Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Durham Tech Orange County Campus topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Durham Tech says Orange County campus enrollment and workforce programs are expanding; requests liaison funding and second-shift sworn officer
Summary
Durham Technical Community College told commissioners it is expanding programming at the Orange County campus, seeking funding for a college liaison position and a second-shift sworn officer, and said fixed-cost increases create a modest shortfall in the manager's recommended budget.
Durham Technical Community College officials told the Orange County Board of Commissioners on May 15 that enrollment at the Orange County campus is growing and that construction of a 14,000-square-foot addition is moving toward a fall 2025 groundbreaking.
President (Durham Tech) highlighted steady growth in county participation: "We are in growth mode in Orange County," he said, noting a more than 30% increase in course-taking at the Orange County campus since the start of the pandemic.
Durham Tech said the planned 14,000-square-foot addition on the Orange County campus — now in construction documents and cleared by the Hillsborough Board of Adjustment — will add skilled trades and allied health space, expand EMS and paramedic programming, and provide more student spaces. College officials said they expect to start construction in fall 2025 and aimed for occupancy in spring 2027.
On staffing and budget items, Durham Tech sought two specific additions to county funding: incorporation of a second college liaison position into the county budget and funding for a sworn police officer on second shift at the Orange County campus. College officials said one liaison is currently funded by the county and the college has been supporting a second liaison internally; the additional liaison requested for the county budget was presented as $91,649 for salary and benefits. Officials said the sworn-officer request responds to campus safety and incident-response needs.
Durham Tech also described fixed-cost pressures for next year. The college said that, to maintain current services, the college faces a fiscal shortfall the college framed as approximately $44,379 in fixed-cost increases the manager's recommendation did not cover. Durham Tech asked the board to consider options during the budget process to make up that gap so the college can provide the same services next year as this year.
Commissioners asked for details about how the small business center and other programs operate in Orange County. Durham Tech said small business services operate out of three locations — Downtown Durham, the Orange County campus in Hillsborough, and Innovate Carolina Junction — and that small business staff split time between Durham and Orange County. College staff said back-to-work grants, Durham Tech Promise and apprenticeship supports have produced measurable growth in access and participation but acknowledged the county's fiscal constraints.
Why it matters: Durham Tech's expansion brings occupational training and apprenticeships to Orange County residents. The liaison position would support high-school-to-college pathways and the second-shift sworn officer would change campus security coverage; both items were presented as county budget requests for consideration.
Ending: County staff and commissioners asked staff to explore whether Article 46 or other available funds can be used to cover some near-term fixed-cost or liaison funding so the college can sustain current services while the board completes budget deliberations.
