Highlights of the August 2025 Dare County Board of Commissioners Meeting

The following is a summary of the August 4 Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting and does not include all items that were discussed. To view the full video of the meeting on Dare County’s YouTube channel, click here. Official minutes for the meeting are posted once approved by the board, typically at the board’s next meeting, which is usually held on the first Monday of the following month. To access minutes for meetings dating back to 2017, click here.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners approved a contract with Coastal Science and Engineering (CSE), adopted a related budget amendment and authorized Dare County Manager Bobby Outten to sign the agreement—advancing the Buxton terminal groin repair project as part of the broader 2026 beach nourishment project that is currently being planned for the Village of Buxton. The approved $288,320 contract with CSE covers professional services, including bid preparation, construction oversight and project management for the repair. The budget amendment reallocates $288,320 from the Beach Nourishment Reserve Fund to fund this phase of the project.

The Buxton terminal groin was originally constructed to help stabilize the shoreline and reduce erosion by trapping sand and protecting N.C. Highway 12. Over time, portions of the groin have become buried or damaged due to shifting sands and storm impacts. During the March 3 Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting, Outten reported that engineering assessments found at least 50 percent of the groin remains intact, qualifying it for repair under state and federal permitting guidelines. Repairing the groin is considered a critical component of the upcoming nourishment project, as it plays a vital role in maintaining the beach profile and protecting infrastructure from ongoing coastal erosion.

Next, CSE will submit a terminal groin repair permit application to the necessary regulatory agencies for permitting. If approved, the project can then move forward.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution to sponsor the Rodanthe Emergency Ferry Channel Permitting Project and authorized Dare County Manager Bobby Outten to sign a contract with Coastal Protection Engineering (CPE) for permitting services, along with the associated budget amendment. This action allows Dare County to begin securing state and federal permits to maintain and dredge the emergency ferry channel connecting Rodanthe and Stumpy Point—an essential route used when N.C. Highway 12 is impassable due to storms or overwash, ensuring residents and emergency supplies can access Hatteras Island.

The resolution marks a proactive step to address recurring delays in federal dredging operations by allowing the county to obtain permits enabling the use of hopper, mechanical and pipeline dredges. During his presentation, Dare County Grants and Waterways Administrator Barton Grover explained that federal agencies have been unable to respond in a timely manner due to equipment limitations and an environmental authorization limiting the time of year dredging can occur. By securing its own permits, Dare County will gain the flexibility to maintain the channel as needed year-round and at a fraction of the cost. Dare County Commissioner Mary Ellon Ballance emphasized the importance of this approach, requesting that all future permit applications include these provisions to ensure Dare County can swiftly respond to any navigation issues.

Buxton Woods Zoning Compromise Approved

The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a modified version of a proposed zoning text amendment to Section 22-27.3 of the Dare County Zoning Ordinance concerning the SED-1 Special Environmental District in Buxton. The amendment was originally submitted by OBX Timber Trail LLC and requested a full removal of the “Zone of Influence” dwelling density limitation on multifamily housing, townhouses and condominium projects in areas surrounding the SED-1 district. Following significant public input and further legal review, the board approved a compromise that allows up to four dwelling units per acre for properties zoned for multifamily development within the Zone of Influence rather than removing the language entirely. County staff confirmed that this change remains consistent with the Dare County Land Use Plan, which supports the development of long-term and diversified housing options.

The compromise emerged from concerns raised during the May 5, 2025 public hearing, where citizens highlighted the potential environmental risks to the Buxton Woods maritime forest and Cape Hatteras well fields if the restrictions were lifted entirely. While the Dare County Planning Board had unanimously recommended removing the Zone of Influence language in full—citing consistency with the 2022 Dare County Land Use Plan and existing state environmental protections—the Dare County Board of Commissioners tabled the request for 90 days following the May 5, 2025 public hearing to allow time to consult outside counsel and better understand the enforceability of the existing restriction, which had not been properly indexed since its adoption in 1988.

Adoption of the S-17 Supplement

The board also adopted the S-17 Supplement to the Dare County Code of Ordinances, which consolidates all ordinance changes since the last update. This keeps the county’s laws clear, current and consistent with state regulations.

