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 Tuesday, July 7, 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 Housing Foundation President Donna Creef provided an update to the Dare County Board of Commissioners on the organization's progress toward expanding workforce housing opportunities throughout Dare County. The presentation included an overview of the foundation's formation, funding efforts, organizational development, and ongoing work to identify opportunities for creating additional affordable housing options for the county's year-round workforce.

Creef reported that the foundation has received the first $100,000 of the county's two-year, $400,000 funding commitment and has used a portion of those funds for startup expenses, including insurance, office equipment, software, branding and website development. Since receiving IRS approval as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in February 2026, the foundation has also secured private donations and grant funding while continuing to pursue additional funding opportunities.

The foundation is focused on developing smaller-scale housing projects that can be replicated throughout Dare County. Current efforts include evaluating publicly owned properties for potential development, preparing project proposals, exploring a Community Land Trust model to preserve long-term affordability, and identifying opportunities to create housing for Dare County's year-round workforce.

Under the proposed Community Land Trust model, the foundation would retain ownership of the land while qualified buyers purchase the home through a long-term ground lease. Homeowners would be required to be year-round Dare County residents who work locally, use the home as their primary residence, and agree that it cannot be used as a short-term rental. A resale formula would allow homeowners to build equity while preserving affordability for future buyers. The foundation would also manage a maintenance fund, and homes would be designed to complement the scale and character of surrounding neighborhoods.

Looking ahead, the foundation is using a concept plan developed by graduate students from the UNC Kenan-Flagler School of Business.

View the Dare Housing Foundation's July 7, 2026 presentation.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners received a presentation from Dare Education Foundation Executive Director Ben Sproul and Dare County Schools Superintendent Steve Basnight regarding a proposal to expand teacher housing at the Run Hill Ridge development in Kill Devil Hills. 

The proposal called for the construction of either eight or 12 additional townhome units to expand the existing teacher housing community, which was originally developed by the Dare Education Foundation in 2008, and help address the continuing demand for affordable workforce housing for Dare County educators. Following the presentation, the board approved a $1.15 million capital commitment from Dare County to support the construction of the 12-unit expansion.

During the presentation, it was noted that the existing teacher housing communities in Kill Devil Hills and Buxton remain at full capacity, with a waiting list of educators seeking housing. While the project was initially planned as an eight-unit expansion, a larger 12-unit option was developed in response to continued demand and the need for additional affordable housing opportunities for local teachers.

The presentation also outlined financing options for both expansion scenarios. The original eight-unit proposal carried an estimated cost of $3.2 million, including a $2.1 million mortgage through TowneBank at a 2.5% interest rate, a proposed $1 million capital commitment from Dare County, and a $100,000 cash contribution from TowneBank. The 12-unit expansion approved by the Dare County Board of Commissioners has an estimated total cost of $4.75 million and includes $3.5 million in mortgage financing through TowneBank at a 2.9% interest rate, along with the county’s approved $1.15 million contribution and a $100,000 cash contribution from TowneBank.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners conducted a public hearing regarding a proposed ordinance establishing local regulations for the sale of kratom products in unincorporated Dare County. The proposed ordinance was presented by Dare County Department of Health & Human Services Director Dr. Sheila Davies, who explained that the measure was developed to provide clear, enforceable regulations for retailers and law enforcement while making it easier for consumers to understand which products may legally be sold within Dare County. Chief Deputy Jeff Deringer of the Dare County Sheriff's Office provided insight into how the proposed ordinance would be enforced. During the public hearing, one individual who works for a local retailer that sells kratom products spoke in favor of adopting the regulations, offering comments based on her firsthand experience selling these products and interacting with customers on a daily basis. 

Following the public hearing, the board deferred action on the proposed ordinance until their August 3 meeting. If adopted, the ordinance would prohibit the sale of kratom products to individuals under 21 years of age and establish standards intended to prevent the sale of adulterated or potentially unsafe kratom products. The proposed regulations would also prohibit products containing synthetic alkaloids, harmful contaminants, excessive concentrations of certain active compounds, or other adulterants that could pose health risks. Additional provisions would require retailers to verify the age of purchasers and establish product labeling requirements designed to promote consumer safety.

Dare County Grants and Waterways Administrator Barton Grover presented a request for authorization to submit an application for funding through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Public Beach and Waterfront Access Program. The Dare County Board of Commissioners approved the request, allowing staff to pursue grant funding that could support the acquisition of the former Channel Bass restaurant property in Hatteras Village for future public waterfront access and recreation opportunities. The approximately 1.08-acre property, which has remained vacant since the restaurant was demolished in 2017, is located along Slash Creek, and the current property owner has indicated a willingness to sell the site to Dare County if grant funding is secured.

