THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 7, 1995 TAG: 9502070290
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Dare County Commission Chairman Robert V. ``Bobby,'' Owens Jr. served notice that county department heads should not expect big boosts in funding in the fiscal 1995-96 budget.
Budget requests are due March 3.
``We full well know what's going on all over the country,'' said Owens. ``I'm sure the board is not in a spending mood. We're not going to cut to bare bones. That's a bunch of bull. But we want to be able to provide the same level of services, and keep additional spending down.''
Budget workshops involving department heads and the commissioners are scheduled for March and April.
The proposed budget will be submitted to the board May 1. Copies of that budget will be made available to the public at that time, with a public hearing set for May 15. A vote on the 1995-96 budget is scheduled for June 5.
The board received an update on the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, to be located on Hatteras Island. The museum has received $800,000 from North Carolina, and $100,000 in county funding. Some $760,000 in federal funds has been approved by Congress. However, that funding has not been released by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
The commission passed a resolution of support for the museum. Owens asked that a letter be drafted and sent to Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, North Carolina Sens. Jesse Helms and Lauch Faircloth and 3rd District Rep. Walter Jones Jr. seeking their help in release of the funds.
In other action, the commission, by a 6-2 vote, approved the sale of seven parcels of surplus land. The tracts, located on Roanoke Island, Hatteras Island and in Wanchese, were sold by sealed bid.
Commissioners Clarence Skinner and Joseph ``Mac'' Midgett voted against the sale. Skinner argued that the price of the tracts was too low, and suggested that the county use an alternate means to dispose of the property.
However, Commissioner Doug Langford said the land has been dormant on the tax rolls for at least a decade, and it was time for the county to sell the lands for the additional revenue.
The commission rejected, by a 6-1 vote, a request by Wanchese resident Hiram Gallop to change the name of Rollinson Road in Wanchese to Mosley Lane. The action came despite a petition signed by seven of the eight property owners on the street in favor of the name change.
Commissioner Shirley Hassell voted for the name change, citing the historical background of the Wanchese area. However, Owens said a name change would mean a change in county maps as well as in the E-911 system.
Also by a 6-1 vote, the panel approved a $10,000 appropriation for the Dare County Arts Council. The allocation will enable the council to seek a $5,000 grant from the North Carolina Arts Council.
The commission also set a March 13 date for a public hearing on Hatteras Island, concerning the establishment of a service district made up of Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras Village to support the Hatteras Island Rescue Squad.
If approved by voters in the four communities, a tax would be levied to fund emergency services in the communities.
KEYWORDS: BUDGET by CNB