Commissioners defer final decision on naming after William V. “Bill” Bell; additional public hearing required

Durham County commissioners on Aug. 25 held a public hearing on a naming request to dedicate the second-floor lobby of the county administrative building to William V. “Bill” Bell, a former county commissioner and longtime mayor of Durham. County staff presented the naming committee’s recommendation and no members of the public signed up to speak at the hearing.

Shannon Trapp, representing the naming committee, reminded the board of the application history: an original application submitted in October 2023 and a revised application in August 2024 requesting the lobby name. The county’s Naming and Renaming Policy — adopted in August 2016 and cited repeatedly during discussion — limits staff recommendations to certain types of naming; staff recommended the lobby name because the policy restricts naming entire buildings after living individuals.

Several commissioners expressed a preference for a larger honor — placing Bell’s name on a building — and urged the board to consider suspending the policy to allow that outcome. Vice Chair Doctor Lee said he believed the county should be able to “give flowers while someone is still alive” and called for suspending the policy so the building could bear Bell’s name. Commissioner Valentine also praised Bell’s long service and suggested waiving policy restrictions given Bell’s impact on the county and city.

County Attorney Williamson and Clerk Wallace advised the board about process requirements. Attorney Williamson and other staff cautioned that if the board’s action would be “substantially different” than the noticed item (the lobby naming), state law and the county policy require re-noticing: a new public hearing must be advertised for at least 10 days before the board could take a final vote on a substantially different proposal, such as naming a building rather than a lobby.

Commissioners discussed next steps and instructed staff to re-advertise the matter if the board decides to pursue naming a building. Clerk Wallace confirmed timing options for a new hearing and the clerk’s office said a new notice would need the 10-day public-advertising period to be met before the board could vote; staff suggested the matter could be scheduled for the board’s Sept. 8 regular meeting if notices are posted promptly.

The public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers; the board did not take a final vote on the naming today. If the board chooses to consider a building name instead of the lobby, staff said the board must hold another public hearing after the required notice period.

Ending: The board concluded the hearing and left the item pending further action; no final naming or policy suspension occurred at the Aug. 25 meeting.