Agenda
26-0133. Proclamation - National County Government Month 2026 (5min)
The Board is requested to proclaim April 2026 as National County Government Month (NCGM) in Durham County, North Carolina. Each April, counties across the United States observe NCGM, an initiative of the National Association of Counties (NACo), to raise public awareness of county programs, services, and responsibilities. Since 1991, the National Association of Counties has encouraged counties to actively promote county roles and responsibilities in serving residents. Durham County looks forward to showcasing how our county supports a healthy, safe, and vibrant community.
26-0136. Resolution - Recognizing 25 Years of Farmland Protection in Durham County (10min)
The Board is requested to recognize and celebrate 25 years of Durham County ’s farmland preservation efforts. Over this time, the County has partnered with and expresses deep appreciation for the many willing landowners who have voluntarily protected 20 farms totaling 2,491 acres, preserving working landscapes, natural resources, and the county ’s agricultural heritage. With additional farms easement projects expected to close soon, this milestone reflects both the dedication of participating farm families and the County ’s enduring vision for safeguarding farmland for future generations.
26-0137. Proclamation - Second Chance Month 2026 (5min)
The Board is requested to proclaim the month of April 2026 as Second Chance Month in Durham County. Second Chance Month is dedicated to recognizing the collateral consequences of a criminal record and advancing efforts that promote fairness and access to opportunities for people who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
26-0150. Proclamation - Fair Housing Month (5min)
The Board is requested to proclaim the month of April 2026 as Fair Housing Month in Durham County. To declare Durham County as an inclusive community committed to fair housing and to promoting appropriate activities by private and public entities to provide and advocate for equal housing opportunities for all residents and prospective residents of Durham County.
26-0126. Approve Durham City-County Interlocal Agreement in the Amount of $25,000.00 to Fund Consultant Work on the Creation of a Strategic Framework on Homelessness
The Board is requested to approve the County Manager to execute all documents required to enter into the Durham City -County Interlocal Agreement to fund consultant work on the creation of a Strategic Framework on Homelessness. This agreement will provide payment of $ 25,000 from Durham County to the City of Durham, which the City of Durham will pay to the consultant, Community Solutions International, Inc., for work leading to the Strategic Framework on Homelessness.
26-0129. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC070 Transferring $82,500.00 from the Public Safety Functional Area to the General Government Functional Area to Purchase a Replacement SUV for the Fire Marshal’s Office
The Board is requested to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC070 transferring $ 82,500.00 from the Public Safety functional area to the General Government functional area to purchase a replacement SUV for the Fire Marshal ’s Office. One of the Fire Marshal ’s Office response vehicles, a 2018 Ford F -150, was evaluated by the dealership for engine and transmission issues. The resulting estimate totals $ 23,141.74 and includes full replacement of both components. County Fleet policy specifies that a vehicle should be replaced when repair costs meet or exceed 75 percent of its current value. According to JD Power (formerly NADA ), the current value of this vehicle is $ 18,745.00, meaning the repair estimate represents approximately 123 percent of its value. The replacement cost also includes the County ’s estimated pricing for a suitable large SUV, which is $ 66,000. In addition, an estimated $ 16,500 is required for necessary upfit work, including installation of emergency response equipment and proper storage solutions for personal protective equipment (PPE). These upfits are essential to ensure the vehicle meets operational, safety, and regulatory requirements for Fire Marshal use. This vehicle plays a vital role in supporting Fire Marshal operations. It is routinely used for emergency response to fires, on scene investigations, inspections, and other essential Fire Marshal duties throughout the county. The loss or prolonged downtime of this vehicle directly impacts the office ’s ability to respond promptly and maintain operational readiness. Ensuring reliable transportation is critical for maintaining service levels, meeting statutory responsibilities, and supporting overall public safety. The purchase will be completed using existing budgeted funds from the Office of Emergency Services, however the vehicle will be purchased through the vehicles fund center, requiring the transfer of budgetary funding from the Public Safety functional area to the General Government functional area.
