate NC, and more for a day of free legal resources for the whole community! This resource fair is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, at Main Library. Attendees can connect with programs and resources for their legal needs, while scheduled panels will provide insight into current legal issues like fair housing, restorative justice, and recent Supreme Court decisions. Register: https://durhamcountylibrary.libcal.com/event/13285557.
4. Durham Youth Leadership Fund Grant Application - The Durham Office on Youth is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Durham Youth Leadership Fund. The Durham Youth Leadership Fund funds community-based projects from young people, youth groups, community groups, and organizations that focus on at least one focus area. The DYLF will provide up to 15 one-year grants ranging from $500-$25,000! Learn more about DYLF including the focus areas for this year’s awards, visit https://bit.ly/OOYDYLF. Applications are due on Sunday, March 30!
5. Schedule Reappraisal Information Meeting with DCo Tax - Now that Durham County taxpayers have their reappraisal notices, they are encouraged to review the information and report any out of date/incorrect information to the tax office, compare the sale price of similar properties, and if you disagree with the assessed value, file an appeal with the Board of Equalization and Review. Property owners may schedule a Reappraisal Information Meeting with a tax staff representative from now until April 12 at various locations in the County. See dates/times here - https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-f-z/tax-administration/2025-general-reappraisal-revaluation. More info at www.dconc.gov/tax or by calling 919-560- 0300.
6. Look for CHA Volunteers; Take Survey, Get a Gift! - Volunteers and staff from the Durham County Department of Public Health, Partnership for a Healthy Durham, Duke Health, N.C. Central, El Centro and community partners will be stationed at various locations and events in Durham County to ask questions about the community’s health as part of the Durham County Community Health Assessment (CHA) survey process. Look for volunteers wearing identical blue t-shirts that say “Survey Team” on the front. The CHA is a public health survey conducted every three years to assess Durham County’s strengths and needs regarding the community’s health and well-being. Each survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes and will be available in English and Spanish. Participants who complete the survey will receive a thank-you gift! All responses will remain anonymous. To view the 2023 Community Health Assessment document or executive summary, visit www.healthydurham.org.
7. Community Mural Paint Day on April 12! - Join the Durham County Public Art Program for a community mural paint day on Saturday, April 12. Drop in between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., at the 500 E. Main Street Parking Deck (located off Elizabeth Street) next to the City of Durham Police Department. All ages and experience levels are welcome! This project will see residents help in the creation of art through community building! Learn more about the team of artists for this project at www.artofanon.com. If you are coming with a group, please reach out to Sarah Martin at sarahmartin@dconc.gov or 984-332- 2390 to reserve a time slot!
8. North Carolina Emergency Management Experience - Durham County girls in 9th-12th grades are encouraged to apply for the North Carolina Emergency Management Experience, a free five-day public safety career exploration. Running from June 23-27 at the N.C. State Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh, the sessions include field trips, career-building connections, hands-on experience, and more! Apply at https://ncdps.gov/ncem-management-experience. Questions? Email EMExperience@ncdps.gov.
9. Advance Public Comments on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget – As County staff begins preparation of the FY 2025-26 budget, public input is being solicited on issues which may need to be addressed during the budget process. The County Manager’s Recommended FY 2025-26 Budget will be presented to the Board of Commissioners on Monday, May 12, 2025, with individual budget work sessions with the BOCC to be scheduled for the period of May 12th until June 5th.

• Tuesday, May 20th Budget Work Session (9am-3:30pm)
• Thursday, May 22nd Budget Work Session (1pm-5pm)
• Thursday, May 29th Budget Work Session (9am-3:30pm)
• Tuesday, June 3rd Budget Work Session (9am-3:30pm)
• Thursday, June 5th Budget Work Session (1pm-5pm)

There will also be a Public Hearing at the Commissioners’ Regular Meeting on May 27th at 7:00 pm. Final adoption of the FY 2025-26 Budget Ordinance is scheduled for Monday, June 9, 2025. Additional comments can also be e-mailed to commissioners@dconc.gov or residents are encouraged to use the Durham County’s online FY 2025-26 Resident Portal to have their voice heard if they are unable to come in person. FY 2025-26 Resident Budget Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FY2025-26DCOResidentSurvey.

Minutes: Commissioners approved the minutes from the March 10, 2025, Regular Session.

