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Worcester County · County Commissioners · 2026-07-07
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 worked through a long July 7 agenda that mixed routine consent items with several significant land-use and spending decisions. The commissioners denied a siting modification for a proposed 4.95-megawatt community solar project on Old Virginia Road in Pocomoke City, finding it inconsistent with the county's Comprehensive Plan, and approved a rezoning in Snow Hill on a 5-2 vote. They also awarded a $373,030 solid waste environmental monitoring contract and approved a series of over-expenditures for software, construction change orders, a landfill position upgrade, and West Ocean City EMS.
The day's two most consequential discussions came at opposite ends of the agenda: a $406,662.90 bill for the county's FY26 share of private pre-kindergarten costs under the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, which commissioners postponed 5-2 pending more information from staff, and an afternoon work session on data centers and cable landing stations that ended with a unanimous vote for a one-year moratorium while zoning regulations are drafted.
The commissioners met in closed session beginning at 9:00 a.m. to discuss legal and personnel matters and to perform administrative functions, adjourning at 9:54 a.m. Actions announced afterward in open session included hiring Zachary White as a DRP Specialist II, Michael Brooks as an intern and Derrek Frantum as a heavy equipment operator in the WWW Division, Jack Davis as project engineer within Public Works, David Spain as a recycling utility mechanic I in Solid Waste, and Jason Brittingham as an equipment and mechanic II in the Solid Waste and Fleet Management Divisions, along with promoting environmental intern Ian Burak to environmental health specialist trainee. The commissioners also discussed potential board appointments and received legal advice.
After a prayer by Reverend Brian King of Snow Hill Mennonite Church, the commissioners approved the June 16 minutes, opened and closed the floor for public comment with none recorded, and presented a Park and Recreation Month proclamation to Recreation and Parks Director Kelly Rados and her team. They then unanimously approved consent agenda items 2–11, which included a $15,000 MD250 Commission grant, a $20,031.99 Circuit Court Courthouse Security Grant modification, a sewer force main small project agreement at 11923 Salt Grass Point Road, a housing rehabilitation grant waiver request and updated guidelines, submission of the county's FY27 Program Open Space annual program, modified FY27 Recreation and Parks facility fees, a three-year $105,200 geospatial data contract, and purchase of a ride-on utility tractor for $30,374 and a Bobcat compact track loader for $108,534.24.
Representatives of Atwell, LLC and Clean Capital, LLC appeared for a pre-application consultation on a proposed 4.95-megawatt utility-scale community solar system on Old Virginia Road in Pocomoke City. Development Review and Permitting Director Jennifer Keener advised that the project was generally consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and zoning requirements, subject to a setback modification or revised site layout. Commissioner Abbott opposed the proposal and moved to find it inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan; the commissioners unanimously adopted that finding and denied the siting modification request. In a separate land-use action, the commissioners voted 5-2, with Commissioners Bertino and Bunting opposed, to adopt Resolution No. 26-17 rezoning 0.78 acre at 4432 Market Street in Snow Hill from A-1 Agricultural to C-2 General Commercial.
On spending, the commissioners unanimously awarded the Solid Waste Environmental Monitoring Services contract to EA Engineering, Science, and Technology for $373,030; converted a landfill operator I position to landfill operator III, to be filled by an existing employee, with a $44,673.09 over-expenditure; approved $53,273.81 for Neverfail software supporting the Sheriff's Office, Snow Hill Police Department, and County Jail; approved $135,898.65 for five change orders from Whayland Company, LLC on the Fire Training Center logistical storage building; and approved a $97,893 FY27 over-expenditure in the West Ocean City EMS Supplemental Account. They also adopted an updated IT Security Policy adding guidance on artificial intelligence use, and agreed to send a letter to the Maryland Public Service Commission supporting the state's solar decommissioning cost estimation tool while advocating for local control of decommissioning bonds and opposing salvage value deductions.
