The Durham County Board of Commissioners created a new fire protection district to finally fund the Mariah Volunteer Fire Department, ending decades of unpaid service. The Mangum Fire Protection Service District, encompassing 268 parcels worth $64.1 million in the northeast county, will levy a tax that works out to roughly $18.30 per month on an average home. Commissioner Stephen Valentine expressed frustration that the county had allowed Mariah to provide essential emergency services without compensation for "several decades," calling it "a surprise."
In other unanimous actions, the board approved Oracle as the county's new enterprise resource planning system, replacing software that reaches end-of-life in 2030. The platform switch will cost upwards of $20 million over four years and take 24 to 36 months to implement after the county selects a partner in August. Commissioners pressed staff on whether they can retain employees during such a long transition period.
Vote Record (28)
Budget
passed5-0
Shoppes of Hope Valley Renovation
$2.2M · Case 26CPA019
The county will allocate $400,000 to fund renovation work at the Shoppes of Hope Valley shopping center.
Budget
passed5-0
Fleet Facility Construction Contingency
$4.0M · Case 26CPA010
The county will increase the construction budget contingency by $401,025 for the Emergency Services fleet maintenance facility.
Budget
passed5-0
Downtown Parking Deck Expansion
$35.2M · Case 26CPA020
The county will allocate $584,085 toward renovation and expansion of the downtown parking deck at 500 E. Main Street.
Contract
passed5-0
Property Tax Releases and Refunds
$4.4M · Case 26-0116
The county will approve January 2026 property tax adjustments and refunds for assessment errors and overpayments.