Can County Levy Court Business Meeting is called to call to order at seven PM on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026.

We're here at five five five Bay Road in Dover.

Uh, levy court chambers.

With that, I'll turn it over to County Administrator Kevin Sippel.

Thank you, Madam President.

This meeting is being held in person at five five five Bay Road, Dover Delaware in the levy court chambers.

We're also making it virtual access through WebEx, allowing participants to join either by telephone or by computer.

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

When the President opens a public comment period, individuals attending in person may approach one of the two podiums and wait to be recognized.

Participants joining by phone who wish to speak may press star three to raise their electronic hand.

Pressing star six will mute and unmute your phone line.

For those participating online, hand raise and microphone icons are available at the bottom of your screen and should be used at appropriate times during the meeting.

One near the beginning of the meeting for items appearing on tonight's agenda, and another at the end of the meeting for general comments.

Back to you, Madam President.

Thank you.

I would ask invocation by Commissioner Pepper.

Pledge of Allegiance, Commissioner Hall.

Moment of silence for our troops and first responders.

Commissioner Sweeney, all rise.

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

Please watch over us and let us make uh decisions that are all not only pleasing to you, but pleasing to our constituents.

Amen.

Please remain standing for a moment of silence for our military, law enforcement firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders who continue to put their lives in the line of duty for us.

Please remember these individual first responders who died in line of duty as well as keeping their families in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with the loss of their loved ones.

Police officer Kristen Yeager from the Central Brooks Regional Police Department of Pennsylvania.

Deputy Sheriff Logan from the Carroll County Sheriff's Office in Virginia.

Canine Officer Knight from the Chesterfield County Police Department in Virginia.

Firefighter Robert Kilduff, Jr.

from the Boston Fire Department in Massachusetts, firefighter paramedic Demair Lloyd from Prince George's County's Fire EMS Department in Maryland, and Firefighter Paramedic John Morgan from the Harlem Roscoe Fire Protection District, Illinois.

Thank you.

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 reveal seven present.

Let the record show we have seven commissioners present.

Next one on the agenda is the adoption of the agenda.

Do we have a motion?

So move, Madam President.

We have a second.

Second.

Adoption of the agenda, motion made 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.

At the record show, seven years for the adoption of the agenda.

At this point, we open up the meeting for public comment on anything that's not covered under a public hearing.

Is there anyone who would like to address levy court?

Please come forward.

All right.

Good evening, everybody.

Hey, I'm Dave Voss.

I'm the first vice president of the Kent County Volunteer Firefighter Association.

I just wanted to present here tonight just to or to be here tonight for representation for the Kent County Volunteer Firefighters Association.

Thank you.

Well, thank you for your time and coming out.

Great to have you.

Thank you, Dave.

You're welcome.

Thank you.

Anyone else like to address Levy Court for anything not covered under a public hearing?

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

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

Thank you.

Motion to accept consent agenda 26-10.

Submoved, Madam President.

Second.

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 consent agenda 2610.

I believe we have a presentation this evening.

Commissioner Sweeney.

Thank you, ma'am.

Joining us tonight is Mr.

Ray Teeth.

He is the, as of last May, the Scout Executive for Scouting America, Del Marva Council.

And Ray has been integral in bringing about everything, everything that happens at the Ackerage Scout Reservation, which we know was part of a partnership with Dell Dot, the Kent County and Scouts.

And I think Ray wants to give us an update on how they've been spending and what they're up to next.

So Ray, you have the podium.

Floor is yours, sir.

Well thank you, Commissioner Sweeney and President Maston for the invitation to be here tonight.

I really am only coming with good news and even better news about things that have happened at Accridge Scout Reservation.

So not everybody was on the commission when we started at that property in uh 2008, was when we began negotiations and we purchased in 2010, started building in 2011.

At that time we thought we were dealing with uh about a 10-year, 20 million dollar project, and now we've changed it to a 20-year, 30 million dollar project.

So we are uh building as we go, and we are fundraising as we build.

So that is our mantra as we're moving forward.

We haven't borrowed any money and don't intend to.

Uh some of the great news is that scouting is growing on the Delmarva Peninsula.

