Regular Session

Everyone, good evening. The board of commissioners, we started our meeting earlier today and we went immediately into a closed session. guidance was given to staff. No action was taken. And now we will uh come back into open session. So this is our regular the regular part of our regular meeting for April 13, 2026. Thank you all for being here. We're excited about the full house. We don't get this very often with all the smiles and all the celebrations that we get. Usually when there's a lot of people, there's a other stuff happening. All right. So, I'm going to read the public charge and we're going to get started with the meeting. The board of commissioners asks members and residents to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner both with the board and fellow residents. At any time should any member of the board or any resident fail to observe this p public charge, the chair will ask the offending person to leave the meeting until that individual regains personal control. Should the quorum fail to be restored, the chair will recess the meeting until such a time as such time that a gen genuine commitment to the public charge is observed. Commissioner Burton, would you read the land acknowledgement, please?

Yes. Thank you, Chair Lee. Land acknowledgement. As we convene for the Durham County Commissioners meeting, it's crucial to recognize the painful truth of history. We stand on the stolen ancestral lands of the Kataba, Eno, Okanichi, Shakori, and Tuscarora peoples whose deep connection to this land predates our arrival. We acknowledge

with humility the unjust displacement and violence that occurred leading to the dispossession of indigenous peoples from their homelands. Their resilience in the face of such adversity is a testament to their strength and spirit. May we humbly honor the ancestors and elders of these nations, both past and present, by committing ourselves to the fostering, understanding, healing, and justice for all who inhabit this land. Let us walk forward together with open hearts, acknowledging the past and embracing a future guided by the compassion, respect, and unity.

Thank you, Commissioner Burton. Uh, next item on our agenda is the pledge. Uh, Commissioner Valentine, would you lead us in the pledge of allegiance?

Chair. Yes. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. The next item on our agenda is agenda adjustments. Are there any adjustments to our agenda as presented? Hearing none, I'll accept the motion to approve the agenda as presented.

So moved.

Second.

It's been moved and properly seconded that we approve the agenda as presented. All in favor say I.

I. All oppose, please use the same sign. Passes unanimously. Next item on our agenda, the announcements. Clerk Wallace.

Good evening, everyone. I will read the announcements published in tonight's agenda. The Redwood Convenience Site at 100 Electra Road closed on April 1st for a year-long renovation project. During the closure, residents incorporated

Durham County are encouraged to visit one of the county's two other convenience sites. Parkwood Convenience Site at 5928 Highway 55 and Northern Convenience Site at 11894 North Roxboro Street there. I'm sorry, Roxboro Road. Um, additional information, you can visit the county website. A countywide burned ban went into effect in Durham County on March 23rd due to ongoing dry conditions and increased fire danger. The ban issued by the Durham County Office of Emergency Services Fire Marshall Division. Remnant remains in effect until further notice. The NC Forest Service has also issued a ban on all open burning and has counledled all burning permits statewide effective March 28th. Durham County has the authority to to issue the ban within 100 ft of a structure while the NC Forest Service can issue a ban from 100 ft outward. The two bands combined prohibit open and recreational burning anywhere in the county. Durham County's um energy burden and emissions reduction program helps income qualified households lower energy cost through free home energy upgrades and repairs. Serving specifically selected neighborhoods in Durham. You can visit their website to see if your home is within the neighborhood boundary. Are you a nonprofit working to improve food access and strengthen food security in Durham County? This is your chance to grow your impact. Durham County is now accepting applications for the 2026 food security grant offering funding opportunities for community food ser. Um nonprofit organizations can apply for 20,000 to 50,000 to support projects that improve food access and strengthen community food security. The deadline is Friday, April 17th, and there is a link um on our site.

Residents seeking assistance from Durham County Veteran Services from Wednesday, April 22nd through Friday, April 24th should note that limited services will be available as staff attend an annual accreditation training. The department will resume normal um hours on Monday, April 27th. During this period, appointments with a veteran service office officer will not be available. However, customers can still reach veteran services by calling 919-5608387 or you can email veteran services at dc.gov. And lastly, the city of Durham, Durham County, and Durham public schools are offering an extensive list of summer programs and internships ranging from Durham Fire and Police Department camps, kids voting Durham internships and DPS summer learning opportunities. You can email @durhamnc.gov or you can visit durhamnc.gov for additional information. And that concludes the announcements in tonight's agenda. Thank you, Clerk Wallace. Are there any other announcements? Commissioner Jacobs. Uh well, I just wanted to share with our board and our staff and also the community um that I have been asked to participate on behalf of NAO uh National Association of County Officials and in partnership with the count council of state government's justice center to participate in a um national advisory group with Arnold Ventures, which is one of our leading philanthropies that is focused on addressing the injustices of our criminal justice system in our country. And I've been asked to participate in a two-year project aimed

at improving local justice outcomes for individuals with behavioral health needs. So, I am very excited to participate in this process that will be creating a framework to help county leaders identify postbooking opportunities to better align investments, improve outcomes for needs, and also strengthen public safety. And after the two-year period, counties will be chosen to participate and have the opportunity to actually implement this framework. And I hope that that will mean that Durham County will hopefully be uh in a position to take advantage of this project. So, I just want to share with the board that next month I will be meeting with this national advisory group on behalf of our board and Durham County. Well, congratulations on that. You will represent Durham very well. Uh any other uh announcements? Okay. Hearing none, the next item on our agenda is the approval of the our minutes from uh the March 2nd, 2026 work session, March 9th, 2026 regular session, and March 23rd, 2026 regular session. So move

