OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kent County Levy Court Business Meeting - January 13, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, January 13, 2026
BodyKent County, Delaware
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, January 13, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 48:17

Transcript — Verbatim
0:27

This meeting is being transcribed and summarized.

1:52

Seven PM on Tuesday, January thirteenth, two thousand six.

1:57

I like to call the Kent County Levy Court Business Meeting to order.

2:00

We're at five five five Bay Road, Dover, Delaware.

2:03

With that, I will turn it over to County Administrator Kevin Seppel.

2:07

Thank you, Madam President.

2:08

This meeting is being held in person at five five five Bay Road, Dover Delaware, and the Levy Court Chambers.

2:13

We're also making it available via the internet through WebEx.

2:16

Participants can join us by phone or by computer during the meeting.

2:19

There will be opportunities for public comment for those attending in person or online.

2:23

When the President opens a public comment period, those attending in person may step forward to one of the two podiums and be recognized.

2:29

If you're joining us by phone and wish to comment, please press star three, which will raise your electronic hand.

2:39

If you're online, you will see a hand and microphone icon at the bottom of your screen.

2:43

Please use those at appropriate times.

4:38

Police Officer Steven Laporta from the Uxbridge Police Department in Massachusetts.

5:00

Fire apparatus engineered Daniel Cook from the CAL Fire, Riverside County, California.

5:07

And especially here in our community, law enforcement officer, 10-year police veteran, Corporal Grade 1, Matthew Ty Snook of the Delaware State Police, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty.

5:23

Please keep these people and their families in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with their loss of their loved ones.

5:39

Thank you.

5:45

Ms.

5:46

Tanaka, roll call, please.

5:53

Mr.

5:53

Angel?

5:54

Present.

5:55

Mr.

5:55

Hall?

5:56

Here.

5:56

Mr.

5:57

Hertz.

5:57

Here.

5:58

Mr.

5:58

Pepper?

5:59

Here.

5:59

Mr.

6:00

Scott?

6:00

Here.

6:01

Mr.

6:01

Sweeney.

6:02

Here.

6:03

Mrs.

6:04

Maston?

6:05

Here.

6:05

Madam President, roll call, reveal seven present.

6:09

Let the record show we have seven present.

6:12

Motion to adopt the current agenda, please.

6:14

So Madam President.

6:15

Second.

6:17

We have a motion by Vice President Scott, second by Commissioner Pepper.

6:21

Any questions?

6:23

Roll call.

6:25

Mr.

6:26

Angel?

6:26

Yes.

6:27

Mr.

6:28

Hall?

6:29

Yes.

6:29

Mr.

6:29

Hertz?

6:30

Yes.

6:31

Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████46%
Youth Programs█████████████████████████26%
Personnel Matters██████████████14%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Historical Preservation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Kent County Levy Court Business Meeting - January 13, 2026

The Kent County Levy Court held a business meeting on January 13, 2026, at 555 Bay Road in Dover, Delaware. The session included the adoption of the agenda, the acceptance of the consent agenda, and a series of ceremonial tributes for local achievements and long-serving officials. The court also concluded a public hearing and held a vote on a revision to the county personnel policy, alongside several informational items and announcements.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Elaine Elston (4415 Halltown Road, Hartley, DE): Expressed confusion and requested clarification regarding whether "Ordinance LC 25-28" concerning the "keeping of animals" was on tonight's agenda; she noted the descriptor on the agenda did not match the topic of keeping animals.
    • Clarification: County Administrator Kevin Seppel and other officials confirmed that the keeping of animals ordinance is not on tonight's agenda and no hearing is currently scheduled. Elston withdrew her comment after clarification.
  • Commissioner Angel: Addressed the meeting regarding the circulation of "fabricated agendas" on social media claiming discussions on farm animals would occur tonight. Commissioner Angel assured the public that such topics would never appear without proper notification and that the previous meeting's agenda regarding animals was inaccurate/false.

