Agenda
25-0204. Proclamation - Disaster Preparedness Week (Community Preparedness) (10min)
The Board is requested to proclaim June 28 - July 4, 2025 as Disaster Preparedness Week in Durham County. This proclamation was requested by the community groups Partners Against Crime (PAC) District 1 and District 5 in preparation for their upcoming Disaster Preparedness Community Events scheduled for May 3rd and June 7th. These events will offer the residents an opportunity to ask questions about and be prepared for a natural disaster. Durham County will recognize September as National Emergency Preparedness Month and more information will be shared prior to that time. For additional information on National Preparedness Month, please visit: <https://www.ready.gov/september>
25-0205. Proclamation - Recognizing the 25th Anniversary of the Durham Library Foundation and Proclaiming June 5, 2025, as Durham Library Foundation Day in Durham County (5min)
The Board is requested to recognize and the 25th anniversary of Durham Library Foundation and proclaim June 5 as Durham Library Foundation Day. Durham Library Foundation was established in 2000 to ensure the long -term financial strength of Durham County Library. The Foundation has significantly enhanced library services, notably securing a $ 500,000 NEH Challenge Grant in 2005 and matching it with $1.5 million in private contributions. Through ongoing fundraising and investment management, the Foundation supports vital library programs, collections, and capital projects. Its work continues to advance access to education, innovation, and lifelong learning for all Durham County residents.
25-0116. Authorization to Execute Amendments to the Service Agreement and Cooperative Agreement for Participation in Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage Program in Alignment with the County’s Renewable Energy Plan
The Board is requested to authorize the County Manager to execute Amendments to the Service Agreement and Cooperative Agreement for participation in Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage program in alignment with the County ’s Renewable Energy Plan. Duke Energy ’s Green Source Advantage program (GSA) allows participants to partner with a solar developer to build a solar farm, agreeing to pay a set amount to offset their electricity purchases for up to 20 years. Duke Energy pays the customer back a credit on their bills that covers part of the cost of the payment to the developer. The customer does not pay any upfront capital costs, on -going maintenance, or decommissioning costs of the facility. Durham County is partnering with the City of Durham and Durham Public Schools on this project. Pine Gate Renewables is the solar developer selected to construct and maintain the solar farm . Once operational, it is anticipated that the solar farm will provide renewable energy to offset approximately 70% of the electricity used in Durham County facilities. The Board approved participation in the program in January 2021 and the Service Agreement and Cooperative Agreement were signed in September 2022. Since that time, there have been market changes that necessitate amendments to the agreements . At the same time, staff have negotiated new terms with Duke Energy that are expected to lower the cost of participation to the county over the 20-year project period as compared to the original agreement terms.
25-0175. Authorize Chair to execute a Resolution in Support of Application for a Water Resources Development Grant Program - Floodplain Resiliency Grant
The Board is requested to authorize the Chair to sign a resolution in support of Durham County ’s Engineering & Environmental Services - Stormwater application for the Water Resources Development Grant Program - Flood Resiliency Grant. NC DEQ has authorized the Division of Mitigation Services (DMS) to oversee the development of the North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint, a state flood planning process to increase community resiliency to flooding throughout North Carolina ’s River basins, serve as a resource for riverine and stream management to reduce flooding and support the establishment and furtherance of local government stormwater maintenance programs. DWR has been allocated a portion of Blueprint funding to provide state funds to offer cost -share grants for projects that reduce flooding or increase flood resiliency. Durham County intends to apply for grant funding for the Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park Stream Restoration Project. The Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park Stream Restoration Project was identified in the County Stormwater Nutrient Management Strategy as a potential project for compliance with the Falls Lake Nutrient Management Rules. The project consists of approximately 1,500 linear feet of stream restoration and a bioretention pond to treat stormwater on the property. The stream restoration project will remove sources of nitrogen and phosphorous from streambank erosion - helping the County meet the nutrient requirements of the Falls Lake Rules - while also reducing flooding impacts to residents of Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park. The total estimated project cost is $ 2.1 million. The County previously applied for and received a $ 400,000 Local Assistance for Stormwater Infrastructure Investments (LASII) grant from the North Carolina Division of Water Infrastructure to cover the planning efforts for the Whispering Pines project. The County also received $500,000 from the Division of Soil and Water ’s Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP). The County continues to seek additional grant funding for the project, an important part of meeting the County Stormwater Program ’s Guiding Principle of “Efficiency with Stormwater Utility Fee revenues .” The County will apply for an additional $ 600,000 in funding from the Water Resources Development Grant Program.