So just uh recently we turned the corner and have had positive membership growth, and we can hope to continue to see that as we uh move forward.

So we appreciate the uh uh cooperation and support that we've had from County Council the entire time that this project has been uh uh in uh progress and we anticipate uh let's see where year 10.

So we need another 10 years of cooperation too going forward.

Uh this is uh this is a long long haul for us, and we're gonna continue to uh continue to make progress.

Let me see if I can make this if I just have the next slide.

So the the site for those that that don't know is uh just off just south of the POW MIA parkway uh adjacent to uh the uh Kent County Parks and Recreation, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Kessel Ring Park.

Uh this was all property that belonged to the Kessel Ring family prior to uh our efforts to work with Kent County, Dell Dot, uh the description that that uh Commissioner Sweeney described earlier.

And uh this is our entire site plan.

We are s we have stuck to it for 10 years.

We haven't changed anything, and we don't plan to going forward.

Uh next slide.

We just uh several weeks ago had a council jamboree out there.

You may have seen or heard uh the commotion would cause a little bit of uh traffic ruckus on Friday night, uh getting everybody in there.

We had 1200 ski uh kids and uh their parents and leaders and uh just had a a great weekend celebrating the 250th uh of America and uh just was uh a bang up weekend for us.

Next slide.

The uh project that I wanted to bring the main update on was this comfort station that was constructed with funds that the Levy Court uh made available to us through an ARPA grant.

And uh we spent uh about uh two years planning.

We got through the uh qualification process and uh we're able to build this eight-room uh comfort station, which has showers, toilets, and sink in individual rooms for individual users.

It's available uh year-round, so it's it's got an HVAC system, and uh has already we opened it um around the 10th of March.

It's already caused competition for the spaces that we have available on site in our spring and fall weekends, the heaviest part of the season.

Uh this was the one thing that we were really lacking was the ability for uh visitors to utilize showers and restroom facilities.

Everybody that came had to bring or contract with somebody for Porta Podies.

And uh, you know what a pleasure they are.

They are a real deterrent for business, and this made a big difference.

Uh I would like to uh give a commendation to uh Chris Ann Miley, who was our liaison during the construction process uh process.

She did an outstanding job, uh was always available whenever we had a question or a phone call.

Uh she got the disbursements out, usually within three or four days of when we requested them.

Uh just couldn't have been uh a better relationship for her.

So if somebody could convey that uh message to her, we would appreciate that very much.

Uh next slide then is uh a current building that is in process.

Uh this build this picture that's on here is a little old now.

They actually have the roof on this building already.

Uh this was the project that uh the grant requirement was uh required a match, and this is our match project that uh is going up now.

It's a about a 3,000 3100 square foot building, one large open room that can be configured into three rooms that will serve as a multi-purpose building.

So we're calling it our leadership development center, and uh this will be finished for us to use in September.

So it's it's actually in progress now.

The um the next slide shows what our next project is, and uh this is the maybe not quite as exciting as having membership growth, but it is an exciting project too, is that we intend to build a food service facility on site is our next uh job, and we have come up with the concept of this being an innovation kitchen uh where there is space that's available for uh caterers and uh food truck owners and people who need certified kitchen space uh to use.

It's a pretty big building.

It'll seat 350 people in that main room, uh what you see at the bottom there.

But the kitchen itself uh loads out towards POWMIA parkway, and what we are looking forward to doing, we're we've been working with uh the Kent Economic Partnership, uh Linda Parkowski and Mike Russ Muson, is making space available for food trucks to to dock, use the certified kitchen for their food preparation, and then when we need food service on site, they serve the food to our customers.

So kind of a two-way street for us.

We have found a caterer who uh is interested in essentially renting the site, renting the building, the facility, uh, and their rent will be the management of all the uh use of the space.

So we're in the process of fundraising for it now, and uh this will be the next next big thing that we're working on.

This is uh about a two million dollar kitchen, uh about a three and a half million dollar building when it's when it's all complete.

Uh that's all my news.

I did want to say thank you again for uh your cooperation and all the support that we've gotten so far, and we look forward to to continuing.

Any questions anybody has?

Uh anything that Mr.

Sweeney.

Mr.

Pepper?

I can't remember.

