Highlights from the June 18 Board of Commissioners Meeting

The Dare County Board of Commissioners (BOC) covered a series of Outer Banks-related issues and achievements at their June 18 meeting in Manteo.

Topics which pertained to the island and / or the local community included the following.  

COA Task Force Presents Final Report

Hatteras Island Commissioner Danny Couch, Chair of the COA Task Force, briefed the Board on the public meetings that the Task Force conducted to gather community input on curriculum ideas for the new College of the Albemarle (COA) Dare County campus.  He introduced Task Force Members and summarized the public meetings where a wide range of stakeholders provided extensive community input on curriculum ideas.  The findings of the Task Force, which will be presented to the architects and planners designing the new Dare County campus, were outlined for the Board. It was noted that the Task Force recommends that the new facility be designed with a “Flex Space” concept so that adaptations can easily and affordably be made as curriculum needs change in the future.

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting  

Chairman Bob Woodard presented the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Finance Director David Clawson and honored Assistant Director Sally DeFosse with the Award of Financial Reporting Achievement. This is the 27th consecutive year Dare County has received this prestigious designation from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for the County’s comprehensive annual financial report (or CAFR). He noted that this award is a tribute to the County’s financial management practices and carries weight with the bond rating companies, which helps taxpayers when the County needs to obtain financing.

Highway 345 Text Amendment Approved

Following a public hearing, Commissioners approved a text amendment that uncouples the construction of a telecommunications tower with a principal or conditional use in the Highway 345 Zoning District. The change was requested by Rick Loesch of East Carolina Radio and was based on changing technologies and FCC regulations.

Dare County Delegate to the 2018 YouthVoice Conference

Paige Fuselier, 4-H Extension Agent for Dare County, introduced Madison Sawyer as the Dare County Delegate to the 2018 YouthVoice Conference to be held this summer in conjunction with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Annual Conference in Catawba County. Sawyer, a rising senior at Manteo High School, will participate in sessions developed for student leaders from throughout the state to gain a better understanding of what county governments do and the role of commissioners as the governing body for counties.  

Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards

Jane Webster, Board Member with the Outer Banks Community Foundation, presented the 2018 Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards to the following:

In addition, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Gail Leonard in recognition of the many ways she makes a difference in Dare County through her volunteerism.

Next Meeting of the Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners’ next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 16 at 5 p.m. For more information about the Dare County Board of Commissioners, including full agenda packets and the video of entire meetings, visit darenc.com/boc.