Frequently Asked Questions

Q – When and where are Town Board meetings?
Answer: 4th Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in Town Hall. Contact the Town Clerk for more information at (336) 356-8962.  Copies of board meeting Agendas and Minutes can be found online at Agendas & Minutes. 

Q – When are Town Board elections?
Answer: Elections for the Town Board are held every two years.  The next election will be in November of 2007.  For more information, visit the Surry County Board of Elections online or contact them by phone at (336) 401-8225.

Q – How is the Town of Dobson governed?
Answer:  The Town of Dobson follows the Council-Manager form of government.  Under this form of government, residents elect a Mayor and Town Board of Commissioners, who then appoint a professional Town Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the town.  Most cities and counties in North Carolina follow this form of government.  The Town of Dobson has a five-member Board of Commissioners and a Mayor, all of which are elected in a non-partisan election.

Q – How do I register to vote?
Answer: Surry County Board of Elections. Contact them online or call (336) 401-8255. Forms can be picked up at Town Hall or Dobson Community Library. The form can also be downloaded in English or Spanish. The electronic form must be completed and mailed to the Surry County Board of Elections to be processed. Their address is P.O. Box 372 Dobson, North Carolina 27017.

Q – Where do I pay my taxes?
Answer: Surry County Tax Collector. They can be paid online or by phone at 1-800-272-9829. For more information, contact them at (336) 401-8122.  The Town of Dobson’s tax rate is 0.38 cents per $100 assessed valuation in addition to Surry County’s tax rate of 0.63 cents per $100 of assessed property value.

Q – How do I verify that taxes on a particular property have been paid?
Answer: If you wish to check on property taxes, contact Surry County Tax Collector at (336) 401-8122.

Q – How do I find out about job openings with the Town?
Answer: Contact the Town Hall at (336) 356-8962 or visit the Employment link on the Town’s website.

Q – How do I find information about local schools?
Answer: Surry County Schools is the local public school system and they can be reached online or by phone at (336) 386-8211.

Q – How do I get a library card?
Answer: The Dobson Community Library can provide more information. Contact them online or by phone at (336) 386-8208. 

Dobson residents can visit the Dobson Community Library, located at 113 South Crutchfield Street in Dobson.

Q – Where is the local Post Office?
Answer: The Dobson Post Office is located at 214 West Kapp Street in Dobson. They can be reached at (336) 386-8281.

Q - How does garbage pick up work? 
Answer:  The Town of Dobson contracts household garbage collection services to Waste Management.  The town has a designated service day of Friday and all items should be placed out front by 4:00 am the morning of pick up. 

Waste Management gives each resident one garbage can.  The green can is for household waste only. Bags of grass orleaves will not be picked up. For more information about garbage pick up dates or policies, or to report a problem with collection, contact Waste Management online or by phone at (336)-320-2263.

Q –Where do I dispose of large items such as old appliances, furniture and tree limbs?
Answer: Large Items can be disposed of at the Sury County / Mount Airy Landfill Location. They can be reached online or by phone (336) 401-8375. Hours of Opperation are Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and Saturday 8:00 am - Noon.

Q – Where can I take my recyclables?
Answer:  At all Surry County recycling centers. The closest recycling center is Fisher River Recycling Center. It is located on Prison Camp Road in Dobson, North Carolina. They are open Monday - Saturday 7:00 am - 6:00 pm (Closed Tuesdays and Holidays). They Can be reached at (336) 386-9791.

Q – Where is the closest DMV?
Answer: The closest DMV location for licenses and tag renewals may be found in Dobson, Mount Airy and Elkin, North Carolina. 

Dobson

• Tags - 708 East Atkins St, Dobson NC 27017
• Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• (336) 356-9091

Mount Airy

• Licenses - 155 Patrol Station Road
• Monday - Friday
• (336) 786-7015
• Tags - 449 North Andy Griffith Parkway Suite 800, Mount Airy, NC 27030
• Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• (336) 786-7221

Elkin

• Licenses - 1687 North Bridge Street, Elkin, NC 28621
• Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• (336) 835-5247
• Tags - 220 West Main Street, Elkin, NC 28621
• Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• (336) 835-2757

Q – Who do I call to fix potholes?
Answer: Most roads are maintained by the Town of Dobson. Contact the Public Works Department at (336) 356-8962 for street maintenance.

 Q – Does Dobson require a business or privilege license?
Answer:  Yes.  The Town of Dobson does require either license. For more information, call us at (336) 356-8962 or stop by Town Hall between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

 Q – Where can I get a building permit?
Answer: Surry County Planning. The One Stop office provides these services for Dobson.  Their offices are located at 118 Hamby Road in Dobson.  They can be reached by phone at (336) 401-8350.

Q – How do I find out about zoning ordinances and requirements?
Answer: Surry County Planning. The One Stop office provides these services for Dobson.  Their offices are located at 118 Hamby Road in Dobson.  They can be reached by phone at (336) 401-8350.

Q – Who provides electricity to town residents?
Answer: There are 2 electricity providers for the Town - Duke Energy 1-800-777-9898 or 1-800-POWER-ON and Surry-Yadkin Electric (336) 356-8241.

Q – Who provides telephone services to town residents?
Answer: There are 2 telephone providers for the Town - Embarq (866) 304-6820 and Surry Telephone Membership Corporation (336) 374-5021.

Q – Who is responsible for water/ sewer services?
Answer: Town of Dobson Public Works Department.  If there is an emergency during normal business hours, dial (336) 356-8962.  For night and weekend emergencies send a numeric page to (336) 719-3427. 

Q – Who is the natural gas provider?
Answer: Frontier Energy is the natural gas provider for this area. At this time, Frontier Energy does not have a web site. During business hours, to report a gas leak to Frontier Energy call (336) 526-2690, or call toll free at 1-800-537-2545. You may also call those same numbers, during business hours, to inquire about your bill, to request service connection or disconnection, or to make other routine inquiries. After business hours, to report a gas leak to Frontier Energy call toll free at 1-888-337-4774.

Q – Who provides cable television services?
Answer: Service is provided by Time Warner Cable,for Surry/Yadkin/Stokes Counties, Cana,VA. Time Warner is located at 651 South Main Street, Dobson, NC 27017. Office Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday-Friday. Customer Service/Repair Service - 1-866-874-2389.

Q – Does the Town of Dobson have a leash law?
Answer: Yes. For more information, contact the Dobson Police Department (336) 356-8161 or Surry County Animal Control at (336) 401-8481.

Q – How can I find out information about local arts and events in the area?
Answer – For more information about local arts, check out The Surry Arts Council website.