Frequently Asked Questions

Like many governmental entities, the Beaufort County Finance Department operates on an annual financial year which is distinct from the calendar year (January 1st to December 31st). Beaufort County's annual fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th. For example, Fiscal Year 2019 began on July 1, 2018 and ends on June 30, 2019.

Beaufort County employees are compensated twice a month. The pay period every month falls on the 15th of the month and the last day of the month. For more details regarding employee compensation, please contact the Human Resources Department at 252-946-0079.

Beaufort County currently has a A+ rating on general obligation bonds from Standard and Poor's, and a strong Aa3 Moody's Investors Service.

Yes, Beaufort County is audited by an independent external auditing firm on a yearly basis. You may view all of Beaufort County's published audits.

North Carolina General Statute 159 authorizes the County to invest in:

• Obligations of the U.S. Treasury
• Obligations of any agency of the United States of America, provided the payment of principal and interest of such obligations is fully guaranteed by the United States
• Obligations of certain quasi-federal agencies
• Commercial paper bearing the highest credit rating available
• Bankers' acceptances of accepting banks or holding companies either incorporated in the State of North Carolina, or having the highest available long-term debt rating
• The North Carolina Capital Management Trust, a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (2A-7) registered mutual fund.

Beaufort County investment model focuses on low risk investments first and then liquidity of funds.

The dates of bond sales are determined by assessing cash flow needs of the Capital Improvement Program. The date of the bond sale is set by the Director of Finance in consultation with the Local Government Commission. The date of the next bond sale will be posted to the Finance Department page prior to the sale.

Faithful Families is 9 session program to help encourage healthy eating and physical activity in communities of faith, through classes and policy and environmental change. Each class includes a healthy cooking demonstration and recipe exchange.

Faith communities and/or health professionals interested in working in the faith community.

Call Taylor Davenport at 252-940-5093 or email Taylor Davenport.

Faithful Families is a free program at no cost to the community!

TIP offers testing to the community to help individuals receive free testing for HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis C (criteria is required for Hepatitis C testing).

You....you should get tested! Many people are living with STDs and HIV because and don't even know it. Not all symptoms are easy to recognize. TIP offers free testing and if needed we will help with medical care/follow ups and referrals to local providers.

To apply for Food and Nutrition Services, you may come to the agency to apply or you may call 252-975-5500 and request for an application to be mailed to you. You also may apply online at ePass. View the Food-Nutrition-Services-Interview (PDF).

You can come to the Department of Social Services (DSS) to apply or you can fill out the Application for Health Coverage Medicaid (PDF) for Family and Children's Medicaid application, and mail it to"
Beaufort Co. DSS
P.O. Box 1358
Washington, NC 27889

What will I need to complete my application?

• Pay stubs of the previous month if you, your spouse, or parents are working, Certified Birth Certificate of who is applying (if you do not have them DSS will help you get them).
• Two proofs of residence, (valid North Carolina ID or drivers licenses with the correct mailing address and some type of mail such as an electric bill, water bill, or doctor's bill).

If any other information is needed a Caseworker from DSS will contact you.

View information on how to apply for Adult Medicaid.

How to Apply

Applications are taken during the hours of 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.

What You Will Need

• Birth certificates
• Health Insurance cards
• Life insurance policies
• Most recent bank statement
• The names, addresses, and date of birth of the absent parent.
• Previous month's pay stubs
• Social Security cards

Come to the agency during the hours of 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday. You may also request assistance via the Medical Transportation Phone Line at 252-940-6052.

The Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) serves individuals and families who are experiencing a heating or cooling related crisis. A household is in a crisis if it is currently experiencing or is in danger of experiencing a life-threatening or health-related emergency and sufficient, timely, and appropriate assistance is not available from any other source. Life-threatening is defined as a household which has no heating or cooling source or has a disconnect notice for their primary heating or cooling service and the health or well-being of a household member would be in danger of the heating or cooling crisis was not alleviated. Each household should be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine if there is a heating or cooling crisis.

How to Apply

Applications are taken during the hours of 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday.

What You Will Need

Past due heating or cooling bill.