25-0194. Approval of Capital Project Amendment No.25CPA038 Appropriating $2,000,000 of North Carolina Public School Lottery Fund Funding for Playground Renovations and Replacements at Eight Durham County Public Elementary Schools
The Board is requested to approve Capital Project Amendment No .25CPA038 appropriating $ 2,000,000 of North Carolina Public School Lottery Fund funding for eight (8) elementary school sites to receive playground renovations or replacements. The complete list of site upgrades include: Equipment and Resurfacing Creekside ES Pre-K equip + PIP surface Eastway ES Area C: 3-5 equip + PIP surface EK Powe ES Area B: K2 + 3/5 equip + PIP surfacing George Watts ES Area B: PIP 3-5 equip + resurfacing Mangum ES Area C: K-2 (swing set area) equip + PIP surface YE Smith ES Area B: K2 equip + PIP surface Resurfacing Only George Watts ES Area A: K2 PIP surfacing only Mangum ES Area A: 2nd-5th PIP surfacing only Mangum ES Area B: PreK PIP Surfacing Only Mangum ES Area D: K-1st PIP Surfacing Only Parkwood ES Area A: Pre K PIP Surfacing Only Sandy Ridge ES Area C: K2 PIP Surfacing Only YE Smith ES Area A: 3-5 PIP surfacing only YE Smith ES Area B: K2 Equip + PIP surface *PIP= Poured in Place, the type of flooring that will be installed at each school *Area A-D= specific school playground; most schools have multiple playgrounds Lottery Funding will be used to provide safe play areas for students, as well as replace equipment that is passed its recommended lifespan. The projects include resurfacing playground flooring, installing new equipment, and replacing playground structures. Project # Project Name Current Budget Increase Updated Budget 59105400SH325 Multiple Sites - Playground Equipment and Flooring Replacement $0 $2,000,000 $2,000,000
25-0207. Request for Board Approval of $22,097.40 Increase to Contract with Biscuits and Banjos Festival for a Total Funding of $62,097.40.
The Board is requested to approve an increase of $ 22,097.40 to the current contract with Biscuits and Banjos LLC in support of the Biscuits and Banjos Festival held in downtown Durham. The additional $ 22,097.40 will bring the County ’s total funding to $ 62,097.40, which matches the City of Durham ’s support for the festival, consistent with historical practices. The festival champions Black artists and creators, offering robust musical performances alongside secondary programming to include lectures, workshops, and readings from authors, chefs, visual artists, and more. Economic impact information received to support funding for the original contract: According to Americans for the Arts' Arts and Economic Prosperity Calculator, the festival's estimated budget in the first year, combined with 10,000 expected attendees, will result in an estimated $ 2.2 million in total expenditures, including money spent on festival production, as well as money spent on hotels and dining. The festival will create at least 41 short-term jobs in Durham.
25-0210. Approve Capital Project Amendment No.25CPA040 and Budget Ordinance Amendment No.25BCC088 Appropriating $1,750,000.00 of Sewer Utility Enterprise Fund Fund Balance and Transferring $1,200,000 to the Chin Page Road Lift Station, Force Main and Outfall Capital Project (SE064); $47,000 to the Page Park Lift Station, Force Main and Outfalls Capital Project (SE065); and $503,000 to the Slater Road Lift Station, Force Main, and Outfall Capital Project (DC001).
The Board is requested to approve Capital Project Amendment No .25CPA040 and Budget Ordinance Amendment No .25BCC088 appropriating $ 1,750,000 of Sewer Utility Enterprise Fund Fund Balance and transferring $ 1,200,000 to the Chin Page Road Lift Station, Force Main and Outfall Capital Project (SE064); $ 47,000 to the Page Park Lift Station, Force Main and Outfall Capital Project (SE065); and $503,000 to the Slater Road Lift Station, Force Main, and Outfall Capital Project (DC001). Project Current Budget Increase/Decrease Revised Budget Chin Page Road Lift Station, Force Main and Outfall Capital Project (SE064) $ 1,875,250 $ 1,200,000 $ 3,075,250 Page Park Lift Station, Force Main and Outfalls Capital Project (SE065) $ 4,236,671 $ 47,000 $ 4,283,671 Slater Road Lift Station, Force Main and Outfall Capital Project (DC001) $ 22,349,654 $ 503,000 $ 22,852,654 TOTAL $ 28,461,575 $ 1,750,000 $ 30,211,575 The additional funding is to supplement the previously approved Phase I scope of work for each Capital Project. Phase I scope of work includes lift station, force main, and sewer outfall field evaluations, permitting /encroachment and associated preliminary activities like flow projections, siting, right -of-way analysis, easement acquisition, surveying, subsurface utility surveys, geotechnical services, and detailed design. Phase I will also result in the development of the GMP.
