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Commissioners press staff on transit work program as some oppose plan changes
Summary
Staff presented the FY2026-27 Durham Transit Work Program; county transportation staff said existing commitments will be funded but new major capital or operating requests would require canceling or delaying other CIP/MYOP projects. Several commissioners expressed opposition to changing the current Transit Plan and the Board asked for further discussion on a potential transit tax amendment.
Durham County transportation staff presented the FY2026-27 Transit Work Program to the Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 5, describing the program development process under the 2023 Transit Governance Interlocal Agreement and the budget implications for the coming fiscal year.
Ellen Beckmann, transportation director, said the proposed work program will continue to fund existing commitments under the Durham Transit Plan but that funding new major capital or operating requests would require canceling, reducing or delaying other Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and Multi-Year Operating Program (MYOP) projects. Transportation staff requested guidance from the Board ahead of the Draft Work Program release scheduled for February 2026.
Commissioner Wendy Jacobs, Commissioner Stephen Valentine and Vice Chair Nida Allam each stated opposition to amendments to the current Transit Plan during the discussion and asked questions about the City of Durham’s funding contribution. The Board directed staff to bring back further discussion on a potential additional transit tax amendment.
No formal vote on amendments took place at the Jan. 5 work session; staff will return with a draft work program and requests for guidance.
