Dorchester County Council Meeting May 6, 2025, Notes – Submitted by Sharon Smith, CAN

Present: George Pfeffer, President; Mike Detmer, Vice President; Rob Kramer, Jr; William Nichols; Ricky Travers; Jerry Jones, County Manager; Irene Barnes, Administrative Specialist; Miss Luzanne; Charles MacLeod, Attorney

The Dorchester County Council meeting to present the first public hearing of the 2026 proposed budget lasted almost two hours.

Several items of note were presented.

Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Annual Visit, presented by Jack Wilson, President and Executive Director, Michael Sanderson, discussed the economic impact of the Maryland state budget crisis, especially on Dorchester County. “The arithmetic for your budget was as hard as I have ever seen.”   “Dorchester doesn’t have a lot of places to go for extra revenue.”  Stating that the state “passed the buck” to the counties.

Annual Meeting with Municipalities

Mayor Lajan Cephas of Cambridge thanked the county council for their service and said that the city and the county are “in this together.”  She stated that last year Cambridge added $40M in real property value to the county tax roles. She recommended that the county could take a loan from its reserve funds and pause resurfacing three miles of county roads to provide the $1.1M in tax differential.  Since creating a balanced budget will be a challenge for the foreseeable future, she recommended that the county create a County Tax Revenue Options Task Force to develop long term solutions.  Mayor Cephas offered that she and Mayor Cephus of Hurlock would be willing participants.

Hurlock Town Manager John Avery and Church Creek Mayor Karen Tolley echoed Mayor Cephas’ sentiments.

Legislative Session

Public Hearing – Bill Number 2025-4 2025-2026 Budget & Appropriations Ordinance

Public Testimony

Frank Narr, Treasurer of CWDI – thanked the council for past support and expressed appreciation for the $72K for CWDI included in the new budget.

Robert Aron, citizen – stressed that the county is poor and citizens cannot afford higher taxes.

Sharon Smith, CAN Board Member- requested greater transparency from the council on the details of the county budget, which currently provides only summarized revenues and expenditures. Specifically, the entire budget ordinance is only 14 pages, whereas Talbot County provides 50 pages of detail, Easton 155 pages and Cambridge 117 pages. (A Public Information Act Request was submitted on May 8^th to the county council to require publication of the entire budget.)

Cleveland Rippons – former mayor of Cambridge- created the current tax differential while in office, stated that the county is burdening the municipalities with higher taxes, and is doing the same “pass the buck” on expenditures as the state is doing to the counties. Asked to meet with the council.

……………… Treasurer of Deep Harbor Association- an eleven-year resident saves taxes with the Homestead Tax Credit. However, another resident of two years duration just sold as his tax bill was $6,000+. Potential buyers will go elsewhere.

Mary Ann Benson, High Street resident- objects to the elimination of the tax differential, further stating that the council wants to tax municipal citizens for services that it is not providing, and “that seems fraudulent.”

Sputty Cephas, Cambridge City Council President – raising taxes will drive people away from the county.

Council President Murphy of Hurlock-pleaded with the council to not raise taxes

Michelle Borke, a Deep Harbor resident for 1.5 years- lives here because it is affordable. If taxes go up, she will consider moving,

President Pfeffer thanked citizens for their comments and stated that council cannot make any changes to the budget until after the second hearing on the budget bill, which is next Tuesday, May 13^th at 6pm.

Public Hearing – Bill Number 2025-5 Qualified Senior Citizens Tax Credit-Second Hearing

No Public comments were offered.

President Pfeffer noted that to be eligible, one must be 67+ years old, a full-time resident, maximum $200K in net worth excluding home value, maximum $60K household income, and maximum assessed value of residence $300K. The bill passed unanimously.

Introduced legislation to abandon and convey a portion of the Farm Creek Road and Toddville Boat Ramp as discussed in earlier sessions.

Introduced legislation for a tax credit for shoreline erosion.

