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Dare County Board of Commissioners has designated the week of March 29 to April 4 as “Dare Counts” week.

The formal resolution passed March 16 strongly encourages all citizens in Dare County to respond to the Census.

Currently, Dare County’s response rate to the 2020 Census is 12.5 percent. The state’s is almost 29 percent.

Folks receiving mail at post offices did not receive invitations with a specific identifier, but Census information can still be submitted.

Go to my2020census.gov. When the screen asks for an ID number, look below for the sentence that says “If you do not have a Census ID, click here.”

Proceed to fill out the form and be counted.

Field operations to deliver census forms may start April 15.

Another item on the March 16 agenda included the award of the fiscal year 2019-20 equipment financing.

Financing for $2,025,943 for vehicles and equipment funded in the current budget was awarded to Banc of America Capital Corp at a rate of 1.5663% over a three-year term. Seven proposals were received. County manager Robert L. Outten was authorized to execute all necessary documents.

The commissioners authorized Outten to execute the guaranteed maximum price for the new Dare County Animal Shelter. The project total is now $6,596,988. Outer Banks SPCA has committed to fundraising an estimated $200,000 for furniture, fixtures and equipment.

In the consent agenda, the commissioners amended the capital project ordinance for the Series 2019 Limited Obligation Bonds and Nags Head beach nourishment. The bonds were issued in 2018 and have since earned $248,923 in interest. The action budgeted the interest income, which will be used for debt service to support the Nags Head project in 2021.

The board granted permission to Sheriff Doug Doughtie to present Deputy Sheriff  Corporal Michael Sellers with his service weapon upon his retirement April 1, 2020. The presentation recognizes Sellers’ distinguished service as provided in North Carolina General Statutes.

Bethany Lusk was tapped as the March Employee of the Month. She is the senior customer service representative at the Frisco Water Plant office.

All votes were unanimous. Commissioner Jim Tobin was out-of-town and absent from the meeting.

Dare County commissioners will hold at a regularly scheduled meeting April 6, 2020 at 9 a.m. in the commissioners meeting room, 954 Marshall C. Collins Dr. in Manteo.

The meeting will not violate the 10 person limit for gatherings. Four commissioners will be present in the room, three commissioners will be remotely present. The county manager, clerk to the board, county finance director, public relations director and broadcast staffer will be present in the room.

The official notice states: “In order to maintain the safety of Dare County, the Board of Commissioners meeting will be held as scheduled, streamed live and public comment may be presented to the board by sending an email during the meeting to dcboc@darenc.com.”

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