Civic — Page 11 — Hey Durham

Board of Commissioners

Work Session · June 3, 2024

Durham County commissioners face demands from Durham Public Schools for a $27.7 million budget increase that could require the largest property tax increase in county history—up to 4.9 cents per $100 of valuation.

City Council

Regular Meeting · June 3, 2024

Durham City Council unanimously approved an $85 million Parks and Recreation bond despite a resident's unheeded warnings about lead contamination risks at five city parks.

Board of Commissioners

Work Session · May 30, 2024

Durham County Commissioners offered Durham Technical Community College only $200,000 of its requested $504,000 in additional funding, leaving a significant gap for the relocated campus.

Board of Education

Special Meeting · May 28, 2024

Durham Public Schools reviewed findings from nearly 2,600 community members on superintendent qualities, revealing staff retention and pay as the top priority while exposing deep concerns about equity, special education services, and trust deficits among classified staff.

Board of Commissioners

Regular Meeting · May 28, 2024

Nearly 60 residents demanded the Board of Commissioners fully fund Durham Public Schools' $27.4 million budget request, citing staffing crises including three EC teachers departing Riverside High and only three teachers serving 233 ESL students at Northern High.

Board of Education

Regular Meeting · May 23, 2024

Lede available after transcription.

City Council

Work Session · May 23, 2024

Mayor Leonardo Williams called gun violence Durham's primary crisis during an impassioned statement, but the council took no immediate action despite requests for $25,000 in violence prevention funding.

Board of Commissioners

Work Session · May 23, 2024

County Manager Keith Stiffel recommended raising Durham County's property tax rate by 3.25 cents per $100 of valuation to close a budget shortfall driven by collapsed sales tax revenue and reduced Medicaid reimbursements.

City Council

Regular Meeting · May 20, 2024

Durham's proposed $667 million budget would raise property taxes 3.85 cents per $100 of assessed value, driven primarily by $28.5 million in employee pay increases including 14.35 percent raises for police officers.

Durham Planning Commission

Regular Meeting · May 14, 2024

The Durham Planning Commission narrowly approved a 415-unit Fairington Road development with only eight affordable units despite objections from four commissioners and residents citing traffic and school capacity concerns.

Board of Education

Special Meeting · May 13, 2024

Durham Public Schools' board voted unanimously to keep superintendent finalist interviews confidential with a single community panel, rejecting a proposal to livestream them publicly.

Board of Commissioners

Regular Meeting · May 13, 2024

Durham County commissioners recommended a 3.25-cent property tax increase to close a $17 million revenue gap caused by weak sales tax growth and lost Medicaid funding.

Board of Education

Work Session · May 9, 2024

Durham Public Schools will form a task force to revise discipline policies after disability advocates warned suspension rates for students with disabilities could reach 19% without explicit intervention.

City Council

Work Session · May 9, 2024

Durham City Council approved over $10 million in federal funding for Fayetteville Street redevelopment and a Carolina Theater roof renovation while clashing over youth programming priorities and federal spending deadlines.

City Council

Regular Meeting · May 6, 2024

Durham City Council approved a 320-unit apartment complex rezoning 4-3 despite Planning Commission objection and neighbor concerns about traffic and creek pollution.

Board of Commissioners

Work Session · May 6, 2024

Durham County commissioners approved $1.875 million for sewer infrastructure while grappling over how to allocate $4.5 million in remaining federal COVID relief funds toward violence prevention and other urgent community needs.

Board of Commissioners

Regular Meeting · April 29, 2024

Lede available after transcription.

Board of Education

Regular Meeting · April 25, 2024

Durham Public Schools approved a $325,800 demolition contract for the Durham School of the Arts' relocation despite community pleas to renovate its current historic Duke Homestead Road site.

Board of Education

Special Meeting · April 18, 2024

Durham Public Schools Board unanimously approved a revised superintendent job profile strengthening racial equity and LGBTQIA inclusion language while advancing a $26.4 million budget request addressing critical staff shortages in special education and English as a second language programs.