25-0214. Approval of a Contract Renewal with Info-Tech Research Group to extend professional membership in the amount of $51,016.64.
The Board is requested to authorize the County Manager to approve the renewal of a contract with Info Tech Research Group to continue IT professional membership in the amount of $51,016.64 using IS&T current FY 2024-2025 operational funds. Renewing this contract is essential, as Info -Tech Research Group is a globally recognized leader in information technology research and advisory services. The vendor provides critical research, national data, and specialized tools that support both private industry and government entities in making strategic, data -driven decisions. Their services include actionable tools, analyst guidance, process improvement frameworks, project support, templates, benchmarking and diagnostic programs, all of which deliver measurable value to IT organizations. At this juncture, Info -Tech Research Group is providing critical data and insights for the DCO ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Strategic Initiative, offering access to resources what would otherwise be unavailable. These tools and research are instrumental in advancing Phase Two of the enterprise initiative, ensuring a well-informed and strategic approach to its successful implementation. Additionally, as DCO embarks on a website refresh and other key technology projects, the continued access to Info -Tech’s resources will be vital in driving progress toward DCO ’s high -performance organizational goals. Their expertise and data-driven tools will help sustain momentum and enhance the overall efficiency of these initiatives. Renewal of this contract will continue to provide DCO with the necessary insights and resources to achieve its strategic IT objectives.
25-0190. Board and Commission Appointments (10min)
25-0219. Closed Session
The Board is requested to adjourn into Closed Session to discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by the public body, including agreement on a tentative list of economic development incentives that may be offered by the public body in negotiations; pursuant to G .S. 143-318.11(a)(4)
25-0230. Approval of Property Tax Releases and Refund for March 2025
The Board is requested to approve the Releases & Refunds for March 2025, which includes adjustments to the current year ’s levy as well as prior years’ levies. Due to property valuation adjustments for over assessments, listing discrepancies, duplicate listings, and clerical errors, etc. the attached reports detail monthly releases and refunds for March 2025. This month ’s report includes releases and refunds for tax year 2024 totaling $ 251,466.89. Prior tax years’ (2015-2023) releases and refunds are in the amount of $ 7,587.93. March 2025, releases and refunds total $ 259,054.82.
25-0236. Approval of a Support Letter for Head Start and Early Head Start
The Board is requested to approve and sign a support letter for Head Start and Early Head Start to members of Congress to urge them to protect Head Start funding . Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs that support families with young children who are living in poverty, in foster care, or experiencing homelessness. Head Start provides children from eligible families with high -quality early learning as well as medical, dental, vision, behavioral, health, and nutrition services. A recent White House draft budget document for FY 26 eliminates funding for Head Start. Without Head Start, our County and State ’s most vulnerable children will lose access to high -quality early learning as well as meals, health and vision screenings, dental services, and the skills they need to enter kindergarten ready to learn. Additionally, parents may be forced to choose between employment and caregiving. In Durham County, more than 490 children are currently enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start. Board members requested the opportunity to submit a letter and requested staff to prepare a letter reflecting the local impact.
25-0235. Approval of Capital Project Amendment No.25CPA041 and Budget Ordinance Amendment No.25BCC089 Appropriating $558,485 of Debt Service Fund Fund Balance and Transferring it to the PAYGO Fund to Support the New Ongoing Countywide Equipment Replacement Capital Project (4190DC089)
The Board is requested to approve Capital Project Amendment No .25CPA041 and Budget Ordinance Amendment No .25BCC089 appropriating $ 558,485 of Debt Service Fund Fund Balance and Transferring it to the PAYGO Fund to support the new Ongoing Countywide Equipment Replacement Capital Project (4190DC089). Durham County Capital Projects Current Budget Increase/Decrease Updated Budget Countywide Equipment Replacement Project (41904200DC089) $0.00 $558,485.00 $558,485.00 This new Capital Project will establish a consistent funding source for equipment replacement needs across the County. With diverse building types and functions, there are multiple pieces of equipment that require varied replacement cycles . Establishing this project will allow the County to plan for these cycles, and ensure adequate funding is available when urgent needs arise. The initial funding for this project is provided for identified needs in the Detention Center. Some of the kitchen equipment has reached the end of its life cycle and needs to be replaced to avoid downtime and future repair issues. Also, the personal property room has a conveyor system that has stopped functioning and needs to be replaced. Funding both items will allow conditions to remain safe for County staff, as well as persons who are detained. Funding is being requested now to ensure timely delivery, as well as adhere to existing price quotes. General Services, the Sheriff ’s Office, and County Management have worked collaboratively to bring these needs forward.