Votes at a glance: Dare County Board approves opioid spending, opposes offshore leasing, approves water and school capital plans

The Dare County Board of Commissioners conducted a series of routine but consequential votes at its June 9 meeting, adopting resolutions and budget amendments covering opioid settlement spending, local opposition to new offshore oil and gas leasing, water system budgeting, airport authority pay changes, and county and school capital plans.

Highlights - Opioid settlement funds: The board adopted two resolutions updating the use of opioid settlement funds for fiscal 2025 and a settlement funds resolution and budget amendment for fiscal 2026. Motions were made by Commissioner Bateman and carried unanimously.

- Offshore oil and gas leasing: Commissioners adopted a resolution formally opposing the inclusion of new offshore oil and gas leasing off the coast of North Carolina in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management(BOEM) national Outer Continental Shelf leasing program. The resolution requests BOEM and federal representatives exclude exploration (including seismic testing) and new leases; the motion passed unanimously after a presentation by Health Director Sheila Davies and supporting remarks from the chairman.

- Skyco water plant well site: The board approved county staff moving forward with borings and site work to establish a new high‑ground well site adjacent to the county administration parking area (the Skyco site) to secure additional potable water capacity on Roanoke Island. Commissioners noted the site is the only suitable option identified and agreed to proceed; the motion passed unanimously.

- Water and wastewater budgets and transfers: The board approved a $50,000 transfer previously executed by the manager between water funds and approved a second $50,000 transfer (total $100,000) to cover chemical treatment costs at the North RO plant after a pipe outage required additional treatment. The board also adopted the water capital improvement plan and associated budget amendments.

- Airport authority salary and staffing approvals: Commissioners approved increases to airport authority board member stipends and salary adjustments for the airport director and administrative officer; a commissioner recused from that portion of the discussion per the agenda. Motions carried unanimously.

- Road addition and local government matters: The board recommended that a short segment of private road in the Vista Lake subdivision be added to the state secondary road system and approved a series of capital program ordinance amendments for prior bond projects and new capital needs.

- School capital plan: The board approved the Dare County Schools 2026 capital improvement plan, adopted associated capital project ordinances and budget amendments, and approved use of a new state public school repairs fund balance for several school fire‑alarm and related items. The board also approved a capital investment plan that schedules multiple school projects across 2026–2028, and confirmed school debt planning that aligns with the countydebt model.

- County budget: After a public hearing with no speakers, the board adopted the general fund budget and related financial policy updates (including a temporary change increasing the percentage of appropriated fund balance from 3% to 5%), and accepted staff corrections to prior school funding calculations that reduced a previously projected increase by about $1.24 million.

Procedural note: Most motions were approved unanimously; where commissioners recused or abstained, the board record identified the recusal on the airport authority agenda item.

Ending: The board bundled routine items on the consent agenda and completed a slate of board and advisory appointments before adjourning. Several commissioners praised retiring Finance Director Dave Clawson and welcomed new CFO Matt Matika.