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Worcester County · County Commissioners · 2026-03-17
Recap
This page was drafted automatically from the official meeting minutes and has not been reviewed by a human editor. Minutes are a condensed record of formal actions and may omit discussion or public comment that occurred in the room. The linked minutes, agenda, packet, and video are the record — not this summary.
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The Worcester County Commissioners spent most of their March 17 open session on money: they approved an FY26 General Fund budget amendment, $4,514,092 in FY25 Enterprise Fund encumbrances, a $18,500 over-expenditure for a performance study at the Ocean Pines Wastewater Treatment Plant, and a reallocation of up to $80,000 in the Treasurer's Office for an outside accounting consultant. Staff also laid out the FY27 budget picture, including a $2,956,346 shortfall in the requested general operating budget and a proposed water and wastewater rate structure, and the commissioners set the hearing and work-session calendar that will decide both.
The board also adopted Resolution No. 26-03 establishing the Racetrack Village Residential Planned Community Floating Zone, finalizing a rezoning conceptually approved after a February 17 hearing. Other business included grant applications, two proclamations, a reappointment to the Electrical Examiners Board, letters to the governor and in support of a museum grant, and follow-up on the county's objection to a proposed Ocean City polling place. Every recorded vote in open session was unanimous.
The commissioners met in closed session beginning at 9:00 a.m. to discuss legal and personnel matters and perform administrative functions. Actions reported out included hiring Graceson Evans as a grounds worker II in the Maintenance Division, Brandon Gilbow as a certified correctional officer at the County Jail, and Addison O'Connell as a part-time, temporary marketing intern in Recreation and Parks, along with rehiring part-time seasonal roads employees James Blades, Jeff Bradley, David Waters, and Randy Hammer. The closed session adjourned at 10:00 a.m. and the commissioners reconvened in open session, where Commissioner Elder announced the closed-session topics.
After approving the March 3 minutes, the board presented a proclamation recognizing March as Women's History Month to Commission for Women Chair Susan Ostrowski and member Kelsey Moran, and a proclamation recognizing March for Meals Month to representatives of the Worcester Commission on Aging. Director Brandy Trader told the commissioners that in 2025 staff and volunteers served more than 26,800 Meals on Wheels to homebound residents, plus thousands of meals at local 50plus Centers and the River Oaks Day Center. No one spoke during public comment.
On a motion by Commissioner Purnell, the board unanimously approved consent agenda items 2 through 7: applying for an SFY2027 Maryland Office of Overdose Response Grant of $30,000 and a CY2026-2028 Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Program Grant of $25,000; the state's proposed 2026 mosquito control budget of $65,992.65 with estimated county funding of $151,040; the Mid-Atlantic Amateur Sports Alliance event sponsorship memorandum of understanding; out-of-state travel for one County Administration staff member to the IMLA mid-year seminar in Washington, D.C., April 10–13; and acknowledgment that the Board of Education's proposed FY27 operating budget contains no non-recurring requests.
At the request of Development Review & Permitting Director Jennifer Keener, the commissioners unanimously adopted the Findings of Fact and Resolution No. 26-03 establishing the Racetrack Village Residential Planned Community Floating Zone, as conceptually approved following the February 17 hearing.
Public Works Director Dallas Baker requested, and the board unanimously approved, an $18,500 over-expenditure in the FY26 Ocean Pines Wastewater Treatment Plant budget to fund a performance evaluation, awarded to George, Miles & Buhr. The commissioners then approved $4,514,092 in FY25 Enterprise Fund budget encumbrances presented by outgoing Deputy Finance Officer Steven Doutt — $2,431,296 for water and wastewater and $2,082,696 for solid waste.
Enterprise Fund Controller Quinn Dittrich presented the requested FY27 Solid Waste and Water and Wastewater operating budgets. Water and wastewater revenues at the requested rates are projected at $21,231,239 against requested expenditures of $22,348,147, requiring $1,116,908 in General Fund support to balance. The board unanimously approved the enterprise budget calendar: first work sessions April 14, public hearings May 5, additional work sessions May 12, 19, and 26, and adoption scheduled for June 2, 2026.