26-0147. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC073 - Transferring $117,630.96 of General Fund Fund Balance to the Capital Financing Fund in Recognition of Final Sales and Occupancy Tax Collection from the Prior Year in Adherence to Board Policy
The Board is requested to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC073 appropriating $ 117,630.96 of General Fund fund balance and transferring those funds to the Capital Financing Fund to comply with the County ’s capital and debt financing policy. Transferring prior year ’s overcollection of Sales and Occupancy tax is completed on an annual basis as part of the natural cycle of reconciliation at the end of a fiscal year. As part of the Durham County Policy on financing capital projects, all collected Article 40 and 42 sales tax and Local Occupancy Tax are directed for support of capital projects and their related debt service. In FY 2024-25, $ 117,630.96 from these revenue sources was realized over what was budgeted to be collected in the General Fund, and per capital financing policy, needs to be transferred to the Capital Financing Fund where they can be applied to debt service. Per Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) the revenues are recorded in the fiscal year that they apply. However, it is too late to amend the prior year budget to transfer the over realized funds in the prior fiscal year, therefore these monies have fallen to fund balance within the General Fund for the prior fiscal year (FY 2024-25). This action is administrative in nature ensuring that the funds are located per Board policy in the appropriate Fund. Revenues per source collected over budgeted amounts: · Occupancy Tax: $117,630.96 Moving these funds from the General Fund to the Capital Financing Fund will not affect the overall fund balance percentage for the General Funds, as both these funds are accounted for in the overall fund balance percentage.
26-0146. Advance Public Comments on the FY 2026-27 Budget (60min)
The Board is requested to hold an Advance Public Comment session to receive public comments for the FY 2026-27 annual budget. As County staff oversees preparation of the upcoming annual budget, public input is being solicited on issues which may need to be addressed during the budget process. To be able to hear from all interested residents, the Commissioners usually set a time limit of three minutes for each speaker; however, the time limit may be adjusted at the discretion of Chair Dr. Lee. Comments received by the County Clerk will be shared during the meeting, added to the meeting minutes, shared with the Commissioners and placed on the County website. Residents who wish to submit written comments to the Board of County Commissioners should use the physical address, fax number, online comment portal (details provided below) or email. Comments must be received by Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 2 p.m. · Email: clerk@dconc.gov <mailto:clerk@dconc.gov> · Physical Address: Monica Wallace, Clerk to the Board, 200 East Main St, Durham, NC 27701 · Fax: (919) 560-0013 Online Portal: Please go to the FY 2026-27 Resident Budget Portal FY 2026-27 Resident Budget Portal <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XB8J5WH>to submit a written comment on the FY 2026-27 budget process
26-0156. Board and Commission Appointments (10min)
26-0153. Approval of Property Tax Releases and Refunds for February 2026
The Board is requested to approve the Releases & Refunds for February 2026, 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 February 2026. This month ’s report includes releases and refunds for tax year 2025 totaling $ 6,190,164.74. Prior tax years’ (2015-2024) releases and refunds are in the amount of $ 7,667.52. February 2026, releases and refunds total $ 6,197,832.26.