and second with just one comment. I always read the directives and I just wanted to follow up on something that Commissioner Alam had requested I think on March 23rd in the minutes was ensuring that uh Commissioner budget priorities would be included in the public um budget information. I don't know if that's happened yet, but I just wanted to follow up on that. Thank you. We we got that. Yeah. Okay. All right. It's been moved and properly seconded that we approve

the minutes as mentioned. Any further discussion? All in favor say I.

I. I.

All oppose, please use the same sign. Passes unanimously. Now we come to our ceremonial items. We have a few of them. As you can tell, I'm looking around. Um, the first one's going to be recognizing the Durham Library Foundation in acknowledgement of their one-time gift of 117,318 in support of Durham County Library Programs. Do we have the library? Oh, there there she is. [laughter] have that we could go over to go there so the camera could pick you up and everything. Good evening everyone. My name is Cara Nunnelly. I'm the executive director of the Durham Library Foundation. And tonight I'm joined by a few of our board members on the foundation as well as some library staff. Um it is our pleasure to be able to present this check for additional funds to the county for library use over the next year or so. Um as we know right now more than ever, libraries are incredibly important in our communities. Full stop. and the Durham Library Foundation remains committed to our mission of providing a margin of excellence for our libraries. Also too, with the arrival of our new wonderful library director, Dana Connors, there's also a renewed sense of energy for our libraries and all that is to come, those new challenges, those new opportunities, and those new ideas. So, commissioners, also thank you for your ongoing support of the library, our

library staff, of the foundation, and ultimately our community. Thank you.

I don't know what to do. I guess we take a picture there.

Would you all like a picture?

Yes, we're I I want to make sure we have any comments first. Do we have any Go ahead, Commissioner Bertha.

Thank you, Dr. And thank you Durm um County Library Foundation for your wonderful gift to the Durham County Library as a former school librarian. And I used to work at the library many many years ago. Libraries are important to our community to educating our citizenry and you know so it's very important that it receives lots of funding to do the outstanding programming that it does. And as many of you all know, the Durham County Library when people are ranking the, you know, count the service that is top-notch, the library is always on top. So, thank you so much for your donation and I can't wait to see all the wonderful things that happen with this nice chunk of money. Thank you.

Thank you,

Vice Chair Long.

Yes. Thank you so much to the library foundation uh for this generous contribution and for the work that you all do continuously to bring awareness to the library and the services. Thank you to the amazing Durham County Public Libraries that uh staff that keep the libraries as one of the top utilized uh resources of local government. And you know we have a lot of young people here today um who may think about our libraries as oh that's just a place for books and like you know I know when I was in Moscow I may not have liked reading as much. I love reading now, but there's also so so much more at our libraries for y'all to go and check out. We have like audio recording spaces if you want to have a podcast or write music. There's 3D printers. There's computer labs. There's community spaces for you to have meetings if you want to organize amongst your friends. That the library is really more than just a place

to check out books. Um, it's a place to convene and to build community and it's a resource that I know I hope all of our young people but everyone in Durham is utilizing in every way possible. Also want to shout out I know we have our library director but I see also we have our library staff member Patrick here as well who uh does a lot of the grant works for the library to help get additional funding. And also would be remiss if I didn't point out that we had former library team member Sarah Stevens here as well who's still serving Durham in a new capacities. But you know our Durham County Library staff and the foundation. Y'all really provide a resource and service to our Durham County residents that folks wouldn't be able to have like otherwise even just like as a warming center or a cooling center for so many of our community members. So thank you

Commissioner Valentine. Uh thank you chair. So, let me say thank you to uh the Dorham Library Foundation. Thank you for being our partner. It's not lost on me that $117,000 is a lot of money. And your commitment to our children, to our families, and to the larger community here in Durham doesn't go unnoticed. And so again, thank you,

Commissioner Tank. I will just echo what everyone has already said and I want to acknowledge the library board members who are here tonight. If you could just raise your hands. [applause] Yeah. And thank you for your efforts. Uh because the fact of the matter is that we can't do it all and we really do depend on the additional funding that you bring into the library system. It means so much to the librarians who work so hard and also to the community who really benefits from everything that you make possible and especially now when we have really

challenging budget in front of us. This is a true community partnership. So, thank you again.

All right. Thank you. So, we're going to do a picture uh up here. Do we want the board members and everyone the everyone associated with the library

library staff?

The library staff. Yeah, that's why. Yeah. I'm going to take photo Thank you. All right.