Budget Officer Kim Reynolds presented the FY26 General Fund Budget Amendment, which the commissioners unanimously approved, and then reviewed the FY27 Requested Operating Budget: estimated revenues of $299,118,027 against requested expenditures of $302,074,373, a shortfall of $2,956,346. The commissioners unanimously scheduled a public hearing for May 5, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the Worcester County Government Center, with work sessions May 12, 19, and 26 if needed.
Human Resources Director Stacey Norton requested and received unanimous approval to reallocate Treasurer's Office personnel funding, not to exceed $80,000, to contract with an outside consultant for financial reporting and audit preparation, financial analysis, and general accounting. The commissioners reappointed J.T. Novack to the Electrical Examiners Board and approved items 18–20: a letter to Governor Wes Moore opposing funding cuts to the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration, a letter supporting a grant to restore the Girdletree Museum, and Resolution No. 26-05 acknowledging redesignation of the Snow Hill Arts and Entertainment District.
Following concerns raised by Commissioner Mitrecic, staff agreed to follow up on the commissioners' letter to the Board of Elections objecting to use of the Princess Royale as a polling place. The commissioners took press questions, then returned to closed session from 10:43 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. They next meet April 7, 2026.
Public Works Director Dallas Baker told the commissioners the $18,500 study request follows operational challenges in 2025 and February 2026 caused by prolonged, low wastewater temperatures, which affected the plant's biological nutrient removal process and its ability to meet the performance levels required for exemption from the Bay Restoration Fee. Baker confirmed the plant is currently meeting permit limits but said colder temperatures are reducing treatment efficiency. He said potential solutions may include operational adjustments and infrastructure improvements to maintain temperatures needed for biological processes, and that the cost would be funded through the Ocean Pines service area budget, offset by savings in System Maintenance, Building Site Expenses, and Capital Equipment.
Commissioner Bertino asked staff to notify ratepayers of the proposed new rates ahead of the public hearing, specifically requesting clear, service-area specific information showing how the proposed rates would affect quarterly bills. Enterprise Fund Controller Quinn Dittrich said the April billing will include updated information along with a link to detailed rate information and public hearing materials, and that the information will also be posted on the county website and distributed through a press release and social media.
Budget Officer Kim Reynolds walked the commissioners through a requested FY27 operating budget of $302,074,373 against estimated revenues of $299,118,027, leaving a $2,956,346 shortfall. Reynolds said the gap must be reconciled through expenditure reductions, additional revenue, or a combination of the two. No reconciliation decisions were made; the commissioners instead set the hearing and work-session calendar.
Commissioner Mitrecic raised concerns prompting staff to agree to follow up on the commissioners' earlier letter to the Board of Elections. That letter identified concerns that using the Princess Royale as a polling place would cause confusion, and urged use of the Ocean City Senior Center for the Primary Election and the Convention Center for the General Election.
In closed session beginning at 9:00 a.m., the commissioners hired Graceson Evans as a grounds worker II in Maintenance, Brandon Gilbow as a certified correctional officer at the County Jail, and Addison O'Connell as a part-time, temporary marketing intern in Recreation and Parks. They also rehired part-time seasonal employees James Blades and Jeff Bradley as roads worker IIIs, David Waters as a roads worker II, and Randy Hammer as a roads worker. The session also covered legal advice and potential board appointments.
The commissioners presented a proclamation recognizing March as Women's History Month to Commission for Women Chair Susan Ostrowski and member Kelsey Moran. A second proclamation recognizing March for Meals Month went to Worcester Commission on Aging representatives. Director Brandy Trader said WorCOA served more than 26,800 Meals on Wheels to homebound residents in 2025, plus thousands of meals at local 50plus Centers and the River Oaks Day Center.