The proposed acquisition would rely on multiple grant sources, including the Public Beach and Waterfront Access Program, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. County staff noted that if all required grants are awarded, the project would move forward without the use of Dare County funds; if the necessary funding is not secured, the acquisition would not proceed. Should the property be acquired, future development concepts could include amenities such as a dock and kayak launch, playground, gazebo with picnic area, or pickleball court—recreation improvements identified as priorities through the county’s Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment. Before any development plans are finalized, Dare County will hold a public meeting in Hatteras Village to gather community input, and the proposed project will also be reviewed by the Dare County Parks and Recreation Advisory Council.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners approved the recommended Water Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2027–2031 and adopted the related Capital Project Ordinance and budget amendments following a presentation from Dare County Chief Financial Officer Matt Motyka. The five-year plan provides a framework for prioritizing and funding future water system improvements while ensuring that proposed capital projects remain financially sustainable within the county’s Water Enterprise Fund.

During the presentation, Motyka reviewed the Water CIP model and explained that, similar to the county’s broader Capital Improvement Plan process, the Water CIP uses a five-year planning horizon to identify infrastructure needs and evaluate the financial impact of proposed projects. Because the Water Fund operates as an enterprise fund, it is designed to be self-sustaining through its own revenues and expenditures, requiring capital investments to align with operational needs and established financial benchmarks.

The approved plan includes several new and updated project requests aimed at improving the reliability, capacity, and long-term sustainability of Dare County’s water system. Proposed projects include expansion of the Cape Hatteras Water Treatment Plant to add a third reverse osmosis unit, an engineering study and construction of a new well to support the Cape Hatteras Water Treatment Plant, a preventative maintenance budget based on current system capacity, and the purchase of portable generators for the Cape Hatteras Water Treatment Plant, Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo plant and the Buxton-Avon water pumping station. The adoption of the Capital Project Ordinance and budget amendments allows these planned improvements to move forward as part of the county’s continued investment in critical water infrastructure.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month during the meeting, with the proclamation presented by Dare County Public Services Director Spencer Gregory. The proclamation highlights the vital role that parks and recreation play in enhancing the quality of life for residents by promoting physical and mental health, encouraging active lifestyles, supporting youth development and environmental education, fostering economic growth, and preserving the county's natural resources. It also recognizes the importance of parks and recreation facilities as resilient community assets that strengthen neighborhoods and provide opportunities for residents and visitors to connect with nature. 

During the presentation, Gregory also encouraged residents and visitors to celebrate Parks and Recreation Month by attending the Dare County Parks and Recreation Department's annual Family Fun in the Park Block Party, which will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Family Recreation Park, located at 602 Mustian Street in Kill Devil Hills. The free, family-friendly event will feature a variety of activities and entertainment designed for all ages, providing an opportunity for the community to enjoy the county's parks and recreation offerings while spending time outdoors with family, friends, and neighbors. For more information about Dare County Parks and Recreation’s Family Fun in the Park Block Party, visit DareNC.gov/BlockParty. 

The Dare County Board of Commissioners conducted a public hearing and unanimously approved a county-initiated amendment to the Dare County Zoning Ordinance that updates the definition of “family” in Section 22-2 to align with the current North Carolina Residential Building Code. Recommended by the Dare County Planning Board, the amendment revises the definition to allow up to eight unrelated individuals to occupy a single-family dwelling, an increase from the previous limit of five unrelated occupants. The change brings the county's zoning ordinance into consistency with the state’s residential building code, which was updated in 2021 to reflect evolving household compositions and changing housing needs.

The amendment recognizes that many households today differ from the traditional nuclear family and that rising housing costs have led more individuals to share housing expenses. Aligning the county's zoning regulations with the state building code helps reduce inconsistencies between the two while providing additional flexibility for long-term housing opportunities for Dare County's year-round population. 

The amendment does not alter neighborhood development patterns or residential density requirements, and all existing regulations governing wastewater system capacity, bedroom occupancy, and North Carolina Residential Building Code standards remain in effect. County staff also noted that the amendment is consistent with the policies outlined in the 2022 Dare County Land Use Plan, which supports expanding diverse housing opportunities while maintaining compatibility with existing neighborhoods.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners adopted the following proclamations and resolutions to highlight and address various issues of interest and concern:  

• Proclamation Designating July 2026 as Parks & Recreation Month
• Reimbursement Resolution for the Nags Head EMS Station

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: 

August 2026

• A.B.C. Board
• Virginia S. Tillett Community Center Advisory Board

September 2026

• Health & Human Services Board
• Transportation Advisory Board

October 2026

• Dare County Library Board
• Thomas A. Baum Senior Center Advisory Board

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. 

Please click here to view the full agenda packet for the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting that was held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. To view a video of the meeting that was livestreamed on Dare County’s YouTube channel, please click here.