Durham Reporter

Durham County is inviting residents to participate in shaping the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget. The Durham County Government has launched a budget portal designed to collect input from the community through a Resident Budget Survey. This survey, which will remain open until May 30, 2025, asks participants to respond to questions using a Likert Scale and offers an open-ended section for additional feedback.

The involvement of residents in this process is crucial for determining operational, personnel, and capital spending priorities. The portal aims to provide a platform for citizens, including local business owners, to express their concerns and needs regarding the county's budget allocations.

Responses gathered from the survey will be presented by Durham County Budget and Management staff to guide decision-making by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). These insights will help identify what matters most to residents in terms of budget priorities. Additionally, survey responses will be available on a dashboard on the Durham County Budget and Management Services website.

Board Chair Nida Allam emphasized the importance of community participation: “We want to hear from YOU! This is your chance to have a real impact on how your hard-earned tax dollars are spent,” she said. Allam encouraged residents to use this opportunity as a means of influencing funding decisions related to schools, public transit, safety, and community programs.

County Manager Claudia Hager plans to present her recommended budget during the BOCC's Regular Session meeting on May 12, 2025. Following this presentation, several Budget Work Sessions are scheduled throughout May and early June. A Public Hearing on the recommended budget will take place at 7 p.m. on May 27 during another Regular Session meeting.

The final vote on approving the 2025-2026 Budget Ordinance is set for June 9 at 7 p.m., also during a Regular Session meeting.