The next item on our agenda is a resolution honoring Southern School of Energy and Sustainability Boys Basketball Championship. Now, we have a resolution here. I'm going to read it and then um I would love for the coaches maybe to come here after we read it and maybe say something. Then, of course, we're going to take a picture with the team right here in the middle again. Okay. So, I'm going to read the resolution. Durham Board of County Commissioners resolution honoring Southern School of Engine of Southern School of Energy and Sustainability 2026 boys basketball season. Whereas on March 14th, 2026, the Southern School of Energy and Sustainability Spartans basketball team defeated Morsville High School to win the NCSAA 7A state championship held in Winston Salem at Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. And whereas that 54- 47 victory marked the Spartans first state basketball title in Southern Schools history. And whereas Yep. Absolutely. I got a feeling there's going to be a lot of applause in this because there I was reading this. There was some good stuff here. And whereas led by a solid record of excellence from head coach Greg Mley, Southern finished the season with a 28 and3 overall record. And whereas several players earned distinguished recognitions including Keon, is it Kean or Keon? All right. Keon U. Terry, who was named

the most valuable player of the state championship game, AJ Mormon Jr., who was honored as the most outstanding player for the East team, and Martin Ashley, who received the sportsmanship award. And whereas the championship games leading scorers were AJ Mormon Jr. with 16 points and Keon Terry with 13 points and Martin Ashley with 10 points. And whereas we congratulate the team for demonstrating exceptional skill, effort, and teamwork throughout the season culminating in a remarkable come from behind victory over their opponent to secure the championship. Now there for therefore be it res resolved that the members of the Durham County Board of Commissioners do hereby salute Greg Coach Greg Mley, his coaching staff and members of the 2026 Southern School of Energy and Sustainability boys basketball team uh becoming the 2026 NCHSAA 7A state champions. hands. We call upon the citizens in Durham County to join in celebrating these outstanding student athletes and the athletic staff for a fantastic job in historic school and a historic school accomplishment. This the 13th day of April 2026. Dr. Mike Lee, chair, Ned alum, vice chair, Michelle Burton, commissioner, Wendy Jacobs, commissioner, and Steven Valentine, commissioner. Congratulations. [applause]

So, first of all, we just say um thank you for actually having us here and stuff. Um obviously, it was a really good season for us. Um we just been trying to build stuff at Southern since we've been there and stuff. So, we actually have a great group of young men here with us today. We actually have some guys that was able to make it today. They actually was getting inducted to the National Honor Society. So, some of those guys couldn't be here. [applause] So, other than that, um we're just very thankful um for the opportunity to be here and um stand before you and we just want to say thanks again for allowing us to be here. You want to say something for real?

This is a to see you on the team.

I want to thank everybody who came out and supported our victory.

All right. Thank you. All right. So, let's Was that it? We do. We want to come to the middle here or is somebody else going to speak?

Okay. I'm sorry.

Hey, how y'all doing? Um, hello.

I'm um Ke Terry and um I just want to thank everybody that came here to uh to support us throughout the season and um yeah, thank you.

All right. All right. Now, let's come to the middle. We'll I'll present this and then we could take a picture all together. Just we'll line up in the middle here. Okay.

All right, that is excellent. Now, um the boys were not the only ones who made it to the finals. from the same school.

Same school, man. So, the next item on our agenda is a resolution honoring Southern School of Energy and Sustainability Girls Basketball Team. And for that, vice chair alum will be reading the resolution.

Yes. And if I may have a quick point of personal privilege, say I'm a little impartial to, you know, women's sports. Uh, so I'm really glad and grateful that I have the opportunity to read this Honoring Southern School of Energy and Sustainability 2026 girls basketball season. Whereas the extraordinary Southern School of Energy and Sustainability Spartans girls basketball team led by head coach Teddy McCoy enjoyed a highly successful season becoming the 202526 Tobacco Road 7A regular season and tournament champions. Whereas on March 14th, 2026, the Sustainabilities Spartans basketball team fought valiantly, earning the title of 202526 NCHSA 7A state champions runnerup at the Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston Salem. And whereas this fantastic team led by stellar players including sophomore Jaca Palmer, number five, and senior Ashlin Hudson, number 11, earned honors at the 202526

NCHSAA 7A Eastern Regional Champions and demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship, determination, and teamwork throughout the season. And whereas this phenomenal all-star team finished the challenging season with an outstanding record of 27 to4. Now therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of the Durham County Board of Commissioners, do hereby salute Coach Teddy McCoy and the coaching staff along with members of the 26 2026 Southern School of Energy and Sustainability girls basketball team for their successful season. We call upon all citizens in Durham County to join in celebrating these outstanding student athletes and the athletic staff for a fantastic job and on a historical season to remember. This is the 13th day of April 2026 signed chair Dr. Mike Lee, Vice Chair Net Lam, Commissioner Michelle Burton, Commissioner Wendy Jacobs, and Commissioner Steven Valentine. Can I have members of the coaching team on the team wants to come and give remarks?

Yeah, I really like to thank y'all. Thank y'all for this to honor these young ladies cuz I really think they deserved it. I say they work hard all year like I'm always a believer. I tell them they didn't lose. We just ran out of time. We just ran out of time. That's it. But I really feel that we'll get back next year. Keep working hard. We get back. We got majority of the team coming back. So, we will be back. We'll be back in here next year.

Um, I just want to say thank you guys for honoring us. Um, it's a big accomplishment to be able to make it this far and get recognized for our accomplishment. So, thank you.