The private pre-kindergarten over-expenditure drew extended questioning and was postponed. Commissioner Bertino then left the meeting, and the remaining commissioners held a work session on data center and cable landing station regulations that ended with a unanimous vote for a one-year moratorium. Commissioners answered press questions and adjourned to meet again on July 21, 2026.
DRP Director Jennifer Keener told the commissioners the proposed 4.95-megawatt system was generally consistent with the county's Comprehensive Plan and zoning requirements, subject to a setback modification or revised site layout. Commissioner Abbott opposed the proposal, citing the cumulative loss of land available for future growth in the Pocomoke area, the fact that the city's designated growth area sits across the road, and the existence of four solar facilities already within a two-mile radius. She also raised concerns about property values and economic development. Her motion to find the project inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan and deny the siting modification passed unanimously.
Budget Officer Kim Reynolds explained that private pre-k is a 50/50 state and county cost share and that counties are billed on the actual number of eligible students served rather than preliminary enrollment estimates, producing a figure different from what was anticipated during budget preparation. Commissioner Bunting asked why the expense had not been anticipated; Commissioner Mitrecic questioned the state's funding model and asked for the number of qualified providers, enrollment capacity at each location, and verification that participating students are county residents, stressing the need for advance notice of future Blueprint costs. Commissioner Purnell asked whether the county was required to fund private pre-k, and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Candace Savage confirmed it is required under the Blueprint. Commissioner Fiori asked whether the state shares similar costs for public pre-kindergarten. The commissioners voted 5-2 to postpone the request until staff provide more information.
The work session covered proposed definitions, potential zoning districts, design standards, noise mitigation, and sustainability requirements, along with water and wastewater capacity, power demand, environmental impacts, and the legal implications of a countywide prohibition. Commissioner Bunting supported limiting data centers to the I-2 Heavy Industrial District, while Commissioner Fiori advocated prohibiting them in all districts. Environmental Programs Director Bob Mitchell described the infrastructure demands of such facilities, including water consumption, electrical demand, noise, and air quality. Commissioner Abbott said data centers would compete with future residential and commercial growth, particularly around Pocomoke, and Commissioner Mitrecic warned a countywide ban could invite legal challenges. Commissioner Elder said noise standards should be part of any legislation. After Fiori's prohibition motion failed, the commissioners unanimously adopted a one-year moratorium, with Ms. Keener advising that a moratorium resolution would be presented at the next meeting.
At the request of Legislative Analyst Charlene Sharpe and Ms. Keener, the commissioners agreed to write the Maryland Public Service Commission supporting the state's decommissioning cost estimation tool while advocating for local control of decommissioning bonds and opposing salvage value deductions, framed as protecting local taxpayers from financial liability for abandoned solar facilities.
Vincent DeMarco and Dr. Andrew York of the Maryland Health Care for All Coalition presented information on the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, created by the state in 2019 to address high prescription drug costs. The minutes record the presentation but no commissioner action.
The commissioners met in closed session from 9:00 a.m. to 9:54 a.m. under GP 3-305(b)(1) and (7) and GP 3-104. Announced actions included hiring Zachary White (DRP Specialist II), Michael Brooks (intern) and Derrek Frantum (heavy equipment operator) in the WWW Division, Jack Davis (project engineer, Public Works), David Spain (recycling utility mechanic I, Solid Waste), and Jason Brittingham (equipment and mechanic II, Solid Waste and Fleet Management), plus promotion of Ian Burak to environmental health specialist trainee. The commissioners also received legal advice and discussed potential board appointments.
The commissioners presented a proclamation recognizing July as Park and Recreation Month to Recreation and Parks Director Kelly Rados and her team.
Approved unanimously on a motion by Commissioner Bertino. Items included a $15,000 MD250 Commission grant for Tourism and Economic Development, a $20,031.99 Circuit Court Courthouse Security Grant modification, a small project agreement for a sewer force main at 11923 Salt Grass Point Road, a Housing Rehabilitation Grant waiver request extending the 5% draw provision to September 8, 2026, updated housing rehab guidelines, submission of the FY27 Program Open Space annual program to DNR, modified FY27 Recreation and Parks facility fees, a three-year $105,200 geospatial data contract, and purchase of a ride-on utility tractor for $30,374 and a Bobcat T650 compact track loader for $108,534.24.
