Item:
Title
Announcements (5min)
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: March 24, 2025
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
1. Chair Allam Participating in the 22nd Women’s Forum - The City of Durham and ISLA NC welcome everyone to the 22nd Annual Women's Forum: Moving Forward Together - Women Educating and Inspiring Generations on Thursday, March 27, in honor of National Women's History Month. This event will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, 101 City Hall Plaza. BOCC Chair Nida Allam joins other local women on a panel to discuss education, creating balance, personal growth, and more! Live broadcast on Durham Television Network and YouTube. More info at <https://www.durhamnc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3833>.
2. DCo Residents: Give Your Budget Priorities - Durham County residents are invited to give their feedback on budget priorities as Durham County staff, management, and Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) plan for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 annual budget. Durham County Government has established an easy-to-use budget portal to collect input from residents at <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FY2025-26DCOResidentSurvey>. Resident participation in the budgeting process is key to deciding Durham County's operational, personnel, and capital spending. Open until May 30.
3. Legal Eagle Community Day & Social Justice Fair - Join Durham County Library in partnership with NCCU’s School of Law, Legal Aid NC, Disability Rights NC, Emancipate NC, and more for a day of free legal resources for the whole community! This resource fair is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, at Main Library. Attendees can connect with programs and resources for their legal needs, while scheduled panels will provide insight into current legal issues like fair housing, restorative justice, and recent Supreme Court decisions. Register: <https://durhamcountylibrary.libcal.com/event/13285557>.
4. Durham Youth Leadership Fund Grant Application - The Durham Office on Youth is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Durham Youth Leadership Fund. The Durham Youth Leadership Fund funds community-based projects from young people, youth groups, community groups, and organizations that focus on at least one focus area. The DYLF will provide up to 15 one-year grants ranging from $500-$25,000! Learn more about DYLF including the focus areas for this year’s awards, visit <https://bit.ly/OOYDYLF>. Applications due on Sunday, March 30!
5. Schedule Reappraisal Information Meeting with DCo Tax - Now that Durham County taxpayers have their reappraisal notices, they are encouraged to review the information and report any out of date/incorrect information to the tax office, compare the sale price of similar properties, and if you disagree with the assessed value, file an appeal with the Board of Equalization and Review. Property owners may schedule a Reappraisal Information Meeting with a tax staff representative from now until April 12 at various locations in the County. See dates/times here - <https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-f-z/tax-administration/2025-general-reappraisal-revaluation-copy>. More info at www.dconc.gov/tax <http://www.dconc.gov/tax> or by calling 919-560-0300.
6. Look for CHA Volunteers; Take Survey, Get a Gift! - Volunteers and staff from the Durham County Department of Public Health, Partnership for a Healthy Durham, Duke Health, N.C. Central, El Centro and community partners will be stationed at various locations and events in Durham County to ask questions about the community’s health as part of the Durham County Community Health Assessment (CHA) survey process. Look for volunteers wearing identical blue t-shirts that say “Survey Team” on the front. The CHA is a public health survey conducted every three years to assess Durham County’s strengths and needs regarding the community’s health and well-being. Each survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes and will be available in English and Spanish. Participants who complete the survey will receive a thank-you gift! All responses will remain anonymous. To view the 2023 Community Health Assessment document or executive summary, visit www.healthydurham.org <http://www.healthydurham.org>.
7. Community Mural Paint Day on April 12! - Join the Durham County Public Art Program for a community mural paint day on Saturday, April 12. Drop in between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., at the 500 E. Main Street Parking Deck (located off Elizabeth Street) next to the City of Durham Police Department. All ages and experience levels are welcome! This project will see residents help in the creation of art through community building! Learn more about the team of artists for this project at www.artofanon.com. If you are coming with a group, please reach out to Sarah Martin at sarahmartin@dconc.gov <mailto:sarahmartin@dconc.gov> or 984-332-2390 to reserve a time slot!
8. North Carolina Emergency Management Experience - Durham County girls in 9th-12th grades are encouraged to apply for the North Carolina Emergency Management Experience, a free five-day public safety career exploration. Running from June 23-27 at the N.C. State Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh, the sessions include field trips, career-building connections, hands-on experience, and more! Apply at <https://ncdps.gov/ncem-management-experience>. Questions? Email EMExperience@ncdps.gov <mailto:EMExperience@ncdps.gov>.
9. Advance Public Comments on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget - As County staff begins preparation of the FY 2025-26 budget, public input is being solicited on issues which may need to be addressed during the budget process. The County Manager’s Recommended FY 2025-26 Budget will be presented to the Board of Commissioners on Monday, May 12, 2025, with individual budget work sessions with the BOCC to be scheduled for the period of May 12th until June 5th.
Tuesday, May 20th Budget Work Session (9am-3:30pm)
Thursday, May 22nd Budget Work Session (1pm-5pm)
Thursday, May 29th Budget Work Session (9am-3:30pm)
Tuesday, June 3rd Budget Work Session (9am-3:30pm)
Thursday, June 5th Budget Work Session (1pm-5pm)
There will also be a Public Hearing at the Commissioners’ Regular Meeting on May 27th at 7:00 pm. Final adoption of the FY 2025-26 Budget Ordinance is scheduled for Monday, June 9, 2025.
Additional comments can also be e-mailed to commissioners@dconc.gov <mailto:commissioners@dconc.gov> or residents are encouraged to use the Durham County’s online FY 2025-26 Resident Portal to have their voice heard if they are unable to come in person.
FY 2025-26 Resident Budget Survey <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FY2025-26DCOResidentSurvey>
Continuous Announcement for Posting Only - Will Not be Read During the Meeting
Open Office Hours with Planning Staff - The Durham City-County Planning Department is updating the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)! The UDO sets the rules for how land is developed in Durham, and we want your input! We will be hosting recurring office hours throughout the project. Drop in with your questions and feedback at the Durham County Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St.) on First Thursdays 3-6 p.m. and Third Thursdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. through August 2025. Website: www.engagedurham.com Contact: NewUDO@DurhamNC.gov <mailto:NewUDO@DurhamNC.gov>.
Cigna Healthcare has selected Durham County Government as a recipient of their 2024 gold level Healthy Workforce Designation for demonstrating a strong commitment to improving the health and vitality of its employees through a workplace well-being program.
Vitality is defined as the capacity to pursue life with health, strength and energy. It is both a driver and an outcome of health and work/life engagement, and Cigna Healthcare believes it is not only essential to individuals, but also a catalyst for business and community growth. Research conducted as part of the Evernorth Vitality Index confirms that those with higher vitality experience better mental and physical health along with higher levels of job satisfaction and performance. An opportunity remains for employers as less than one in five U.S. adults report having high levels of vitality. A workplace well-being program that takes a comprehensive approach to employee health can be critical in boosting vitality and building a workforce that experiences better overall health and job productivity.
The Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation evaluates organizations based on the core components of their well-being program, including leadership and culture, program foundations and execution, policies and accommodations, and additional areas. Organizations recognized with this designation set the standard of excellence for organizational health and vitality. Cigna Healthcare is proud to honor Durham County Government with the gold level designation for having made strong progress towards a healthy work culture by establishing and growing their employee well-being and engagement program.
For more details, visit <https://cignahwd.com/>