How many acres do you have there?

We have 85 acres.

So the whole farm was 225.

They took up a chunk of it for the POWI parkway, and then the county parks is uh 65.

Hindsight is always 2020.

Is that a large enough piece of land for you for your future use?

Or would you draw those if you rather had more?

So it's it's we have uh a good deal of property.

We have property in Cecil County and in Dorchester County both, a little almost 3,000 acres in those two places, and they're very rural.

They appeal to a different uh kind of customer than this space does, being in uh an urban area.

It's uh noisy at night.

You hear traffic, you hear trains, uh, you get the park right near your campsite, and it makes people who are not familiar with the woods and the outdoors uh comfortable to be in a spot that's more like their home.

Uh so I don't think we have any regrets.

Uh I think someday if we outgrow it, maybe that you know somebody will be looking for more property, but uh I I think it's just about right size.

It is all sloped towards the branch at the bottom, and so when you're down in the campsites, you can't even see out to see uh any traffic or you see the lights at the parks and recreation uh uh field when they're on, but that's about it.

It it really does feel like you're out in the woods.

Great.

Thank you.

Mm-hmm.

Commissioner Angel.

Yes, uh I have a quick question for you on the food service uh the tables and the amount of the lot of space you have there.

It looks like there's 36 tables with 10 people.

I'm concerned that the people sitting on the side back to back.

I mean, I don't have enough room to get around because they're almost back to back now in the chairs.

So is the room going to be big enough for the 360 people if it gets filled?

So it is intended to serve 350, which is the capacity of the that the camp is built for.

This is only a concept drawing at this point.

So it very well may need to be larger than everything always needs to be bigger and more expensive as you actually do it.

So that probably will be the case as we move forward.

I'm a detail person in my school board days are coming back, so I think I just throw it out there with my construction staff.

I appreciate that.

Any other questions for Mr.

Teeth?

Commissioner Sweeney.

Ray, thanks for the giving us the update.

I think that Pat has set up one, maybe might be a second one that's got their paperwork almost done.

So I'll get a chance to go see the uh comfort station now that it's done.

Um I did get a chance to talk to a couple of the scouts after the jamboree.

I didn't get over there.

I was going to come over Sunday morning.

Um I didn't make it over there, but even with that rain we had Saturday night.

Cold, it was cold.

And uh from what I understand, they all had a fantastic time.

So I think very well.

You know, what you guys are doing is fantastic for the youth in our county and our state, and I appreciate it.

Thank you very much.

Any other questions?

Thank you, Mr.

Teat.

Very nicely done, and much appreciated.

Oh, thank you.

Have a good evening.

Thank you.

Okay, at this point, we're gonna start our public hearings.

First on the agenda is Commissioner Pepper, FY27 budget ordinance.

Uh number one, resolution 4157.

Yes, we have a number of resolutions here.

Um items one through twelve are resolutions that I'll have to have public hearings and voted on, and then we follow that up by item number thirteen, which is an ordinance LC 2607.

Uh the first item on the uh agenda is resolution 4157, fiscal year 27 sur assessment roles.

Madam President.

Do we have a here do we have anyone here who would like to speak in favor of resolution 4157?

Please come forward.

For our guests join us online.

If you would like to speak in favor of resolution 4157, please indicate by raising electronic hand or pressing star three if you join us by phone.

No hands raised online, Madam President.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in opposition to resolution 4157?

Similarly, if you are online and would like to speak in opposition to resolution 4157, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

Seeing no opposition, back to you, Commissioner Pepper, for a motion.

Thank you.

Resolution 4157, fiscal year 27 sewer assessment roles.

Make a motion to approve resolution 4157.

Second.

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

Any questions on the motion?

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 takes up resolution 4157.

Next, Commissioner Pepper, resolution 4158.

Yes.

Item number two, resolution 4158.

Fiscal year 27 property tax rate.

This year's rate has been set at 5.72 cents per hundred dollars.

Assessed value.

And I'd also like to point out that that is no increase from last year.

It's not an increase.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of resolution 4158, please come forward?

If you're online and would like to speak in favor of resolution 4158, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

No hands raised online, Madam President.

Anyone here like to speak in opposition to resolution 4158?

