Durham commissioners approve consent agenda, allot $400,000 in lottery funds to DPS and OK county leases

Durham County commissioners on Jan. 27 unanimously approved a consent agenda that moved several contracts and budget items forward, including $400,000 in North Carolina lottery funds for Durham Public Schools capital projects.

The board approved an interlocal agreement with Central Pines Regional Council for $110,000 to continue the Low-Income Residential Solar Program and authorized a lease of 35,306 square feet at 712 Ellis Road for the Office of Emergency Services and county vehicle maintenance. The lease’s Year 1 payment is listed at $362,239.56, reflecting a base rent of $10.26 per square foot plus taxes and insurance.

Commissioners also approved Budget Amendment No. 25BCC071, appropriating $129,631.87 of general fund balance related to a county lease, and Capital Project Amendment No. 25CPA033, transferring $576,000 from the debt service fund into the PAYGO fund to support IT hardware and software projects. A separate consent item appropriated $400,000 of North Carolina Public School Building Repair and Renovation Lottery Fund dollars to DPS for three projects: Districtwide Roofing Repairs (SH322) $150,000; Life Safety Equipment Upgrades (SH323) $150,000; and Districtwide Carpet and Flooring Upgrades (SH324) $100,000.

“Will this Lottery Fund money go directly to Durham Public Schools’ general budget?” Commissioner Michelle Burton asked during review of the consent items. County Manager Hager replied the funding would go to the DPS capital budget and said she would follow up about the status of existing capital projects and the three new projects added for lottery funding.

The board approved property tax releases and refunds for December 2024, showing a grand total of $2,165,025.51 across current and prior years. The consent agenda motion was made by Commissioner Stephen Valentine, seconded by Commissioner Wendy Jacobs, and carried unanimously.