CommunityLink

Durham, NC

Government

In the greater Durham area, pro­active and progressive ­governments help to make the city one of the most advanced in the nation. From the strong relationship between city and county officials to the state-of-the-art fire and police department equipment, in Durham, creating a safe and progressive community is paramount.

Fire and Police
The fire and police departments in Durham are staffed by exceptionally well-trained men and women ready to meet the safety needs of the community. The Durham Fire Department continually updates its fleet of modern trucks. The department is 14 stations strong and is staffed by over 280 people trained as emergency medical technicians. A member of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), the department is trained for disaster response for the region and is also an intermediate first responder.

The Durham Police Department is actively involved in every aspect of the community, from working with the schools to patrolling the streets and everything in between. Durham is a safe place to live, and the sworn officers are making it even safer through both regular uniformed patrol divisions and specialized divisions investigating crimes committed in Durham. Crime rates continue to drop each year. The department has taken a proactive stance on reducing gun violence by implementing Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Federal, state and local law-enforcement officers partner with community and faith-based organizations in Durham to develop strategies to reduce violent crime in Durham.

City Departments
City officials support a strong transportation network with adequate funding and staffing, ensuring traffic continues to flow freely. The Durham Department of Transportation is at the forefront of contemporary transportation, with a busing system featuring new buses and low fares and expansion of some of the most used roadways. You can easily get where you need to go in Durham with minimal traffic congestion problems.

The City of Durham also has a very active Parks and Recreation Department. With over 60 parks throughout the city and more in the planning stages, there is plenty of green space available for residents to enjoy. The department oversees much more than just city parks, however. There are three outdoor and two indoor pools open for water fun, Lake Michie and Little River provide for fishing and boating, and there are numerous recreation centers in the city. The 23-mile American Tobacco Trail begins in the heart of Durham at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and runs through both rural and urban areas, ending at New Hill Road in Wake County. Additionally, the Parks and Recreation Department oversees a diverse athletic program for both adults and children and offers basketball, tennis and soccer throughout the year. Citizens can become active participants in keeping parks and trails beautiful through the Adopt-A-Park and Adopt-A-Trail programs. Contact the Parks and Recreation Department for more information at 919-560-4355.

City Government
The City of Durham is the fourth-­largest city in North Carolina and the only municipality in the County of Durham, making it the county seat as well. This enables the elected city officials and the county officials to work hand-in-hand, making it a great place to live and work.
Durham has a council-manager form of government with seven members comprising the City Council. The Council is comprised of representatives from three specific wards in the city, three at-large bids and the mayor. The terms of the Council seats are staggered; elections are held every two years for a portion of the seats. In order to vote in a local election, residents must register 30 days prior to the election at the Durham County Board of Elections Office, 706 West Corporation Street, or by picking up an application at any public library or the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The City Council is the legislative body of the city and is the final authority on most matters relating to the city. The citizens of Durham realize the ­importance of electing responsible public servants and are very politically active. Local citizens can often be found at regularly scheduled City Council meetings. Citizens may address the Council on any matters regarding the city. Citizens also serve on 23 different boards and commissions that address quality of life in Durham. For those interested in serving on a board, applications can be picked up at the city clerk’s office on the second floor of the City Hall. For more information call
919-560-1200 or check the city’s Web site at www.durhamnc.gov.

County Government
Durham County is governed by an elected Board of Commissioners with an appointed chair. The commissioners appoint a county manager, deputy county manager, county attorney and clerk to assist in the day-to-day operations of
the county.

County government is responsible for many public services, such as public education, voting and elections, community health issues, motor vehicles, roads and highways, public safety, and environmental health. Working on both large-scale issues, like air quality, and more personal issues of family planning, the county government meets the daily needs of local residents with caring and compassion and the strength of a large governmental agency. Whether you are licensing your car or teaching your children about recycling, Durham County officials are here to help.

Durham County Sheriff’s Department provides excellent protection for area residents.

Citizens can become involved in local processes by joining one of over 40 Durham County boards. Any resident over 18 years old can apply through the county clerk to serve on one of the boards, commissions, committees or authorities. Any one resident may serve on a total of two boards at one time. In order to keep views of the boards fresh, an appointee may not serve more than three consecutive terms in any one position unless the Board of County Commissioners grants an individual waiver. Boards include the Area Mental Health Board, the Civic Center Authority, the Environmental Affairs Board, the Transportation Advisory Board and the Public Health Board, as well as many others.

City and county officials are proactive both in attracting new businesses and in making the greater Durham area an even safer place to call home. Knowing that continual managed growth of the area is important both economically and to attract future residents, officials offer several incentive programs to businesses to locate and continue to grow in the area. In addition to financial incentives, local and county governments continue to improve available public services and local assets, including schools, public buildings, water and sewer infrastructure, law enforcement facilities, museums, and historic properties. For more information, call 919-560-0008 or go to the county’s Web site, www.co.durham.nc.us.