• Only households containing an elderly person age 60 and above, or a disabled person receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) are eligible to potentially receive benefits from December 1st through December 31st or until funds are exhausted.
• If funds remain available, all other households may apply beginning January 1st through March 31st.
• All approved payments will be made directly to the Energy Providers.

To be a foster parent, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Married or single
• Have a stable home and income
• Have a valid Drivers license
• Have reliable vehicle
• Complete all required training
• Be committed to children

To learn more about the steps and procedures about becoming a Foster Parent, please see Steps and Processes of Foster Home Licensing (PDF).

For more information on becoming a foster parent, please contact either Ian Bartholomew at 252-940-6028 or email Ian Bartholomew or call Brittany Spragley at 252-940-6023 or email Brittany Spragley.

Beaufort County Department of Social Services holds the responsibility for accepting reports of abuse, neglect, and dependency of children that have been abused, neglected, or exploited.

To make a CPS report: Citizens of Beaufort County should report suspected allegations to the agency during working hours 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday by calling 252-975-5500. The call will be directed to appropriate department.

After hours, weekend, and holiday reports can be made by calling the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Communications Center at 252-946-0101 to reach a social worker on call.

Beaufort County Department of Social Services holds the responsibility for accepting reports of abuse, neglect, and dependency of disabled adults that have been abused, neglected, or exploited.

To make an APS report: Citizens of Beaufort County should report suspected allegations to the agency during working hours 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday by calling 252-975-5500. The call will be directed to appropriate department.

After hours, weekend, and holiday reports can be made by calling the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Communications Center at 252-946-7111 to reach a social worker on call.

To receive CAP/DA services, you must live in Beaufort County and be:

• 18 years of age or older
• Eligible for Medicaid
• Approved for Nursing Home Care
• Be at risk of Nursing Home Placement
• Maintained safely in the home within the CAP/DA cost limit

If your water usage is high:

• Check the toilets for leaks by adding a little food coloring to the tank. Wait about 30 minutes. If the water in the bowl changes color, there is a leak. Flush the toilet a couple of times to ensure that all food coloring is removed as food coloring may stain your toilet.
• Check interior faucets and outside hose bibs for leaks or drips.
• Check all pipes. Even pipes that are not visible may be leaking. Look for discoloration, moisture, or sponginess where pipes come out of walls.
• Check all appliances for possible leaks including dishwasher, sink disposal system, ice maker, water softeners, etc).
• Test the water flow at your meter. Turn off all of the water in your house. Go outside and write down the water meter register reading including the location of the meter flow indicator (resembles a hand on a clock). Do not use any water for 2 hours. Go back outside and check the meter again. If the water reading has advanced, then there is a leak or use of water in your house. Some meters also have a flow indicator triangle (a small red or white triangle). If the triangle is spinning, then water is passing through your meter indicating there is a leak or water usage in your house. You may need to contact the Water Department at 252-975-0720 to turn the water meter off before you repair the leak.

The Beaufort County Water Department installs water meters with a PVC stub out for plumbing connection. If the leak is found from the PVC stub out to the house, then it is the customer's responsible to repair it. If the leak is found in the meter box or back towards the water main, then the Water Department is responsible for repairs.

One adjustment is allowed in a 36-month period. The Beaufort County Water Department must be notified of the leak before the due date of the bill that reflects the leak.

Provide the Water Department with information regarding the repair of the leak. We need a description of the leak including location and the date it was repaired. Once your usage returns to normal, up to two months of bills may be adjusted. You will still be responsible for a portion of the cost of water based on the average of your past bills. You may present the above listed information in person at the Water Department office or mail information to:
132 W 2nd Street
Washington, NC 27889

The previous ordinance was adopted in 1974 and did not accurately describe the current management of solid waste within Beaufort County.  The new ordinance outlines current operations, provides guidance of disposal options, and includes enforcement actions.

Residents should not notice major changes in their handling of regular household solid waste.  The notable changes in the ordinance are:

• Licensing of Household Solid Waste Collectors
• Clearly defines rules and regulations for use of County solid waste facilities
• Regulates storage of solid waste
• Implements penalties for violation of the ordinance and provides for enforcement of such

Yes.  The ordinance details the assessment of annual solid waste fees which are included on all applicable tax bills throughout the county.  Also, as a Beaufort County resident, you can use the County’s solid waste collection system.  There are however certain provisions of the ordinance that are not enforceable by the County inside municipal limits unless the municipality has adopted the County’s ordinance.