Atwell, LLC and Clean Capital, LLC presented the proposal; DRP Director Jennifer Keener said it was generally consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and zoning requirements subject to a setback modification or revised site layout. Commissioner Abbott opposed it, citing cumulative loss of land for future Pocomoke growth, the city's designated growth area across the road, four existing solar facilities within two miles, and effects on property values and economic development. The commissioners unanimously found the project inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan and denied the siting modification request.
At Ms. Keener's request and on a motion by Commissioner Mitrecic, the commissioners voted 5-2 — Commissioners Bertino and Bunting opposed — to adopt the Findings of Fact and rezone 0.78 acre at 4432 Market Street in Snow Hill (Tax Map 63, Parcel 106) from A-1 Agricultural District to C-2 General Commercial District.
Vincent DeMarco and Dr. Andrew York of the Maryland Health Care for All Coalition presented information on the benefits of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, created by the state in 2019 to address high prescription drug costs. No action is recorded in the minutes.
At the request of Procurement Officer Ed Welch and on a motion by Commissioner Abbott, the commissioners unanimously awarded the contract to EA Engineering, Science, and Technology for $373,030.
At the request of HR Director Stacey Norton and Public Works Director Dallas Baker, the commissioners unanimously agreed to convert a landfill operator I position to landfill operator III and fill it with an existing employee, approving an over-expenditure of $44,673.09 for the additional salary and benefit costs.
At the request of Emergency Services Director Chris Shaffer, the commissioners unanimously approved an over-expenditure of $53,273.81 for Neverfail software supporting operations within the Sheriff's Office, Snow Hill Police Department, and County Jail.
At Mr. Welch's request, the commissioners unanimously approved an over-expenditure of $135,898.65 covering five change orders from Whayland Company, LLC on the Fire Training Center logistical storage building project.
Budget Officer Kim Reynolds presented a $406,662.90 over-expenditure request for the county's FY26 share of private pre-k costs, explaining the 50/50 state-county split and that billing reflects actual enrolled eligible students rather than preliminary estimates. Commissioners pressed for data on qualified providers, enrollment capacity, student residency, and the state's funding contribution, and Deputy CAO Candace Savage confirmed the county is required to fund the program under the Blueprint. The commissioners voted 5-2, with Commissioners Bunting and Bertino opposed, to postpone the request pending additional information.
At Ms. Reynolds' request and on a motion by Commissioner Bertino, the commissioners unanimously approved an FY27 over-expenditure of $97,893 in the West Ocean City EMS Supplemental Account.
At the request of IT Director Brian Jones, the commissioners unanimously approved an updated IT Security Policy that now includes comprehensive guidance on the use of artificial intelligence technologies within county government.
At the request of Legislative Analyst Charlene Sharpe and Ms. Keener, the commissioners unanimously agreed to send a letter supporting the state's decommissioning cost estimation tool while advocating for local control of decommissioning bonds and opposing salvage value deductions, citing protection of local taxpayers from liability for abandoned solar facilities.
After Commissioner Bertino left the meeting, the commissioners discussed proposed definitions, zoning districts, design standards, noise mitigation, and sustainability requirements for data centers and cable landing stations, along with water and wastewater capacity, power demand, environmental impacts, and legal exposure from a countywide ban. A motion by Commissioner Fiori to prohibit data centers in all zoning districts failed, with Commissioners Mitrecic, Elder, Bunting, and Purnell opposed. The commissioners then unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data centers and cable landing stations; Ms. Keener said a moratorium resolution would be presented at the next meeting.
land use solar energy data centers education funding county administration zoning procurement public safety
Based on the official minutes of the July 7, 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.