For our guests online, if you would like to speak in opposition to resolution 4158, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

Seeing no opposition, back to you, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

Resolution 4158, like to make a motion to approve fiscal year 27 property tax rate of 5.72 cents per 100 assess value.

We have a motion.

Do we have a second?

Second.

We have a 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.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston.

Yes.

Madam President, roll call reveal seven years.

Let the record show seven years for resolution 4158.

Resolution 4159, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

Item number three, resolution 4159.

Fiscal year 27, Old Mill Acres, Suburban Park District Tax Rate.

And this year set at.00842 for $100 assessed value.

For anyone here who would like to speak in favor of resolution 4159, please step forward.

For our guests online, if you would like to speak in favor of 4159, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

No hands raised online, Madam President.

Sir anyone here would like to speak in opposition to resolution 4159, please step forward.

Similarly, if you online and would like to speak in opposition to resolution 4159, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

No opposition.

Back to you, Mr.

Commissioner Pepper for a motion.

Thank you.

Resolution 4159.

Motion to approve fiscal year 27, Old Mill Acres, Suburban Park District Tax Rate at.00842 for $100 assessed value.

And again, there's no increase.

Second motion.

We have a motion by Commissioner Pepper.

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.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President, roll call reveals seven years.

Let the record show seven yes for resolution 4159.

Resolution 4160, Commissioner Pepper.

Yes, item number four is resolution 4160.

Fiscal year 27, Royal Grant, Suburban Park District Tax Rate.

It is set at point 00933 per 100 assessed value, which is no increase from last year.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of resolution 4160, please come forward?

For our guests online, if you would like to speak in favor of resolution 4160, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

No hands raised online, Madam President.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in opposition to resolution 4160, please come forward?

If you online and would like to speak in opposition to 4160, please indicate by raising electronic hand or pressing star three if you join us by phone.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

Since no opposition, back to you, Commissioner Pepper, for a motion.

Thank you.

Resolution 4160.

Fiscal year 27, Royal Grant, Suburban Park Tax District Rate.

I make a motion to approve at point 0093 per 100 assess value.

We have a motion to accept resolution 4160.

Do we have a second?

Second emotion.

Motion by Commissioner Pepper, second by Commissioner Angel.

Any questions?

Roll.

Mr.

Angel?

Son.

Yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz?

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Yes.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston.

Yes.

Madam President, roll call reveals seven years.

Let the record show seven yes for resolution 4160.

Resolution 4161, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

Item number five, resolution 4161.

Fiscal year 27, Eagle's Nest, Suburban Park District Tax Rate.

Set at point 00173 for 100 assess value.

No increase.

So anyone here would like to speak in favor of resolution 4161, please come forward.

For our guests online, if you would like to speak in favor of resolution 4161, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

No hands raised online, Madam President.

For anyone who would like to speak in opposition to resolution 4161, please come forward.

Our guests online wishing to speak in opposition to 4161, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

Similar hands raised online, Madam President.

No opposition.

Back to you, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

I make a motion to approve resolution 4161.

Fiscal year 27 equals Nest Suburban Park District tax rate at 0.00173 per $100 assessed value.

We have a motion.

Do we have a second?

Second.

Motion by Commissioner Pepper.

Second by Commissioner Hertz.

Any questions?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel?

Yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz?

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott.

Absent.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President Roll Call reveals six G's one absent.

Let the record show seven yes for resolution 4161.

Resolution 4162, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

Item number six, resolution 4162.

Fiscal year 27, Kent County Disposal District Number 1.

User rates 4.24 per 100 1,000 gallons.

Is there anyone here would like to speak in favor of resolution 4162, please come forward?

For our guests online, if you would like to speak in favor of 4162, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

No hands raised online, Madam President.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in opposition to resolution 4162, please come forward?

Our guests online wishing to speak in opposition to 4162, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

Back to you, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

I would like to make a motion to approve resolution 4162.

User rates 4.24 per thousand gallons usage.

Do we have a second?

Second.

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

Any questions?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel?

Yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz?

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Absent.

Mr.

Sweeney?

I have been pretty resolute about my opposition to raising the sewer rates by 11 percent this year.