Hello. Um, also thank you for this opportunity. This is like amazing. Even though we didn't win it all, we still made it there and we were there. So that's that's really all that matters. Especially we played our hardest and we played together as a team and this will also be a memory for the rest of my life that I'll carry with me and I hope the team does as well. And thank you.

All right.

All right. So let's let's take our picture. Everyone

Make sure

Look at the camera. Hallelujah. That's funny. Okay, we will just a moment. We have we have the teams clearing out here. Give us a moment. All right. Thank you all. Thank you all. So, the next item on our agenda is another proclamation. It is the proclamation the week of the young child.

No, that's Oh, oh, I I did skip. I'm sorry.

Actually, I thought that I thought that was the last one. I thought we were going to thought we were going to end with the big one. there. All right. So, the next one uh the next item on our agenda is a resolution honoring the Beta Pi Sigma Durham Alumni Alumni Chapter of Sigma Gamma Row Sorority

Incorporated on the occasion of its 75th Charter Day. And for that, we will have Commissioner Burton reading the proclamation.

Thank you so much, Chair Lee. So Durham Alumni Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rose Sorority Incorporated on the occasion of its 75th charter day. Whereas the Beta Pi Sigma Durham Alumni Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rose Sorority Inc. was organized on April 13th, 1951 at the home of Sar Narviar Coward in Durham, North Carolina by Sar Annie Neville of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, [clears throat] regional syntactis with the assist assistance of SARS Lucille B. Davis and Ruth V. Woodworth. And whereas the chapter was founded upon the principles of true sisterhood and dedicated community service with a strong emphasis on uplifting youth and strengthening the Durham community. And whereas during the organization of the chapter, Sar Annie Neville affirmed that community service and genuine genuine sisterhood are the foundational pillars of Sigma Gamma Row, a charge that continues to guide the chapter's mission and impact. And whereas the 11 charter members established a lasting legacy of leadership, collaboration, and service that has positively influenced generation of youth, families, and residents throughout Durham County. And whereas for 75 years, the Beta Pi Sigma Durham Alumni Chapter of Sigma Gamma Row Sorority Incorporated has remained committed to the advancing education, youth development, civic engagement, and community service through impactful programs, mentorship initiatives, scholarships, and partnerships serving

Durham County and Orange County. And whereas April 13th, 2026 marks the 75th charter day of the Beta Pi Sigma Durham Alumni Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rose Sorority Incorporated, representing a significant milestone in its history of service, leadership, and community empowerment. And whereas the Durham County Board of Commissioners recognizes the Beta Pi Sigma Durham Alumnic Chapter of Sigma Gamaro Sorority Incorporated for its unwavering commitment to uplifting youth, strengthening families, and enhancing the quality of life for residents throughout the community since its establishment in 1951. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Durham County Board of Commissioners hereby commends and honors the Beta Pi Sigma Durham Alumni Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rose Sorority Incorporated on the occasion of its 75th Charter Day and expresses sincere appreciation for its long-standing service, leadership, and positive impact within Durham County and beyond. Be it further resolved that the Durham County Board of Commissioners join in celebrating this historic milestone and encourages all residents to recognize and support the continued mission and community work of the Beta Pi Sigma Alumni Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rose Sorority Incorporated. This the 13th day of April 2026 signed Dr. Mike Lee, chair, Nida Alam, vice chair, Michelle Burton, commissioner, Wendy Jacobs, commissioner, and Steven Valentine, commissioner. Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Yes.

And I'm going to ask that the bassless president of our chapter, Kenisha Mcnite, come to speak a few words along with our area 3 coordinator, Janelle Curry.

Good evening, Chair Dr. Lee, Vice Chair Alam, Commissioners Burton, Valentine, and Jacobs. I am Kenishha McKenzie, the bassless president of the Beta Pi Sigma Durham Alumni Chapter of Sigma Gamarro Sority Incorporated, serving Durham and Orange counties and advisers to the undergraduate chapters lambda at UNC Chapel Hill. Omocrron New at Duke University and Beta Omocrron at North Carolina Central University. Sigbamaro Sority Incorporated was founded on November 12th, 1922 on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. And 29 years later, the Beta Pi Sigma Chapter was chartered in Durham, North Carolina on this day 75 years ago, April 13, 1951. I'd like to honor our 11 charter members. Isabella M. Harden, Dorothy Mallister, Mabel Watson, Willie B. Bradshire, Naar Coward, Viola E. Pendle, Naomi Morgan, Georgia D. Witted, Louise Yurus, Minnie W. Gilmer, Bessie E. McLuren, chartered under the leadership of Sor Annie Neville, regional director at the time. Their dedication to our sisterhood and vision for our chapter has paved the way for us to serve Durham and Orange counties in sisterhood scholarship and service today. Thank you to the Durham County Commissioners for this recognition of our 75th charter anniversary on behalf of the Beta Pi Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Sority Incorporated. Good evening everyone. I'm Dr. Janelle

Curry, the area 3 coordinator for the northeastern region of Sigma Gamro Sority Incorporated, which covers the great state of North Carolina. I just want to thank the Durham County Board of Commissioners for honoring this momentous occasion. And I would like to personally on behalf of the regional board of the northeastern region um congratulate Beta Pi Sigma on 75 years of notable and greater impactful service to Durham and Orange counties. Thank you.

