Highlights from the April 2025 Dare County Board of Commissioners Meeting

April 8, 2025 | Local News

Dare County Board of Commissioners. Dare County Photo

The following is a summary of the April 7 Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting and does not include all items that were discussed. To view the full video of the meeting on Dare County’s YouTube channel, click here. Official minutes for the meeting are posted once approved by the board, typically at the board’s next meeting which is usually held on the first Monday of the following month. To access minutes for meetings dating back to 2017, click here.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners conducted a public hearing to discuss a proposed zoning map amendment to reclassify three parcels in Buxton—Parcel 031013000 (49251 N.C. Highway 12), Parcel 031013002 (49253 N.C. Highway 12) and Parcel 031013003 (0 N.C. Highway 12)—from a zoning designation of R-3 High Density Residential to C-3 Commercial. Following the public hearing and discussion, the board approved the zoning change, reclassifying the three parcels.

The rezoning request was submitted by Buxton property owners William S. Quidley and John Canning with the intent of expanding commercial opportunities in the area. Canning plans to expand his existing mini-storage business, while Quidley has considered potential commercial uses, including an automotive garage.

The Dare County Planning Board had reviewed the request at its March 4, 2025, meeting and recommended its approval, finding it consistent with the 2022 Dare County Land Use Plan. The Dare County Board of Commissioners determined that the zoning change was appropriate given the surrounding land uses, which include other C-2 and C-3 commercial properties. For more information, visit DareNC.gov/Planning.

Hatteras Island Meals volunteer Aida Havel—along with several additional volunteers from the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides nutritious meals Monday through Friday to elderly or homebound clients on Hatteras Island—delivered a presentation to the Dare County Board of Commissioners highlighting the efforts and accomplishments of the all-volunteer organization, as well as the organization’s latest initiative, running the Cape Hatteras Food Pantry, whose operations it recently took over from the Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men.

Founded in 2006, Hatteras Island Meals delivers hot, nutritious lunches five days a week to island residents who are unable to prepare their own meals due to age, illness, recovery or a long-term need. During the presentation, it was reported that Hatteras Island Meals delivered over 11,602 meals to Hatteras Island residents in 2024—up from 8,762 in 2023—with each meal costing about $6.50, for a total 2024 cost of $76,167. The report also indicated that costs have increased to $7.00 per meal for 2025.

In January 2025, Hatteras Island Meals took over management of the Cape Hatteras Food Pantry in Buxton, which currently serves about 500 individuals and 220 households on Hatteras Island that are food insecure each month. Eligibility for this service is determined by the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services, and once approved, eligible residents can shop at the food pantry by appointment.

The presenters emphasized that both programs rely entirely on generous support from donations, grants, raffles and local businesses—as well as the efforts of more than 70 volunteers, as there are no paid staff members at Hatteras Island Meals or the Cape Hatteras Food Pantry. Additionally, Food Lion in Avon provides approximately 150 pounds of fresh meat and vegetables, as well as baked goods, seven days a week to help stock the Cape Hatteras Food Pantry.

Noting the growing demand and uncertainty in regional food supply support, the presenters expressed their sincere appreciation for those throughout the community who have helped make their mission possible, including Dare County, which provides $6,000 to the nonprofit organization per quarter, the largest single funding source.

For more information about Hatteras Island Meals, visit HatterasIslandMmeals.org. If you or someone you know would benefit from Hatteras Island Meals’ services, contact Hatteras Island Meals at HatterasIslandMeals@gmail.com or the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services’ Social Services Division at 252-475-5500.

During his opening remarks, Chairman Bob Woodard provided a brief overview of the Dare County Board of Commissioners’ budget workshop held on Friday, April 4, 2025. He assured residents that the current levels of service provided by county departments would be maintained and said that discussion included the board’s commitment to adopting a revenue-neutral tax rate following the 2025 countywide property revaluation.

The revenue-neutral rate generates the same amount of tax revenue from property owners under the new assessed values as was collected under the previous property values and former tax rate. Chairman Woodard stated that the revenue-neutral rate of 26.32 cents per $100 of assessed value would be included as part of the proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which will be presented to the public in May 2025 and voted on by the Dare County Board of Commissioners for adoption in June 2025. This is a reduction from the previous tax rate of 40.05 cents and would become effective July 1, 2025.

Property owners in unincorporated areas of Dare County can calculate their county tax bill by multiplying their new assessed property value by the new tax rate (0.002632). However, it’s important to keep in mind that additional taxes may apply based on the property’s location within specific tax districts—such as sanitation, fire protection or other special service districts. These district-specific taxes are added on top of the county rate and will vary depending on the services provided in each area.

During his remarks, Chairman Woodard also made an important clarification: the Dare County tax rate is separate from the municipal tax rates set independently by each of the six incorporated towns within the county. He urged citizens not to confuse the county and municipal rates and encouraged residents and property owners to contact their respective towns if they have questions or need more information about their municipal tax obligations.

For more information, visit DareNC.gov/Revaluation. Questions? Please contact the Dare County Tax Department at 252-475-5940 or DareReval@DareNC.gov.

North Central Regional Director for Trillium Health Resources Dave Peterson provided the Dare County Board of Commissioners with an annual update on the many services Trillium Health Resources—an organization that oversees critical support for individuals facing serious mental health challenges, substance use disorders, traumatic brain injuries and intellectual/developmental disabilities across North Carolina—offers to residents of the Dare County community.

To view the presentation that was delivered during the meeting, please click here. For more information about Trillium Health Resources, visit TrilliumHealthResources.org.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners adopted the following resolutions and proclamations to highlight and address various items and issues of concern in Dare County.

These newly adopted resolutions and proclamations will be published on the Dare County website once they have been signed. To access all published Dare County Board of Commissioners resolutions, please click the button below.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners welcomes citizen participation on advisory boards and committees. This type of grassroots public involvement is the foundation of democracy and a vital part of maintaining Dare County as a quality place to live. Following is a list of Dare County advisory boards and committees with terms expiring during the next three months:

May 2025

Juvenile Crime Prevention Council
Dare County Veterans Advisory Council
Zoning Board of Adjustment – Dare County

June 2025

College of The Albemarle Board of Trustees
Hatteras Community Center Board
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council
Land Transfer Tax Appeals Board
Dare County Library Board
Manns Harbor Community Center Board
Roanoke Island Community Center Board
Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Community Center Board
Dare County Waterways Commission

July 2025

East Lake Community Center Board
Game & Wildlife Commission
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Wanchese Community Center Board

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and once an application is submitted to the Clerk to the Dare County Board of Commissioners, it will remain on file for three years. For a full listing of current vacancies, and to access the online application, please click here. For more information, please contact Clerk to the Dare County Board of Commissioners Skyler Foley at Skyler.Foley@DareNC.gov or 252-475-5700.