OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kent County Levy Court Business Meeting - February 24, 2026

Meeting PortalTuesday, February 24, 2026
BodyKent County, Delaware
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, February 24, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 25:19

Transcript — Verbatim
0:40

7 p.m.

0:41

on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026.

0:44

Uh Kent County Levy Court Business Meeting is now called to order.

0:48

We're at 555 Bay Road, Dover Delaware, Levy Court Chambers, Room 203.

0:54

Turn it over to County Administrator Kevin Sippel.

0:57

Thank you, Madam President.

0:58

This meeting is being held in person at 555 Bay Road, Dover Delaware and the Levy Court Chambers.

1:03

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

1:06

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

1:09

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

1:13

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

1:20

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

1:36

We ask guests to begin public comments by stating your name and an address for the record.

1:47

We ask that that public comments relate to the subject announced by the President.

1:52

In addition to public hearings, there are two public comment periods, one at the beginning of the meeting for agenda items and one near the end of the meeting for general comments.

2:00

This meeting is being recorded and will follow the rules and procedures adopted by Levy Court as well as the Mason rules of order.

2:05

Back to you, Madam President.

2:07

Thank you.

2:07

I would ask the invocation to be led by Commissioner Pepper.

2:10

Uh Pledge Alleance, Commissioner Hertz.

2:13

Moment of silence for our troops and first responders.

2:16

Commissioner Sweeney, all stand.

2:24

Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to come together this evening to discuss important issues for Kent County.

2:31

Please let our decisions be pleasing to not only you but to our constituents.

2:36

Amen.

3:44

Mr.

3:45

Hall.

3:46

Here.

3:46

Mr.

3:47

Hertz.

3:48

Here.

3:48

Mr.

3:48

Pepper.

3:49

Here.

3:50

Mr.

3:50

Scott.

3:51

Here.

3:51

Mr.

3:52

Sweeney.

3:53

Still dealing with the virus, so I am online.

3:58

Mrs.

3:58

Maston.

3:59

Here.

4:00

Madam President, roll call reveals.

4:02

Six present.

4:03

One absent.

4:06

Let the roll call show six present, one absent.

4:10

Next on the item is adoption of the agenda.

4:13

Need a motion.

4:14

Madam President, make a motion for adoption of agenda.

4:17

Second motion.

4:18

Motion by Vice President Scott, second by Commissioner Pepper.

4:23

Any questions?

4:26

Roll call.

4:28

Mr.

4:28

Angel.

4:29

Absent.

4:30

Mr.

4:31

Hall.

4:31

Yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters█████████████████████████████████████████41%
Procedural██████████████████████████████30%
Public Safety███████████████15%
Zoning Variances██████████████14%
Summary of Proceedings

Kent County Levy Court Business Meeting - February 24, 2026

The Kent County Levy Court held its regular business meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 555 Bay Road, Dover, Delaware. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by the President, with six members present and one absent (Commissioner Angel). Key actions included adopting the agenda, approving the consent calendar, recognizing the March 2026 Employee of the Month, introducing new employees, and holding a public hearing on a conditional use and site plan application for a church expansion. The meeting adjourned after a brief new business item and announcements.

Consent Calendar

  • Consent Agenda 2603: Approved unanimously (6-0, with one absent).

Presentations

  • March 2026 Employee of the Month: Deputy Chief Justin Conrad recognized Ryan Quinn, Paramedic First Class in the Department of Public Safety, as the March 2026 Employee of the Month. Mr. Quinn was praised for his leadership in developing a comprehensive operations manual for the bike team, advancing virtual reality training for paramedics, and playing a pivotal role in the recruit academy that strengthened training and onboarding. Commissioners offered congratulations, highlighting the critical role of paramedics in public safety.
  • New Employee Introductions: Five new paramedic trainees were introduced: Dan Mills, Thomas Blomquist, Madison McGuinness, Isabella Davenport, and James Cortice (who was on duty). Two additional employees from Public Works were unable to attend due to storm-related duties. Commissioners welcomed the new hires, noting they joined a strong team.

Public Hearing

  • Conditional Use and Site Plan Application CS 2602: The hearing was conducted for an application to expand a church property to include sports fields and a campground. The site is 11.7 acres on the south side of Milford Harrington Highway, east of Bloomfield Drive, and west of Milford. The Regional Planning Commission had recommended approval, finding compliance with all relevant conditions and the comprehensive plan. No public testimony was offered either in favor or in opposition. The levy court granted conditional approval based on staff and RPC recommendations and the absence of opposition.

New Business

  • Ordinance LC 25-05 Introduction: Commissioner Hertz introduced an ordinance to amend the code of Kent County regarding the bylaws of the Regional Sewer Advisory Board. The ordinance was set for public hearing on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 7 p.m.

Key Outcomes

  • CS 2602 Approved: The levy court voted 6-0 to grant conditional approval for the church expansion application, based on staff and RPC recommendations and no opposition.
  • Ordinance LC 25-05 Scheduled for Hearing: The introduction of the ordinance was approved, with a public hearing scheduled for March 10, 2026.
  • Meeting Schedule Updates: Commissioner announced two meeting changes: the Tax Stitch meeting was rescheduled to March 3, 2026, at the Harrington Moose Lodge; the Farm Bureau meeting was rescheduled to March 9, 2026, at Marble Farms.
  • Adjournment: The meeting adjourned with a motion and second, approved by voice vote.

Meeting Transcript

7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026. Uh Kent County Levy Court Business Meeting is now called to order. We're at 555 Bay Road, Dover Delaware, Levy Court Chambers, Room 203. Turn it over to County Administrator Kevin Sippel. Thank you, Madam President. This meeting is being held in person at 555 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 once opens a public comment period, those attending in person may step forward to one of the two podiums and be recognized. If you are joining us by phone and wish to comment, please press star three, which will raise your electronic hand. We ask guests to begin public comments by stating your name and an address for the record. We ask that that public comments relate to the subject announced by the President. In addition to public hearings, there are two public comment periods, one at the beginning of the meeting for agenda items and one near the end of the meeting for general comments. This meeting is being recorded and will follow the rules and procedures adopted by Levy Court as well as the Mason rules of order. Back to you, Madam President. Thank you. I would ask the invocation to be led by Commissioner Pepper. Uh Pledge Alleance, Commissioner Hertz. Moment of silence for our troops and first responders. Commissioner Sweeney, all stand. Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to come together this evening to discuss important issues for Kent County. Please let our decisions be pleasing to not only you but to our constituents. Amen. Mr. Hall. Here. Mr. Hertz. Here. Mr. Pepper. Here. Mr. Scott. Here. Mr. Sweeney. Still dealing with the virus, so I am online. Mrs. Maston. Here. Madam President, roll call reveals. Six present. One absent. Let the roll call show six present, one absent. Next on the item is adoption of the agenda. Need a motion. Madam President, make a motion for adoption of agenda.

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