Durham County commissioners discussed the FY 2026-27 budget ordinance amid federal funding pressures, calls to restore Pride funding, and urgent warnings about depleted school support staff.
County Manager and commissioners described the budget as one of the hardest in memory, with over $40 million in unfunded requests, most departments absorbing at least a 2% cut, and at least $12 million in projected shortfalls already anticipated for FY 2027-28.
Two speakers urged commissioners to go beyond solidarity statements and restore LGBTQ-related programming funding, citing the elimination of the LGBTQ committee and cuts to Pride funding made in the prior year's budget cycle.
Two Durham Public Schools physical therapists told commissioners their nine-person department lost six staff this year and operated as low as 62% capacity, warning that unaddressed classified staff pay could trigger lawsuits over unmet federally mandated student services.
Commissioners considered a resolution recognizing Bahama Volunteer Fire Department member Richard 'Ricky' Dorsey, who died in the line of duty during Hurricane Fran in 1996 at age 19; the resolution is intended to support efforts to name a bridge in his honor.