Durham County Commissioners approved a $350,000 homeless day shelter contract and advanced a sweeping zoning overhaul while residents demanded the removal of the Department of Social Services director over child removal practices.
Commissioners approved a $350,000 homeless day shelter contract with Urban Ministries of Durham while multiple residents demanded removal of the DSS director over disproportionate child removals from Black families.
County transportation director warned of a $140 million funding deficit by 2037; commissioners Jacobs, Valentine, and Burton opposed cutting bus rapid transit and want to pursue a 1 percent transit tax referendum.
Planning Department advanced a sweeping zoning code with density bonuses for affordable housing, but Valentine noted county residential parcels outside city limits will require annexation before the new code applies.