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.

Mr.

Angel?

Yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz?

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Yes.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President, roll call reveal seven years.

Let the record show seven years for the adoption of the agenda.

At this point of the agenda, we open it up for public comment for any agenda item that's not covered by a public hearing.

Would anyone like to address Levy Court, please come forward?

For our guests joining us online, if you would like to make public comments at this time for items that's not on a public hearing item, please indicate by raising electronic hand or pressing star three if you're joining us by phone.

I see no hands raised online, Madam President.

Okay, thank you.

Motion to accept consent agenda 2601.

Mr.

Kennedy, I'm sorry.

Yeah, I'm sorry, someone did raise their hand.

I just want to just double check.

So uh Elaine Elston, you may unmute your line and give us your name and address.

Elaine Elston, 4415 Halltown Road, Hartley, Delaware.

I was just uh trying to get some confirmation that the uh ordinance LC 25 through 28, the keeping of animals was going to be discussed tonight, and at which point there would be comments around that.

I do see those numbers under Mr.

Angel in the public hearing, but the descriptor did not seem to match the keeping of animals ordinance.

Just looking for clarification.

Mrs.

Alston, I can assure you that item is not on the agenda for tonight.

It is not.

Is there a hearing coming forward about that?

No, ma'am.

Oh.

Has that been finalized?

No, ma'am.

Okay, thank you very much.

You have a great evening and thank you for joining us.

Is there anyone else, Mr.

Kennedy?

I see no more hands raised online at this time, Madam President.

Thank you.

Uh we'll go back to a motion to accept the consent agenda 2601.

So moved, Madam President.

Motion by Commissioner Pepper, second by Commissioner Angel.

Any correct or any questions?

Mr.

Angel.

Yes, on tonight, uh the paramedic uh request.

I don't see you on the agenda.

Is that part of the consent?

Senator Mr.

Pepper on underneath business.

Budget.

Under budget.

Thank you.

Just want to clarify.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Any other questions?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel?

Yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz?

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Yes.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President Roll Call.

Reveal seven years.

Let the record show consent agenda seven years.

We're moving to presentations.

Mr.

Sweeney.

Our Commissioner Sweeney, I think you have one or two.

Yes.

Thank you.

Full disclosure.

I was on track to achieve my Eagle Scout Award back in the day, a few decades ago.

After years in Cub Scouts, Weebelos, and Boy Scouts with Scout leaders like Claire Murray, my mom, my dad, my uncle.

I was overtaken by fumes, um, gasoline and perfume and left scouting.

To this day, it's one of my greatest regrets not to have stuck with it to get my Eagle Scout.

So to those young men and women who have had the fortitude and the desire to stick with it, I have a great amount of respect.

And that is for you, Landon and Dominic.

But if Scouts of America ever introduced a path to Eagle Scout for those who are well over 18, I'd be one of many who would line up to try and achieve my Eagle Scout as one of my final bucket items.

From Arthur Rose Eldred in 1912 to Landon Swank and Dominic Haas, many scouts have achieved the prominent status of Eagle Scout.

Today, Landon and Dominic have joined the likes of President Gerald Ford, ex-Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, astronauts Neil Armstrong and James Lovell, and Director Steven Spielberg.

While perseverance is one of the characteristics those in the program need to finish, it's the leadership they achieved that will guide them the rest of their lives.

Congratulations to the parents of Landon and Dominic, the Scout leaders who led them from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, his family members who have supported him and other scouts in their troops, and especially to Landon and Dominic for attaining this prestigious award.

So I have two tributes to read from Kent County Levy Court to read in the record, and then we'll ask um Landon and his family and Dominic has family to come forward for pictures and to receive these tributes.

Kent County Levy Court tribute to Eagle Scout Landon Swank.

It is a distinct honor and privilege to present this tribute today, Tuesday, January thirteenth, 2026, to Landon Swank in recognition of achieving the Scouting America's highest rank of Eagle Scout.

Landon began his scouting journey in 2016 as a Wolf Scout with Pac-135 and has spent the past eight years demonstrating exceptional dedication, leadership, and character.

He earned 31 mayor badges and served Troop 135 in key leadership roles, including outdoor ethics guide, librarian, assistant patrol leader, two terms as patrol leader of the Spartans, and ultimately senior patrol leader.

