Durham County commissioners Chairman Michael Page spent most of his first State of the County speech recounting past achievements, but finished with a somber reminder of the economy.
"We must acknowledge our economic engine has stalled," Page said. "All levels of government are going through unprecedented financial uncertainty."
He also called for citizens to "to share their ideas with us as we manage this fiscal crisis. ... Durham County is a community that values diversity of thought and collaboration."
Pledging transparency and fiscal prudence, Page said the county will "take all steps possible to avoid a tax increase in the next fiscal year." He also set job training and creation, increasing home ownership and improving service to Durham's young residents as priorities in the year ahead.
Among 2008 highlights, Page mentioned:
- A 98.97 percent rate of tax collection, second-highest among North Carolina's 10 largest counties;
- Authorizing $488,594 to provide specialty medical care to uninsured and poor residents;
- Opening the Durham Center Access treatment center for substance-abuse, mental illness and disability;
- Opening the new, LEED-certified Spring Valley Elementary School.
Page spoke Thursday night prior to the commissioners' regular meeting, during which County Manager Mike Ruffin presented a $790 million building and buying plan for 2010-2019, revised from an earlier draft that totaled more than $1 billion.
Most of the savings came from downsizing plans for a county storage facility and an addition to the county jail. A school-bond issue originally suggested for 2015 was postponed until after 2020 to avoid raising public debt to a level that would endanger the county's triple-A credit rating.
