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Dare County directs lobbyists, takes positions on a slate of state bills including removal procedure for registers of deeds
Summary
Dare County commissioners voted to direct county lobbyists and adopt formal positions on several North Carolina bills, supporting measures to restore local zoning authority and to let registers of deeds issue certified birth certificates while opposing proposals that would allow county commissioners to remove elected registers of deeds.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted on a package of positions and lobbying instructions on multiple pending North Carolina bills, directing county lobbyists to pursue some measures and oppose others.
After staff briefings, commissioners unanimously approved a resolution urging the General Assembly to expand authority for local governments to construct housing for local government employees and asked the county’s lobbyists to pursue adding Dare County to a local bill (H 306) originally drafted for other counties. "If we could get Dare County added to that bill, then it would proceed with the goal that you did in the resolution that you just passed," the county manager said in presenting the matter.
On audit procurement legislation (H 593), the board supported the objective of maintaining audit oversight but opposed portions of the bill that would mandate selecting the lowest bidder. County staff and commissioners said the bill’s procurement approach could force the county to accept auditors who lack capacity to meet deadlines and perform thorough audits, which could delay other state reviews or funding actions.
Commissioners voted to support S 419 / H 24, which they described as restoring local authority to initiate zoning changes after prior legislative changes curtailed that ability. "This is to repeal what they did, to restore the way it was before they acted," a commissioner said during debate.
The board also reviewed a newly introduced developer‑backed measure (House Bill 765) that would add fiscal‑impact analysis requirements for zoning changes, extend vested rights from two to five years, and add new conflict‑of‑interest language; the board voted to oppose H 765.
On property tax proposals (Senate 427), staff asked for more time to analyze potential fiscal impacts before taking a position; commissioners requested follow‑up with the county’s legislative contacts.
Two bills affecting registers of deeds drew separate actions: the board voted to support Senate Bill 248, which would let county registers of deeds issue certified birth certificates to adoptees (local issuance would reduce cost and wait times for adoptees, staff said). By contrast the board unanimously approved a resolution opposing Senate Bill 711, which would direct counties to adopt a code of ethics and a removal process for elected registers of deeds; commissioners said SB 711 risked politicizing an elected office and lacked due‑process safeguards. "If a violation is alleged…the county manager would give him broad discretion to determine whether a violation has occurred…then the board of commissioners is also given broad discretion to uphold the alleged violation and remove the elected official," the board's resolution stated.
Commissioners also authorized lobbyists to oppose the part of H 593 that prescribes a low‑bid procurement approach for audits and to pursue support for other bills the board endorsed. Votes on the package were unanimous on each motion unless otherwise noted.
