Durham County Nationally Recognized for Innovative Work
Durham, N.C. – Durham County Government is among the winners of the 2026 Achievement Awards presented by the National Association of Counties (NACo). The annual Achievement Awards program is a non-competitive awards program recognizing innovative county government programs in 18 categories covering a wide spectrum of county responsibilities. This year’s winners were honored during the NACo Annual Conference and Exposition held in Orleans Parish/New Orleans, La.
NACo awarded Durham County six Achievement Awards for delivering outstanding programs and services to the Durham community. The County also received the 2026 Digital Counties Survey award, recognizing Durham County as one of the top 10 digital counties nationwide.
The Durham Board of County Commissioners will recognize these trend-setting programs and services responding to the needs of the Durham County during their upcoming Regular Session scheduled Monday, August 10, 2026.
“Every policy we pass, and every decision we make on this board, rests squarely on the shoulders of our hardworking Durham County staff,” said Dr. Mike Lee, Chair of the Durham Board of County Commissioners. “Out of 100 counties across North Carolina and more than 3,000 across the entire nation, Durham consistently stands out on the national stage. Winning this volume of national honors isn't an accident; it is a testament to the passion, innovation, and daily excellence of the extraordinary team we have serving our community.”
Durham County’s award-winning programs presented with NACo Achievement Awards this year include:
- 2025 Inauguration of Durham County Women Veterans Recognition Day Celebration
Durham County Veteran Services
On June 12, 2025, Durham County Veteran Services honored the courage, service, and contributions of women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during their inaugural Durham County Women Veterans Recognition Day Celebration. Inspiring speakers, veteran stories, and community resources were part of the program created to raise awareness, strengthen community solidarity, and connect attendees with vital veteran services.
- Durham County UOCAVA Ballot Distribution Too
Durham County Elections and Durham County Information Services and Technology
Developed to streamline the mailing of ballots to uniformed service members and overseas voters, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) Ballot Distribution Tool integrates with the Durham County Board of Elections' in-house Ballot Tracker Application, which is used to generate and send ballots to voters who request them, consistent with the law. The application automates key steps to reduce manual work, improve accuracy, and ensure timely, consistent email notifications. The UOCAVA solution enhances reliability and maintains full compliance while simplifying ballot delivery for specialized voters
- Vaccine Anti-Misinformation Campaign
Durham County Department of Public Health
An online social media and website campaign to share clear, accurate, and science-based vaccination information, the Vaccine Anti-Misinformation program addresses the rise in anti-science rhetoric regarding the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Between April 2025 and March 2026, the campaign, designed to battle miscommunication while resonating with the public, consisted of social media posts and webpage information targeted to reach the Durham County community, especially those who may be vaccine-hesitant.
- Combatting Food Insecurity in Durham, North Carolina, with Durham’s Food Security Network
Durham County Department of Public Health and Durham County Cooperative Extension
Food insecurity is identified as a health priority in Durham County, North Carolina, and is on the rise, prompting the local Cooperative Extension and Public Health Department to create the Durham County Food Security Network. The network began in 2021, with the goals of strengthening connections, improving communication, reducing duplication, and aligning resources among hundreds of local government programs, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, healthcare systems and community members which are working to increase food security. Today, the Network serves as a central hub for partners, driving policy, systems, and environmental changes that expand access to food for Durham residents.
- Stanford L. Warren Branch Library's Native Pollinator Demonstration Garden
Durham County Library and Durham County Cooperative Extension
Working in partnership with North Carolina State Extension Master Gardener volunteers and staff from the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham County Library’s Stanford L. Warren Branch installed a Native Pollinator Demonstration Garden in a strip of green space that encircles the building, which resides in an urban environment. This project was created to serve the library’s patrons by beautifying public spaces, increasing biodiversity, and providing opportunities to educate the public about the benefits of native species.
- Durham County Exemplary Contingency Planning and Emergency Response Efforts
Durham County Board of Elections and Durham County Office of Emergency Services
Developed and implemented to safeguard election officials and enhance incident response, the Durham County Board of Elections’ comprehensive supplemental security plan was designed to augment the County’s established Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). The COOP focuses specifically on the physical security of election personnel and the protection of critical election assets. Developed for Durham County BOE, this plan encompasses a collection of protocols and procedures based on contingency planning efforts to ensure optimum incident response.
Read the full abstract for each of these achievement awards on NACo’s Achievement Awards webpage.
In addition to these outstanding awards, Durham County also maintained its top 10 status in the Digital Counties Survey, ranking fourth place among the country’s counties with a population of 250,000-499,999. In 2025, Durham County received ninth place recognition.
Recognizing leadership in digital government, the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and NACo uplift county’s ongoing commitment to using technology to improve government operations, strengthen public services, and deliver better outcomes for residents. Durham County Information Services and Technology receipt of this award reflects the department’s forward-thinking and strength in the areas of innovation and real-world impact, setting the pace in digital government.
“Durham County employees demonstrate an unwavering commitment to public service, and this year’s NACo Awards affirm how their dedication directly strengthens the lives of our residents,” said Claudia Hager, Durham County Manager. “Each recognition reflects the meaningful impact their work has on our community, ensuring Durham remains a place where all residents can thrive.”
For more additional details about these awards, contact Durham County Public Information at publicinformationoffice@dconc.gov.
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