On Monday, June 7th, the Dare County Board of Commissioners refused to approve a request from the Tourism Board.
The county tourism board requested that the city of Nags Head be paid $ 2,336,107. The amount of city money was used to purchase the Soundside venue in 2007. The proposal saw a payment that month of $ 600,000 and $ 100,000 per year for 10 years and the remainder of $ 736,107 prior to the end of the period.
The event site consists of three commercial lots. Nags Head’s current stake in lots 1 and 2 is 17.949% and lot 3 is 34.783%.
The discussion focused on the future use of the event site. Everyone is talking about a convention center. Consultants say that a stand-alone center would have an annual deficit. Linking the center to a local hotel would improve the financial prospects.
Commissioner Jim Tobin said he would “really like to see a plan approved” before Nags Head is repaid.
Commissioner Ervin Bateman moved for the motion to be approved. Not a second was offered and the application failed.
Commissioner Steve House requested to be presented at the first meeting in August 2021. The application was supported by Tobin. The vote was unanimous.
The message for the tourist board is to return to the commissioners with a plan for the venue.
The commissioners approved a motion from the tourism board to spend $ 18,500 on remodeling the server room and marketing area of the office building.
The commissioners approved the budget for the financial year 2022. The approved budget does not provide for an increase in property taxes. The rate remains at 40.05 cents per $ 100 valuation. The budget increases the sewage tax for the unincorporated Dare County to 9 cents per $ 100 valuation and a 2 percent increase in water prices.
The commissioners also approved:
– A Conditional Use Permit for Outer Banks Gas and LP in East Lake,
– a four-lot subdivision called Hatteras Island Reserve in the village of Hatteras,
– and a resolution to change the permit for the county C&D landfill to include debris from Hyde and Tyrrell counties and the city of Columbia.
Commissioners announced last Wednesday that at their next meeting on June 21, they would consider an asset purchase agreement for the sale of Dare Home Health and Hospice to BrightSpring. The agreement provides for a sales price of $ 2,900,000 less the $ 290,000 already provided and less employee retention provided by Dare County.
During the commissioners’ comments, Bateman reported the deaths of two young people from drug overdoses. One death resulted from a drug containing fentanyl. Bateman emphasized that help can be found for addicts in Dare County.
Treasury Director David Clawson reported that the county has $ 7.182 million in American Rescue Plan funding due by December 31, 2024.
County manager Robert L. Outten told commissioners the board had to make a decision “pretty soon”. He mentioned topics that have already been discussed, such as projects to combat rainwater, affordable housing and broadband services. The project selection process can go through the Capital Improvement Plan Committee, Outten commented.
During a public comment, Amanda Lotus addressed the 2030 Agenda or the Great Reset. She called on the Commissioner to “formulate measures and regulations that prevent violations of the rights and freedoms of Dare County residents.”
Rosa Alice Mayo pointed out the vulnerable section of NC 12 between Frisco and Hatteras and asked what plans exist in the event of another breach. She also said, “Hatteras Inlet is a mess.”
Board chairman Robert L. Woodard responded that he set up a task force with representatives from NCDOT, the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Counties, and Dare and Ocracoke to investigate six hot spots on NC 12.
The board has reappointed:
– Susan Gray and Joe Kierskowski as Trustees of the Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Community Building.
– Robert Trivett, Molly McGinnis, Vance Haskett, Gail Hutchison, Jennifer Karpowicz, Edward Hall, Jr., Keith Letchworth, Steve House, Laura Twichell, Shelia Davies and Katherine Irby on the Juvenile Crime Council. The board appointed Sara Sampson to replace Nancy Griffin, who refused to be reappointed. There are still three posts to be filled in the Council.
– Jennifer Gilbert, Bett Beasley, and Vickie Craddock to the Manns Harbor Community Center Board of Directors.
– Jacqueline Ricks-Sample (Kill Devil Hills) and Lynne McClean (Kitty Hawk) on the Land Transfer Tax Appeals Board. The board appointed Rob Rollason. Manteo City Commissioners have to make a recommendation as June Neri has left the area.
Approval for the agenda action:
– The Board of Commissioners has self-certified the following small purchase thresholds: $ 30,000 for purchases of equipment, supplies, materials, or equipment; $ 30,000 for purchase of construction or repair work; $ 50,000 for the purchase of services that are not open to tender under North Carolina law; and $ 50,000 for the purchase of services subject to the qualification-based selection process of the Mini Brooks Act; provided that this threshold only applies to a contract if the county has exercised an exemption from Mini Brooks Act in writing for a particular project. If the exception is not approved, the micro-purchase threshold is $ 10,000. The move will take effect on July 1, 2021.
– The board approved a tripartite way of intervening agreement for a water line extension for Old Wharf Estates in Wanchese.
The Board approved the signing of two grant agreements with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for two separate grants to the county to complete sediment tests on the Hatteras and Avon / Buxton beaches. The total grant for Hatteras testing is $ 11,815 and the grant for Avon / Buxton is $ 15,000. The grants cover all of the costs of a professional contractor to run the tests under two separate contracts. The board also approved an accompanying budget change.
– The appointees approved an application from Social Services to purchase Northwoods Traverse software for use in the Adult Service and Family Service units.
CURRENT HEADLINES:
Dare Tourism Board selects accounting firm, hears COA presentation
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