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Attendees:  George Pfeffer, President; Mike Detmer, Vice President; Rob Kramer, Jr; William Nichols; Ricky Travers; Jerry Jones, County Manager; Irene Barnes, Administrative Specialist; Charles MacLeod, Attorney

Open Session:  Called to order at 6:07 PM

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

Closed Session Summary

Mr. Pfeffer reported on the closed session, covering a personnel matter and legal advice.

Consent Agenda

The Consent Agenda was approved.

• County Council Open Session Minutes – February 18, 2025
• Accounts Payable Disbursement Report – Week Ending February 28, 2025
• Intradepartmental Budget Transfer Request – Emergency Medical Services
• Request for Proposals – Mowing Services – Public Works
• Stormwater Management Agreement – Public Works
• Surplus Request – Vehicles/Equipment – Public Works
• Letter of Support – FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending – Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay –
• Economic Development
• Letter of Support – Maryland Historic Trust Grant Application – Cambridge Woman’s Club

Commendations: Pageant Winners – National Outdoor Show – Miss National Outdoor Show, Little Miss Outdoor Show, and Little Mister Outdoor Show were given commendation letters.

Presentation: FY 2026 Annual Transportation Plan.  Grant application from Delmarva Community Services. Andrea Watters, Grant Specialist.  The grant application is for the following amounts.

• Operating funds for public transportation totaling $1,577,377, of which $394,344 is requested from local funds.
• Transportation of the elderly and disabled totaling $334,218, of which $83,554 will be local.
• ADA funds totaling $55,556, of which $5,566 will be local.
• Preventive maintenance for the buses totaling $50,000, of which $7,500 will be local.
• Propane conversion totaling $77,000, of which $11,550 will be local.

Legislative session:

Public Hearing  – 911 Fee Increase  – Bill No. 2025-2

AN ACT OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND PURSUANT TO MD. CODE ANN., PUBLIC SAFETY § 1-311 TO AMEND CHAPTER 85 – EMERGENCY TELEPHONE CHARGE, § 85-1 OF THE DORCHESTER COUNTY CODE BY INCREASING THE 911 FEE FOR DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND TO $2.00 PER MONTH.

Vice President Detmer engaged the council in discussing how the 911 emergency telephone fee is collected by the telephone service providers, forwarded to the State Public Services Commission, and then sent back to the counties based on the location of the phone account owner. Mr. Detmer explained that the Dorchester County fees did not seem reasonable. The most recent detailed data provided by the PSC is from 2021, and there is no apparent way to audit the money trail. Inquiries will be made. The bill had a second reading to raise the fee to $2 per line and was moved and approved.

Action items:

• Bid Award – County Towing Services – Public Works. Public Services requested a competitively bid contract for county towing services – Approved.
• Interdepartmental Budget Transfer Request – Finance – Approved transfer of $51k
• Renewal Request – Medical Services Contract – Corrections – Approved for ~$1.278M/yr.
• Mosquito Control Budget Agreement – Maryland Department of Agriculture – Approved for $497,750.
• Chesapeake College requested to use their fund balance to engage a 10-year facilities master plan consultant, not to exceed $242,550. Approved 4 -1 Mr. Detmer nay.
• Request to send a letter from the county to the state legislature opposing the solar bill SB 931. Mr. Pfeffer and Mr. Detmer journeyed to Annapolis last Friday to meet with the legislature to discuss county priorities. Approved.
• Received feedback that the Congressionally Directed Spending Projects (earmarks) that were approved and forwarded at the last meeting and were returned for not meeting the requirements of the request. The three projects were: rehabilitating sewer lines and pumps stations, design and study of a potential Hoopers Island Causeway, and moving the Dorchester County Department of Health operation to Race Street. The projects must map to a grant program for which the county is qualified. The county will seek other possibilities.
• For All Seasons requested a letter of support for an earmark to acquire property at 111 East Dover Street, Easton, to expand services. – Approved.
• Delmarva Community Services requested the county release the lien placed on 709 Church Street, Cambridge. This was one property in the 2018 agreement allowing DCS to acquire properties, renovate them, and sell them. The property is ready for sale. – Approved.
• Policy amendment to collect real property taxes annually rather than biannually when a property is transferred. Approved.
• Request from CWDI to rebate taxes paid earlier on abated properties. Approved.
• Letter of support for the sheriff’s department grant application. Approved.