An increase from 382 to 424 sounds minimal.

I've heard people say that it's only $50 a year, or it's the uh cost of a McDonald's meal once a month.

Um and these are this is what politicians say to justify increases.

But to the family of four with two parents working three to four jobs to make ends meet, that McDonald's meal between jobs may have been all they had.

Um or the senior citizen who retired with no savings or investments and only had Social Security as income, that $50 a year is going to impact their lives.

Our own board, made up of seven appointed residents and more experts from municipalities in the county recommended three percent, and we're throwing their advice advice right out the door.

After more than 42 percent increases over the last three years, comments during what used to be the public works committee meeting, where that last year was the final year of large increases.

The advisory board held true to that promise by offering 3 percent.

Levy Court Commissioners are failing on that promise.

The only reason we're looking at a large increase is because one commissioner suggested we get ahead for once, raise it one time a big time, and then we ain't got to raise it.

Suggesting 15 percent.

An 11 percent increase in rates means that the public works has a profit of 460,000, and there's no plan on how to use those funds.

For 18 years, while I've been on levy court, public works has dealt with spills, damages, broken equipment, replacement equipment, upgrading the plant, and improvising uh improving flow management with budgeting and planning, yet there is no plan on what to do with 460,000 dollars of uh repair funds.

I get that there's a lot to be done, and yes, Sam, you run a great group down there.

You guys manage uh a wonderful plant, and you're doing a good job with what you're what we give you.

But anything in profit needs to be planned and managed.

Even your finance director, director pled for more fiscal responsibility with evidence that sewer fees don't cover damages or uh breakdowns.

We're government, we don't plan for a profit.

We are not a business.

We do not profit off the backs of our constituents, and with that my vote is no.

Mrs.

Maston.

Yes.

Madam President.

Madam President.

I would like to change my vote to no as well.

Going over what Commissioner Sweeney stated.

One thing he did leave out.

And she has 37 years at uh deriving what should be spent.

And uh so she has a pretty good idea.

So based on that, what Commissioner Sweeney said, I'll change my vote on 4162 to no.

Madam President, roll call reveals four yes, two nay, one absent.

Commissioner Scott's here.

Can I call you again?

My vote, yes.

Okay.

Then it's five years and two nays.

Let the record show five years and two nays.

Thank you.

Back to you, Commissioner Pepper for resolution 4163.

Thank you.

Item number seven is resolution 4163.

Fiscal year 27, Milford Library District Tax Rate.

That is set at point zero one two one per 100 dollars assess value.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of resolution 4163, please step forward?

If you are online and would like to speak in favor of 4163, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

See no hands raised online, Madam President.

There are anyone here who would like to speak in opposition to resolution 4163, please step forward.

If you are online and would like to speak in opposition to 4163, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

Seeing no opposition, back to you, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

Make a motion to approve resolution 4163, fiscal year 27.

Milford Library District Tax Rate at.0121 per 100 assess value.

We have a motion.

Do we have a second?

Second.

Motion by Commissioner Pepper, second by Commissioner Hertz.

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 reveals seven years.

Let the record show seven yes for resolution 4163.

Resolution 4164, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

Item number eight is resolution 4164, fiscal year 27.

Duck Creek Library District Tax Rate.

Set at 0.0051 per 100 assess value.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of resolution 4164?

Please step forward.

If you are in line and would like to speak in res in favor of resolution 4164, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

No hands raised online, Madam President.

Thank you.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in opposition to resolution 4164?

For our guests online, if you would like to speak in opposition to 4164, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

Seeing no opposition, back to you, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

I would like to make a motion to approve resolution 4164, fiscal year 27, Duck Creek Library District Tax Rate at.0051 per 100 to satisfy you.

Second emotion.

Motion by Commissioner Pepper, 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.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President, roll call reveals seven years.

Let the record show seven yes for resolution 4164.

Back to you, Commissioner Pepper.

Resolution 4165.

Yes.

Item number nine is resolution 4165.

Fiscal year 27, Lake Forest Library District Ta.0051 per 100 assess value.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of resolution 4165?

Please come forward.

Anyone online that would like to speak in favor of resolution 4165, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

No hands raised online, Madam President.

