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. View a PDF of the full agenda packet for the meeting that was held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

To view the video of the meeting on Dare 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.

Dare County Special Olympics Coordinator Sandy Pace provided an update on the organization’s annual OBX Polar Plunge fundraising event—which will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head beginning at 9 a.m.—and invited the Dare County Board of Commissioners and members of the community to participate.

During her presentation, Pace—who was joined by numerous Dare County Special Olympics athletes—shared that funds raised through the OBX Polar Plunge directly support year-round sports training, competition, leadership opportunities and health services for local athletes. She emphasized that the Polar Plunge is the only fundraiser held to benefit Dare County Special Olympics and noted that while approximately $42,000 has already been raised toward the 2026 goal of $60,000, the organization is continuing to work toward reaching that target, which helps fund programming for athletes throughout the year.

Members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend—either as participants or to cheer on the plungers in support of this important community cause. To register or donate, visit DareNC.gov/PolarPlunge.

Dare County Special Olympics athletes and volunteers stand in front of the Dare County Board of Commissioners holding hand-painted signs prompting both the commissioners and the public to participate in this year's polar plunge.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to place a one-quarter cent ($.0025) sales tax referendum on the November 2026 General Election ballot, allowing voters to decide whether to fund the Parks & Recreation Recommendations & Implementation Plan developed by McGill & Associates.

The plan outlines long-term improvements to parks and recreation facilities countywide, including expanded field capacity, upgraded lighting, additional indoor program space and other enhancements based on public input. If approved, the sales tax rate would increase from 6.75% to 7.0%, generating an estimated $6.1 million annually to support the financing of the $56.9 million plan and related programming.

Officials estimate that more than 70% of the tax would be paid by visitors, with certain items such as groceries, gasoline, automobiles and prescriptions remaining exempt. The added cost to residents is estimated at about $14 per year for individuals and $22 per year for families.

Commissioners noted that the proposed investments would strengthen community health, accessibility and overall quality of life. No tax increase will occur unless approved by voters in November 2026.

Dare County Chief Financial Officer Matt Motyka shared an overview of the county’s Beach Nourishment Model before providing an update on the projects that are scheduled for 2026, which include those planned to take place within the unincorporated villages of Buxton and Avon on Hatteras Island, as well as the Town of Nags Head. 

Due to rising construction and dredging costs since the most recent nourishment projects were completed in 2022, the county is reviewing and refining its funding model to ensure the Beach Nourishment Fund remains sustainable. Costs are increasing faster than revenues flowing into the fund, which is supported primarily by the Occupancy Tax. 

Motyka also noted that there is uncertainty regarding FEMA reimbursement for the planned 2026 beach nourishment projects in Buxton and Avon. If FEMA funding is not received, the county would have fewer financial resources available for the project, which would result in a consequential reduction in the volume of sand placed on the beach. The county is therefore evaluating two scenarios—one that factors in FEMA funding being received and one that does not.

As next steps, Motyka shared that the Town of Nags Head voted at its February 4, 2026 meeting  to proceed with its 2026 beach nourishment project. Additionally, he requested that the Dare County Board of Commissioners authorize an allocation of $13,067,426 from the county’s Beach Nourishment Fund to support the Town of Nags Head project. The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the allocation, advancing plans for the 2026 nourishment efforts.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners has approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dare County Tourism Board to develop a 10-court pickleball facility at the former Pamlico Jacks property in Nags Head. The Tourism Board owns the site, and construction costs—capped at $1.13 million—will be split evenly between the two entities. Dare County will manage permitting and construction and will operate and maintain the courts once completed, while the Tourism Board will maintain the surrounding property. The agreement establishes an initial 10-year term and outlines shared responsibilities for funding, maintenance and operations.

Dare County Chief Financial Officer Matt Motyka—joined virtually by Dan Morrow, partner at DMJPS, a tax, assurance and business advisory firm that partners with the county to conduct its independent annual audit—presented the county’s June 30, 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Audit to the Dare County Board of Commissioners.

The ACFR is a detailed report that provides a comprehensive overview of the county’s financial position and operating results for the fiscal year, while the independent audit evaluates the accuracy of the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal controls. These reviews are conducted annually to ensure transparency, accountability and compliance with state and federal requirements, and to provide assurance to taxpayers, grantors and other stakeholders that public funds are being managed responsibly.

Key highlights included the county receiving an unmodified audit opinion—the highest level of assurance—along with no audit findings, no grant audit findings and no questioned costs. Additionally, Dare County was awarded the Government Finance Officers Association’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its June 30, 2024 ACFR, marking the county’s 34th consecutive year receiving the distinction. For additional details, residents and property owners are encouraged to review the full ACFR and audit report by clicking the button below.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners approved $24,000 for a feasibility study to determine how many additional parking spaces can be added at the teacher housing/Cape Hatteras Secondary School soccer complex in Buxton.

