Kent County Levy Court business meeting is now called to order at seven PM on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026, Levy Court Chambers, Room 203, 555, Bay Road, Dover, Delaware.

With that, I will turn it over to Joel Gardner.

Thank you, Madam President.

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

We also make 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 are joining us by phone and wish to comment, please press star three, which will as your electronic hand operator will identify you and bring you into the meeting.

Pressing star six will mute and unmute your line.

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

Please use those at the appropriate times.

Deputy Sheriff Richard Haggard from the Lee County Sheriff's Department, Mississippi.

Trooper Hunter Barrett Bennett from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Police Officer Brian Elliott from the Beach Group Police Department in Indiana.

Trooper Michael Diego from the Florida Highway Patrol.

Police Officer Caleb Abney from the Hera Police Department in Georgia.

Corporal David Hathcock from the Montgomery Police Department, Alabama, Master Trooper Steam Davis Jr.

from the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Sergeant Michael Schlatman from the Benelio County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico, Deputy Sheriff Gabriel Ramirez, Christian County Sheriff's Office in Missouri, Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Lewis from the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, Texas, Deputy Sheriff Michael Hislope from the Christian County Sheriff's Office in Missouri, Correctional Officer Dustin Padigo from the Tennessee County Department of Corrections, Master Trooper Stephen Perry from the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Deputy Sheriff Caleb Mitchell from the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina, Corporal Timothy O'Connor, Jr.

from the Pennsylvania State Police from Firefighters, Battalion Fire Chief Keith Long from the District of Columbia Fire and EMS, firefighter Howard Bennett from the Camden Fire Department in New Jersey, and firefighter safety officer Dale Malone from the White Level Rural Fire Department in North Carolina.

Also please keep in your prayers tonight.

Those firefighters who are fighting the barge fire out in the Delaware River right now.

My son-in-law happens to be one of them.

Thank you.

Ms.

Tanaka, roll call.

Mr.

Angel?

Present.

Mr.

Hall.

Present.

Mr.

Hertz?

Here.

Mr.

Pepper?

Here.

Mr.

Scott?

Here.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Here.

Mrs.

Maston?

Here.

Madam President Roll Call reveals seven present.

Let the record show we have seven present.

Motion to adopt the current agenda.

So move.

Second.

Motion by Commissioner Angel, 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 and reveals?

Seven years.

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

At this point in time, we open it up for public comment.

Does anyone here have any comments on agenda items not covered by a public hearing?

For our guests to join us online.

If you have any public comments at this time, 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.

Thank you.

Motion to accept consent agenda 2604.

So moved.

Second.

Second.

Motion by Commissioner Pepper.

Second by Vice President Scott.

Any questions?

Yes, Madam President.

Under me, under roll call.

I wasn't absent per se.

I was on a county business.

I just wanted to make that note for.

Ms.

Tanaka, can you make that change?

Thank you.

Any other questions on consent agenda?

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.

Uh approved the consent agenda 2604.

We're moved now into presentations.

Do we have anyone here from the Irish Society?

Thank you.

Have a resolution 4150 honoring Ireland's contributions to the United States War of Independence.

Whereas the Kent County Levy Court recognized the historic ties between the people of Ireland and the United States, grounded in shared ideas of liberty and self-determination, and whereas individuals of Irish birth and Irish descent served in significant numbers during the American War of Independence, strengthening the Continental Army and supporting the emergent emerging nations fight for freedom.

And whereas Irish immigrants and the Irish American Patriots contributed leadership, military skill, and steadfast resolve in the key campaigns, including the service of notable figures such as Commodore John Barry and General Richard Montgomery.

And whereas the commitment of these soldiers and supporters reflected Ireland's own tradition of striving for independence and help shape the character and success of the American Revolution.

And whereas the legacy of the Irish participation in the revolutionary era continues to enrich communities across the United States, including here in Kent County.

Now therefore be it resolved that the Kent County Levy Court honors and commemorates the vital role of Ireland and the people of Irish heritage in the United States War of Independence, acknowledging their courage, sacrifice, and lasting impact on the founding of our nation.

And be it further resolved that this resolution be and hereby is incorporated into the official minutes of the March 10th, 2026 meeting of the Kent County Levy Court.

Signed by myself as well as the other six commissioners.

Madam President, I make a motion.

Second.