For his Eagle Scout project, Landon designed and constructed a gaga pit, gaga ball pit for Providence Creek Academy, benefiting current and future students, including his younger brother, who's with us in the audience tonight.

The project required extensive planning, three days of preparation, one day of installation, and the coordinated efforts of eight scouts and five adults.

His work reflects his commitment to service, teamwork, and community improvement.

May God add a special blessing to his noble accomplishment.

Kent County Levy Levy Court tribute to Eagle Scout Dominic Haas.

It is a distinct honor and privilege to present this tribute today, Tuesday, January 13th, 2026, to Dominic Haas in recognition of achieving the Scouting America's highest rank of Eagle Scout.

Dominic began his scouting journey in 2016 as a Bear Scout with Pac-135 and has since distinguished himself through eight years of dedication, earning 31 merit badges, and serving in key leadership roles, including assistant patrol leader of the Bullfrogs, instructor, patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, and ultimately senior patrol leader of Troop 135.

For his Eagle Scout project, Dominic designed and constructed a memorial bench and concrete pad honoring a Smyrna Clayton Little League player who tragically lost his life.

His year-long project include reclaiming and restoring bench legs from the John Bassett Moore Middle School, fabricating new supports from Angle Iron, and incorporating baseball bases and wooden bats into the seat and backrest.

May God add a special blessing to this noble accomplishment.

So Landon and Dominic and your families, would you please come forward?

And Levy Court join me up front.

Thank you.

Okay.

So you guys can just stand right here and then we'll give you a question.

I I I've said everything.

So this is Landon Swank and his mom and dad and his little brother who I mentioned in the in the uh tribute.

Um look, this is a great honor for us to present.

Normally I do this at the Court of Honor for the Eagle Scout, but unfortunately I missed that one.

Um so we brought them in tonight uh to present.

It'll be out on the internet.

You guys can download it, um, keep it forever.

Yes, congratulations.

Having been a Weblook Cub Scout and uh Boy Scout.

Uh I remember those days like every yesterday.

So but to hit Eagle, wow, it's great.

Uh congratulations to you, sir.

Thank you.

And many more.

Landon, congratulations.

It's quite an honor and uh an accomplishment.

So thank you for everything, and hopefully you'll continue this path to teach the ones below you.

Congratulations, Landa.

When I saw Pac-135, I was pretty sure it was Smyrna.

And that's my home base.

So I really uh appreciate what you've done, and I'm sure your family as well as everybody else is really really proud of you.

Keep up the great work, and it's upward and onward for you.

Thank you.

You're gonna get a chance to speak, just congratulations.

Um this is not only an honor, but it's a weight that's been put on your shoulders that you'll carry with you for the rest of your life.

So if you do anything bad, I'm serious now.

If you do anything bad, people are gonna say, but he was an Eagle Scout.

So you have to live up to being an Eagle Scout for the rest of your life.

And uh I wish you the best of luck, and I have no doubts that you'll carry on what you started, and I'm sure your family's very, very proud of you.

So keep up the good work.

Yeah, congratulations.

Uh, one of the fondest memories I've had of growing up is my father was an Eagle Scout, and um and listening to him tell me the stories of when he was in the Boy Scouts.

I never did it personally, but uh and the one thing I'll never forget is his trip that he took with my grandfather to New Mexico with the Boy Scouts.

So congratulations on a great achievement.

Yep.

Oh, truth be told, I was a Cub Scout for 30 minutes.

And then I realized this is a lot of work.

So this is uh quite a tribute to yourself and your family, and congratulations.

I was also a Cub Scout and Boy Scouts, and I did last longer than 30 minutes, but uh I think everybody said congratulations, quite a quite an accomplishment for you.

I'm sure your parents are very proud of you.

Congratulations.

Well, I didn't prepare a speech.

Oh well, I don't really need the microphone, but I definitely wanted to thank my parents for you know being along with me through this entire journey and uh all the people who helped me along the way, including our scout master back there.

He helped me a lot too in our past one as well.

And yeah, that's pretty much it.

I just wanted to thank everybody who's helped me get here so far.

Hold on, Gail.

Master in here.