Council Comments:

• Mr. Travers commented on the brush fires that have occurred in the county in the last three days, including at Blackwater National Wildlife Park. Asked that the county manager and county attorney press the Board of Education to complete a land transfer agreement for a parcel on Glasgow Street.
• Mr. Detmer thanked the firefighters who have been fighting the brush fires. It appears that the solar bill SB931 will be significantly amended.
• Mr. Pfeffer announced that several county charter changes on last year’s ballot as referendum cannot be implemented because the county did not advertise them correctly. The county will seek alternative means to achieve its goals.

Public Comments

• Laurel Atkiss encouraged citizens to stay involved in local matters, especially the CWDI development of Cambridge Harbor.
• Terri Robbins asked and was assured that the boat races would occur.

Adjournment: 7:20 pm

Notes taken by  Sharon Smith, CAN. Edited by K. Miller.

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Attendees: George Pfeffer, President; Mike Detmer, Vice President; Rob Kramer, Jr; William Nichols; Ricky Travers; Jerry Jones, County Manager; Irene Barnes, Administrative Specialist; Charles MacLeod, Attorney

Open Session

Closed Session

Reconvene into Open Session:  6:06 PM.

Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance

Financial Report: General Fund Cash on Hand – General Fund has $32,945,917.14 on hand.

Closed Session Summary –  Mr. Pfeffer reported on the closed session which covered a personnel matter.

Consent Agenda – The consent agenda was approved.

• County Council Open Session Minutes – January 21, 2025
• Accounts Payable Disbursement Report – Week Ending January 31, 2025
• Administrative Office of the Courts – AY2025 Courthouse Security Funding – Circuit Court
• Request to Advertise for Proposals – Towing Services – Public Works
• Letter of Support – FY25 Educational Facilities Master Plan – Dorchester County Public Schools
• Cooperative Agreement – Noxious Weeds – Maryland Department of Agriculture

 Proclamation(s)

• National Outdoor Show Month – February – introduction of Miss Outdoors, Little Miss Outdoors and Little Mr. Outdoors.

Presentations

1. Blackwater Wildlife Refuge Update by Marcia Pradines, Project Leader –

The Refuge was established in 1933. In 2024, the refuge planted 49 acres of corn,150 acres of clover and 12 acres of millet for wildlife; very dry conditions have made results okay, not great; avian flu a problem but they haven’t had as many ducks and geese as usual (but did test one Great Blue Heron which was positive); planning 100 acre marsh restoration; 883 acres sprayed to control phragmites and some other invasive grasses; created 27,000 feet of firebreak in the forest area, covering one-third of the area.  Two acquisitions: 150-acre easement in Wicomico County, 460 acres purchased right across from Visitor Center. Their money comes from hunting permits, no tax dollars involved. 1500 muskrat trapping units awarded, some new trappers, to manage population growth; 4176 deer hunting permits, 1200 bow hunting (Sept – Jan). They’re encouraging lead-free ammo, have workshops and $25 or $50 gift cards available. University of Delaware did a deer survey indicating 62-70 deer per square mile, but they have no previous data to frame this finding. New parking lot at Key Wallace Drive for snakehead fishermen, and Visitor Center restoration is planned.

• • Detmer complained that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service manages 36,000 acres and the county only gets $50K in taxes annually; he complimented their proactive approach to wildlife management.
  • The refuge draws many visitors to the area, who spend money here.