Motion by Vice President Scott, second by Commissioner Hertz.

Any questions?

Commissioner Angel.

Yes.

One of the things that I was away on in Washington D.C.

when I was absent from our meeting was we were invited to the uh ambassador of Ireland.

If I had known this was coming up, I would have definitely taken her a copy to give it to her.

So I just want to let you know that something we need to look at in the future when we do this, if something's coming up.

It would be great to have that to present.

Thank you.

Any other comments?

Roll call?

Ms.

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.

Next we have resolution 4151.

Commissioner Pepper.

Uh yes.

Uh next item on the agenda is Resolution 4151.

It's procurement month proclamation.

And I like to read it into the official minutes.

Whereas procurement professionals play a crucial role in ensuring the efficient and effective acquisition of goods and services for public agencies, and whereas the dedication, integrity, and expertise of procurement professionals contribute significantly to the transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility of our local government, and whereas procurement professionals in Kent County, Delaware, work tirelessly to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, fostering a culture of trust and confidence in our public institutions, and whereas their efforts support vital public services from education and health care to infrastructure and public safety, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all residents of Kent County.

And whereas Procurement Month provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of procurement professionals, as well as the to educate the public about the importance and procurement in our community, and whereas this month also serves as a platform for professional development, networking and community engagement, further strengthening the bonds within procurement profession.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that Kent County Levy Court hereby proclaims the month of March as procurement month in Kent County, Delaware, and encourage all residents to join in recognizing and celebrating the vital role of procurement professionals in our community.

Be it further resolved that this resolution be incorporated into the official minutes of March 10th, 2026 meeting of the Kent County Levy Court.

And this is signed by Joanne Mess president and the other six uh commissioners on Kent County Levy Court.

Thank you.

Uh do we have a motion for resolution 4151?

That would be my motion.

Second.

Uh motion by Commissioner Pepper, second by Vice President Scott.

Any questions?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel?

Yes.

Mr.

Hall.

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz?

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Yes.

Mr.

Swen.

Yes.

Mrs.

Mast.

Yes.

Madam President, roll call reveals seven years.

Let the record show seven years.

Okay, at this point, we're going to start our public.

Madam President, we actually have a presentation here to give and a photo to take with the uh procurement professionals for this month.

Okay, thank you.

I do very quickly.

I don't think I know what to say.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

I didn't even know if we're here, so that's okay.

No worries.

You never can tell who's here.

Huh?

They they procure too much.

Well, like I said earlier, we recognize everybody for everything.

And uh but we're proud to do it.

So we'd like to take this opportunity to recognize you folks for doing such a great job for the county and the state as far as I go.

And um uh thank you for making us look good.

Thank you for not overspending, and thank you for not letting us overspend.

So thank you very much and uh keep up the good work and we appreciate it.

I think Mr.

Pepper or Commissioner Pepper kind of summed it up.

Um we really appreciate everything you do, and obviously it's always a pleasure to have you here.

Yeah, thank you for everything that you do, and hopefully we can continue to grow in the future with it.

We know it's not all just buying what's it's and what's nots.

We also know that it's you guys who put up the roadblocks to keep us from overspending, and we appreciate everything that you do.

I guess I'll next.

You know, and uh I got to talk to you before uh we came up here tonight, like I told you.

Till last year I had no clue that there was a group of you guys, but I really appreciate everything you do.

Congratulations, especially the two from the sewer plant and the one for finance for Kent County.

Thank you very much.

Yeah, keep up the good work.

Congratulations, appreciate everything you do, and uh keep it up.

Thanks.

And on behalf of our county administrator, just thanks for putting the rest of the departments in a position to be successful with all of your efforts on our behalf.

Thank you very much.

We're gonna begin our public hearing.

Commissioner Hertz, ordinance LC twenty-five oh five.

Yeah, um I will Sam turn it over to you for uh to explain LC twenty-five oh five.

Thank you, Commissioner Hertz, Madam President, Vice President, and Commissioners.

Uh tonight's public hearing is on ordinance LC twenty-five- zero five.

It's the bylaws for the regional sewer advisory board.

The current bylaws of the Kent County Regional Sewer Advisory Board were executed on May twenty-eighth, nineteen ninety-six.

Revisions have been suggested to bring the bylaws in line with current practices.

Revisions pertain to user contracts, membership, and communications as to members as and communication to membership.

