The Durham City Council opened its hardest budget season in years at the March 2 meeting, with extended public testimony on youth gun violence. Student Inaya Henderson described the situation as a public health emergency and urged investment in prevention over policing. Mayor Leonardo Williams proposed a youth task force and a national violence-reduction framework.
- Council members named fare-free buses, emergency home repair, eviction diversion, immigrant defense, living wages, and Youth Works as top FY 2026-27 budget priorities. The council has not yet said how it will fund them.
- The city's downtown parking fund is running at a loss. Debt service, redevelopment plans, and discount programs have tied the fund increasingly to the general budget.
- Three GoDurham bus operators received Million Miler Club recognition for completing 1,000,000 accident-free service miles.
No votes on major budget questions were taken at this meeting. The council heard testimony and signaled priorities. The first formal budget hearing was March 16.
The FY 2026-27 budget hearing opened March 16. Final adoption is expected before summer.