2023-2024 Recommended Budget Focuses on Assets and Infrastructure Maintenance 

At the May 3, 2023 Nags Head Board of Commissioners meeting, Town Manager Andy Garman presented his recommended budget for July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. 

A budget workshop is scheduled for May 17 at 9 am and the Board will hear public comments on the budget at a public hearing June 7 at 9 am. Both meetings will be held in the Board of Commissioners room at 5401 South Croatan Highway. A vote on the final draft budget is expected to take place June 21.

“This budget has been a work in progress over the last two years as we have aligned our projects with the Town’s strategic plan, which has a greater focus on maintenance of our assets and infrastructure,” said Town Manager Garman. “The driving force behind the changes between this year’s budget and last year’s is our new Public Services complex project and the replacement of our aging water meters with digital metering infrastructure. Together, these projects totaled $19 million. We are recommending a 4.25 cent tax increase, which will largely be used to pay the debt service for these projects and a 12.3% water rate increase to pay for the water fund portion of the debt service.”

“For reference, a property with a tax value of $500,000 would realize an additional $212.50 per year. For the average water customer, the water rate increase would equal approximately $8 every two months. The Nags Head tax rate is currently 28.75 cents per $100 of assessed value. The proposed increase would bring the FY 24 tax rate to 33 cents per $100 of assessed value.”

“We recognize this represents a substantial request from our community. The Public Services complex is the largest vertical construction project in our history and one we hope to be proud of for 60 plus years. It is the operational hub of our largest department, one that impacts us all daily, and provides the most visible level of service to our town and visitors. Much like beach nourishment, which also required significant additional resources, this is a foundational project for our community, and not something we ask for often.”

Construction of the new Public Services complex, which is replacing buildings built in the 1980s, is underway and should be complete in about 18 months. The smart meter project entails replacing meters for Nags Head’s water customers with digital meters that can be read remotely, which will give the Town real-time data. Customers will benefit from more accurate usage information and the Town’s ability to detect leaks as they are occurring. 

Recommended Budget Highlights

• No changes to the municipal service district or town-wide beach nourishment taxes.
• Resurfacing of several sections of Town streets.
• Replacement of asbestos cement water lines. 
• Replacement of the Loggerhead public access beach walkover ($75,000).
• Applications for grants to assist with constructing new sidewalks, a new walkover at Governor Street, an update to our Stormwater Master Plan, and replacement of the pier and gazebo at the causeway sound public access. 
• Replacement of a portion of the South Virginia Dare Trail multi-use path between East Lakeside and East Enterprise Street ($260,000). In addition, funding for continued path maintenance is recommended ($80,000), including bulkhead replacements and concrete path repairs in south Nags Head, adjacent to South Old Oregon Inlet Road. 
• Replacement of the Epstein bathhouse. 
• Replacement of several large pieces of rolling stock, including sanitation trucks. 
• A 6.5% cost of living adjustment ($650,000) tied to the January 2023 Consumer Price Index.
• An increase in career development and training funds and a 1% increase for the non-law enforcement officer 401k savings plan, bringing the Town’s contribution to 5%, with no required match.
• Two new police officer positions ($96,000 each) and funding for part-time firefighters ($24,000).
• An increase in wages for ocean rescue staff from $16/hour to $18/hour and added incentives for guards to work later into August, including a $600 end-of-season bonus for lifeguards and a $1,000 end-of-season bonus for ocean rescue supervisors. Funding is also recommended for eight lifeguards from Labor Day through September 30, as well as maintaining two to three guards on patrol through October 31.

“This is a considerable request from our community,” Garman explained. “The additional financial resources necessary to balance this year’s budget were driven by the Public Services project, which is a much-needed project we’ve been planning for several years. With last year’s addition of the capital investment fund, and this year’s public financing, which involved the Town receiving an Aa1 rating from Moody’s, we continue to improve the Town’s capacity both financially and strategically.” 

Town Manager Garman’s presentation to the Board can be viewed at YouTube.com/TownofNagsHead. 

The public is encouraged to attend a public hearing on the budget June 7, 2023 at 9 am in the Board of Commissioners Room at 5401 South Croatan Highway. 

Property owners can find the tax value for their properties at DareNC.gov/GIS. As always, owners can call our offices at 252-441-5508 if they need additional information. 

Help Steer the Direction of Bike and Ped Safety on the OBX

Join the Outer Banks Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Coalition, which aims to bring education and awareness of bicycle and pedestrian safety to drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and all who visit our area. 

Volunteering for the Coalition entails a commitment of only a few hours monthly, generally meeting over lunch at a local restaurant and volunteering at events to distribute bike lights. Email chair@obxbikeped.org to get involved today!

Hope to see you at the next meeting.

Skate Park Renovations Complete

The skate part on the site of the YMCA has reopened with a renovated half pipe. Be sure to stop by and check it out.

Hollowell and Conch Public Beach Accesses Now Open

Our contractor has finished new walkovers at the Hollowell and Conch public beach accesses and they both are wide open for your use. Thank you for your patience. 

How does recycling help your local community?

• Recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 trees
• Recycle 1 aluminum can conserves enough energy to power a 60 watt light bulb for more than 4 hours
• Recycling 1 ton of plastic saves 1,000-2,000 gallons of gasoline

It may seem like the small action of throwing your soda can into the recycling bin instead trash won't make a difference. Clearly, it all adds up for the benefit of our planet!

Thanks for recycling right, Nags Head. 

**Effective May 1, 2023, TFC Recycling, which provides curbside recycling services to homes in Nags Head, has increased their monthly rate from $9.60 to $10.33/month. To the 900+ subscribers, thank you for your support of this service! Not a subscriber? You can still sign up.

If you don't have time to haul your recyclables to the recycling centers we have at town hall (5401 South Croatan Highway) and our public services facility (2200 Lark Avenue), subscribe to the curbside recycling collection service offered by TFC Recycling. The cost is only $9.60/month thanks to a $5/month subsidy from the Town.

Dispose of Your Household Hazardous Waste Responsibly 

The Dare County Public Works Department is hosting a household hazardous waste collection event at their Public Works facility at 1018 Driftwood Drive from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday, May 12 (tomorrow!).  

During this event, Dare County residents and property owners can drop off any of the following hazardous materials for safe disposal:

• Paints, polishes, varnishes, turpentine, aerosol cans and adhesives
• Gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze, fuel additives, automotive batteries and automotive fluids
• Household cleaners, mercury, herbicides, insecticides and pesticides
• Pool chemicals, fluorescent light bulbs and small batteries

Visit DareNC.gov/PublicWorks for more information.