Dare County commissioners authorize negotiator after heated public meeting on disputed Alexander property

The Dare County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 15 held a special meeting to consider whether the county should acquire property owned by Brad Alexander in the community referred to in the meeting transcript as “Wanchi’s” and how to pay for it. County Manager Alton told the board that the parcel sold in July 2024 for $1,000,000, had a 2024 tax value of $300,600 and a 2025 fair-market value of about $1,028,300; Alexander’s asking price rose from $5,000,000 to $6,000,000 after recent clearing of the site.

Why it matters: Commissioners and residents framed the question as a choice between using county funds or a special tax district, or pursuing condemnation (eminent domain), with implications for local taxes, county budgets set aside for housing, and whether the site could host public uses such as recreation space or an EMS station.

County Manager Alton told the board that a special tax district limited by state statute could be used only for specific public purposes (beach nourishment, fire protection, parks/recreation, water, sewer, ambulance services under some interpretations, cemeteries, law enforcement where…