The Dare County Airport Authority (DCAA) will seek an accounting firm to conduct annual auditing reviews. The DCAA has had a long association with the Nags Head firm of Dowdy & Osborne, LLP. DCAA chairman David Twiddy said that association will end at the request of Theresa Osborne.

Twiddy recommended the DCAA board hire Potter & Company, a North Carolina certified public accounting firm. Twiddy said Potter & Company is contracted by Dare County to conduct their annual audit. The firm has the recommendation of the county finance department.

Wally Overman, who is also a Dare County commissioner, made a motion that the DCAA hire the firm. Overman said the firm has done excellent work for the county. But George Wood thought the Airport Authority should seek other bids before making a decision.

Wood wanted the authority to consider awarding the contract to a local firm instead of a firm headquartered out of the area. “I’m all for keeping contracts local, it keeps money here and that [money] filters into the economy,” he said.

Joe Blakaitis agreed with Wood, saying “I don’t want to cross the commissioners, but I kind of agree with George.”

Overman, saying the choice is completely up to the DCAA board, withdrew his motion until bids could be received. The Dare County Regional Airport manager was instructed to solicit bids. Twiddy thought qualifications should be the main consideration of the bidding process.