All right. Commissioner Burton, did you want to say something?

Yes.

Anyone else?

And I apologize, sir. I said Mcnite. I meant McKenzie. So, forgive me for that. Yes. I just want to say this is just a [clears throat] momentous occasion for us to celebrate our 75th charter anniversary. Um, when I pledged Sigma Gamma Row back in the 1990, I chartered the Lambdaide chapter at UNCC Chapel Hill. And because I was so inspired by the seven women who were educators who were from the Midwest and they believed in greater service, greater progress. And so I am so honored to be a part of the Durham Alumni Chapter. I am so honored that we get to celebrate this huge huge um milestone and we will continue to be a big impact for Durham County serving Durham County and Orange County and beyond. So, thank you sores for being here. We have sores from other um chapters who came to celebrate with us and this is just a really great day. So, thank you.

And we're we're going to take a p we're going to take a picture, but I'll say, you know, um I went to the the real H.B.CU in Alabama, Alabama&M. I I say that because this young man here, the superintendent of DPS went to Alabama [clears throat] State, but on Alabama&M's campus, Sigma Gamma

was the um uh Sig Sig Sigma Gamma Row was the sister sorority to Kappa Alphasai. I'm a Kappa and I have a deep warm place in my heart for the sisters of Sigma Gamaro. So, I really appreciate you all being here. and I wish you a very hearty congratulations for your 75 years of your charter. Uh that is a major major milestone. That is a long time of service. So congratulations to you all. Congratulations to my colleague um Commissioner Burton. She wears it proud. You can see it in her office everywhere she goes and that's just very inspiring. So thank you all so much for being here and congratulations. Let's take a picture. Let's take a picture. Oh yes. Thank you, chair. So, as a proud member of Omega Sci-Fi Fraternity Incorporated, I want to extend congratulations on 75 years of excellence to our community here in Dorm County and also to our sister uh county, Orange County. Thank you for what you do all day, every day, and more especially for the example that you set for our young ladies in our communities. So, thank you,

Commissioner Jacobs. I also wanted to extend congratulations to all of you and to Commissioner Burton for this great celebration. 75 years and amazing that today is literally the day uh April 13th. That makes it even more special. And thank you for the impact that you have had on the lives of many young people, young women throughout the years. and we know how important this work really is. So, I

wish you another successful 75 years into the future. Thank you. and vice chair along. Yes, I want to echo uh the comments my my colleagues on the commission and congratulating y'all on this amazing achievement of 75 years of service and thank you for all the ways like you know many of you joined probably when you were in undergrad but to continue that level of service and sisterhood to make sure that there is a community for uh everyone who wants to be part of your sorority and also want to uh recognize our commission colleague I just whispered to her to confirm it, but that she is actually the first Beta Pi Fi Sigma elected in Durham County's history. And so, congratulations and thank you for serving Durham and Orange County um and all the ways that you support our young women, but also, you know, our community of all ages. You

All right, man. Celebrations upon celebrations. All right. Next. Our next celebration, our next proclamation is the week of the young child. I got it right this time. Yeah. and for we'll have them come up to speak. It's a proclamation. Um it's going to be unread, but we'll speak about the week of the child. We'll have someone speak about it. Good evening, commissioners, county manager, guests. Um, my name is Iliana I am the Durham County Early Childhood Coordinator, and I want to thank you for celebrating the week of the young child and for all that you do for young children in Durham County. I am thrilled to introduce leaders in early childhood in Durham County. Obviously, we've already seen a lot of excellence on display from some of our young people. Um, and so often those successes are rooted in their early experiences in life, wherever those may take place. So, I would like to introduce um we have Kathy Collie Robinson from Durham Tech who is helping to educate our early care and education workforce. We have Kate Irish, executive director of Durham Partnership for Children, Durham's Partnership for Children, who will celebrate their 30th anniversary this week. Um, and their board chair, you may know him as our health director, Dr. Rod Jenkins. And then I also want to welcome Dr. Linda Chappelle, senior vice president early years. And hello to DPS,

who's also here tonight, who are also leading the way in early care and education through our Durham PreK program. Um, thank you for honoring the week of the young child and for continuing to invest in the experiences and the well-being of our youngest Durham community members.

Any of you have anything to add?

Of course, you know, I want to say one thing. I just want to say that it's a little late for our youngest children to be here, but you can imagine the room the room filled with our youngest children and truly the way that Durham has completely invested in our young children. It's really planting those seeds for future success. And some of us obviously have spent our careers and it's really trying to support children and it's really very gratifying to live in a community that has made such a huge local investment. So, thank you.

All right. Any comments? Any comments? Oh, go ahead. I just want to say thank you to all of you for the work that you do to support investments in the well-being and the opportunity and possibility of all of our young children are ser to thrive and Rod thank you for serving on this board in addition to the work important work that you do every day. Um, I am really proud that Durham County is considers investing in our children and investing as early as possible as a priority. I just came back last night from spending five days with my three-month-old granddaughter. And spending time with a baby reminds you of how much possibility and their opportunity there is for every single child. Every child. And how much is happening in the first years related

to brain development and strong emotional social ties with adults in their lives and the importance of having well-trained and loving caregivers um and educators in those early years. So thank you because all of you help us to carry out the work that we say that we want to do. It's we have to rely on all of you the ones who are the experts and the ones who are actually delivering the programs and services. So thank you for being in partnership with us um and celebrating all of our children. Thank you

Vice Vice Chair Lum.

