Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Farewell topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Durham County honors three outgoing commissioners and reviews recent investments
Summary
Durham County commissioners honored outgoing Vice Chair Nimasheena Burns and Commissioners Heidi Carter and Brenda Howerton on Nov. 25, where speakers highlighted multi-year budget increases, ARPA-funded initiatives and new housing and education investments.
Durham County’s Board of County Commissioners on Nov. 25 recognized three departing members — Vice Chair Nimasheena Burns and Commissioners Heidi Carter and Brenda Howerton — in a series of farewell remarks that reviewed budgetary priorities and program investments from the past four years.
Vice Chair Nimasheena Burns delivered an extended statement that recounted the board’s use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, investments in education and maternal health, and the creation of a new affordable housing trust fund. Burns cited multi-year budget increases, saying the FY 2022-23 budget totaled $793,563,860, FY 2023-24 totaled $889,605,733 and FY 2024-25 totaled $966,175,117. She said the board had used ARPA funds to support community recovery and public health efforts and specifically noted $265,947 allocated for maternal health positions including a lactation specialist and a maternal health nurse.
The farewell remarks included references to several county priorities the commissioners said they advanced: expanded Pre-K funding, added pay support for Durham Public Schools, investments in workforce and youth pipelines such as the BULLS initiative, targeted support for minority- and women-owned businesses, and an affordable housing trust fund launched during the term. "I will walk into tomorrow with that hope, just as I know you will," Burns said during her remarks.
Commissioner Heidi Carter thanked staff, family and community partners for their support and noted collaborative work with county administrators, Durham Public Schools and Durham Technical Community College. Commissioner Brenda Howerton reflected on her 16 years of public service, starting with the Durham Soil and Water Board of Supervisors and later serving with the county.
Chair Nida Allam called the moment "bittersweet" and praised the three commissioners for their leadership through a period the chair described as "historic and transformative." County Manager Claudia O. Hager, County Attorney Larissa Williamson and Clerk to the Board Monica Wallace each offered thanks and recognition.
The meeting closed after the board moved on to routine business; the ceremonial recognitions preceded approval of the consent agenda and other items. The session adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