2. Cambridge Resiliency Initiative by Larry White, P.E. – (a FEMA approved and funded Flood Mitigation Project) requesting approval of tie-in to six properties in Dorchester County. Background: by 2050 a two-foot sea level rise is anticipated, including intense storms with 5” rain in an hour, 15” over 24 hours. They propose two sites for tie-in: Pinks Pond and Bellevue Ave. Proposing Living Shoreline, which differs from hard infrastructure like levees in that it  absorbs energy, but they need greater elevation, so they’re planning an embankment with Living Shoreline on the water side (FEMA loved this). Designed for overtopping, the berm will look like a sand dune. They have $1.7M for Phase I, Design, which is 30% complete and have applied for $1.6M for Phase II. The project will ask for citizen input in June, after design drawings are completed. The Army Corps of Engineers discovered that some NJ projects survived Hurricane Sandy and they’re basing their plans on those. Trying to blend in with existing shoreline, though there will be rip-rap at Pinks Pond. The road (Hambrooks Blvd) will have to be elevated 4 feet. Great Marsh Park will become a stormwater management center with an embankment. They will excavate the park and put in pervious material to absorb water. They will have ongoing maintenance to keep the infrastructure up. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is also funding habitat restoration along with the living shoreline.
   • Detmer: will this reduce recreational use at Great Marsh Park? No, their goal is to have water drain off overnight or in a couple days max.
   • Travers: has this idea been tested? Yes, they found a San Francisco project like this, but this design hasn’t been done a lot; cutting-edge engineering.
   • Travers: yes, the Army Corps promised ten years ago that Rooster Island would come back if they carried out a planned project, but it did not.
   • Travers: have they talked to the residents about a 7’ berm and a 4’ raised road? No, waiting on Council approval, but Mr. White says people will be able to see over the berm.
   • The Council is not willing to approve the county tie-in until the project talks with property owners.

Legislative Session: 911 fee increase to $2 per month – approved

Action Items:

1. Wild Goose Chase (a bike race) at Blackwater on September 14^th – approved
2. Earmarks discussion: The County Manager Jerry Jones was asked to create a list of possible expenditures to be provided to the state legislators.
3. Poll confirmation – approved
4. Approved submitting a grant application for $489k for a sewer pump upgrade.

Council comments:

Mr. Travers: loss of a long time Fire Department member.

Mr. Detmer: meeting of Choptank Solar and Storage Co tomorrow at Packing House 4-7. He then reiterated his concerns about decommissioning solar installation; suggested bond. He announced that 1099s coming from Comptroller’s office have printing error.  More and more concerned about state budget deficit – the numbers are bad and they’re going to get worse. He encourages people to be informed. Raise property taxes 10%? No, but that’s what they’ll have to consider.

Mr. Pfeffer: the state is pushing $3.5 – 4M in expenditures onto Dorchester County to help balance the state budget.  The county takes in $36M, schools get $26M and want more because the Board of Education has a $10M deficit largely because of the Blueprint for Excellence expenses. In 2008, the county had to lay people off and now they have no fat to cut. The sheriff’s department costs $6M; the EMS $5M – can’t get any savings there. He says if they refuse to pay the money the state wants, the state will impound county tax receipts.

Public comments

1. Kathleen Abbott: Miss Outdoors Dorchester will be chosen February 21-22
2. Sharon Smith: Dorchester County residents need to send messages of concern to our state delegations and governor about the budget crisis. Mr. Pfeffer says the Big 8 (Central MD counties) don’t want to touch Blueprint.
3. Morgan Tolley asks for state contact information to be placed on county website.
4. Bucky Jackson: we have too many schools for the number of students, so close some schools.
5. Nichols expressed at length about his unwillingness to increase taxes; tells a story about an 87-year-old woman who can barely afford to remain in her home; can’t do anything that would affect elderly.

Adjournment  – 7:48 PM

Notes submitted by Richard Bearman & Sharon Smith, Cambridge Association of Neighborhoods (CAN)

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