Posted on March 23, 2026
By Joy Crist
Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard outlined a wide range of ongoing projects, priorities, and funding challenges during a detailed State of the County presentation at the Cape Hatteras Secondary School in Buxton on March 21.
Addressing roughly 30 resident attendees directly, Woodard emphasized that the county’s work extends far beyond visible construction projects.
A significant portion of the presentation focused on the ongoing challenges facing Hatteras Island’s shoreline, particularly the continued vulnerability of N.C. Highway 12 and the increasing cost of maintaining oceanfront areas.
Woodard said Dare County’s long-running beach nourishment efforts remain one of the primary tools under current state regulations for protecting both the highway and adjacent communities.
“By the time we finish this next Buxton project [in 2026], we will have spent over $300 million in beach nourishment,” he said.
He noted that these projects are largely funded through tourism-driven revenue, with two percent of the county’s six percent occupancy tax — collected from vacation rentals, hotels, motels, and other short-term lodging — dedicated specifically to shoreline management.
“That’s visitor-generated revenue that helps us protect critical infrastructure,” Woodard said.
At the same time, uncertainty remains surrounding potential FEMA reimbursement tied to storm-related sand losses from 2024, which could influence how far those funds stretch. Dare County originally applied for the routine FEMA funding for the next round of beach nourishment in January 2025, but there has been no response.
“We have not heard back from FEMA, which is making us a little nervous,” Woodard said.
Even without federal reimbursement, he said the county will move forward with the Avon and Buxton nourishment efforts, with staging expected to begin as early as April, though the scope may be reduced if necessary.
“It’s not going to stop us from doing the project,” he said.
While nourishment remains critical, Woodard acknowledged that other Hatteras Island areas continue to face unresolved challenges.
Maintaining access to the island was another major theme, with Woodard highlighting both the importance of N.C. Highway 12 and the need for backup options when storms disrupt travel.
The county is continuing efforts to secure year-round dredging permits for the Rodanthe emergency ferry channel, which serves as a temporary transportation route during major storms that compromise the highway.
“This is a critical lifeline,” Woodard said, noting that the channel allows for quicker restoration of access for residents, emergency personnel, and essential supplies.
In addition, Woodard pointed to ongoing conversations about alternative infrastructure solutions that could provide more affordable resilience along vulnerable stretches of highway.
“We’re having conversations about short-term bridges that don’t cost $350 a square foot. We can afford something more like $35 a square foot… we can afford a Lego bridge a heck of a lot more than we can afford long bridges,” he said, referring to the temporary bridge that was built on Pea Island after Hurricane Irene in 2011.
Tess Judge, a Board of Transportation representative who was also in attendance at Saturday’s presentation, added that a number of NCDOT board members and officials were coming to Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands in May to see the challenges first-hand, and hopefully, keep the barrier islands on the state’s radar when it comes to long-term projects and funding.
Beyond transportation and shoreline concerns, Woodard also highlighted upcoming community events and initiatives, including Dare County’s role in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Woodard said a countywide celebration is planned for April 18 in downtown Manteo, featuring live music by Earth, Wind & Fire, historical exhibits, and community programming tied to the nation’s founding and Dare County’s unique place in early American history.
“Every one of you is invited,” Woodard said. “It’s going to be a great event with a lot of activities for the whole community.”
Public safety infrastructure also remains a key focus, with the county continuing to modernize EMS facilities, including a project to enhance the station serving the Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo communities.
“These facilities were outdated,” Woodard said. “Modernized facilities make us more ready. It helps with recruitment, retention, and performance.”
Woodard also highlighted ongoing environmental efforts on Hatteras Island and beyond, particularly the continued cleanup of the former Buxton Naval Facility (FUDS site), which has been the focus of a multi-year federal remediation effort.
To date, crews have removed significant amounts of contaminated soil and water from the site, with work continuing.
“They will remain here until this site is completely cleaned up,” Woodard said.
In addition to physical infrastructure, Woodard pointed to several community-focused initiatives that affect Hatteras Island residents, including opioid settlement funding that supports local treatment and recovery programs, and the results of a recent community health needs assessment.
That assessment identified mental health, substance use, and access to care as top priorities, helping guide future funding and partnerships across Dare County.
The county is also continuing to invest in quality-of-life improvements through parks and recreation planning, with a proposed quarter-cent sales tax referendum expected to go before voters in November.
If approved, the measure would generate approximately $6 million annually — with a large portion coming from visitors — to fund projects across the county, including potential improvements on Hatteras Island.
“It’s a huge ask of the community,” Woodard said, noting the estimated cost to residents would be about $22 per year for a family.
Economic sustainability and long-term planning were also addressed, with Woodard noting the county’s recent property revaluation and continued efforts to balance service levels with financial responsibility.
At the same time, he emphasized that Dare County continues to advocate for additional state and federal support, particularly when it comes to coastal resilience.
“I told them Dare County is not a county that just stands there with its hand out,” Woodard said. “We take care of ourselves… but our funds are getting low. We need help.”
Throughout the presentation, Woodard returned to a central message: that the county is actively working on multiple fronts to address the unique challenges facing Hatteras Island.
“Trust me, we’re not sitting on our butt,” he said. “Every day we’re dealing with this, and we’re not going to give up until we get some things accomplished.”
