Dare County to ask voters whether to add quarter-cent sales tax to pay for $56.9M recreation plan

The Dare County Board of Commissioners on March 2 authorized staff to ask the county Board of Elections to place an advisory referendum on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot to permit a quarter-cent county sales and use tax that would fund parks and recreation projects recommended in a consultant study.

Staff summarized a McGill & Associates study that estimated $56,900,000 would be required to implement the recreation plan; the resolution before the board asks voters whether they support levying a 0.25 percent county sales and use tax in addition to existing taxes to pay for the plan and operations. The resolution directs the clerk to submit the request to the Board of Elections and specifies the ballot question language consistent with state statute.

Commissioners asked whether adopting the resolution commits the county to spending the full $56.9 million; staff clarified that the advisory referendum only gives the county the option to levy the tax if voters approve and that separate budgeting, bidding and allocation decisions would be required before any money is spent.

Public comment and board discussion reflected differing views on priorities: one speaker in public comment urged prioritizing workforce pay and existing services rather than new programs. The board adopted the resolution by unanimous vote; if the referendum is placed on the ballot and voters approve, the county would still need to budget and prioritize specific projects before spending proceeds.

Next steps: staff will transmit the certified resolution to the Board of Elections, publish required legal notice and, if asked, return to the board with subsequent budget and project-allocation details for discussion.