He's gonna be in a couple of pictures tonight.

Where do you want me?

Right here.

Two one.

Three, two, one.

Yeah, thank you.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

I know you were there helping.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Mr.

Haas, don't walk away.

Come on back up, Haas family.

Right here.

So the the two Eagle Scout um projects tonight.

Um, you'll notice uh either benefit or uh or in honor of kids.

Uh and this is something I noticed.

Um, so I get to sit on the Eagle Review Board, and I sat on the Eagle Review Board for Dominic and for Landon when they presented, and it's just impressive to me.

Um just real quick.

I have one other story when I was um working toward my Eagle before I quit.

My troop went to the Petersburg CNR Center back then, and we didn't have camps like they do now.

And there was about 25 of us there, and a friend of mine, Will Middleton, was chopping a tree and missed the tree and put the axe in his knee.

Twenty-five of us got our um medical badges that night at the same time.

Yes.

So Dominic's uh project was um for the little league uh for uh and I I saw pictures of the bench, and it's absolutely amazing because there was a lot of uh initiative, a lot of intuitiveness and indoctrinating baseball into the bench was uh truly amazing.

So Dominic, congratulations again.

Well, Dominic, uh I can't beat that story, but all I'm gonna say is I do miss the scouts.

It prepared me well for when I got into the service and and some of my life experiences.

So congratulations, you have a great road ahead of you.

Dominic again, congratulations and uh the same as told Laman.

It's quite an accomplishment.

So continue to set that path forward.

Congratulations on your achievement.

And once again, I'm happy to see you from Pac 135 in Smyrna.

So I'm pretty proud, and I know your parents as well as your scout masters very proud of you, keep up the great job.

Well, I hope you were listening to what I said before.

Because it applies to you too.

If you do anything wrong in your life from this point on, it's gonna be pointed out, but he was an Eagle Scout.

So you've got to keep the uh tradition alive and honor that uh position that you have and honor all those that came before you and behind you.

So congratulations, keep it good work.

I know your parents are proud of you.

Yeah, congratulations.

Um, that's a great accomplishment.

Um, I know it was a lot of hard work, and it's great to see young people put out the effort to do something like what you did.

Congratulations.

Yeah, this is uh fantastic.

Congratulations to you and to your parents, and be careful with axes and hatchets.

Again, Dominic, congratulations on your award.

Well well deserved.

Your turn.

No, it's your turn.

Um I only am like because we were recorded.

People out there watching.

Um, like one thing about Scouts is the adversity it brought me.

Um a story I have was I was failing my swim test almost five times for a year, and when I went to do it, I went to it in North Carolina, 17 degree water in the middle of a thunderstorm, sirens blaring, and I passed it and then just steamrolled.

So uh and I would like to thanks uh all the leaders, my my dad, Mr.

Sam is a big part of it, Landon.

Thank you, and uh two of my friends in PA who helped me push through it.

So um Mr.

Haas just happens to be the troop leader for the 135 for both these young men, so Mr.

Haas.

Yeah, just both these boys both their um backside getting their projects done, pushing it to the last minute.

Um, like Dom said, he's on a slow roll, and then once we went to Resco Falls, the light bulb went off, and it was nonstop.

Uh the day before you turned 18 was the day's book made it to Ackerage.

Um Landon's project.

Actually, we just got done putting another one over there, another guy got a ball pit.

So there's two now, PCA, one for the upper school and the lower school, so all the kids can you know take advantage of it and learn from it.

And I'd like to say thank you to you guys for doing this for the boys.

This is very nice.

Appreciate it.

Cool.

Thank you.

Yeah.

I was gonna say you're short, you got to say that.

I'm glad.

We know she's never said that to me.

Three.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

The next item on our agenda is really, really um, it's a huge accomplishment, especially in today's world.

Um, but I am so honored and so humbled to be able to present a public service award for his 20 years of service to the honorable Alan F.

Angel.

The Levy Court of Kent County, Delaware proudly recognizes and honors Alan, honorable Alan F.

Angel in appreciation of his 20 years of exemplary public service to the residents of Kent County, Delaware.

Through steadfast leadership, dedication, and commitment to the public good, the honorable Alan F.