Yes. Thank you. I want to echo and thank you all for the work you do. Obviously, I'm a little biased as a mom of two littles, a almost two-year-old next month, and a three and a halfyear-old that the work that y'all are doing is to make sure that they have every opportunity um available to them as they grow up here in the community and for every child, no matter where they were born, what zip code here in Durham, um what their socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, immigration status is, that they are welcome and are able to thrive. So, thank you all so much for that work and also for not just the work of for our children but also for the caretakers of our children because you know again I have two littles and like I have so such a deep amount of respect and admiration for daycare workers, educators who have like 30 of these little ones in their rooms at a time and the amount of grace and patience and love that it takes to be so thank you for nurturing the next generation of caretakers um so that our children have uh folks who love them and will educate them in every space that they're in. Thank you,

Commissioner Valentine.

Yes. So, thank you for standing in the

gap for our children here this evening. It would have been nice to to fill a chamber with a bunch of uh young people. Yes. Little people. Yes. It also makes me proud and I'll speak directly to my colleagues, the ones who were serving before I arrived in making a commitment to our young people in this community. Uh that was one of the reasons that uh I ran for this office to make a commitment to the young people in our community. And so, thank you for planting that seed and to those who joined the the board at the same time that I did that we uh joined that effort and continued in supporting our children. And so, thank you for the work that you do on behalf of our community and I think I'll be able to make it out on Thursday for that 30th anniversary. Thank you.

All right, Commissioner Burton. Yes, I'm going to be at the event on Thursday and I'm just going to ditto everything my colleagues say. You know, um I worked with in public education primarily at the elementary school the majority of my career and I know how important it is for us to look out for the well-being of children to make sure they're thriving and they have whatever they need to be successful in this world. So again, thank you so much for all that you do.

All right. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. All right. And our last proclamation for tonight is a proclamation uh electric utility line worker appreciation day. Do we have someone for the Okay. Sarah, go right ahead. You want to just speak? We It's not one that we would read out. Just kind of speak about it.

We need your mic on.

Did that do it?

Yes.

All right. That's totally great because it's long. Um, so chair Lee, vice chair alum, commissioners, and county manager Hager, it is so good to be back in this space because it feels a little bit like home, but also with all the ceremonial items this evening. Um it sure reinforces all of the good things that are happening in Durham. So um thank you so much um on behalf of the folks at the Durham Operations Center. Thank you so much for recognizing April 18th as um line worker appreciation day. You'll notice that I am here by myself this evening. That is because my co-workers, those line workers work 10-hour shifts and so they are at home with their families where they need to be right now. Um, and our line workers are the first folks that a lot of times they're the f first folks that happen that get to a space when emergencies happen and the last folks that will leave. Um, they're on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They would have loved to have been here, but again, they're with their families. Um, thank you so much for acknowledging them and their hard work and dedication to powering our daily lives. So, thank you so much for being here.

Thank you. and I'll open up for comments, but I will say um when when storms are lining up and coming, you see line workers preparing and staging, they run towards the storm out in the open. Um, I have an uncle. He worked for he used to work for Alabama Power and he was a line worker for like 40 years and he said he loved going out

in the storms getting people getting people's power back on. That's what he liked to do. He liked climbing up the poles and fixing it and all that kind of thing. that is important for the way we live today cuz when our power goes out um sometimes the internet goes out that is uh really tough for people with teenagers and kids even adults but when the power goes out everything stops and everyone wants to know when it's going to come back on and is those line workers who are out there working through the rain through the snow the sleet heat, wind, all of that to get it back up. And so that appreciation is not missed on me because I appreciate them every time. Um um we when we're uh I think we had a hurricane coming and we have people coming down. Saw them at saw a group of them at um u it's a southern thing. They were eating. It was at lunch and I went and shook every single one. It had to be about a hundred of them in there. I went and shook everyone's hand. Some of them from from Illinois, some of them from other states, but that's what they do. They come to help and those who are here work diligently. So, thank you to those who may be listening, but line workers deeply appreciate it. Anybody? Anyone else? Uh, Commissioner Jacob.

Well, thank you so much for bringing us this proclamation and the opportunity to celebrate these critical frontline workers. Um, I just had a question related to previously there was a program at Durham Tech, a training program program. Do we still have that program?

We do. We do. And we had a graduation three weeks ago. Um, and there will be another one in the next few months. So, it's it is alive and it's thriving.

Okay. And just um is it are you all still needing uh line workers? Is this a an area?

Yes, indeed.

Okay. Well, indeed.

Yeah. Almost more than ever um as um our population is growing, the demands are growing um and so we need we need as much as we can get. So yeah, Der is a wonderful partner. Well, any information you do that you might know about the program, if you could share that right now because I just think this is it's a great job opportunity for people in our community to have an excellent job, a meaningful job and it is such an important job for people in our community and I think a lot of people don't know that we have a great training program at Durham Tech. So maybe you could just talk a little bit.