The study aims to address pedestrian safety concerns during sporting events, when attendance often exceeds 300 spectators but only about 60 parking spaces are available. As a result, vehicles frequently park along Buxton Back Road, blocking sidewalks, narrowing travel lanes and creating hazards for pedestrians and emergency access.

Community members have voiced strong support for expanding the parking area to reduce congestion and improve safety. Dare County Commissioner Mary Ellon Ballance has helped bring attention to the issue and advance the effort. The study will guide permitting, design and bidding for a potential parking lot expansion to improve safety and accessibility at the site.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners has approved a shoreline stabilization project at Hatteras Medical Center in Hatteras Village to address ongoing erosion along the southern and eastern sides of the county-owned property. 

The county will contract with Coastal Science and Engineering for design, engineering and permitting services at an estimated cost of $25,000. Construction—estimated at $39,650—will include clearing select vegetation and installing approximately 200 linear feet of riprap along the shoreline.

The nearly $65,000 project will help protect the property and maintain public access while ensuring compliance with state and federal permitting requirements.

Dare County Deputy County Manager and Department of Health & Human Services Director Dr. Sheila Davies provided an update on Thrive OBX, a collaborative initiative between Dare County, Outer Banks Health and community partners that officially launched this month. The initiative is designed to promote wellness and strengthen overall community well-being across the Outer Banks through accessible, practical engagement opportunities for residents of all ages.

During her presentation, Davies shared that the ThriveOBX.com website is now live, offering comprehensive information about the initiative, a calendar of events and guidance for participating in Thrive Month, which marks the first official monthlong focus on personal well-being and longevity in February 2026. She also noted that Thrive OBX playbooks are now available for purchase for $10 each through the website; these playbooks outline a wide array of activities aligned with the initiative’s five pillars of well-being: Nourish, Move, Purpose, Engage and Balance. Many of the activities listed within the playbooks can be completed on an individual’s own schedule and count toward earning various prizes.

Davies also highlighted the upcoming Thrive OBX Move-a-Thon, which will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at three locations in Dare County: First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills, the Virginia S. Tillett Community Center in Manteo and the Fessenden Center in Buxton. The Thrive OBX Move-a-Thon event is one of several planned activities designed to encourage broad community participation and reinforce a sustained focus on health and well-being throughout the Outer Banks.

Community Care Clinic of Dare Executive Director Lyn Jenkins delivered a presentation titled “Saving County Dollars, Strengthening Health,” during which she shared data illustrating how community-based, integrated healthcare serves as the “front door” to the county’s healthcare system. By offering accessible primary and preventive care services, the clinic helps ensure that uninsured and underinsured residents receive appropriate treatment in a timely and cost-effective setting.

The data presented emphasized the substantial cost savings achieved by diverting uninsured individuals away from high-cost Emergency Department visits and into the clinic’s significantly lower-cost care environment. This proactive approach not only reduces strain on the healthcare system but also helps contain public expenditures associated with uncompensated emergency care. 

At the conclusion of her presentation, Jenkins expressed her appreciation for the $100,000 that Dare County contributes to the Community Care Clinic of Dare each year, emphasizing the strong return on that investment. Additionally, she noted that for every $1 the county invests, the clinic is able to provide nearly $5 worth of healthcare services—delivering meaningful value to the community while also helping save Dare County taxpayers money.

Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard presented the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of the organization’s more than 25 years of compassionate service to the Hatteras Island community. Since its founding in December 2000, the all-volunteer nonprofit has remained committed to ensuring that no island resident facing a cancer diagnosis does so alone, providing assistance to 257 individuals by helping cover medical costs, prescriptions and travel expenses associated with treatment.

The certificate honors the foundation’s decades of community-driven fundraising and volunteerism, which have delivered meaningful support, dignity and relief to hundreds of local families. The recognition was presented to Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation Vice President Donna Barnett on behalf of the organization for its dedication to serving the people of Hatteras Island. For more information about the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation, visit HICF.org.

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 County advisory boards and committees with terms expiring during the next three months: 

March 2026

• Transportation Advisory Board

April 2026

• Airport Authority
• Juvenile Crime Prevention Council
• Manns Harbor Marina Commission
• Older Adult Services Advisory Council

May 2026

• Veterans Advisory Council
• Zoning Board of Adjustment - Dare County

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. View a full listing of current vacancies, and access the online application.

For more information, please contact Clerk to the Dare County Board of Commissioners Skyler Foley at Skyler.Foley@DareNC.gov or 252-475-5700. 

View a PDF of the full agenda packet for the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting that was held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026.