Angel has faithfully served as an elected official, demonstrating integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering devotion to the principles of public service.

His contributions have strengthened county government and positively impacted the community he serves.

And testimony wherefore the signature of the president of K County Levy Court is hereby affixed this 13th day of January, 2026, and signed by Joanne Manson.

Congratulations, Alan, on a job well done.

My five years here, you've been a great mentor for me, and goodness knows we've shared many, many conversations about things.

And I look forward to the next three years of being able to work with you.

So in appreciation of everything, I'd like to present you with this public service award.

Well, congratulations, Alan.

Um I know you put heart and soul into your position on Levy Court.

I know you love Kent County and you love Levy Court.

And uh you've put ungodly hours in it, and because we know that you you're awake most of the night working.

So when you should be sleeping, you're doing Levy Court stuff.

So congratulations, and uh I get through this year, 2026.

I'll join the 20 year club too.

Yeah, congratulations, Alan.

It's been a great three years working with you, and uh though we don't always agree, we always respect each other at the end of the day, and uh I enjoy the occasional dinner after Levy Court.

Congratulations, Alan.

Um it's been an honor working with you, and this is well deserved.

So congratulations.

I agree too, Alan.

I mean, it's been a pleasure to work with you for 20 years.

Uh the history lessons that you give us of of your tenure on Levy Court and things that that newer employees don't know.

We really appreciate all that you put in.

And as I said, there's a lot of things that you do behind the scenes that people don't see.

Dealing with a lot of storms, getting that tractor out there and doing the things for the for the public, it's uh definitely um well recognized.

Thank you.

So let me tell the truth about you, Mr.

Allen.

That uh honestly, Alan.

Uh since the day I come on Levy Court, you put your hand out and you know, you tried to do your best with showing us the the path of Levy Court, good and bad, uh pros and cons.

But we've had many many conversations, some we've agreed on, some we haven't.

But at the end of the day, we've still remained friends afterwards.

So I appreciate uh the years of service that you've given to your community and to Levy Court, and I appreciate the three years that you've given uh Paul and I and Joanne for guidance.

So thank you.

Congratulations, Alan.

And and like uh President Masson said in this here today going to Mar World.

Times are short.

To put 20 years into something is pretty impressive.

And all due respect.

That one right there deserves a lot of credit as well.

And our spouses, our wives, our husband, all deserve a lot of credit for what they have to go through as uh elected officials spouse, especially a levy court spouse, because we know how much this takes away from our daily lives and from our personal life.

So Peggy and and to Alan's family, congratulations as well, especially uh wouldn't recognize past U.S.

Representative Nancy Wagner.

Wow.

You know, this is great.

Uh I may have been missed during the our our our time, but I wasn't forgotten, and I appreciate that.

And yes, I am old, and I do have the history, and uh, you know, I I'm gonna give you all what I what I always think, I always have.

But at the same time, with one for my family being here tonight and and helping me through all this and the things I couldn't do with them.

Um now they get to see exactly what you've said, and I appreciate that.

And in the immortal worlds world uh words of Sally Field, uh the actress in 1985 when she got her second Academy Award.

You do really do like me, you do like me, was her statement.

That's all I can think of.

But thank you.

I really appreciate this, and uh this is a great honor.

And yes, I do love uh Levy Court and this county, and uh anytime you need anything, just reach out and I will do what I can to help.

I always have and always will.

Even when I give up my three years, and I'm done.

I was continue to work for you all.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

I like to take this opportunity to thank Chris uh for rallying everybody up in the family and friends uh to get them come here because I think it was really important for Alan to have his family and friends here when he gets his 20 year certificate.

So thanks a lot, Chris, for doing this for us.

Um Kelly, are you ready for the family to come up and have pictures taken with with Commissioner Angel?

Okay.

Come on up.

One family.

Mr.

and Mrs.

Wagner.

Pardon me?

Okay.

I know they asked me if we do it in the beginning, and I said absolutely.

I'll with you.

Oh Peggy, you come on over here.

Come on.

Ask her and trouble ask her.

Oh, absolutely not.

Chris, would you like to?

I don't need to make the thing either.

But the constraints are.

Hey.

Um, just super, super proud of my dad.