Ceremonial Items:

1. Proclamation - John Hope and Aurelia Whittington Franklin Orchid Appreciation Day - The Board proclaimed March 29, 2025, as John Hope and Aurelia Whittington Franklin Orchid Appreciation Day in Durham, NC. Read the proclamation here.
2. Proclamation - Pearl Fryar Gardening Appreciation Day – The Board proclaimed March 29, 2025, as the Pearl Fryar Gardening Appreciation Day in Durham, NC. Read the proclamation here.
3. Proclamation - National County Government Month 2025 – The Board proclaimed April 2025 as National County Government Month in Durham. NCGM is held each April as an annual celebration of counties. Read the proclamation here.
4. Resolution - Celebrating Women in Construction – The Board approved a resolution Celebrating Women in Construction in Durham County. Read the resolution here.

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

1. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 25BCC084 Appropriating $125,000 in General Fund Committed Fund Balance to Increase Inmate Welfare Expenditure Authority for the Sheriff’s Office
2. Approval of Capital Project Amendment No.25CPA034 And Budget Ordinance Amendment No.25BCC078 Appropriating $5,389,000 of Debt Service Fund Fund Balance to the PAYGO Fund to Support Three New County IT Hardware & Software Capital Projects: 25 IT Hardware Replacement (4200DC144), 25 Audio-Visual Technologies (4200DC145); and 25 Telecommunications (4200DC146)
3. Approval of Thirumala Restaurant Lease Amendment to Extend Rent Commencement to August 1, 2025
4. Enter into Contract with Flooring by Design for $88,674.95 for the Replacement of Carpets at Agriculture Building
5. Approval to Enter into a Contract with Siemen’s Industry for the Purpose of Upgrading the Fire Alarm System Initiating Devices Throughout the Durham County Detention Center, in the Amount of $394,346.60. The County Manager also recommends the Board to allow the County Manager to sign off on subsequent extensions, change orders or amendments associated with this contract, as necessary, so long as funds are available.
6. Adoption of a Resolution to Convey Controlled Access Right-of-Way and Utility Easements to the North Carolina Department of Transportation
7. Approval of Contract Renewal with Evans and Associates Consulting Group for Tax Administration Business Auditing Services in the amount of $70,000.00
8. Approval to Enter into a Contract with Point Security, Inc. in the Amount of $144,639.78 to Provide Security Equipment to Four (4) Durham County Locations (Admin I., Admin II, Main Library and Stanford Warren)
9. Approval to Enter into a Contract with Intellicom Inc. in the Amount of $361,072.06 to Install, Highspeed Roll Up Gates for the 7th Floor of the Queen Street Deck for DCO Motor Pool Operation
10. Approval of Contract Renewal with County Tax Services, Inc. for Tax Administration Business Auditing Services in the amount of $70,000.00
11. Approval of Contract Renewal with Turner Business Appraisers for Tax Administration Business Audits in the amount of $70,000.00
12. Approval of Farragut Systems, Inc Contract Amendment with Tax Administration in the Amount of $259,000 Bringing the Total Contract to $1,868,000
13. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 25BCC082 - Appropriate General Fund Restricted Fund Balance Totaling $2,738,852.68 to Increase Expenditure Authority for Library, Justice Services, Register of Deeds, Social Services, Public Health, Office of Emergency Services, Open Space, and Tax Administration
14. Approval to Enter into a Contract with Securitas Technology Corporation in the Amount of $168,118.86 with a Contingency Amount of $21,014.86 (the contingency amount is to offset any foreseeable cost(s) associated with the software due to pending tariff cost(s)) to Renew and Install Software Licenses on all County Video Management Servers, Access Control Systems, Badging Servers and Intrusion Systems
15. Approval of Property Tax Releases and Refunds for February 2025
16. Approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 25BCC085 appropriating General Fund Balance Totaling $1,043,587 to Increase Expenditure Authority for Functional Areas: General Government, Economic & Physical Development, and Human Services

Board and Commission Appointments: The Board made appointments to the following Boards and Commissions:

• Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee -- Gwendolyn Price
• City-County Appearance Commission  -- Connor Kirkpatrick
• Durham County Women’s Commission -- Hannah Jeter
• Durham Planning Commission -- Diana Neunkirchner
• Environmental Affairs Board -- Lola Chafatelli
• Industrial Facilities and Pollution Authority -- Michael Hill
• Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee  -- Shannon Casey
• Raleigh-Durham (RDU) Airport Authority -- Indranil Ghosh and Yesenia L. Polanco-Galdamez

Congratulations to new and returning members!

Items Pulled from the Consent Agenda: None.

Closed Session: The Board adjourned to Closed Session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(5). They returned and announced they gave direction to staff. 

Adjournment: The Board adjourned the meeting at 8:08pm.

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, April 14, 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.