Dare County commissioners approve EMS station design contract, school board pay increase and routine consent items; auditors issue clean opinion

The Dare County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 6 approved a set of routine and capital measures, accepted an unmodified audit opinion for fiscal 2023–24 and authorized staff to pursue federal disaster assistance for storm damage.

Key votes at a glance

- EMS Station 5: The board approved a capital project ordinance and a design‑services contract for EMS Station 5 in Nags Head. The county will increase its 2025 limited obligation bonds by $987,500 to fund design; Oakley Collier was awarded a design contract for $987,500. The motion passed by voice vote; commissioners recorded the motion as unanimous.

- Board of Education stipend increase: The board approved a written request from the Dare County Board of Education to raise the annual stipend for its members. The packet requested adjustments to the sums paid to local school‑board members (requested amounts stated in the county packet). Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the measure by unanimous voice vote.

- Consent agenda and contracts: The board approved minutes (Dec. 2 and Dec. 18), a budget amendment for dredge engineering services and a 2024 stream removal contract, and confirmed several board and advisory‑board appointments. These items passed as the consent agenda by unanimous voice vote.

- Disaster assistance: Commissioners authorized the county manager to execute documents designating the county applicant agent under the federal/state disaster‑assistance agreement for the Sept. 16 tropical cyclone declaration and to pursue FEMA public‑assistance eligible work. The board was told a conservative post‑storm survey estimate for Buxton of about 175,000 cubic yards could translate to an approximate FEMA share of $2.6 million under current project assumptions; the board authorized staff to pursue the claim.

- Audit report: The county’s independent auditors reported an unmodified (clean) opinion on the annual comprehensive financial report for the year ended June 30, 2024. Auditor Dan Morrow told commissioners the audit produced no findings or questioned costs for federal or state grant programs examined and that the county’s financial reporting met applicable standards.

Why it matters

Approving the EMS station design contract advances the county’s capital program for emergency medical services in Nags Head. Accepting a clean audit keeps the county in standard financial reporting standing; the report showed the general fund ended the year stronger than budgeted, with higher investment income and underspending in several departments contributing to an increase in fund balance.

Details and votes

EMS station design and funding County staff presented a capital project ordinance adding an expense account to fund the design work for EMS Station 5 and asked the board to increase the planned limited obligation bond issuance by $987,500. Dustin Pills, presenting on the project, said Oakley Collier will provide design and construction services under a $987,500 agreement. The motion to approve the capital project ordinance and contract was moved by Vice Chairman House and seconded by Commissioner Ross; the board recorded the voice vote as unanimous.

Board of Education compensation County Manager read an accompanying letter from the Board of Education requesting higher annual stipends for board members and the chair. The packet listed requested amounts; commissioners voted to approve the requested change and carried the motion unanimously. (The packet numbers were recorded in the county’s meeting material.)

Audit and finance Auditor Dan Morrow reported a clean, unmodified opinion and said there were no audit findings. The audit partner noted that county staff and the Department of Social Services cooperated during testing of federal and state awards. The county’s consolidated fund balance increased during the year; investment income and lower than budgeted personnel costs were cited as major contributors.

Disaster assistance for Buxton beach nourishment Staff noted a post‑storm engineering survey estimate of about 175,000 cubic yards of sand movement at Buxton. Using a reference project scale the county estimated a FEMA share in the mid‑single‑millions (approximately $2.6 million) but said that is an early estimate; the board authorized the county manager to execute applicant‑agent paperwork and pursue the application process.

Other business The board approved several routine appointments to advisory boards and commissions and accepted the consent agenda that included minutes, a dredge engineering budget amendment and a 2024 stream removal contract. All consent items and appointments passed by unanimous voice vote.

Ending

Commissioners closed the meeting by moving into a closed session for legal guidance on a pair of property matters and then adjourned to the next regular meeting on Feb. 3, 2024, at 9 a.m.