Ordinance Amendments to Reflect State Law Changes

Text amendments to several zoning ordinance sections were adopted to comply with new North Carolina laws (Senate Bill 166 and House Bill 600). These updates include revised definitions and updated rules for lot coverage, impervious surfaces and parking requirements.

Zoning Map Change Supports Public Works Upgrades

A zoning map amendment was approved for an 8-acre section of a county-owned property on Roanoke Island to support planned improvements to the Dare County Public Works facility. The change reclassifies the land as industrial (I-1), removing previous zoning inconsistencies and paving the way for much-needed infrastructure upgrades.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution supporting a new phase of the Frisco-Buxton Pathway and authorized Dare County Manager Bobby Outten to sign and submit a $1.5 million Federal Lands Access Program grant application for the project. Proposed by the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway Committee for Dare County and Frisco-Buxton Pathway Project Inc., the grant would fund construction of a 1.25-mile segment of pathway that will connect Billy Mitchell Road to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s Frisco Bathhouse and Lifeguarded Beach Access, enhancing pedestrian and cyclist safety along a heavily traveled stretch of N.C. Highway 12. No matching funds are required.

The Frisco South Multiuse Pathway Project envisions the design and construction of a five-foot-wide, 6-inch-deep, concrete multiuse path built on the oceanside of N.C. Highway 12, within the NCDOT right-of-way, beginning near the entrance to the National Park Service’s Frisco campground and ORV Ramps 48 and 49 on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Frisco-Buxton Pathway Project Inc. will maintain the 1.25 miles of multiuse pathway, and $152,000 has already been raised to support the long-term maintenance of this segment.

Dare County Tax Collector Becky Huff presented the county’s annual tax settlement for the 2024 fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2025. The report provided a comprehensive summary of tax collections across both the unincorporated areas of Dare County and the five of its six municipalities—Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Manteo—for which the county provides collection services.

For 2024, the total levy for real estate and personal property taxes in unincorporated Dare County was $68,359,268.77, which includes a wide range of property types such as homes, mobile homes, boats, rental equipment and business property. By the June 30, 2025 fiscal year-end deadline, the county had collected $68,094,968.15, achieving a strong collection rate of 99.61%. When including the five municipalities, the total levy reached $108,371,611.25, with $107,957,034.78 collected—resulting in an overall collection rate of 99.62%.

Taxes on real estate, business personal property and individually owned personal property are due each year on September 1 and become delinquent on January 6 of the following year. During her presentation, Huff noted that Dare County continues to pursue delinquent accounts with professionalism and compassion, offering payment plans and working closely with taxpayers to assist in resolving any outstanding balances. For more information, visit DareNC.gov/Tax.

During his opening remarks, Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Kitty Hawk Kites founder and owner John Harris in recognition of the company’s 50th anniversary and Harris’s lasting contributions to the Outer Banks community. Founded in 1974, Kitty Hawk Kites began as a hang gliding school on the dunes of Jockey’s Ridge and has since grown into a local institution known for promoting outdoor adventure and environmental appreciation.

Chairman Woodard praised Harris as a visionary and pioneer whose entrepreneurial spirit has not only introduced thousands of residents and visitors from around the world to the thrill of flight and a variety of watersports and other adventures, but also fostered a deeper connection to the natural beauty of the Outer Banks region. Beyond the recreation and tourism opportunities he has created over the past half century, Harris was also commended during the presentation for his enduring commitment to the community and the positive impact his leadership has had on Dare County over the past five decades.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners welcomes citizen participation on advisory boards and committees. This type of grassroots public involvement is the foundation of democracy and a vital part of maintaining Dare County as a quality place to live. Following is a list of Dare County advisory boards and committees with terms expiring during the next three months:

September 2025

Health & Human Services Board
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council

October 2025

Fessenden Center Advisory Board
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council

November

Dare County Older Adult Services Advisory Council
Dare County Veterans Advisory Council

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and once an application is submitted to the Clerk to the Dare County Board of Commissioners, it will remain on file for three years. For a full listing of current vacancies, and to access the online application, please click here. For more information, please contact Clerk to the Dare County Board of Commissioners Skyler Foley at Skyler.Foley@DareNC.gov or 252-475-5700.

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