Civic

Board of Commissioners

Board of Education

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education convened in closed session on April 4, 2024. Closed sessions are held under N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 for matters such as personnel, legal consultation, or student records. No public recording is available.

City Council

Durham City Council approved $3.2 million for affordable housing at a historic East Umstead Street development, but clashed over park requirements in new neighborhoods.

City Council

Durham City Council unanimously approved a contested 350-unit apartment complex on NC-751 despite neighbor concerns about traffic and insufficient affordable housing.

Board of Commissioners

Durham County committed $22.5 million in opioid settlement funds to expand harm reduction and treatment services, nearly double last year's projection.

Board of Commissioners

Durham County Commissioners approved $259,824 in emergency spending for Microsoft licenses the Sheriff's Office needs by March 31, frustrating one commissioner over recurring IT costs repeatedly requiring last-minute budget fixes.

Board of Education

A compensation consultant's report showed the board's 11 percent classified staff raise falls $8 million short of what's needed to retain experienced employees.

City Council

Durham City Council advanced a $5 million annual destination tourism plan starting in 2026 while committing $2.2 million toward a watershed study addressing water quality across three local creeks.

Board of Education

Durham Public Schools interviewed three finalist firms. Alma, BWP, and NCSBA, to lead the superintendent search, with costs ranging from $21,500 to $40,000 and differing approaches to diversity and candidate screening.

City Council

Durham City Council narrowly approved a controversial 260-unit apartment complex rezoning on a 4-3 vote despite objections over affordable housing and environmental concerns.

Board of Commissioners

Lede available after transcription.

Board of Education

The Board of Education voted to interview four superintendent search firms on March 20 and select a finalist on March 21 after receiving eight applications.

Durham Planning Commission

The Durham Planning Commission approved a contentious 300-unit mixed-use development on Fayetteville Road on a 9-1 vote despite concerns about traffic and affordable housing levels.

Board of Commissioners

Lede available after transcription.

Board of Commissioners

Durham County commissioners approved $910,895 for a watershed improvement plan despite resident skepticism that the effort will succeed where previous similar initiatives have failed.

Board of Education

Durham Public Schools faces a $6.9 million budget gap after prioritizing teacher raises and global language positions, while parents report failures in school transfers and after-school care logistics.

City Council

Durham City Council discovered it cannot track hundreds of affordable housing units losing federal tax credit protection, putting public dollars at risk with no advance warning system.

City Council

Durham City Council rejected the $658,500 ShotSpotter contract in a 4-2 vote, citing its 91% false alert rate and surveillance concerns over violence prevention benefits.

Board of Commissioners

Lede available after transcription.

City Council

Lede available after transcription.

City Council

Lede available after transcription.

Board of Commissioners

The board approved $540,000 in sheriff spending despite commissioners' objections to police surveillance technology over community investment programs.

Board of Education

Durham Public Schools approved an 11% classified staff raise through June, but the vote exposed how 1,027 employees will earn less than January promises due to budget miscalculation.

City Council

Durham City Council voted down renewing a $225,000 gunshot detection system amid sharp debate over whether police resources or community programs better reduce violence.

City Council

Durham City Council voted 5-2 to approve a ceasefire resolution supporting an end to Israeli-Palestinian violence, with the mayor and one council member dissenting over language on genocide and U.S. military aid.