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On May 3, 2021, Dare County Board of Commissioners unanimously agreed to offer a retention bonus to Home Health and Hospice employees if the board decides to sell the Home Health and Hospice agency.

County manager Robert L. Outten presented the details of the bonus. The bonus is equal to 10% of an employee’s salary. The employee would receive half of the bonus when the sale is finalized and the other half nine months after the sale.

Funds would come off the top of the purchase price. Outten said the total bonus package is “something less than $100,000.”

The county is currently engaged in due diligence with BrightSpring, one of four applicants interested in purchasing the county’s Home Health and Hospice business.

Most Medicaid beneficiaries have until May 14 to select one of four plans for Medicaid Managed Care.Chuck Lycett, the county’s Social Services Director, made the presentation.

The new system goes into place July 1, 2021. Currently, 4.7% of Dare’s beneficiaries have made a decision. Medicaid covers 6,400 adults and children in Dare County.

If a beneficiary does not make a decision by the end of business May 14, the federal agency will assign one of the four providers. The beneficiary will have 90 days to select another provider.

For additional information, contact the enrollment broker at ncmedicaidplans.gov.

Dare’s commissioners consented to spend $90,000 for engineering and design services and additional fees required for the Soundside Boardwalk at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head.
Lee Nettles represented the county’s Tourism Board. Construction is expected to start next spring. Albemarle & Associates, Ltd., is the firm selected to complete the engineering work.

Three people spoke at public comment:

Charlie Parker brought three items to the commissioners’ attention: naming the Bonner Bridge fishing pier for Jose Armando Maqueda Mejia, the construction worker who recently died while helping demolish the old bridge; where to find the packets referred to in the board meetings; and how the bike and car rallies were so much fun but the Soundside Event Site sat empty.

Parker was told that the board’s agenda and packet of information is posted on the county’s website, darenc.com, on the page for Board of Commissioners. The Soundside Event Site has been closed due to coronavirus restrictions regarding gatherings.

Gina Elko addressed critical race theory and children wearing masks.

Scott Garber asked that the county’s Kill Devil Hills recreation facility be open at night for pickleball. The Recreation Center budget does not have funds for personnel at nighttime. He asked that budget support be provided for two nights per week and weekends. Garber stayed for the budget workshop that followed the regular meeting.

In other business, the commissioners:

– Proclaimed May 2021 as Older Americans Month and urged resident in Dare County to recognize older adults and the people who support them as essential contributors to the strength of community.

– Designated the week of May 16-22, 2021 as Emergency Medical Services Week. This year’s national theme for Emergency Medical Services Week is “This is EMS: Caring for Our Communities.” Presenting the proclamation was EMS Deputy Chief Terence Sheehy.

– Appointed Melissa Dickerson, town planner of the Manteo planning department, as Manteo’s review officer, and perform all responsibilities required for the review officer for the Town of Manteo. Review officers review local plats before recording to certify that the plats meet the statutory requirements before presentation to the Register of Deeds.

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