Item:
Title
Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No.27BCC030 Appropriating $8,292 of General Fund Fund Balance to Increase the Forest Protection Services Contract with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Forest Services, as well as Authorize the County Manager to Amend the Contract to Increase the FY 2026-27 Contract Amount from $81,044 to $89,336.
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: October 12, 2026
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No.27BCC030, appropriating $8,292 of General Fund Fund Balance to increase the Forest Protection Services contract with the North Carolina State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Forest Services, as well as authorize the County Manager to amend the contract to increase the total FY 2026-27 contract amount from $81,044 to $89,336.
The North Carolina State Legislature in July approved Forest Services agency personnel raises in the passage of the North Carolina State Budget. The raises are intended to increase employee retention and support cost of living increases. Durham County provides financial support for State-administered forest protection services under a contract with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of North Carolina Forest Services, which maintains field offices in all counties of the State. The County pays 40 percent of the cost of operations and the State pays 60 percent. The County’s FY 2026-27 contribution would increase from $81,044 to $89.336.
BACKGROUND
An Area Ranger (County Ranger) assigned equal time to Durham and Orange Counties and serves as the supervisor over both regions. One assistant ranger is assigned full-time to Durham County. A Forest Fire Equipment Operator is shared with Wake County (stationed in Wake County). Additional support is provided as necessary from the district and administrative staff, as well as a Service Forester and a Water Quality Forester in Durham County. Serving all County residents, the Forest Protection Program provides services including, but not limited to, forest fire suppression and prevention, forest management, financial assistance, urban and community forestry planning, and insect and disease protection. In addition, the program publicizes the importance of prevention and protection measures through ongoing information and educational programs. Approximately 100,000 acres of forest exist in Durham County.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: The acquisition of land for permanent open space supports Strategic Plan Community Indicator Goal 4 (Environment) by protecting natural resources and promoting community and economic vitality for all Durham County residents, specifically through the Natural Resource and Stewardship Protection Objective.
Resource Persons: David Ades, Assistant Budget Director
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No.27BCC030, appropriating $8,292 of General Fund Fund Balance to increase the Forest Protection Services contract with the North Carolina State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Forest Services, as well as authorize the County Manager to amend the contract to increase the total FY 2026-27 contract amount from $81,044 to $89,336.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________