Highlights from Durham County Board of Commissioners

Without a quorum, the council shifts to informal ceremonial recognitions and moves all votes to the next work session.

The Board had conducted two closed sessions, in addition to a short public meeting. It welcomed two public health hires supporting HIV services and community resilience, and approved a proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A Commissioner also noted a local resident’s 113th birthday.

The County Board reviews a draft plan to convert 18 miles of inactive rail into a multi‑use trail, outlining phased buildout over 10–20 years, flexible road crossings, and an estimated $46–$57 million price tag. Public input showed strong support alongside concerns about safety, gentrification, and environmental impacts, with trailheads sited on public land to avoid eminent domain.

The board hears rising naloxone demand and strains in public defense and child welfare cases, including the loss of a successful family drug treatment court. A major rail trail corridor advances without eminent domain, while budget headwinds - from sales tax shortfalls to federal funding risks- prompt freezes and a more cautious outlook.