That's right. So, it's a C certification program at Durham Tech. Um, no, u you just have to have um high school. No college ex no college uh needed. Um go over Dur to Durham Techch, go online and they'll have an electric line worker certification program. Um Duke Energy funds a lot of that program. Um, and they have a great ceremony afterwards and some of our directors come over and actually give the speech, I guess, the commencement speech. It's a great idea to uh it's a great way to get looped in. Thank you for bringing that up. I appreciate it.

Thank you.

All right. Uh, Vice Sarah Long.

Yes. want to also chime in to say uh thank you so much for bringing this uh resolution to us, but also thank you to all of the alignment um for Duke Energy and all of the work that they do, not just in the times of disaster, but also the constant training that they have to do every day to modernize our technology with all of the shifts and new technology that's coming in of like

making our electricity more renewable. That's also the work that's reliant on our linemen. Um that if we want to go solar, if we want to have different energy sources, our linemen need have to go through rigorous continuous training uh as well as the dangerous work of just linemanship. Yeah. And um to echo Commissioner Jacob's uh comments of also I know Durham Techch and Duke Energy has that program but also recognizing the amazing work of you know the labor movement of IBW that represents most if not all um linemen for Duke Energy and the ways that they also have paid apprenticeship programs as well for folks who are looking to get into the lineman field and provide representation and support our lineman workers. um through a strong union as well.

Wonderful. Thank you for the queue,

Commissioner Valentine.

Oh, yes. Thank you, Chair Sarah Stevens.

Oh, hey.

Welcome back to the county.

Thanks.

Thank you to you and also to our partners at Duke Energy. Uh I'd be remiss if I didn't take a moment to appreciate my my mother's uh brother who served many years for Duke Power and then later Duke Energy um on that line. And so our family uh knows this type of work firsthand. And so he was able to carve out quite a good living for himself uh working for Duke Power and Duke Energy. And so thank you for everyone who's engaged in this uh in this work. Thank you.

All right. Thank you very much. All right. Now that is the end of our celebrate uh celebratory items. Next item on our agenda is consent agenda and these items have been kind of been re been reviewed in our work session and

forward and we will need a motion to approve.

I move for approval of the consent agenda.

Second.

It's been moved and properly seconded that we approve the consent agenda. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I.

All oppose, please use the same sign.

Passes unanimously. The consent agenda passes unanimously. Next item on our agenda is the other business. Uh do you want to go forward with that?

Okay. Good evening, commissioners. Um, the first item tonight is an adoption of a resolution making findings of fact and authorizing the LGC application, introduction of bond order, and the adoption resolution calling for a public hearing not to exceed $240 million of general obligation refunding bonds for series 2026b. And so um we will need the board to uh review the actions and u move forward with this technical step. Um we do have with us um our assistant CFO Joe Fatima who is here and we also have our bond council um Carlos Mazano and he's a partner with Parker Poe. Thank you both for being here and uh we would um entertain the board moving forward with those steps. We will have a public hearing on the 27th um and procedurally the first step is that you have to make an application and staff have been working on this probably for the last several months. It's a very detailed process that happens between um

a jurisdiction and the local government commission and we have our financial advisor um deck associates and y'all remember them. We have our bond council. We also have the underwriters. It's a very large group because it's a very large action and so uh we are grateful for the board's commitment over the years to ensure that we have a financial position that we are hopeful we are um favorable in the market and we should be so um this step will happen over this process will happen over a couple of months and we'll come back and so um with that I'll turn it back over to you chair for the next steps.

Okay. So, we have a resolution entitled the entitled resolution of the board of commissioners of the county of Durham, North Carolina making certain statements of fact concerning proposed bond issue is before the board for consideration making certain findings related to the proposed issuance of general obligation refunding bonds. Is there a motion to adopt the resolution?

Chair go ahead chair. I move that the resolution be adopted.

I second the motion.

Is there any discussion on the motion?

Hearing none. All in favor say I.

I.

All oppose, please use the same sign. Passes unanimously. I'd like to introduce a bond order entitled bond order authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $240 million general obligation refunding bonds of the county of Durham, North Carolina. The bonds will refund all or a portion of the county's general obligation public improvement bonds series 2014, general obligation refunding bonds

series 2016, and general obligation bond series 2023A. Copies of the bond order are available in your agenda packet and the complete form of of bond order will be written upon the minutes of this meeting as having been introduced in accordance with the North Carolina general statutes. a resolution entitled resolution of the board of commissioners of the county of Durham, North Carolina, calling a public hearing on the bond order directing publication of notice of said public hearing and filing of debt statement of a debt statement and a statement of disclosure is before the board for consideration. The res resolution calls a public hearing on the bond order to be held at the April 27th board meeting. Is there a motion to adopt the resolution?

I move that the resolution is adopted. I second the motion.

Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I.

