[Durham INC] BOCC Regular Session Highlights from May 13th

Tue May 14 21:07:22 EDT 2019

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                     Date: 05/14/19
Contact: Public Information Office                   Phone: (919) 560-0000/Fax: (919) 560-0020
E-mail: publicinformationoffice at dconc.gov<mailto:publicinformationoffice at dconc.gov>

BOCC Regular Session Highlights from May 13th

Durham, N.C. - The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Monday, May 13, 2019, in Regular Session. Highlights of the meeting include:

  *   Board Chair Wendy Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
  *   The Board proclaimed May 2019 as National Drug Court Month in Durham. The Drug Court movement has grown from the 12 original drug courts in 1994 to over 2,900 operational Drug Courts across the country. Over the past 25 years, drug courts have served over 1.4 million individuals nationwide. To view the proclamation, go here: https://www.dconc.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=27981.
  *   The Board proclaimed the week of May 19-25, 2019, as Emergency Medical Services Week in Durham County. Read it here: https://www.dconc.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=27977. In addition, the Commissioners recognized all first responders who participated in the gas explosion on April 10th.
  *   The Board of County Commissioners proclaimed May as Foster Care Awareness Month. Foster Awareness Month is celebrated annually throughout the country. This month of acknowledgement increases the awareness, education and opportunities that members of our community can engage in order to support children and families engaged in foster care services. The full proclamation can be read at: https://www.dconc.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=27979.
  *   County Commissioners approved a resolution in Support of North Carolina's Working People and their Families. The resolution is intended to encourage state lawmakers to work to enhance the quality of life for workers in all occupations by approving specific legislation that addresses an increased higher minimum wage, provision of paid family leave for those needing to take care of sick family members, the extension of the right to collective bargaining for public employees and the expansion of Medicaid coverage for eligible workers. Full transcript of the resolution can be read here: https://www.dconc.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=27983.
  *   Durham County Manager Wendell M. Davis formally presented the Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020<https://www.dconc.gov/government/departments-a-e/county-manager> to the Durham County Board of Commissioners. This is in accordance with N.C.G.S. 159-12 of the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act. The total proposed budget is $657.5 million. Budget highlights include:
     *   A proposed tax rate increase of 2.3 cents. The new tax rate recommended is 71.22 cents.
     *   $7 million current expense increase for Durham Public Schools.
     *   $1.6 million to expand Durham County's Pre-K program to improve school readiness.
     *   22 new positions, seven of which are grant funded.
     *   Various increases in Special Tax Districts.
  *   Five budget work sessions will be held during May and June, beginning May 21st. June 10th is the date for the Budget Public Hearing. Final budget approval is expected June 24th. For more information, visit the Durham County Website www.dconc.gov<http://www.dconc.gov>.
  *   The Board approved and authorized a Lease Agreement be executed with Neighbor's LLC to operate a restaurant in the County Administration II Building on the first floor. Neighbor's will be a diner style restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  *   Commissioners approved a Capital Project Amendment to move funds from the Collection System Rehabilitation Capital Project to the Stirrup Iron Creek Lift Station Capacity Improvements Capital Project SE056 in the amount of $123,429. The Board also authorized the County Manager to enter into a contract amendment to increase the existing construction contract with Carolina Civilworks for the construction of the Stirrup Iron Pump Station Improvements in the amount of $205,000.
  *   The Board authorized the County Manager to enter into a sub-grant agreement between the City of Durham (Grantee) and the County of Durham (Project Sponsor) for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA) Program. Under this federal program, HUD makes grants to local communities, States, and nonprofit organizations for projects that benefit low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families.
  *   The Board approved the Department of Social Services request to recognize additional revenue subsequent to the adoption of the FY2018-2019 Budget. Funds are $166,545 for Subsidized Child Care Services Support Funds and $33,857 in Family Reunification Services Funds.
  *   Commissioners approved a new lease agreement with the State of North Carolina, through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), for the NC Forest Service, and authorized the County Manager to execute the lease. The lease is for approximately 1,254 square feet of office space in the fifth floor of the County Administrative Building II.
  *   The Board approved a change in the health plan vendors for FY19-20 from Aetna to Cigna. By selecting Cigna as the health plan vendor instead of Aetna, officials expect an estimated fixed cost savings projection of $1,653,085 over three years.
  *   The Board authorized the County Manager to execute a service contract amendment with Beynon Sports Surfaces Inc., in the amount of $48,039 to increase the existing service contract for the Track Resurfacing at Durham County Memorial Stadium. The revised contract total for track resurfacing will increase to a total amount of $417,039.

Community Announcements

  *   Your Insight Is Needed - As the County prepares the FY2019-20 budget, public comment is a vital component. Please let the Board of County Commissioners know the priorities you support by visiting the online Budget Comment Portal at www.dconc.gov/19-20budgetportal<http://www.dconc.gov/19-20budgetportal>.
  *   Property Tax Relief Programs Information Session - Come learn about the Homestead Property Tax Exemption for seniors and disabled residents along with other property tax relief programs offered to North Carolina on May 15, 2019, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Durham Center for Senior Life Theater. This event is free and open to the public.
  *   Durham County Board of Elections Educational Seminars on Voter Identification Requirement - Educational Seminars about voter photo identification requirements will be held between May and August. For additional questions, please contact the Durham County Board of Elections by phone at (919) 560-0070 or by email elections at dconc.gov<mailto:elections at dconc.gov>. All seminars are free, and the community is invited to attend the following dates:
     *   North Regional Library - May 30th (6-8 p.m.)
     *   South Regional Library - June 20th (6-8 p.m.)
     *   East Regional Library - July 18th (6-8 p.m.)
     *   Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship - August 22nd (6-8 p.m.)
     *   The following seminars will be presented in Spanish: Durham County Health and Human Service Building - July 23rd (10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.)
  *   2019 Aging Well in Durham: Free Community Event and Resource Fair - Find new ways to CONNECT, CREATE and CONTRIBUTE to an Age Friendly Durham and, also learn about volunteer opportunities on Saturday, May 18th from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Durham County Human Services Building. Registration required as a light breakfast and boxed lunch will be provided at no cost. For more information, or to register, please call (919) 560-7393, email mblack at dconc.gov<mailto:mblack at dconc.gov> or register online at http://bit.ly/2019AWD.
  *   Durham County Government has 43 active advisory boards - Citizens of Durham County may volunteer to participate by applying for a vacancy. For information, contact the Clerk to the Board at (919) 560-0025 or email: BoardsandCommissions at dconc.gov<mailto:BoardsandCommissions at dconc.gov>.
  *   Sign up today for Alert Durham - Receive notifications about severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and more. Visit www.AlertDurham.com<http://www.AlertDurham.com>.

Board meetings are cablecast live on Durham Television Network (DTN) on Time Warner Cable Channel 8 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99. To view the agendas and recordings of the BOCC's Regular Session meetings, visit the BOCC's Website<http://durhamcounty.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2>.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, 2019, due to the Memorial Day Holiday. For more information about BOCC meetings, contact the Clerk to the Board's Office at (919) 560-0025 or email clerk at dconc.gov<mailto:clerk at dconc.gov>.

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