Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Commissioners Reports topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners' reports: NCDOT bridge timeline, opioid coordinator hire, school operations and fisheries concerns
Summary
During commissioner reports the board discussed NCDOT planning for a Corolla bridge, welcomed a newly hired opioid program coordinator funded by settlement dollars, noted the $60 million Tulls Creek elementary school will need about $1.9 million for first-year operations, and agreed to pursue outreach on commercial-fisheries concerns.
Several topics were raised during the commissioners’ reports portion of the March 17 Currituck County meeting, ranging from transportation projects to public-health staffing and school operations.
Bridge and public hearings: Commissioner Angel reported that the North Carolina Department of Transportation has adopted a bridge plan for Corey's Ditch and expects planning complete by the end of 2025 with construction beginning in 2026 and lasting about two years. Commissioners expressed concern that an earlier public hearing for a related project was held in Dare County rather than Currituck County; the board asked the county manager to request an additional public hearing in Currituck so residents can attend locally.
Opioid program: Commissioners welcomed Angie Lottman as the county’s new opioid program coordinator. The vice chair said Lottman presented a program vision and a website plan to centralize local resources; a commissioner noted the program is funded from settlement dollars for a minimum of 17 years and is not being paid for by current county taxes.
Schools and radio upgrades: Commissioners said the county is preparing for the opening of the new $60 million elementary school on Tulls Creek Road and that initial operating costs for the first year are expected to be approximately $1.9 million; the county manager and school board will continue budget discussions. Commissioners also supported county-funded radio upgrades that will include a dedicated channel for the school system to enable radios on buses.
Teacher pay and legislative advocacy: The board asked the county manager to coordinate a joint resolution with the school superintendent supporting increases in teacher pay to send to state lawmakers. Commissioners said they will consider traveling to Raleigh to advocate the county’s legislative agenda.
Trash and cleanups: Commissioners discussed community concerns about roadside litter and noted the statewide North Carolina Litter Sweep and local cleanup events (for example, the Knox Island cleanup on April 13). Staff said she would circulate information and outreach options.
Commercial fishing: Commissioners agreed to invite commercial fishermen to a work session after members raised concerns about pending North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission actions that could affect the blue-crab fishery and other commercial activity. Commissioners said they wish to hear fishermen’s concerns directly to better inform advocacy.
System development fees: A consultant presented a five-year system-development-fee study; the report was posted for a 45-day comment period and no comments were received. The board held the statutorily required public hearing but took no action; adoption of a fee schedule is expected at a future meeting.
Ending: The reports covered a range of near-term items staff will pursue: scheduling a Currituck public hearing on the bridge, circulating litter-sweep information, convening work sessions with fishermen and soil/drainage staff, and coordinating a joint teacher-pay resolution with the school system. No final policy decisions occurred during reports; most items were directions to staff or requests for future work sessions.