26-0144. Public Hearing to Consider an Economic Development Agreement with Welcome Venture Park, LLC (20 min)
The Board is requested to hold a public hearing to consider a potential Economic Development Agreement (“Agreement”) with Welcome Venture Park, LLC (“Company”). The Agreement, to be negotiated and executed by the County Manager, would include: ( a) a payment from the County to the Company of $1,000,000 following satisfactory completion of sewer utility infrastructure necessary to enhance the business prospects of the County; (b) a real estate option provided by the Company to the County permitting acquisition of 1420 Old Oxford Road [7.81 acres; REID of 177731; “Parcel”] for $ 1,000,000 following a six -month due diligence period, after which the County could ultimately decline to purchase for any reason or no reason at all; and (c) a community benefits package including Company commitments to internships and workforce development programming. Additional information can be found in the attachment to this agenda item. The Company is developing Welcome Venture Park, a 157-acre industrial /business park (“Site”) in North Durham along Hamlin Road, approximately between Old Oxford Road and Industrial Drive. Construction is ongoing and occurring in three phases, and upon completion, it is estimated that the Site will collectively produce approximately $ 270M+ in new taxable value and support 300+ new jobs. Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 have adequate utility capacity. However, Phase 3 does not have adequate sewer capacity, as the City ’s Lutravil Pump Station, located approximately 0.75 miles north of the Site, cannot accommodate additional development . Improvements to this pump station, to be undertaken by the Company, will permit additional growth within the Site itself as well as within the larger basin. Additional reserve capacity could also be used for more sewer intensive projects at the Site, such as significant jobs and investment projects referred to Durham County by the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). The total cost of the necessary sewer upgrades is approximately $ 2,700,000. The County is being asked to contribute $ 1,000,000 towards the project, which only would be paid upon satisfactory completion of the sewer upgrades. The Company states that all permits and approvals are in hand and the improvements can begin as soon as possible. The County ’s willingness to consider financial support for sewer upgrades is linked to the fact the Company also owns the undeveloped Parcel adjacent to the future Durham-Roxboro Rail Trail. The Durham -to-Roxboro Rail Trail Plan, approved by the Board of Commissioners in 2025, determined that this general location was ideal for a future trailhead. Preliminarily, the Parcel could potentially include parking, restrooms, open space, and /or related trail programming. To that end, as a component of this deal, the Company is providing the County with a six -month option to purchase the property for a sales price of $ 1,000,000. The market value of the fee simple interest in the property (as of June 2025) was assessed by Analytical Consultants to be $ 1,090,000. The Parcel is otherwise not -for-sale and was intended to be used for industrial storage and future development by the Company. The County could ultimately either acquire the property at the end of this six -month period or decline to for any reason or no reason at all. The most important issue to be studied and resolved during the due diligence period is environmental testing . Currently, the Site, as well as the Parcel, are considered brownfields by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (“NCDEQ”). However, limited testing has been done on the Parcel itself and its suitability for parkland is unknown. If this item is approved by the Board, the Company, County, and NCDEQ will proceed with testing and other environmental due diligence for the site. If the testing determines that the Parcel is suitable and safe to be used as a trailhead or similar public use, then the County, Company, and NCDEQ would need to amend the approved brownfield agreement prior to closing. This public hearing has been advertised as required by law. Staff recommends approval.
26-0159. Removal of Citizen Board Member Due to Poor Attendance
The Board is requested to remove the following member in keeping with the Attendance Policy approved by the Board of County Commissioners in September 2025. “If an appointee has absences (excused or unexcused) which constitute more than 50% of the meetings in any calendar year or three (3) consecutive unexcused absences or five (5) consecutive excused absences in any calendar year, he or she is obligated to resign.” · Environmental Affairs Board - Chukwuemeka Kanu Oji The Clerk ’s Office was notified of the absences and made attempts to contact the board member. There was no response.
26-0157. Approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No.26BCC074 Appropriating General Fund Restricted Fund Balance Totaling $538,727 to Increase Expenditure Authority for Public Health
The Board is requested to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No .26BCC074 Appropriating General Fund Restricted Fund Balance Totaling $ 538,727 to Increase Expenditure Authority for Public Health. This revenue is unspent funds that were received prior to June 30, 2025, for specific restricted purposes (most often grant-related) and became restricted fund balance at the end of FY 2024-25. This budget amendment is an annual process in which County departments identify remaining (unspent) restricted revenue (e.g., grant, federal /state award, donations, etc.). Because they are restricted in General Fund fund balance, there is no impact on unassigned fund balance. This is a budgetary entry only for FY 2025-26 to allow the spending of the restricted monies for the purposes of which they were received rather than spending County funds which is in accordance with the County ’s spending hierarchy (e.g., restricted funding before unrestricted funding). Below is a list of programs with restricted fund balance as of FY 2024-25 to be allocated in FY 2025-26: Allocation of Restricted Funds for Public Health AMOUNT Care Management for High Risk Pregnancy (formerly OBCM) $454,415 Glaxosmithkline Foundation Grant $288 Ann Wolfe FY25 $2,135 Thriving Hearts $24,255 Duke Endowment Grant FY25 $57,634 Total: $538,727