You know, just again, the kind of like what you guys touched on about the world's in a really crazy unsettled place right now.

And when we can come together for just little moments like this, it really is a big deal.

It's a big thing.

Um I'm completely and uh utterly amazed by both of my parents.

Um, but getting being able to stand next to my dad at a much older age than I would like to admit.

Um you've taught me so much, and you've both you and mom have raised me to be the individual that I am, and to never give up and to do everything uh with a lot of pride with a lot of heart, um, and certainly everything that we've we've been through.

Uh you know, everybody goes through a lot of different things in their life, a lot of different journeys, and uh, you know, whatever your path you're on, but to stay the course, stay strong, um, continue to be the individual, the strong person that you've developed me to be.

That all comes from the foundation of what you give and you've given all of us, our morals, our backgrounds, our faith.

Um, and I'm just incredibly proud, not just of you, but of mom too.

It takes two.

Um, and I I'm honored to say that I get to stand up here and you know, uh almost 49 years of marriage for the two of them, and that's a lot to be said in the lifetime in the life that we that we see now, you know, with the divorce rates and things being so high.

Um it just goes to show that you you you communicate, you talk to each other, you love each other, you work through everything, no matter how hard or how easy it might be.

So I can talk for hours, but I'll hand the mic back.

But um just thank you both for everything, everything that you've given me.

I love you both.

I can't get your thing.

I'm gonna take this one.

Nobody wants to follow you.

Thank you all.

I'm good, I'm gonna be one day at a time.

Congratulations.

You gotta get a plate for a scooter.

First on first on the agenda tonight, uh we have a public hearing uh for ordinance LC twenty-five dash thirty.

Uh Commissioner Angel.

Thank you.

Good evening, Commissioners.

In your packet tonight is the chapter sixty-eight revisions of the personnel policy ordinance uh that we workshopped a couple of weeks ago and that um was brought to you on behalf of the department heads and row officers of the organization.

Um they've had their chance to put their input in and subject suggest some things.

Um things were included, some things weren't.

But uh before you is the revised ordinance that we are asking for approval for.

Um at this time, I would welcome any questions that you have to give any further explanation if you have any of those questions.

Any commissioners have questions for Ms.

Horsey?

Commissioner Hertz?

And just be clear that you did put in there that they're date getting the three personal days without having to take a sick day.

That is correct.

That is listed.

That remained in there.

That did remain.

Also just to uh validate that the vacation period becomes three from the person that starts here tomorrow morning, the same as somebody that's been here eight, nine years, correct?

That is correct.

And that would be effective July one.

Thank you.

Any other questions for Mrs.

Horsey?

Okay, at this point, we'll open it up uh to the public.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of ordinance LC twenty-five dash thirty?

Please come forward.

For our guests joining us online, if you'd like to speak in favor of this item, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

See no hands raised online, Madam President.

Thank you.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak against ordinance L C 25-30?

Please come forward.

Similarly, if you're online and would like to speak in opposition to L C twenty-five thirty, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

Thank you.

Back to you, Commissioner Angel.

Thank you, Madam President.

Before I read the motion, um I just want to thank the the staff and everybody and their hope their due diligence and hard work in putting this document together.

I think the last one was done.

What seventy-five?

It's been a long time.

So it's definitely been well worth the the effort and duty and yours and your people too.

Thank you.

I move to approve ordinance.

LC 25-30, an ordinance repealing, repealing the current chapter 68 personnel policy and replacing it with a new chapter 68, personnel policy as presented.

Motion by Commissioner Angel.

Do we uh do we have a second?

Second motion.

We have a motion by Commissioner Angels, second by Commissioner Pepper.

Um any uh comments by any commissioners.

Roll call, Mr.

Naka.

Mr.

Angel.

As per my statement and no opposition, yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz.

Uh why I appreciate uh all the hard work that the staff put into this, and um I agree with uh most of the uh changes.

I do not agree with the three personal days standing alone and not be having to use sick days.

Uh so therefore I'm voting no.

Mr.

Pepper.

Uh yes, for the reasons outlined by Commissioner Angel.

Mr.

Scott.

Again, I also appreciate all the work that staff and uh the employee council put into this.

Uh my my two biggest hang ups with this thing is the same as it was a year ago, and I think Ms.

