Dorchester County Council Meeting Notes September 15, 2026, – Submitted by Sharon Smith, CAN

Present: George Pfeffer, President, Mike Detmer, Vice President; Rob Kramer, Jr; Ricky Travers; Absent: William Nichols. Present: Jerry Jones, County Manager; Irene Barnes and Grace Wittig, County Administration. Absent: Charles MacLeod, County Attorney

A Closed Session was conducted from 5:00 until 6:10pm. The Open Session began at 6:15pm.

The Consent Agenda, composed of these six items, passed without discussion.

1. County Council Open Session Minutes – September 1, 2026
2. Accounts Payable Disbursement Report – Week Ending September 11, 2026
3. Grant Award Request – FY27 Management Grant – Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) – Tourism – Finance · Request of finance, on behalf of Tourism, to accept a $175,000 FY27 Management Grant, through MHAA, to support operating costs and provide a total of $25,000 in mini-grants to local tourism organizations, with a 100% in-kind match and a performance period of July 9, 2026 to June 30, 2028
4. Grant Award Request – AY27 Courthouse Security Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Agreement – Circuit Court – Finance · Request of finance, on behalf of the Circuit Court, to accept a $14,165.40 AY27 Courthouse Security MOU Agreement, through the Administrative Office of the Courts, to fund camera upgrades and key fob access to the Law Clerk’s office
5. Eastern Shore Innovation Center License Agreement Recommendation – Economic Development · Recommendation of Economic Development to enter into two Eastern Shore Innovation Center License Agreement to accept new business
6. Letter of Support Request – Meat & Poultry Processing Expansion Program – Lindy’s Seafood · Request of Lindy’s Seafood to provide a letter of support for its United States Department of Agriculture Meat & Poultry Processing Expansion Program application to upgrade the current processing facility to include blue catfish processing

Presentation(s)

1. Department Update – Recreation & Parks. Director Duc Tru, gave a reort on the summer programs hosted by the county.
2. Strategic Plan – Integrated Impact Group, gave a very brief overview of the county progress to date and upcoming steps to completion

Public Hearings(s)

Note: Proposed items can be found on the County website under Public Hearings

1. Distribution Plan – Community Reinvestment & Repair Fund (CRRF) Committee – To provide an opportunity for public comment prior to consideration of the proposed CRRF Distribution Plan. These are tax funds from the sale of cannabis in Maryland. Last year, the amount was $819,000 distributed to the county.
2. Resolution 718 – Solid Waste Management Plan Revision – To provide an opportunity for public comments on Resolution No. 718 prior to consideration of the proposed Solid Waste Management Plan Revision. The state requires a 10-year plan. This revision was presented by Sean O’Donnell of Geosyntec Consultants. The state requires a minimum of 20% of waste to be recycled; the county recycles 24.6%. In responding to a question from the public, the county does not audit our recycling company to ensure that recycling actually occurs.

Resolutions(s) All passed by council vote, 4-0

1. Resolution No. 713 – Inclement Weather/Emergency Closure

To consider the adoption of Resolution No. 713, to establish clear and consistent procedures for the operation of Dorchester County government offices during periods of inclement weather or emergency situations

1. Resolution No. 714 – Vehicle Use · To consider the adoption of Resolution No. 714, to define the purposes for which County vehicles may be used and under what circumstances private vehicles may be used for County business (removed)
2. Resolution No. 715 – Thendara Camp & Range ·

To consider the adoption of Resolution No. 715, to provide a concise, county-compliant policy to govern use of the Thendara facility for 4-H archery, shooting, and related recreational activities, including approved rental use.

1. Resolution No. 716 – Public Information Act ·

To consider the adoption of Resolution No. 716, to comply with the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) by providing the public with access to records maintained by Dorchester County in the transaction of public business E. Resolution No. 717 – Progressive Disciplinary Action · To consider the adoption of Resolution No. 717, to address deficient employee conduct or performance, including violations of County rules, laws, policies, or procedures, and to encourage compliance with the County’s expectations

Action Items   The following item was approved by council, 4-0

Recommendation Letter – Board of Directors – Delmarva Community Services · Recommendation of Delmarva Community Services to appoint a new board member, Kim Butler, to the Community Action Agency

A public meeting was held immediately after the council meeting, to provide an update on, and gain public comments, on the county strategic plan. See the county council website for more information.

The above meeting is available on Townhallstreams.com for your viewing pleasure.

Dorchester County Council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of every month in room 110, 501 Court Lane, Cambridge, MD 21613 at 6pm.

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