Dare board hears audit report

Dave Clawson, Dare finance director, and a representative from the audit firm, reported to the Dare County Board of Commissioners on the annual audit at the board’s first meeting of the month and year Tuesday.

Clawson said the audit contained no management letter, which would have indicated troubles with county finances, and no findings in the three major funds. The audit was clean with no qualifications. There were only two problem: the emergency management service was over budget by $147,910 (1.9 percent) because of of mismanaged overtime and a deficit of $2.25 million in the self-insurance fund. Clawson said he had spoken to the EMS head and he will make sure this won’t happen again.

Revenues were better than expected, and there is $28,281,298 in the general fund fund balance (31.8 percent of budget). Tax collection is up to 98.88 percent from 98.38 percent last year. Sales tax was within $324 of budget, building permit fees increased 27.14 percent, expenditures were 44,776,881 under budget and carryover encumbrances only $420,130. Interest income was $595,298 under budget because of lower interest on investments, and the net income of the water fund was down 4.32 percent because of low interest rates.Outstanding bonds of $510,000 will be retired in fiscal year 2016, and the beach nourishment fund has a balance of $31.9 million, this before the payment to Nags Head for its nourishment project. Outstanding debt is $143,996,756, a decrease of $1.5 million. The county incurred costs of $4.1 million as a result of Hurricane Irene with FEMA bearing most of these costs; $273,606 has been denied and has been appealed. Food stamp demand is also up.

In other business, Anne Thomas, health department director, reported on the substance abuse treatment contract with East Carolina Behavioral Health, asking the board to approve a plan to require people who can to pay for their treatment. This request was made because a grant the county has been using to fund the New Horizons treatment center is no longer available, and this action will allow the patients’ insurance to pay. Com. Allen Burrus emphasized not putting dollars ahead of treatment and monitoring treatment as well as dollars. Thomas said the county could terminate the contract if if is not happy with the services provided. The board approved the contract by unanimous vote.

In an update on transportation, the board was told DOT plans to improve the ferry dock areas at Stumpy Point and the Rodanthe area, dredging so ferries can turn around and making the harbor entrance wider on the Rodanthe side. Burrus he did not want major changes to the community center property at Buxton and that the communities want to be included in plans as the project moves forward.

The board also approved a secondary road abandonment petition for 700 feet at the end of Baumtown Road in Wanchese, where only two people live. They had made the request to keep the road at that point private. The board also approved a request from Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire Department to burn a house adjacent to the Manteo library which is owned by the county.

Board appointments included: reappointment of Com. Richard Johnson to the Albemarle Commission; appointment of Judge Robert Trivette and Sarah Massey to the JCPC to fill vacancies; and reappointing Com. Virginia Tillett to the nursing home committee.

Being awarded service pins was Cindy Kelly, elections department, 15 years; Michelle Harris, detention center, 15 years; Greta Steen, county assessor, 20 years. Kevin Dupree, sheriff’s office, was named employee of the year and Jessica Phillips, employee of the month.

The next board meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 5 p.m.’