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Durham budget hearing draws wide public demands on parks, tennis courts, transit, public safety and ARPA oversight
Summary
At the FY2026–27 budget public hearing residents urged the council to fund park and tennis court repairs, continue fair‑free transit, fund crossing guards and firefighter pay increases, invest in community violence intervention and demand audits and transparency for ARPA-funded programs.
Durham’s statutory public hearing on the FY2026–27 budget on March 16 drew a diverse slate of speakers pressing the council to prioritize recreation infrastructure, public safety and program accountability.
Tennis advocates and community organizations — including representatives of ENO Community Tennis Association, Durham Orange Community Tennis Association and local coaches — urged a larger capital allocation for resurfacing and maintaining public tennis courts across the city so programs for youth, seniors and disabled players can expand. "Maintaining the tennis courts is much easier than rebuilding," one speaker said, noting courts are a low‑cost public health and community resource.
Transit advocates and Bike Durham asked the council to continue the fair‑free GoDurham program and to work with Durham County to secure roughly $2 million in transit sales tax support rather than raising property taxes. Speakers also asked the city to fund recommendations from the draft bike‑walk plan and to add sidewalks along Hoover Road ahead of a new aquatic center.
Parents asked the council to fund a permanent crossing guard at University Drive and Dixon Road following a pilot program that will end in June. Firefighters asked the council to support a 5% base pay increase and full funding of merit raises.
Several speakers urged larger investments in community violence intervention (CVI) and youth employment programs, arguing prevention and summer jobs reduce violence and long‑term costs. Other community members pressed again for audits and public accounting of ARPA funds and asked for public answers about earlier ARPA disbursements.
The hearing closed after dozens of speakers; council members said they would review public comments as staff and the city manager finalize the proposed budget for presentation on May 18.
