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Dare County commissioners made several financial moves at the regularly scheduled March 3, 2025 meeting.

The commissioners approved installment financing for vehicles and equipment found in the fiscal year 2025 capital investment fund budget of $2,216,438.

Eleven firms submitted proposals. Banc of America Public Capital Corp. presented the lowest rate of 3.9459% for 36 months.

Also approved was installment financing for public works for three trash trucks and network equipment in the amount of $1,453,541. Again, Banc of America Public Capital Corp. submitted the lowest rate at 3.9632% for 59 months. Ten firms submitted proposals.

The commissioners adopted resolutions and authorized the county manager, clerk to the board and finance staffers to execute all necessary financing documents.

On the recommendation of the county’s Capital Improvement Plan Committee, the commissioners approved Barnhill Building Group as the construction manager at risk for Phase III construction projects. New construction projects in Phase III are Public Works facilities on Roanoke Island and in Buxton, Emergency Medical Services Station 5 in Nags Head and Station 6 in Waves, and a new evidence building for the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division. Other firms submitting proposals were Whiting-Turner, Sussex and AR Chesson.

The board approved Barnhill and authorized the county manager to negotiate and sign contracts.

After briefing by county manager Robert L. Outten, the board authorized the demolition of a red brick building at the intersection of US 64 and Ananias Dare Street. The building most immediately housed North Carolina’s office of Probation and Parole, which has moved to two new locations permanently. In times past, the building served as the Dare County Health Department.

The building has mold issues. As county workers attempted to solve the mold issues, more problems were found. To refurbish the entire building would cost $450,000 to $500,000. The Capital Improvement Plan Committee recommended demolition and using the land as additional parking for Cooperative Extension.

The previous Manteo location of the Youth Center now stands empty. For new occupants, the building will need painting and carpet installed, which Outten said could come out of the existing budget. Two non-profit groups asked to use the building. The Lost Colony Foundation proposed using it for artifact storage and office space. Coats for Kids also needs more storage and public accessible space. The board unanimously voted for Coats for Kids to use the building.

In 2023, the NC 12 Task Force released its final report about hot spots along the famed highway running along Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. Among the top concerns are the ferry terminal and docks on Ocracoke were the vehicle ferries land. That facility is gravely threatened by erosion.

The commissioners authorized board Chairman Robert L. Woodard to send a letter of support to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy for North Carolina’s Department of Transportation application for a PROTECT (Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-saving Transportation Program) grant. If funded, the grant would fund completion of the National Environmental Policy Act process for a new ferry facility.

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