Posted on May 6, 2026
Several items on the Dare County Board of Commissioners’ May 4 agenda have direct implications for Hatteras Island, with beach nourishment funding and the county’s proposed budget topping the list.
The board will hold a public hearing on a financing plan that would support a range of capital projects, including beach nourishment efforts in Avon and Buxton. The proposal authorizes the county to pursue up to $108.2 million in total financing, with as much as $56.5 million earmarked for shoreline projects aimed at erosion control and storm protection.
County documents specify that the nourishment component includes projects in Avon and Buxton, two locations that have seen repeated investment in sand placement in recent years. The funding structure, if approved, would allow the county to move forward with both current and future nourishment work while spreading costs over time through installment financing.
Immediately following the public hearing, commissioners are scheduled to consider adopting a resolution to move forward with the financing plan. The resolution would authorize county staff to negotiate one or more financing agreements and begin the process of securing funds for both the nourishment projects and a separate public works facility in Manteo.
The beach nourishment projects for 2026 have already moved through competitive bidding, with Great Lakes Dredge & Dock identified as the lowest bidder. While the county remains hopeful for a potential FEMA commitment to fund additional sand volume, the board previously authorized County Manager Bobby Outten to proceed with a baseline scenario.
This includes approximately 1.35 million cubic yards of sand in Buxton and 300,000 cubic yards in Avon, with work expected to begin in May for Avon, and in June for Buxton.
Also on the agenda is the presentation of the recommended fiscal year 2026–27 budget. County Manager Bobby Outten and Chief Financial Officer Matt Motyka will outline the proposed budget, which totals approximately $246.5 million and does not include a property tax increase.
The budget reflects continued investment in core services and long-term capital planning, including shoreline management. While the presentation is informational at this stage, commissioners are expected to schedule a public hearing for June 9.
Hatteras Island residents have an opportunity to participate in the meeting remotely, as public comments can be delivered via an interactive video link at the Fessenden Center Annex in Buxton, providing a local access point for those unable to travel to Manteo.
The May 4 meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the Dare County Administration Building in Manteo.