All oppose, please use the same sign. The resolution is adopted. Okay, thank you. Then the next item on our agenda, let me just double check that. Next item on our agenda is a res resolution opposing modifications to the county property tax authority. We have the resolution with us and um we have designated speakers for different parts and we will uh read it right and u approve it. Okay. So whereas county governments are constitutionally and statutoily charged with providing

essential public services including but not limited to public safety, emergency response, education, infrastructure, public health and social services. And

whereas

Oh, sorry. And whereas property taxes constitute a primary stable and locally controlled source of revenue necessary to fund these essential county services and to meet both ongoing operational needs and long-term capital obligations. And

whereas the authority to levy, assess, and adjust property taxes allows county governments to respond responsibly to changing economic conditions, population growth, service demands, emergencies, and state and federal mandates. And whereas counties follow transparent procedures prior to any tax changes by presenting annual budgets on a strict schedule, hosting open meetings for citizen input and questions, and submitting public bonds for voter consideration. And whereas proposals to modify, limit, cap, freeze, or otherwise restrict county tax authority, whether through constitutional amendment, statutory change, or administr administrative action, may reduce local flexibility, undermine fiscal stability, and ship cost to less stable revenue sources. And whereas such modifications may result in unintended consequences, including service reductions, delayed infrastructure investment, increased fees, and inequitable impacts on residents. And whereas county governments are best positioned to balance fiscal responsibility with service delivery, accountability, and responsiveness to local needs through

transparent budgeting and elected representation. And now therefore be it resolved that the Durham County Board of Commissioners supports the current property tax authority in North Carolina, which enables counties to manage property tax rates within established statutory limits. And

be it further resolved that the Durham County Board of Commissioners formally opposes any constitutional amendment that would restrict, cap, restrict, cap, reduce, or otherwise limit county property tax authority adopted this the 13th day of April, 2026. Now we need to vote for it. Adoption. Um, need a motion to adopt. I move for adoption of a resolution of the Durham County Board of Commissioners opposing modifications to C County Property Tax Authority.

Second.

Our resolution has been moved uh for for adoption and properly seconded. Any further discussion? All in favor say I.

I.

All oppose, please use the same sign.

Motion passes unanimously. There were no items uh pulled from the consent agenda. Did you want to say something?

Commissioners, I just wanted to acknowledge a couple of folks in some of the backup details that you have in front of you. Um, our budget and management services director, Keith Lane, Kiar Doul, our tax administrator, as well as Dwayne Brenson, also sort of weighed in and how we thought about information to help the public understand um what we do with the dollars and how they're used. Um over the past year plus, um especially with our reevaluation process, we've had over 60 community conversations um about property taxes, how they're set, and also with the reappraisal process, what's involved if one needed

to make an appeal. um with our budget conversations, we have online ways that we share, but also a series of community conversations have also occurred. So, I I do in this moment want to make sure that our residents are aware of ways that we try to remain transparent. We want to hear from you, especially in this budget season. We've had a portal available for you to give us your thoughts about what should be in the budget and um in this season with shifts in revenues whether it's at the federal or state level or even locally because of the economy also what are the priorities that we should um continue as we navigate sometimes declined resources. So just wanted to bring that to the board's attention. Please let us know with these supplemental documents if changes are needed and thank you for your support as we've tried to make sure we are transparent in our communications.

Commissioner Burton.

Yes. I just want to say thank you um Manager Hager for that. that I just want to say that I met with a resident recently about a week ago and they were telling me how they really like how on the tax bill where we have showing where the money is being appropriated that they really appreciate seeing that knowing where their property tax um dollars go. So, I just wanted to put that out there to say thank you for doing that because it's really our residents do pay attention. So, thank you. All right, Commissioner Jacobs,

thank you. I want to thank the county manager and staff for getting this resolution on our agenda so quickly. Last Thursday, I believe it was, there was a called meeting with all 100 counties of North Carolina by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and a number of our staff and commissioners

were in the meeting and we are working together across the state, all 100 counties. Um, and we were encouraged for everyone to adopt and pass this resolution as quickly as possible. And so I'm proud and glad that we were able to do that as a board. I also want to acknowledge this one pager that we received which highlights that 70% of our uh Durham County property tax revenue is spent directly on education, public safety and health and human services that are taking care of residents and providing a lot of times what are mandated uh state and federal services and also that um only about 18% of Durham County's revenues come from outside sources, meaning possible state or federal funding. So we are really dependent to provide all of these services on uh we are dependent on property and sales tax revenues uh in order to have EMS show up to have our sheriff show up when people call also 911 and also to fund things like our schools. So I appreciate that as long as as well as the other information we just got tonight. Thank you to our staff showing that Durham County's property tax rate is the lowest it has been in 55 years. And I think that is a really significant um fact for people to also know. Thank you.

All right. Thank you. Okay. Next item on our agenda, since there are none that were pulled, there were no items pulled from the consent agenda. Uh the next

item is our close session for so I'll accept the motion to go into close session for the reason stated on the agenda.

So move

second.

Has been moved and properly seconded. We go into close session for the reason stated on the agenda. All in favor say I.

I.

All oppose please use the same sign.

We are now in close session.

Hold on. Hold on. All right, we're back in open session. Uh, we had a closed session. Um, guidance was given to staff, uh, but no action was taken. I'll accept a motion to adjurnn.

So moved. Second.

Has been moved and properly seconded. We adjourn. All in favor say I. I.

All oppose, please use the same sign. Passes unanimously.

We are adjourned. Thank you all.