Residents of Durham are invited to share their funding priorities for Durham’s upcoming budget during January’s Community Conversations.

The city government is hosting in-person and virtual conversations to inform the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget. Pre-registration is now open. Participants who are 16 and older are eligible for $50 gift cards. Those who attend in person can get food and drink, on-site childcare, and Spanish interpretation services.

In-Person Conversations Schedule

• Thursday, Jan. 11, 6 to 8 p.m. at the I.R. Holmes Recreation Center, 2000 S. Alston Ave.
• Saturday, Jan. 20, 11 am. to 2 p.m. at the I.R. Holmes Recreation Center, 2000 S. Alston Ave.
• Tuesday, Jan. 23, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Durham Armory, 212 Foster St.

Each event will begin with a brief overview of the process and then attendees will join smaller groups for discussions based around their priorities for future spending, such as: 

• Safe communities (e.g., public safety, crime reduction, streetlights, reducing recidivism, community policing).
• Infrastructure (e.g., land use, sidewalks, parks, transportation, roads, physical activity infrastructure).
• Housing (e.g., affordable housing, homelessness, food insecurity).
• Workforce development (e.g., training programs, job fairs).

Virtual Conversation

For residents who are unable to participate in one of the three in-person conversations, a virtual meeting also is set for Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Pre-registration is requested and active participants in this virtual event will be eligible for a $50 gift card.

Community Conversations Survey 

Durham residents also are encouraged to give their input on how to frame the four Community Conversations by submitting feedback through a brief online survey. Participants who submit a completed survey will be entered into a raffle for $50 gift cards. After completing the survey, residents are encouraged to register for in-person or virtual conversations.

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