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Dare County Board of Commissioners approved two planning matters and a considered a couple of financial moves on August 1, 2022.

The board approved an amendment to an existing special use permit issued to Liberty Christian Fellowship in Colington.

The amendment approves a new 15,000 square foot family life center to be used by the church and its summer camp program. As designed, the two-story building will house a gymnasium, dining hall/kitchen, office space, classroom and restrooms.

Liberty Christian Pastor Scott Hobbs thanked the board for its consideration of the amendment. He said the family life center was a 30-year dream of the church and he’s excited about the opportunities the center will provide.

Commissioner Jim Tobin said “this is exactly the kind of development we need for our kids. Thanks again.”

In second action, the commissioners set a public hearing for Sept. 6, 2022 to consider the request of a dozen Seagull Street homeowners to close the private road, which runs parallel to NC 12 along the oceanside in the Mirlo Beach subdivision.

The dozen homeowners accepted a proposal from the Mirlo Beach Home Owners Association to deed the road property to the homeowners. If the county agrees to close the road, the homeowners would have the ability to move houses westward to mitigate damages from erosion and storms.

NCDOT has granted the homeowners permission to establish driveways from NC 12 to the lots. All 12 homeowners submitted affidavits with the request to the board to close Seagull Street. Seagull Street and its houses are bypassed by the new Rodanthe Bridge.

The commissioners declared August Child Support Awareness month.

In fiscal year 2022, more than $2.5 million in child support was collected from parents of Dare County’s children, states the proclamation. In Dare County, nearly 763 child support orders are in place and work to ensure that more than 906 children receive financial support from their parents.

“Child Support Awareness Month salutes the diligent working parents who spend time with their child and who make regular child support payments, to safeguard their children’s future,” continues, states the proclamation.

On financial matters, the commissioners gave finance director David Clawson permission to join an investment pool created by Wake and Buncombe counties that has since expanded.

States the explanation, using the investment pool “will provide Dare County with slightly higher returns, will provide additional portfolio diversification, and will lower the County’s direct credit risk exposure from its commercial paper holdings.”

On the second financial topic, Clawson told the commissioners that he did not want them to adopt a resolution authorizing negotiations for an installment financing contract to finance the work to be done for the Manteo Youth Center and six Emergency Medical Services facilities.

The state’s Local Government Commission is not approving finance packages for multiple projects that may result in increased costs in a construction draw program.

Instead, Clawson indicated that he will most likely need three phases to finance the projects.

In appointments, the Board of Commissioners:

– Reappointed Charles Davidson, Jack Shea and Fred Newberry to the Dare County Airport Authority.

– Reappointed Dean Simmons, Justin Bateman and Allen Poole to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council and appointed Megan Vayette be appointed to fill the term of Stephanie Moxley.

The commissioners also authorized spending $800,000 on lighting for soccer fields in open space at the First Flight Middle and Elementary Schools. Already goals are in place. County manager Robert L. Outten indicated that the grass will be mowed more frequently and lines will be painted.

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