The proposed 2022-2023 Operating Budget for Currituck County is now available for citizens to review. The Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on the operating budget on June 6, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse.
Citizens may submit comments on the proposed budget at the public hearing or by email to commissioners@currituckcountync.gov.
The proposed budget may be viewed at the following links:
The Currituck County Parks and Recreation Department will host a series of public meetings to present information on the development of a comprehensive master plan. These meetings will also collect information from citizens through a brief survey. The citizen input will be used by the county to when developing the master plan, with the goal of improving services offered by Parks and Recreation.
Citizens may also complete the survey online if they are not able to attend a meeting.
A list of the scheduled meetings is below. Citizens may stop by the meeting at any point during the timeframe to provide input and receive information.
If anyone has questions, please contact the Parks and Recreation office at 252-232-3007.
Effective on May 18, 2022, the phone number for the Currituck County Communications Office is 252-453-3633.
This is replacing the old number of 232-2216. The change in phone numbers is necessary because the Communications Office has completed its relocation to the Public Safety Center in Barco from its old location on Courthouse Rd.
This does not affect 9-1-1 emergency communications in any way. Citizens should still dial 9-1-1 if they have an emergency. The new office number of 252-453-3633 is for citizens to use for non-emergency calls.
Currituck County Public Works is offering a special sale on backyard compost bins at a 50% discount through the end of May. County residents can purchase The Earth Machine compost bin online and then pick up their composter from Public Works in June.
Backyard composting converts leaves, kitchen scraps, paper and other organic materials into a valuable soil conditioner that boosts plant growth and helps the soil retain water. Compost can be used on gardens, lawns, and houseplants.
There are many good reasons for composting and organic recycling. These practices help plants grow bigger and healthier, reduce the need to buy plant food and pesticides, replenishes the nutrients lost from soil, increase water retention and reduce erosion, reduce the amount of trash that ends up in landfills, and reduces costs associated with hauling waste.
Learn more about the sale and how to place your order online HERE.
If you have any questions, contact Public Works at 252-232-2504.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections approved the appointment of Brandie Draves as the new Director of Elections for
Currituck County. Her first day as director is April 18, 2022.
Draves succeeds former director Sydni Banks, who resigned to pursue an opportunity in the private business sector. Prior to being named director, Draves served as Deputy Director of Elections in Currituck County for six years.
“I look forward to providing fair, impartial, and accurate election services and innovative solutions to ensure our voters don’t encounter long lines on elections day. Additionally, I want to thank our appointed board and many election workers. Because of their ongoing efforts, elections are and will remain successful in Currituck County,” Draves said.
The North Carolina Primary Election is scheduled for May 17, 2022. The One-Stop early voting period is April 28 to May 14. Anyone with questions regarding the Primary Election may contact the Currituck County Board of Elections at 252-232-2525.
Currituck County Economic Development talked to officials involved with the proposed Mid-Currituck Bridge to provide an update on this long sought-after project. Check out this interesting article, available HERE on the Economic Development website, ThinkCurrituck.com.
More information on the proposed Mid-Currituck Bridge project is also available from ThinkCurrituck.com HERE.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation provides project information, reports, and documents on the Mid-Currituck Bridge HERE.
Citizens should be aware of construction zones in areas of Corolla where public access dune walkover structures are being replaced. Currently, the dune walkovers at Coral and Dolphin streets are under construction. The old walkovers are being replaced with new, safer structures that land directly on the beach. Please use caution while in the vicinity of the construction sites and do not allow children to play in the work zones. Each of the new dune walkovers will be 8’ wide and provide a safe entrance onto the beach.
Construction of a new walkover located at Mackerel St. may be delayed until the fall, but it is designated for replacement this year.
Aerial view of new Perch St. walkover
Overall, Currituck County is in a multi-year project to replace a total of 12 old dune walkovers at public beach access points. Phase one of the project was completed in 2021, with new dune walkovers built at Barracuda, Perch, and Sailfish streets.
During the winter of 2022-2023, new walkovers will be constructed at Bonito, Marlin, and Sturgeon streets. The project’s final phase will include the replacement of walkovers at Herring, Shad, and Tuna streets during the winter of 2023-2024.
An improved rating within the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) achieved by Currituck County could lead to discounted flood insurance premiums for property owners. The Currituck County Development Services Department received notice that the county’s score in the NFIP’s Community Rating System has been upgraded from an 8 to a new score of 6.
The National Flood Insurance Program is offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and provides federally backed flood insurance in communities that have enforced floodplain regulations. Currituck County includes floodplain management regulations in the Unified Development Ordinance. The county’s participation in the NFIP is a benefit to local property owners because traditional homeowners’ insurance does not cover damages caused by floods.
The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary aspect of NFIP that allows communities to achieve flood insurance premium discounts by meeting certain criteria at the local level. CRS communities are rated from a 10 to 1, with 1 being the best rating. A Class 6 community receives a 20% discount for all policies in its Special Flood Hazard Areas.
Communities are rewarded by meeting the three goals of CRS: reduce flood damage to insurable property; strengthen and support the insurance aspects of NFIP; and encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.
Currituck County spends considerable time and effort to meet annual CRS rating standards and is subject to regular five-year reviews. Staff from Development Services, Emergency Management, Inspections, GIS, Public Information, and County Manager’s office contribute to the overall mission. The Board of Commissioners play a role by adopting certain regulations related to development and mitigation. The county also partners with the Nature Conservancy to calculate percentages of property identified as open space.
Major items that have helped to improve Currituck’s score include the county’s preservation of open space in land development, enforcing higher regulatory standards for development in special flood hazard areas, and adopting of the Outer Banks Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Additional action items include maintaining elevation certificates, delivering informational outreach projects, meeting state regulations on flood hazard disclosures, making flood protection information available to the public, floodplain mapping, analyzing repetitive losses, and addressing the growth rate of the county.
You can learn more about the National Flood Insurance Program and insuring your property from the Development Services Department at 252-232-3055.
Currituck County is excited to announce a pilot project to evaluate, understand and improve the effectiveness of combining departmental permit efforts between Public Works & Emergency Management. Effective today, current Public Works Solid Waste Permits will also function as Currituck Outer Banks residents’ and property owners’ re-entry permit for the 2022 calendar year. The project’s objective is to increase collaboration across departments and provide a one-stop shop for residents, property owners and renters to obtain their required permit(s).
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