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The Currituck Board of Commissioners met for a short but decisive meeting May 3.

The meeting opened up with commissioner reports, beginning with a reminder from Bob White regarding changes to the noise ordinance. Changes are set to be discussed at the May 17 commissioners meeting, but commissioner White assured community members that the decibel levels will not be changing, only the number of permits issued.

Commissioner Selina Jarvis encouraged residents to volunteer with the meal delivery program offered to older adults. Volunteers can choose how often they serve, including being a substitute driver.

The county manager reported that the county will take over the funding for Wildlife Resources Education Center in Corolla Park. “It’s a wonderful addition to the campus that we have out there,” said Ben Stikeleather.  He stated that the programming and mission will not likely change. “We are really exciting about this. It’ll really complement our Martime Museum and Historic Whalehead,” he continued.

County attorney Ike McRee reported on the lawsuit that the county is participating in against the opioid manufacturers and distributors. “Some 3,000 lawsuits have been filed. There have been 16,000 deaths in North Carolina [related to opioid misuse],” McRee said.

Litigation is still ongoing, but a settlement is expected. The total settlement is expected at $26 billion, distributed over 18 years to states based on population and impact. North Carolina may receive $850 million. McRee encouraged commissioners to read through a resolution that would allot the county’s portion to remain in the county, rather than be distributed by the state through, for example, grant requests. If the resolution passes, Currituck County may receive over $1.3 million. This is based on national health experts’ determinations based on number of deaths in a county from opioids and number of prescriptions written in a given county or city.

Next, Stikeleather introduced four items of new business. The first two were resolutions that would restrict authority at the local level: opposing North Carolina Senate Bill 455 which seeks to decriminalize non-statutory criminal offenses and violations; and Senate Bill 349/House Bill 401 which would require local government to allow duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes in areas that are currently zoned single-family, as well as require local governments to allow one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per lot. The commissioners approved resolutions opposing both bills.

The board also approved a proposal for an engineering design for Moyock Wastewater Treatment Plant for $998,000.

Additionally, the board approved the design proposal for the Moyock Elementary School renovation and addition project. The design would add eleven classrooms, thereby adding accommodations for an additional 150 students. It would renovate the dining area and move all students inside the building. The project is estimated at $14 million, which is 15 percent higher than expected due to rising costs in construction materials. Almost $1 million is for the design, $1.2 million for fixtures, furniture and equipment and $11.7 million for actual construction costs, according to Stikeleather.

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