Time of elections of officers, duties of the board, et cetera, were incorporated into these revisions.

The City of Harrington was became a contract user in uh 2009.

The revision include includes changes to the following articles, authority, purpose, membership, compensation, election of officers, meetings, budget advisory committee protocols, order of business and amendments.

The sewer advisory board reviewed and approved the bylaw revisions on January 8, 2025, and the county attorney has reviewed all documents.

Staff recommends the levy court to open the public hearing and collect any testimonies whether or not to adopt ordinance LC 25-05 to repeal Chapter 84 of the Kent County Code and adopt the revisions.

And that concludes my short presentation.

Any questions for Sam?

Okay, at this point we open it up.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of ordinance LC 2505?

I see no members from the general public.

I'm sorry, let me change that.

For our guests who are joining us online, if you would like to make public comments at this time, please indicate by raising an electronic hand or pressing start three if you join us by phone.

I see no hands raised online, Madam President.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in opposition to ordinance L C 2505?

Similarly, if you are online and would like to speak in opposition to L C 2505, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

Thank you.

Back to you, Commissioner Hertz, for a motion.

All right.

I make a motion to approve ordinance LC 25-05, bylaws of the Regional Sewer Advisory Board, an ordinance to amend the code of Kent County Volume 1, Chapter 84, Sewer Advisory Board Regional as detailed below.

The Levy Court of Kent County, Delaware hereby ordains.

Section 1, the Code of Kent County, Chapter 84, Articles 1 through 13 is hereby repealed and replaced with the attachment document.

Section 2, the ordinance is adopted pursuant to the powers conferred upon Levy Court of Kent County, Delaware in the Delaware Code, Title IX, Section 4110.

Section 3, the ordinance shall become effective upon adoption.

And Section 4, if any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance shall be declared invalid for any reason whatsoever, such decisions shall not affect the remaining portions of this ordinance, which shall continue in full force and effect.

And to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be serviceable.

Second.

Motion by Commissioner Hertz, second by Commissioner Scott.

Any questions?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel.

Yes, reason stated by Commissioner Hurt.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz?

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Yes, based on reason stated.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President, roll call reveals seven years.

Let the record show seven years for ordinance LC2505.

Public hearing for this evening is now closed.

Do we have any old business?

Moving into new business.

First item is resolution 4146.

A resolution calling a public hearing upon a proposal to extend Kent County Sewage Disposal District No.

Aguilla Farms, Chesal Area.

Need a motion to accept?

Madam President, I make a motion to uh go with resolution 4146.

We have a second.

Second.

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

Any questions?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel?

Yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz?

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Yes.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Math?

Yes.

Madam President, roll call reveals seven years.

Let the record show seven years for resolution 4146.

Next item is introduction of resolution 4147.

A resolution upon a proposal to extend Kent County Sewage District Disposal District Number One, pursuant to Section 4606, Chapter 46, Title Nine of the Delaware Code as amended.

Aguilla Farm, JESL area for public hearing on Tuesday, March twenty-fourth.

I believe I should say twenty twenty-six at seven P.

M.

Moving on to Mr.

Pepper for introduction ordinance LC twenty-six oh five.

Thank you.

This is for introduction only.

Introduction of ordinance LC 26-05.

The fiscal year twenty-six annual operating budget of Kent County, Delaware for the fiscal year beginning July first, twenty twenty-five to incorporate projected expenditure and revenues not included in the originally adopted budget for public hearing on Tuesday, March twenty-fourth, twenty twenty-six at seven PM.

But this is for our existing items the budget we're working under now.

Moving on to Vice President Scott.

Thank you, Madam President.

Introduction of resolution 4148, a resolution establishing Cartmers Bridge crossing Street Lake District number one fifty-four for public hearing on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 at 7 p.m.

Thank you.

Do we don't have executive session tonight?

Do we have any information items?

Any public comments?

I see no members from the general public online at this time, Madam President.

Do we have any commissioner comments?

I only have one.

That's a reminder of St.

Patrick's Day parade in Smyrna.

On Sunday, March 16th at 2 p.m.

St.

Polycarp's Church, Ransom Lane, and Kentway.

I hope so.

I have you lined up.

That's all I have.

Anyone else have anything?

I agree.

Motion to adjourn.

Second.

All in favor?

Thank you all.