On a motion by Commissioner Purnell, the commissioners unanimously approved six consent items: applying for an SFY2027 Maryland Office of Overdose Response Grant of $30,000 and a CY2026-2028 Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Program Grant of $25,000; the state's proposed 2026 mosquito control budget of $65,992.65 with estimated county funding of $151,040; the MAASA Event Sponsorship Memorandum of Understanding; out-of-state travel for one County Administration staff member to the IMLA mid-year seminar in Washington, D.C., April 10–13, 2026; and acknowledgment that the Board of Education's proposed FY27 operating budget includes no non-recurring requests.
At the request of Development Review & Permitting Director Jennifer Keener, the commissioners unanimously adopted the Findings of Fact and Resolution No. 26-03 establishing the Racetrack Village Residential Planned Community Floating Zone. The action formalizes what the minutes describe as conceptual approval given after the February 17 hearing.
The commissioners unanimously approved an $18,500 over-expenditure in the FY26 Ocean Pines Wastewater Treatment Plant budget and awarded the performance evaluation to George, Miles & Buhr. Public Works Director Dallas Baker said the request follows operational challenges in 2025 and February 2026 from prolonged low wastewater temperatures that affected biological nutrient removal and the plant's ability to meet performance levels required for Bay Restoration Fee exemption. Baker said the plant currently meets permit limits and that the cost will be offset by savings in System Maintenance, Building Site Expenses, and Capital Equipment within the Ocean Pines service area budget.
At the request of outgoing Deputy Finance Officer Steven Doutt, the commissioners unanimously approved FY25 Enterprise Fund budget encumbrances totaling $4,514,092, consisting of $2,431,296 in Water and Wastewater encumbrances and $2,082,696 in Solid Waste encumbrances.
Enterprise Fund Controller Quinn Dittrich presented the requested FY27 Solid Waste and Water and Wastewater operating budgets. Water and wastewater revenues at the requested rates are projected at $21,231,239 against requested expenditures of $22,348,147, requiring $1,116,908 in General Fund support to balance. The commissioners unanimously approved a schedule of work sessions April 14, public hearings May 5, additional work sessions May 12, 19, and 26, and adoption on June 2, 2026, after Commissioner Bertino asked staff to give ratepayers service-area specific bill impacts in advance.
Budget Officer Kim Reynolds presented and the commissioners unanimously approved an FY26 General Fund Budget Amendment adjusting the accounting of local income tax revenues and corresponding payments to municipalities, as recommended by auditors. Reynolds said the amendment reflects that the comptroller pays municipalities directly, revising both revenue and expense line items with no net financial impact.
Reynolds reviewed the FY27 Requested Operating Budget, with estimated revenues of $299,118,027 and requested expenditures of $302,074,373, leaving a shortfall of $2,956,346 to be reconciled through reductions, additional revenue, or both. The commissioners unanimously scheduled a public hearing for May 5, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the Worcester County Government Center, with work sessions May 12, 19, and 26 if needed.
At the request of Human Resources Director Stacey Norton, the commissioners unanimously agreed to reallocate funding within the Treasurer's Office from the personnel budget, not to exceed $80,000, to contract with an outside consultant. The consultant is to assist with financial reporting and audit preparation, financial analysis, and general accounting.
After reviewing and discussing various board appointments, the commissioners unanimously agreed, on a nomination by Commissioner Bertino, to reappoint J.T. Novack to the Electrical Examiners Board.
The commissioners unanimously approved sending a letter to Governor Wes Moore opposing funding cuts to the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration, stating that reductions would adversely impact rural counties where specialized care is already limited. They also approved a letter supporting a grant to restore the Girdletree Museum and adopted Resolution No. 26-05 acknowledging redesignation of the Snow Hill Arts and Entertainment District.
In response to concerns raised by Commissioner Mitrecic, county staff agreed to follow up on the commissioners' letter to the Board of Elections. That letter identified concerns that using the Princess Royale as a polling place would cause confusion and urged the board to use the Ocean City Senior Center for the Primary Election and the Convention Center for the General Election.
budget wastewater land use grants county administration appointments public health
Based on the official minutes of the March 17, 2026 Worcester County Commissioners meeting. Minutes are a condensed record of formal actions and may omit discussion or public comment that occurred in the room; the linked agenda, packet and video are provided for additional context.