Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Budget Adopted

At their June 16, 2021 meeting, Nags Head’s Board of Commissioners adopted a budget for fiscal year 2021-2022.

The Town of Nags Head’s budget guides management throughout the year by clearly setting forth goals and objectives and authorizing programs for implementation. The budget includes the annual operating and capital budgets, as well as the capital improvement program. This year’s budget focuses on the following goals:

Fully funding the Town’s equipment replacement schedule and no longer deferring needed equipment as has been done in prior years.
Fully funding the capital improvement plan, which includes maintenance of key assets including streets, stormwater, waterlines, beach accesses, vehicles, and equipment, as well as planning-level funds to implement a public works master plan.
Fully funding the recommendations of a pay and class study to be a leader in the regional market for local government employee compensation.

A total general fund budget of $26,405,466 was adopted and includes a two-cent ad valorem tax increase on all Nags Head properties, bringing the overall rate from 26.5 to 28.75 cents per $100 of valuation. A portion of the overall tax rate is dedicated to beach nourishment. The beach nourishment rate increased from 2.25 to 2.5 cents per $100 of valuation. The two-cent tax increase raises an additional $616,862 annually to fund Town operations.

Tax rates were adopted for the Town’s six beach nourishment municipal service districts (MSD), four of which were newly adopted in June to establish a more sustainable funding plan. The supplementary revenue from the new tax formula will build up the Town’s beach nourishment fund balance to support future projects and provide more stability for future tax rates. One cent was added to MSD 4, bringing the overall rate to 1.0 cent per $100 of valuation. One half (.5) cent was added to MSDs 3 and 6, bringing the overall rate to .5 cent per $100 of valuation. No tax rate was established at this time for MSD 5. The four new districts will raise an additional $135,069 annually for future beach nourishment efforts. There were no changes to MSDs 1 and 2, which have been in place since 2011 and have a tax rate of 14.30 cents. Special obligation bond debt for the 2019 beach nourishment project is included at $2,451,252. More information on the 2022 beach restoration project, as well as a map of the municipal service districts, can be found at https://nagsheadnc.gov/1042/2022-Beach-Restoration-Project.

Ocean Rescue Lifeguard Austin Fallon Awarded Coast Guard Silver Lifesaving Medal

Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear badges, some wear turnout gear, and some wear swimsuits.

Congratulations to Ocean Rescue Supervisor Austin Fallon on receiving the U.S. Coast Guard's prestigious Silver Lifesaving medal for a heroic ocean rescue near Jennette's Pier in September 2019.

With Hurricane Humberto sending swells of 8 to 10 feet barreling towards our coast and red “NO Swimming” flags flying along Dare County’s beaches, Austin bravely entered the dangerous surf and strong currents to save a man who had been swept amongst the concrete pilings under the pier about 100 yards offshore. Austin was able to calm his victim down while at the same time determining the best way to return them both safely to shore, which involved swimming back under the pier, which was no small feat because of the hazardous surf. Thankfully, two surfers, as well as Ocean Rescue Lifeguard Supervisor Andy Simerson, also courageously assisted in the final push to get the victim to the beach.

Without Austin’s quick response through dangerous surf conditions, the incident would have most certainly had a negative outcome. Not only did he rescue the victim in a very dangerous situation, but he also safely brought the victim back to shore in a stable condition.

Thanks to U.S. Coast Guard Captain Matthew Baer for presenting the medal this morning at Jennette's Pier. Sitting in the video are Fire Chief Randy Wells and Nags Head Mayor Ben Cahoon.

Headed to the beach soon? If so, remember that leaving personal items unattended on the beach between 8 pm and 7 am is prohibited. If items such as tents are not removed daily, they will be considered litter and will be removed.

Sandals, pool floats, sunglasses... You would not believe the items that arrive at our recycling facility through curbside recycling.

Many of these items are made of plastic, but they are not recyclable. Please do not place your poolside items in your curbside recycle bin. Thank you for recycling right this summer!

TFC Recycling is providing a $9/month curbside recycling service to all Nags Head residences. Recyclables will be collected from TFC subscribers on Mondays throughout Nags Head. Click on this text to sign up for the service. TFC is requiring a two year contract.

Town of Nags Head Fireworks Spectacular, July 4, 2021, Nags Head Pier, 9:25 pm