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On Nov. 4, 2024, the Dare County Board of Commissioners agreed to purchase $3,685,000 in property to expand a site and address problems. The funding will come from fund balance, which stands at $11 million before purchases.

A 7,000 square foot vacant property on Agona Street in Manteo has a purchase price of $185,000. The property shares a boundary line with the almost-finished Youth Center on Roanoke Island. County manager Robert L. Outten said the property will be used for future growth but initially will be used for open space.

Since 2019, growth in Dare County health services on the northern beaches has exceeded available space. Some 48% of clinical patients live on the northern beaches, but only 25% can be seen at the current facility. Only one health provider and a two nurses can operate at the current facility, which is next door to the property to be purchased.

In addition to health services, the county employees from planning, environmental health and social services have offices in the existing building. Parking is a problem, said Outten.

The address for the property for purchase is 2518 S. Croatan Highway in Nags Head. The two story building has 6,720 square feet of space. The owner is Charles S. Davidson Family Limited Partnership. The purchase price, agreed to by the commissioners, is $1.4 million. The property has three tenants: a law firm, a dentist who is building an office and the Outer Banks Hospital. During the due diligence phase of the contract, Outten will receive copies of the leases.

The third purchase is in Waves. The commissioners agreed to purchase the old Dare Building Supply property at 25691 NC 12 for $2.1 million. The property with 5.5 acres and a borrow pit will be used to construct a new EMS station to serve Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo. The station is currently lodged in the Chicamacomico Banks Volunteer Fire Department in Rodanthe.

In another move for Hatteras Island, Dare’s commissioners agreed to submit grant application for a Frisco pathway.

At the request of the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway Committee and Frisco-Buxton Pathway Committee, the Dare County Board of Commissioners agreed to submit a National Scenic Byway Grant Application.

The grant application proposes to build one-half mile of pathway on the oceanside of NC 12 from Sno-Balls and Ice Cream to the Billy Mitchell Road, leading to Cape Hatteras National Seashore Beach Access Ramp 49, the Frisco campground and the Frisco Airport.

Frisco and Buxton are the only villages on Hatteras Island without completed paved multi-use pathways.

The five-foot wide concrete pathways provide safe space for walkers, runners and cyclists. The pathway will be installed in the NC 12 right-of-way and separate from the traffic lanes.

The half-mile pathway is estimated to cost half-a-million dollars with the Dare County Tourism Board contributing $100,000 for the required matching funds.

Early College contractor chosen

Advancing the Dare County Early College, the commissioners approved Barnhill Contracting Company as the construction manager at risk. The board’s Capital Improvement Planning Committee recommended Barnhill on Oct. 7, 2024. The estimated cost of the new structure is $25 million. Five companies filed responses to a county request for statement of qualifications.

Dare Arts lease renewed

The commissioners renewed the Dare County Arts Council (Dare Arts) lease of the Old Dare County Courthouse. The current lease expires July 31, 2025. Dare Arts asked for a 10-year renewal to amortize expenditures. The annual rent is $1. A notice was published in The Coastland Times that the commissioners would make the decision to lease the building for 10 years on Nov. 4, 2024. The commissioners agreed by approving a resolution. The lease now expires July 31, 2035. No other changes were made to the lease agreement.

Budget savings in first phase of EMS projects

Dare commissioners allocated additional interest income over budget and project costs under budget from Phase 1 EMS projects to EMS Phase 3 projects, states the item summary in the agenda book for Nov. 4, 2024.

Phase 1 projects were Southern Shores EMS, Dare Medflight and Kill Devil Hills EMS/Fire and were financed by the Series 2023A LOBs.

Phase 1 under budget figures are Southern Shores $325,116, 3.75%; Dare Medflight $294,558, 3.08%; Kill Devil Hills EMS/Fire $846,621, 3.37%.

Interest income is $256,760 over budget. Of that, $125,000 has already been budgeted for Phase 2 and $131,760 will be budgeted for Phase 3.

Phase 3 projects are Nags Head EMS and Public Works and will be financed by the Series 2025A LOBs.

Projects and costs of issuance are $1,498,957 under budget. Of that, $1,075,000 has already been budgeted for Phase 2 and $423,957 will be budgeted for Phase 3.

The total being requested to be budgeted for Phase 3 is $555,717 – composed of $131,760 of interest and $423,957 of expenditures.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted to use the additional $555,717 available for land acquisition for the Nags Head EMS station and to reduce the previously budgeted amount of bond issuance by approving an amendment to the Series 2023A LOBs capital project ordinance and an amendment to the Series 2025A capital project ordinance.

Dare receives notice of grant

A NC Department of Environmental Quality Beach Access Grant application was submitted and a joint use agreement was entered into with OBX Forever and the National Park Service. Dare County received the grant to assist with the installation of restrooms and shower facilities at the Old Lighthouse Beach Access. OBX Forever will provide required match. The grant is for $114,010. The Division of Coastal Management will administer the grant.

Soil and Water revenue and expense account created

Dare’s commissioners agreed to create a revenue and expense account that allows the Dare Soil & Water District to take in registration fees for workshops up to $20 each and spend those funds on appropriate expenses, including supplies and meals.

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