City Council

City Council is the legislative and policy-making body for Durham and is the final authority on City matters. The Council establishes general City policies; appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and members of boards, committees and commissions; enacts ordinances, resolutions, and orders; approves the strategic plan and annual budget; and authorizes contracts on the City’s behalf.

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City Council Members

City Council has seven members: three from specific wards, three at-large and the Mayor. Terms are staggered, with nonpartisan elections every two years.

Elaine O'Neal Portrait

Elaine O'Neal

Mayor

Mark-Anthony Middleton

Mark-Anthony Middleton

 Mayor Pro Tempore
Ward 2 Council Member

Javiera Caballero

Javiera Caballero

At-Large Council Member

DeDreana Freeman

DeDreana Freeman

Ward 1 Council Member

photo coming soon

Monique Holsey-Hyman

At-Large Council Member

Jillian Johnson

Jillian Johnson

At-Large Council Member

Leonardo Williams Portrait

Leonardo Williams

Ward 3 Council Member

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CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

Each year the City Manager meets with the Mayor and City Council to review progress and discuss the City of Durham’s Strategic Plan. This plan defines the City's goals, the actions it will take to implement these goals, the ways it tracks progress in departments, and decisions on allocating its resources. 

City Council chooses a few elements from the Strategic Plan as priorities for the Council, City Manager, and City Staff to focus on in the upcoming year. 

The City Council’s FY22 Priorities 

(click each for the current status of the initiative):

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Upcoming Council Meetings & ways to Participate

  1. Meetings & Public Hearings
  2. Work Sessions

When: Held the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month at 7 p.m.

Where: Regular business meetings are being held in person in Council Chambers at 101 City Hall Plaza and virtually via Zoom.

What: City Council hears priority items from the Council Members, City Manager, Attorney, and Clerk, presents ceremonial items, votes on the Consent Agenda, reviews the General Business Agenda, and conducts public hearings.