The following is a summary of the May 5 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 adopted the following proclamations and resolutions to highlight and address various items of interest and concern:
- Resolution Opposing New Tolls and Increases on Existing Tolls on North Carolina Ferry Routes
- Resolution Opposing the Increase in Insurance Premiums for State Employees by the Dare County BOC to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction
- Proclamation for EMS Week: May 18-24, 2025
- Proclamation – Older Americans Month 2025
The newly adopted resolutions will be published on the Dare County website once they have been signed.
Saving Lives Task Force Co-chairs Roxana Ballinger and Wally Overman provided an update on the Dare County Opioid Settlement Funding Plan outlining the local use of North Carolina’s $750 million opioid settlement reached in July 2021, of which 85 percent is designated for local governments to combat the opioid crisis through treatment, recovery and harm reduction. Dare County is expected to receive approximately $6.4 million between 2023 and 2039.
Total funding available for Fiscal Year 2026 is $383,700 and the budget prioritizes the funding of a peer support specialist position and recovery court case manager position, as well as naloxone and test strip distribution, and initiatives addressing social determinants of health and detention center needs. A stakeholder survey conducted in January 2025 saw a significant increase in participation—from 75 respondents in 2024 to 368 respondents in 2025—and revealed strong community support for a wide range of interventions, including treatment services, harm reduction and mobile outreach, among others.
To view the slides from the presentation that was delivered during the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting, please click here.
Dare County Manager Bobby Outten presented the recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 totaling $242,865,850 with the General Fund being $143,011,201 of that amount. The proposed budget does not include a property tax increase, and is based on the revenue neutral property tax rate of 26.32 cents. The County Manager said that the proposed budget maintains Dare County’s high-quality service delivery to residents, property owners and visitors, while also addressing the Dare County Board of Commissioners’ established goals.
Public Hearing for Recommended Budget:
The Dare County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing for the proposed budget during the board’s next regularly scheduled meeting, which will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025 at the Dare County Administration Building (954 Marshall C. Collins Drive in Manteo). During the public hearing, in-person comments on the proposed budget will be accepted at the Dare County Administration Building in Manteo, as well as the Fessenden Center Annex, which is located at 47013 Buxton Back Road in Buxton.
To view the manager’s proposed budget that was presented at the May 5, 2025 Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting, please click the button below. In addition, Dare County now provides access to revenue and expenditure details via a ClearGov transparency site which can be accessed at Dare-NC.ClearGov.com.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners conducted a public hearing to discuss a proposed text amendment to Section 22-27.3 of the Dare County Zoning Ordinance. The amendment, which was submitted by OBX Timber Trail LLC, seeks to remove the multi-family dwelling density limitation established by the “Zone of Influence” within the Special Environmental District (SED-1), which encompasses areas of Buxton and Frisco on Hatteras Island.
The SED-1 district was created in 1988 to protect the Cape Hatteras well fields and the surrounding Buxton Woods maritime forest, placing strict limitations on development, density and environmental impact. Later that year, a “Zone of Influence” was added to extend certain development restrictions—including a multifamily density cap of three units per acre—to adjacent areas located within a half-mile north of the SED-1 boundary.
After reviewing the proposed amendment at its April 1, 2025 meeting, the Dare County Planning Board recommended approval of the amendment, finding it consistent with the 2022 Dare County Land Use Plan and current state regulations that already safeguard the Cape Hatteras well fields and Buxton Woods. The Planning Board has also noted that the restriction singles out multifamily housing, while other higher-impact uses—such as hotels, campgrounds and restaurants—are permitted without similar density limitations.
However, during the public comment portion of the public hearing held on May 5, 2025, speakers voiced concerns about lifting the restrictions, citing potential impacts including increased development and the long-term environmental health of Buxton Woods.
In response to these concerns, the Dare County Board of Commissioners voted to table making a decision for 90 days to allow time to study the information presented and iron out details before any action on the proposed amendment is taken.
A special highlight of the meeting was the recognition of 10 Dare County residents and organizations who have been selected as recipients of the prestigious 2025 North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Award. This distinguished honor is awarded annually by the Governor of North Carolina to individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to their communities through outstanding volunteer service.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners extends its sincere congratulations and appreciation to each 2025 North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Award honoree for their invaluable service and continued contributions to Dare County.
To read more about this year’s recipients, visit DareNC.gov/GovernorsAward.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners approved two proposed revisions to the board’s 2025 meeting schedule as follows:
- The Board’s meeting that was previously scheduled to be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025 has moved to 9 a.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025.
- The meeting that was previously scheduled to be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 has been rescheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners meetings are generally held on the first Monday of each month at 9 a.m., although this schedule is occasionally adjusted in order to accommodate holidays and other conflicts. Meetings are held in the Board of Commissioners meeting room adjacent to the Dare County Administration Building, which is located at 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive in Manteo. To view a list of the Dare County Board of Commissioners’ 2025 meeting dates, please click here.
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:
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
August 2025
- Dare County Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board
- Jury Commission
- Dare County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
- Stumpy Point Community Center Board
- Virginia S. Tillett 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.