An annual solid waste fee is billed to the owner of each inhabitable structural unit in the county.  For example, a duplex would be assessed two annual solid waste fees.  A ten-unit apartment building would be assessed ten solid waste fees.

The County pays the disposal fee for almost all of the household solid waste serviced by private collection services.  Therefore, the annual solid waste fee may only be waived if you have a dumpster that is serviced by a front-load truck, and you are billed the disposal cost of the waste.  Residents should contact the Beaufort County Tax Assessor’s Office in person at 220 North Market Street, Washington, NC 27889 or by phone at (252) 946-7981 to request the fee waiver.  Tax Assessor personnel will conduct a visual inspection of the property to determine eligibility.  

No.  Burning of solid waste is prohibited by North Carolina law (15A NCAC 02D.1903).

An application can be found on the Solid Waste page of the County’s website.  A completed application and a $40.00 license fee shall be submitted to the Beaufort County Public Works Solid Waste Division.  If approved, decals will be mailed to the applicant to affix to the equipment being used for the collection of Beaufort County household solid waste. 

Residents should first contact their Solid Waste Collector as it could have been missed by mistake or not picked up for another reason such as weather issues or holidays.  If the situation is not resolved and continues, contact the Beaufort County Public Works Department – Solid Waste Division at 252-975-0720 Option 2 or Email Solid Waste.

No, a business should contract with a private solid waste provider to collect their solid waste.

No.  If you are paid by others to collect and dispose of their solid waste, you are a Solid Waste Collector and must be licensed in accordance with the ordinance and you must carry waste directly to the transfer station.

The Beaufort County website is the best place to find current information regarding solid waste services.  Signs are also at each location which detail operating hours and acceptable/unacceptable waste.

No.  Certain items, such as electronic waste and scrap metal are only collected at certain sites.  Please visit the Solid Waste page of the Beaufort County website for information related to what types of waste are accepted at each site.

No.  Certain items, such as electronic waste and scrap metal are only collected at certain sites.  Learn more about waste types accepted at each location.

Effective means shall be any method to properly prevent blowing or spilling of materials from a vehicle.  Straps or ropes may be appropriate for larger items, but a tarp may be needed to cover a load of smaller items.

Yes, if the operator of the vehicle cannot be identified.  The owner or operator of a vehicle used in the process of littering or illegal dumping may be issued a violation.  

Waste can be searched for the owner’s name and address with those identified held as responsible for the illegal action of dumping.  The owner or operator of a vehicle used in the process of littering or illegal dumping can also be held responsible for the violation.  

Recycling collection is offered for electronics, scrap metals, white goods, used motor oil, yard waste, and corrugated cardboard at collection sites.  Currently recycling services are not offered for plastics,  aluminum or steels cans, or glass bottles.  Beaufort County encourages its residents to find alternate recycling options for these items.

Scrap tire collection is offered at the Beaufort County Landfill located at 1342 Hawkins Beach Rd, Washington, NC 27889.  Learn more about regulations and restrictions regarding scrap tire disposal  and hours of operation.

No, salvaging is strictly prohibited.  

If you are a resident disposing of yard waste that came from your yard, no.  If you are performing cleanup services for hire, you must pay the current posted disposal rate. 

The ordinance may be enforced by the Beaufort County Public Works Solid Waste Division, the Beaufort County Health Department, or the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

Littering along roadways can be reported by submitting a NCDOT Swat-A-Litterbug report or calling 1-800-331-5864.  Illegal dumping can be reported to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office at 252-946-7111 or  to by Emailing the Beaufort County Public Works Solid Waste Division.

Penalties can include revocation of use of the County Solid Waste system, payment of clean-up costs, repairs, etc., and potential civil and/or criminal penalties.

Contact the Beaufort County Public Works Department – Solid Waste Division at 252-975-0720 Option 2 or Email Solid Waste. 

Interested businesses can visit the merchant enrollment website. You will need to provide information about your business and the discount you are offering. 

Beaufort County veterans will be able to obtain their Veteran ID Cards starting Monday, November 3, 2025. You will be able to apply for a card at the Beaufort County Register of Deeds Office.