Discussion Items

  • Tribute to Eagle Scouts (Landon Swank and Dominic Haas): Commissioner Sweeney and other members recognized Landon Swank and Dominic Haas for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout from Troop 135 in Smyrna.
    • Landon Swank's Project: Described as designing and constructing a gaga ball pit for Providence Creek Academy benefiting current and future students.
    • Dominic Haas's Project: Described as designing, constructing, and restoring a memorial bench and concrete pad honoring a Little League player who tragically lost his life, incorporating baseball elements.
    • Positions: Multiple commissioners expressed deep admiration for the leadership, perseverance, and community service demonstrated by the scouts. Commissioner Sweeney noted that if Scouts of America reintroduced a path for adults over 18, he would immediately join to achieve the Eagle Scout rank.
  • 20-Year Service Award for Commissioner Alan F. Angel: The court honored Commissioner Angel for 20 years of exemplary public service.
    • Positions: Commissioners expressed gratitude for his mentorship, integrity, and dedication. Commissioner Hertz noted their respect despite occasional disagreements. Vice President Scott expressed appreciation for his guidance and predicted he would join the "20-year club" soon. Commissioner Angel thanked his family, specifically his wife Nancy Wagner and son Chris, for their support, and committed to continuing to serve the county even after his three-year term expires.
  • Personnel Policy Ordinance (LC 25-30): Commissioner Angel presented a revision to Chapter 68 of the personnel policy. Key proposed changes included allowing employees three personal days without deducting from sick leave and standardizing vacation accrual so new hires receive the same rate as long-term employees.
    • Positions: Commissioner Hertz opposed the provision for standalone personal days. Commissioner Scott opposed both the proposal for standalone personal days and the immediate equalization of vacation accrual for new hires, stating he believed it did not represent positive movement for employee retention or seniority value.

Key Outcomes

  • Adoption of Agenda: Unanimously adopted by roll call (7-0).
  • Consent Agenda 26-01: Approved unanimously by roll call (7-0) following a clarification on the paramedic request and the absence of the animal ordinance.
  • Board of Adjustment Appointment: Ethan Simpson was unanimously appointed to the Board of Adjustment, replacing Charlie Jones (7-0).
  • Ordinance LC 26-02 (Budget Amendment): Introduced for FY26 to address EMS staffing expenditures. Public hearing scheduled for January 27, 2026.
  • Vote on Ordinance LC 25-30: Failed to pass with a vote tally of 5-2 against adoption.
    • Yes Votes: Commissioner Angel, Commissioner Pepper, Commissioner Sweeney, Commissioner Hertz (wait, Hertz voted no), Commissioner Maston. Correction based on transcript: The vote was 5 yes, 2 no. The "No" votes were cast by Commissioner Hertz and Commissioner Scott.
    • Specific Dissenting Positions:
      • Commissioner Hertz: Stated he did not agree with "three personal days standing alone and not having to use sick days."
      • Commissioner Scott: Disagreed with the concept of not using days when not needed and opposed the provision allowing new employees the same vacation period as those with 8-9 years of service.
  • Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned with no executive session held.

Other Information

  • Upcoming Meeting: The Del River County meeting is scheduled for Thursday at Romus.
  • Historical Preservation: Commissioner Angel and Commissioner Sweeney discussed future plans to promote Kent County's history, including potential visits to the Old Statehouse and commemorating the anniversary month in August.

Meeting Transcript

This meeting is being transcribed and summarized. Seven PM on Tuesday, January thirteenth, two thousand six. I like to call the Kent County Levy Court Business Meeting to order. We're at five five five Bay Road, Dover, Delaware. With that, I will turn it over to County Administrator Kevin Seppel. Thank you, Madam President. This meeting is being held in person at five five five Bay Road, Dover Delaware, and the Levy Court Chambers. We're also making it available via the internet through WebEx. Participants can join us by phone or by computer during the meeting. There will be opportunities for public comment for those attending in person or online. When the President opens a public comment period, those attending in person may step forward to one of the two podiums and be recognized. If you're joining us by phone and wish to comment, please press star three, which will raise your electronic hand. If you're online, you will see a hand and microphone icon at the bottom of your screen. Please use those at appropriate times. Police Officer Steven Laporta from the Uxbridge Police Department in Massachusetts. Fire apparatus engineered Daniel Cook from the CAL Fire, Riverside County, California. And especially here in our community, law enforcement officer, 10-year police veteran, Corporal Grade 1, Matthew Ty Snook of the Delaware State Police, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Please keep these people and their families in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with their loss of their loved ones. Thank you. Ms. Tanaka, roll call, please. Mr. Angel? Present. Mr. Hall? Here. Mr. Hertz. Here. Mr. Pepper? Here. Mr. Scott? Here. Mr. Sweeney. Here. Mrs. Maston? Here. Madam President, roll call, reveal seven present. Let the record show we have seven present. Motion to adopt the current agenda, please. So Madam President. Second. We have a motion by Vice President Scott, second by Commissioner Pepper. Any questions? Roll call.

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