Durham honors outgoing City Manager Wanda Sims Page as she prepares to retire

The Durham City Council presented City Manager Wanda Sims Page with a proclamation and a ceremonial key to the city and showed a short video tribute to her 37 years of public service. Beverly Thompson, director of communications, introduced the video and described the farewell as "bittersweet," saying she had known Page personally since college and that city staff had prepared the tribute.

Councilmembers offered extended remarks praising Pages leadership, citing her role guiding the city through a malware incident, the COVID—19 pandemic response, and the development of a $200 million infrastructure bond approved by voters in November 2024. The proclamation recited Pages career roles — including senior accountant, deputy finance director, controller, audit services director and deputy city manager — and listed professional credentials including her MBA, CPA and ICMA credential.

Page told the council she was "lost for words" and thanked colleagues, staff and her family. She confirmed her retirement date as Dec. 31, 2024, and accepted the key to the city, saying the commemoration had been a surprise.

The council built the public record of appreciation into the meeting agenda; no formal personnel action was required at this event. Councilmembers and staff urged an orderly transition and said they would engage collaboratively with the manager-designate on transition steps in the coming weeks.