During his opening remarks, Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard spoke about the upcoming one-quarter cent ($0.0025) sales tax referendum that will appear on the November 3, 2026, General Election ballot. Chairman Woodard noted that he has seen numerous comments about the referendum in recent weeks and said he believes there may be some misunderstandings about how small the proposed increase would be compared with the potential impact it could have on Dare County’s parks and recreation system. 

Chairman Woodard encouraged residents to do their homework, review the facts and learn more about what the referendum would—and would not—do before making their decision at the polls. He encouraged voters to visit the county’s dedicated referendum webpage, DareNC.gov/QuarterCent, for additional information about the proposal, including how the sales tax would affect individual purchases and the projects it could help fund. 

If approved by voters, the one-quarter cent sales tax would provide a dedicated funding source for needed improvements, renovations and expansions to Dare County Parks & Recreation facilities identified through the county’s recreation needs assessment. Approximately 70 percent of the revenue is expected to come from visitors rather than Dare County residents, helping reduce reliance on property taxes while providing funding for improvements to facilities and amenities used by residents and visitors alike. 

Commissioner Rob Ross also highlighted the relatively small impact of the proposed increase on individual purchases. For example, he noted that a $100 taxable restaurant purchase would only result in an additional 25 cents in sales tax, emphasizing that the modest increase could help provide a dedicated source of funding for significant improvements to parks and recreation facilities throughout Dare County. 

Chairman Woodard encouraged residents to participate in the November General Election, review the available information and support the referendum as an investment in Dare County’s parks, recreation facilities and quality of life for current and future generations. Click the button below to learn more. 

The Dare County Board of Commissioners continued its review of an initiative to restore licensed childcare services on Hatteras Island through a nonprofit model. Coastal Family Collaborative Executive Director Heather Jennette previously presented the organization’s proposal to establish Tidal Tots Childcare Center, a nonprofit early childhood education center intended to provide accessible, high-quality childcare for Hatteras Island families. 

Following the nonprofit's presentation during the August 3, 2026, Board of Commissioners meeting, the board established a subcommittee to work with Coastal Family Collaborative and further evaluate the initiative’s financial plan, long-term sustainability and request for a $125,000 county investment over three years to support startup costs. The subcommittee met with the board and representatives from Coastal Family Collaborative on August 6, 2026, to continue that review. 

Following the subcommittee’s review, County Manager Bobby Outten reported that the proposed nonprofit model was determined to be workable. The board recognized that the center will need time to build enrollment and staffing and may not have full attendance or all staff members hired when it first opens, but the financial model is expected to become viable over time. 

After discussion, the Board of Commissioners approved providing up to $35,000 to Coastal Family Collaborative for initial startup expenses, including payment of the center’s first year of rent. The rent is approximately $2,600 per month, with the remaining funding available to address other eligible expenses that may arise during the center’s initial startup period. The total county contribution will not exceed $35,000. 

As part of the agreement, Coastal Family Collaborative will return to the board at the six-month mark to provide an update on the center’s progress and financial performance. 

The initiative remains focused on restoring licensed childcare access on Hatteras Island, where the closure of the island’s last childcare center in December 2025 left working families and local employers without a year-round licensed childcare option. Coastal Family Collaborative has proposed a diversified funding model that includes tuition, state childcare subsidies, grants, charitable contributions and community fundraising to support the center’s long-term sustainability.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners took the next steps toward financing several significant county projects through the issuance of Series 2026C Limited Obligation Bonds. During the meeting, the Board of Commissioners adopted an initial resolution authorizing county officials to negotiate an installment financing contract of an amount not to exceed $67 million. The board then held a public hearing on the proposed installment financing, providing an opportunity for public comment on the financing agreement and the projects it would support. 

Following the public hearing, at which no one spoke, the board adopted an approving resolution authorizing the county to finalize the financing agreement and execute the documents necessary to complete the transaction, subject to required approval from the North Carolina Local Government Commission. 

The financing will support three major projects: the new Public Works facility to be constructed on Driftwood Drive in Manteo, the new Dare County EMS Station 5 in Nags Head and a new athletic field house at Manteo High School. Together, these actions move the county closer to financing and delivering improvements that will strengthen essential public services and facilities for the community.