This is an unofficial summary of the meeting produced by the Dare County Public Relations Department. It does not include all items that were discussed at the meeting.Click here to view a PDF of the full agenda packet for the meeting that was held at 9 a.m. on Monday, January 5, 2026.
To view the video of the meeting onDare County’s YouTube channel, please click the button below. Official minutes for the meeting are posted once they have been approved by the board, typically at the board’s next meeting, which is usually held on the first Monday of the following month. To access minutes for meetings dating back to 2017,please click here.
35th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
During the Chairman’s Remarks portion of the meeting, Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard asked everyone to mark their calendars for the community celebration to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The celebration will take place on Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Roanoke Island Presbyterian Church (855 US-64 Manteo, NC). This year’s program will feature a musical celebration with performances by The Echoes of Heritage and Ascension Music Academy. The event is open to the public, and light refreshments will be served following the program.
Save the Date: 2026 State of the County
Chairman Woodard announced that he will deliver the annual State of the County presentation on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant, located at 705 S. Croatan Highway in Kill Devil Hills. The cost to attend the 2026 State of the County event is $10 per person. Advance registration is required to attend the event—online registration will open on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Manteo High School Men’s Soccer Team Receives Certificate of Recognition
The Manteo High School Men’s Soccer Team attended the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting to be formally recognized for an outstanding achievement—winning the 2025 North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2A State Championship. The Manteo Redskins captured the title with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over the Gray Stone Day Men’s Soccer Team, sealed by a penalty kick goal in the 69th minute. Their championship run was defined by exceptional defense, including four consecutive shutouts in the playoffs, culminating in the program’s first state title in this era. Chairman Woodard presented a Certificate of Recognition to the team and coaches during the meeting.
Chairman Woodard presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Manteo High School Soccer Team and coaches during the meeting.
The Dare A250 Committee provided an update highlighting continued progress toward the county’s America 250 commemoration in 2026. Dare County Public Information Director Dorothy Hester began the presentation by announcing the official launch of the Dare A250 interactive map and passport program and outlined key initiatives that are underway across the History, Schools and Youth, Marketing and Outreach, and Faire subcommittees.
Dare A250 Committee members shared plans for community engagement, educational programming, storytelling and historical interpretation, and promotional efforts leading up to the signature Dare A250 Faire on April 18, 2026, at Wright Brothers National Memorial. The Board expressed appreciation for the work of the Dare A250 Committee and its many partners as Dare County prepares to celebrate the country’s semiquincentennial in the Land of Beginnings.
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The Dare County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an expenditure request from the Dare County Tourism Board to contribute $230,000 toward the purchase of a new traffic signal at the entrance to the Soundside Event Site at Grouse Street and U.S. 158 in Nags Head.
North Carolina State Statute requires Dare County Board of Commissioners approval for the Tourism Board to spend these funds. The expenditure request was presented by Outer Banks Visitors Bureau Executive Director Lee Nettles.
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The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted to pause the reconstruction of the Dare County Public Works Department facility located on Driftwood Drive in Manteo until required approval is received from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The project will include the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of a modern, redesigned complex. While the project is otherwise ready to begin, Dare County Manager Bobby Outten reported that FAA approval has not yet been granted. Dare County is working with the N.C. Department of Transportation Aviation Division to address the outstanding issues. The Dare County Public Works department will continue operations to ensure uninterrupted service to residents.
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The Dare County Board of Commissioners approved Fred Smith Company as the contractor of choice for stormwater improvement projects on Old Lighthouse Road in Buxton and NC 12 in Hatteras Village. The projects, which will be constructed within the NCDOT right of way, are fully funded through stormwater grants and do not require a local funding match.
Following three unsuccessful bid advertisements, Dare County received a proposal from Fred Smith Company and value-engineered the project to remain within the grant budget. The Board also authorized the County Manager to negotiate and execute a contract not to exceed $734,000, with the project to be completed prior to June 2026.
Board Approves Language to Allow Increased Dock Length on Jean Guite Creek
The Dare County Board of Commissioners adopted a text amendment submitted by the Martins Point Homeowners Association to amend Section 22-17.1 of the Martins Point Single-Family Residential (MP-1) zoning ordinance. This amendment increases the maximum allowable pier and dock length on Jean Guite Creek to 100 feet when measured from an estuarine bulkhead. It was proposed to promote uniformity with existing docks, restore conformity for docks affected by changing natural conditions, and provide equitable access to deeper water for affected property owners.
Family Child Care Homes Text Amendment Approved
The Dare County Board of Commissioners also approved a text amendment that was submitted by the Children and Youth Partnership of Dare County to update the definition of Family Child Care Homes to align with recent changes in North Carolina law. The amendment increases the maximum number of children permitted in a residential child care setting from eight to ten, expanding capacity for existing and new providers while maintaining current rules regarding the inclusion of an operator’s own children. The change is expected to support locally owned child care businesses while expanding child care options for Dare County families.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners approved a letter of support for the bipartisan SPEED Act (H.R. 4776), recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, which would strengthen county involvement in federal environmental review and permitting processes by formally recognizing counties as cooperating agencies under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The Dare County Board of Commissioners welcomes citizen participation on advisory boards and committees. This type of grassroots public involvement is the foundation of democracy and a vital part of maintaining Dare County as a quality place to live. Following is a list of Dare Countyadvisory boards and committeeswith terms expiring during the next three months:
February 2026
- Dare County Planning Board
March 2026
- Transportation Advisory Board
April 2026
- Airport Authority
- Juvenile Crime Prevention Council
- Manns Harbor Marina Commission
- Older Adult Services Advisory Council
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and once an application is submitted to the Clerk to the Dare County Board of Commissioners, it will remain on file for three years.For a full listing of current vacancies, and to access the online application, please click here.For more information, please contact Clerk to the Dare County Board of Commissioners Skyler Foley atSkyler.Foley@DareNC.govor 252-475-5700.
Click here to view a PDF of the full agenda packetfor the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting that was held at 9 a.m. on Monday, December 1, 2025. To view a video of the meeting on Dare County’s YouTube channel, please click the button below.
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