2020 KDH Solid Waste Schedule Released

The Town’s advanced solid waste schedule has been released. It highlights the entire year including holidays, bulk collections and other special collections. To view the schedule, visit the Town’s website: www.kdhnc.com/DocumentCenter/View/12070

Reminder: Colington Island is an unincorporated area in Dare County; therefore, refuse collection for all of Colington Island is conducted by Dare County. Questions regarding sanitation collection for unincorporated areas of Dare County should be addressed to the County’s Public Works Department at 252-475-5880 

Girl Scouts from Service Unit 440 Earn Detective/Special Agent Badges at the KDH Town Hall

Twenty-five Girl Scouts from Service Unit 440 recently participated in crime scene investigation (CSI) activities at the Kill Devil Hills’ Town Hall in an effort to earn their Detective Badge (Junior Scouts) or their Special Agent Badge (Cadettes).

To earn their badges, the Scouts had to work through a crime scene. An author-signed copy of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets went missing from the Police Department. The Scouts had to use their knowledge to assess the scene, interview suspects, and present the suspect based on found clues. The Scouts worked through several stations where they learned about observation, fingerprinting, and blood splatter, while building their knowledge of CSI.

In addition to their CSI activities, several members of the Kill Devi Hills Police Department assisted the Scouts with their activities. Community Police Officer Lora Gilreath coordinated the event and its activities. Officer Steven Gulledge and his partner, K-9 Officer Zar demonstrated how Officer Zar provides assistance in crime scene situations. Officer Gulledge also explained to the Scouts Officer Zar’s extensive history of training. Sergeant Julie Haner discussed internet safety with the Scouts and spoke with them about females who have careers in law enforcement.

KDH Finance Department Awarded for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 31st Consecutive Year 

KDH Finance Dept. pictured above (standing from l-r): Assistant Finance Director, Charlene Allen; Finance Director, Beverly Kissinger; Payroll and Benefits Administrator, Cheri Woods; (sitting from l-r): Administrative Specialist, Ron Farley; Accountant, Angell Doughtie; Accounts Payable Specialist, Margaret Clark; and Customer Service Representative, Michelle Nichols

At the January 13, 2020, Board of Commissioners meeting, the Kill Devil Hills Finance Department was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2018, from the Government Finance Officers Association. Assistant Finance Director Charlene Allen presented the Certificate and commended the Finance team for their diligent efforts to maintain such a high standard of financial, budgetary, and accounting practices. This is the 31st consecutive year that Kill Devil Hills has received the Award.

Teresa Osborne, of the CPA firm Dowdy and Osborne, presented the Kill Devil Hills’ audit for the 2018/2019 fiscal year. Ms. Osborne provided her firm’s opinion of the Town’s financial condition and adherence to good governmental practices. She noted the Town goes above and beyond the basic statement reporting requirements through its completion of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Compared to annual expenditures, the general fund balance represented 66.8% of the current expenses. The Town has a minimum general fund balance policy that instructs management to maintain a general fund balance of 35% of budgeted expenditures. The fund ended with a strong balance and in a strong position. 

To view the CAFR: www.kdhnc.com/DocumentCenter/View/12038

Two Opportunities for Public Comment 

1. Outer Banks Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update is Seeking Public Comment
We need your help! For the past 10 months, Dare and Currituck Counties have been preparing an update to the 2015 hazard mitigation plan. This planning process is required to remain eligible for federal FEMA disaster funding and to help the Outer Banks region to become more disaster-resistant through implementation of sound mitigation projects.  This updated plan focuses primarily on natural hazards such as coastal storms, flooding, tornadoes, etc., but also includes some technological (human-caused) hazards. The public is invited to review and comment on the draft 2020 Outer Banks Region Hazard Mitigation plan by going to www.obx-hmp.com and providing your comments and feedback by January 31, 2020.

2. North Carolina Department of Transportation Seeks Public Comments on Future Divison 1 Projects
EDENTON – Area residents will get a chance to provide input on what transportation projects they would like to see included in the next North Carolina Department of Transportation’s 10-Year transportation plan for 2023-2032.

With a goal of increasing safety, reducing congestion and promoting economic growth, NCDOT uses data and local input to determine which projects get funded in the 10-year plan based on a specific formula created by the Strategic Transportation Investments law. It allows NCDOT to use its funding more efficiently to enhance North Carolina’s infrastructure while supporting economic growth, job creation and a higher quality of life.

A statewide 30-day public comment period to submit project ideas will be held between Jan. 27 and Feb. 28. During this 30-day period, the public can send project suggestions in a short, interactive survey found on the 2023-2032 STIP web page.

Also, during the 30-day period there will be a three-day open house held at NCDOT Division One headquarters at 113 Airport Drive in Edenton for in-person input about potential projects in Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington counties. Interested residents can attend the open house during regular business hours on Feb. 3-5 to get a chance to submit transportation project ideas and talk with NCDOT staff.

Residents who can’t attend the open house can still be part of the process by contacting Craig Midgett of the Division 1 office at camidgett@ncdot.gov; NCDOT Division 1, 113 Airport Drive, Edenton, NC 27932; or (252) 482-1878 during the 30-day comment period.
Projects can be as large-scale as an interstate improvement or as small as a new turn lane or intersection improvement.

Projects can be for any mode of transportation, including Highway, Aviation, Bicycle & Pedestrian, Ferry, Public Transportation, and Rail. Please note that the comment period is not for maintenance-related projects such as patching potholes, resurfacing, or ditches. NCDOT uses a different method to prioritize maintenance projects.

NCDOT Division One will also collect input from local transportation planning organizations and from its own staff as it puts together its list of potential projects. Project scores and a draft statewide mobility project list are expected to be released by March 2021. There will be another public comment period regarding regional impact projects in Spring 2021, with the same process taking place for division-level projects in Fall 2021.

The 2023-2032 draft STIP will be released in February 2022, with approval by the Board of Transportation in the summer. Projects scheduled in the first six years are considered committed, while projects in the final four years of the draft 10-year plan will be re-evaluated again as part of the next STIP development process. More information on the STIP development process can be found on the NCDOT STIP website.