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Record of Proceedings

Kent County Levy Court Business Meeting – March 24, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, March 24, 2026
BodyKent County, Delaware
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, March 24, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 34:21

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
1:16

Can County Levy Court business meeting is called to order at seven PM on Tuesday, March twenty-fourth, twenty twenty six.

1:23

We're located at five five five Bay Road, Dover, Delaware, Levy Court Chamber two oh three.

1:29

With that, I will turn it over to our county administrator, Kevin Sippel.

1:34

Thank you, Madam President.

1:35

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

1:40

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

1:43

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

1:46

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

1:50

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

1:56

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

2:01

Our operator will identify you and bring you into the meeting.

2:04

Pressing star six will mute and unmute and unmute your line.

2:08

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

2:12

Please use those at appropriate times.

2:14

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

2:24

We ask that public comments relate to the subjects announced by the president.

2:28

In addition to public hearings, there are two public comment periods.

2:31

One at the beginning of the meeting for agenda items and one near the end of the meeting for general comments.

2:36

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

2:42

Back to you, Madam President.

2:43

Thank you.

2:44

I would ask the invocation by Commissioner Pepper.

2:46

Pledge allegiance led by Commissioner Hertz.

2:49

Moment of silence for our troops and first responders.

2:52

Commissioner Sweeney.

2:53

All rise.

5:00

Present.

5:01

Mr.

5:01

Hertz?

5:02

Here.

5:03

Mr.

5:03

Pepper?

5:04

Here.

5:05

Mr.

5:05

Scott?

5:06

Here.

5:06

Mr.

5:06

Sweeney?

5:07

Here.

5:08

Mrs.

5:08

Maston?

5:09

Here.

5:12

Madam President.

5:13

Roll call and reveal seven present.

5:16

Let the record show seven commissioners present.

5:19

Next on the agenda is a motion to approve the agenda.

5:22

So move, Madam President.

5:24

Second.

5:25

Motion by Vice President Scott, second by Commissioner Pepper.

5:28

Any questions?

5:30

Roll call?

5:32

Mr.

5:32

Angel?

5:33

Yes.

5:34

Mr.

5:34

Hall?

5:35

Yes.

5:35

Mr.

5:35

Hertz?

5:36

Yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████48%
Personnel Matters██████████████████████████28%
Water And Wastewater Management███████████████████████24%
Summary of Proceedings

Kent County Levy Court Business Meeting – March 24, 2026

The Kent County Levy Court convened a business meeting on March 24, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Levy Court Chamber at 555 Bay Road, Dover, Delaware. All seven commissioners were present. The meeting included public comment periods, approval of the consent agenda, recognition of a retiring employee and an employee of the month, a public hearing and approval of a sewer district extension and a budget amendment, establishment of a streetlight district, and introduction of a stormwater maintenance district resolution. The meeting concluded with the rescission of state loan commitments for pipeline condition assessments.

Consent Calendar

  • The agenda was approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Consent agenda 2605 was approved unanimously (7-0).

Presentations

  • Resolution 4155 – Retirement of Diana T. Gold: The court recognized Diana T. Gold, County Engineer, for her loyal service. The resolution was approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Employee of the Month – Sharon Statz (April 2026): Sharon Statz, a Licensed Specialist II in the Clerk of the Peace Office, was honored for her initiative, perfect attendance for two consecutive years, and role in improving office efficiency. Multiple commissioners expressed appreciation for her positive demeanor and public service.

Public Hearings & Votes

  • Resolution 4147 – Aquila Farm Sewer District Extension: The proposal extends the Kent County Sewage Disposal District to include a 1,078-unit subdivision (Aquila Farm) and one existing home in the Cheswold area. The developer will pay a $140,000 aid-in-construction fee and is responsible for all sewer system design, permitting, construction, and impact fees. No public comments were made. The resolution was approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Ordinance LC 26-05 – Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Amendment: The ordinance amends the FY26 operating budget to include projected expenditures and revenues not in the original budget, specifically adding six paramedics to the Emergency Medical Services Division (increasing total positions from 60 to 66). Commissioner Pepper noted this has enabled two-person staffing at all paramedic stations 24/7. No public comments were made. The ordinance was approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Resolution 4148 – Carpenter’s Bridge Crossing Streetlight District No. 154: Establishes a streetlight district covering 193 residential lots, authorizing the county to contract for installation/maintenance and levy a tax to recover costs. No public comments were made. The resolution was approved unanimously (7-0).

New Business

  • Resolution 4149 – Introduction of Stormwater Maintenance District Extension: Commissioner Hertz introduced a resolution to extend the Kent County Stormwater Maintenance District. No further details or vote were taken at this meeting; it was only introduced.
  • Rescission of State Loan Commitments for Pipeline Condition Assessment: Commissioner Hertz moved to rescind two binding commitment offers from the Delaware Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (totaling $3.1 million for pipes <12” diameter and $2.3 million for pipes ≥12” diameter). The county no longer needs the loans: the <12” project is funded by ARPA and near completion, and the ≥12” project is no longer pursued. The county will seek a new loan for countywide gravity pipeline condition repair. The motion (including authorization for the Levy Court President to sign a rescission letter) was approved unanimously (7-0).

Information Items

  • Commissioner Angel noted the new EMS building in Harrington is operational and that the Delaware Association of Counties meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2026, at the Rome of Restaurant. He also mentioned a fire study board report to be presented virtually next week.

Public Comments

  • No public comments were made during either public comment period.

Key Outcomes

  • All seven commissioners voted unanimously on every action item (7-0 votes).
  • The court approved the retirement recognition for Diana T. Gold, the employee of the month recognition for Sharon Statz, the Aquila Farm sewer district extension, the FY26 budget amendment adding six paramedics, and the Carpenter’s Bridge Crossing streetlight district.
  • The court rescinded two state loan commitments for pipeline condition assessments and authorized the Levy Court President to sign the rescission letter.
  • Resolution 4149 (stormwater maintenance district extension) was introduced for future consideration.

Meeting Transcript

Can County Levy Court business meeting is called to order at seven PM on Tuesday, March twenty-fourth, twenty twenty six. We're located at five five five Bay Road, Dover, Delaware, Levy Court Chamber two oh three. With that, I will turn it over to our county administrator, Kevin Sippel. Thank you, Madam President. This meeting is being held in person at five five five Bay Road, Dover, Delaware, and Levy Court Chambers. We're also making it available through 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. Our operator will identify you and bring you into the meeting. Pressing star six will mute and unmute 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 appropriate times. We ask guests to begin public comments by stating your name and address for the record. We ask that public comments relate to the subjects 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 by Commissioner Pepper. Pledge allegiance led by Commissioner Hertz. Moment of silence for our troops and first responders. Commissioner Sweeney. All rise. Present. Mr. Hertz? Here. Mr. Pepper? Here. Mr. Scott? Here. Mr. Sweeney? Here. Mrs. Maston? Here. Madam President. Roll call and reveal seven present. Let the record show seven commissioners present. Next on the agenda is a motion to approve the agenda. So move, Madam President. Second. Motion by Vice President Scott, second by Commissioner Pepper. Any questions?

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