Item:
Title
Durham Sports Commission Interlocal Agreements (ILA) Renewal
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: August 10, 2026
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to consider the renewal of two Interlocal Agreements (ILA) with the Durham Sports Commission (DSC). The first pertains to the operations of the Commission while the second ILA addresses annual funding. The Commission operates under an agreement between the City of Durham, Durham County, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, and Discover Durham. Established in 2016, this agreement formally defined the DSC as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit managed by Discover Durham.
The Commission is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors, with three seats appointed by each of the three participating governmental and business entities. Under the ILA, the commission is tasked with generating positive economic and social impact by recruiting and managing youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting events in the Durham area. The DSC works alongside Discover Durham to enhance the city's sports tourism infrastructure, which features venues like the Durham County Memorial Stadium and the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
There are several suggested changes for the Operations ILA including a proposed increase in the Commission’s Board of Directors from nine members to twelve. The Funding ILA takes into consideration the recent creation of Durham Next and proposes a significant reduction in the County’s financial obligation from $201,250 in FY 2026 to $79,972 in FY ’27 (approved by the Durham BOCC in the FY 2026-2027 Adopted Budget), and a final reduction to $25,000 per year from FY ’28 to FY ’30.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: This item aligns with Regional Leadership: Being a Regional Leader that Improves the Quality of Life for Residents.
Resource Persons: Maurice Jones, Deputy County Manager - External Affairs.
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board consider the renewal of two Interlocal Agreements with the Durham Sports Commission.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________