Trudy was well aware of it.

Uh it doesn't mean I'm right or wrong.

It's just my feelings.

I don't think that uh given more days when they don't use the days that they necessarily get at this time is the right answer, and I definitely disagree with the fact of somebody being able to start tomorrow morning and get the same vacation period that somebody's been here eight, nine years is getting.

I just don't think that shows a positive movement uh towards the employees.

So with that, my vote will be no.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Um all reasons stated uh in the positive, yes.

Mrs.

Maston.

Yes, for reason stated.

Madam President, roll call reveals five years.

Let the record show five years at two days for ordinance LC25-30.

Public hearing is now closed.

Do we have any old business?

Do we have any new business?

Commissioner Hertz appointment to the Board of Adjustment.

Yeah, I'd like to um appoint uh Ethan Simpson uh to take to the Board of Adjustments.

Um be replacing uh good longtime friend of mine, um Charlie Jones, who uh um has a lot going on, just didn't have the time to be to every meeting and um felt that a change was needed, and so did I.

So um I think Ethan will do a fine job.

Uh he's a good young man.

Um that would be a good way for him to step into uh um bigger and better things.

Do we have a motion for the appointment to Board of Adjustment?

I make a motion to um put Ethan Simpson on the Board of Adjustments.

Second.

Motion by Commissioner Hertz, second by Commissioner Scott.

Any any conversation?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel?

Yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz.

Yes, reason stated.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Yes.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President, roll call, reveal seven years.

Appointment for the Board of Adjustment.

Um Commissioner Pepper, introduction of ordinance, LC2602.

Yes, this is for introduction only.

Introduction of ordinance LC 26-02, fiscal year 26 budget amendment, an ordinance to amend ordinance 25-11, the FY26 annual operating budget of Kent County, Delaware for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2025 to incorporate projected expenditures not included in the originally adopted budget for emergency medical services staffing and full-time employees for EMS division.

Uh for this is for public hearing on Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 at 7 p.m.

Okay.

Thank you.

Mr.

Simple, do we have executive session tonight?

We do not.

Thank you.

Do we have any information items?

Commissioner Angel?

Yes, don't forget we have our uh Del River County meeting on Thursday night at uh Romus.

Anyone else have any information items?

Any public comments?

If there's anyone joining us online that would like to make public comments at this time, please indicate by raising your electronic hand or pressing star three if you join us by telephone.

I see no hands raised online at this time, Madam President.

Thank you.

Any Commissioner comments?

Thank you, President Maston.

Uh I just like to say somewhere along the lines or the last few months, there seems to be a circulation of fabricated agendas that are supposed to take place at Levy Court, such as farm animals.

So here's here's what I can assure you that when the event takes place that farm animals will be on the agenda at Levy Court.

I can promise that we will give every possible notification that's available to us before that meeting.

But I know that there's been a lot of fabricated postings and stuff on social media in reference to these agendas that are supposed to be taking place.

So please take a couple minutes and do that.

Thank you.

Thanks, Vice President Scott.

Any other Commissioner Angel?

Thank you.

As I missed tonight, you heard I am old.

But one of the things I've been trying to bring forth, gosh, for many, many years is the history of Levy Court.

I have been trying to get us to do something like an old Dover's Ace for our history.

It kind gets out there, we have some interest and it dies and can't get it restarted or jump started or whatever.

But we are the first and last Levy Court in the United States.

We have a history here that nobody else can look at.

And not to do anything or to publicize it or make good on it for the people that are coming here and they're moving here in droves.

I think we lose that history if we don't continue that that venue.

So I just wanted to put it out there again, please, that uh uh I'd like to see us try and get something started.

Uh I believe uh August is our anniversary month of what I was told, but I'm not 100% sure.

And to Commissioner Sweeney's uh thing of we need to go to the old statehouse and ought to have a meeting down there on a short night, just like they did it on the green years ago.

It'd be a perfect time to kick it off.

So just wanted to bring that up uh old time's sake.

Thanks, Commissioner Angel.

Any other commissioner comments?

We don't have executive session, so motion to adjourn.

So move, Madam President.

All in favor?

Motion.

Meeting adjourned, and I'm not sure.