Anyone here like to speak in opposition to resolution 4165, please come forward.

Our guests online, if you would like to speak in opposition to 4165, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online.

Since no opposition, back to you, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

I would like to make a motion to approve resolution 4165, fiscal year 27, Lake Forest Library Tax District rate at point zero zero five one per 100 dollars assessed value.

We have a second.

Second.

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

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 reveals seven years.

The record shows seven yes for resolution 4165.

Back to you, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

Item number 10 is resolution 4166.

Fiscal year 27.

Caesar rod in Library District Tax Rate.

Set at.0051 per 100 assess value.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of resolution 4166?

Please step forward.

If you are online and would like to speak in favor of 4166, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

See no hands raised online at this time, Madam President.

Anyone here would like to speak in opposition to resolution 4166, please step forward.

If you are online and you would like to speak in opposition to 4166, please raise the electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

Seeing no opposition back to you, Commissioner Pepper for Resolution 4166.

Thank you.

I would like to make a motion to approve resolution 4166, fiscal year 27, Cesar Rodney Library District Tax Rate at.0051 per 100 assess value.

We have a motion.

Do we have a second?

Second, Madam President.

A motion by Commissioner Pepper, 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.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President, roll call reveals seven years.

Let the record show seven years for resolution 4166.

Back to you, Commissioner Pepper, for resolution 4167.

Thank you.

Resolution 4167, fiscal year 27, Capital Library Tax District Tax Rate.

Set at.0051 per 100 assess value.

Is there anyone here would like to speak in favor of resolution 4167?

Please come forward.

If you are online and would like to speak in favor of 4167, please raise your electronic hand.

See no hands raised online, Madam President.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in opposition to Resolution 4167, please step forward?

If you are online and would like to speak in opposition to 4167, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

Seeing no opposition, back to you, Commissioner Pepper for a motion on 4167.

Thank you.

I would like to make a motion to approve resolution 4167, fiscal year 27, Capital Library District Tax Rate to be set at.0051 per 100 assessed value.

Second emotion.

We have a motion by Commissioner Pepper, 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.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President, roll call reveal seven yes.

Let the record show seven years for resolution 4167.

Resolution 4168, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

Item number 12 is Resolution 4168.

It's a command to the Director of Finance to collect sewer delinquent accounts by district as of March 31st, 2026.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of resolution 4168, please step forward?

If you are online and would like to speak in favor of resolution 4168, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

See no hands raised online, Madam President.

Thank you.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in opposition to resolution 4168?

Please come forward.

If you're online and would like to speak in opposition to 4168, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

Back to you, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

I'd like to make a motion resolution to approve resolution 4168 and command the Director of Finance to collect sewer delinquent accounts by district as of March 31st, 2026.

We have a motion by Commissioner Pepper.

Do we have a second?

Second.

Second by Commissioner Hertz.

Any questions on the motion?

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 resolution 4168.

Back to you, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

Item number 13 is ordinance LC 26-07.

It's an ordinance adopting the annual operating budget for Kent County, Delaware for fiscal year beginning on July 1st, 2026, and ending June 30th, 2027.

Okay, do we have a motion?

I'm sorry.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of ordinance LC26-07?

If you are online and would like to speak in favor of ordinance LC2607, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

See no hands raised online, Madam President.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in opposition?

And it's LC 26-07.

If you are online and would like to speak in opposition to LC2607, please raise the electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

Back to you, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

I would like to make a motion to approve ordinance LC 26-07 to adopt the annual operating budget for Kent County Delaware for the fiscal year beginning on July 1st, 2026 and ending June 30th, 2027.

We have a motion by Commissioner Pepper.

Do we have a second?

Second, Madam President.

Okay, we have a motion by Commissioner Pepper, second by Commissioner Angel.

Any questions on the motion?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel.

Yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz?

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper.

Yes, even though I voted against the resolution 4162 for the Kent County Disposal District number one user rates.

A lot more good in the budget for this year than that one item.

So I'm not going to vote against it.

I'm going to vote in favor of the LC 2607, the operating budget for fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026.

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Yes.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston.

Yes.

Madam President, roll call reveals seven years.

That the record shows seven yes, seven yes for ordinance LC 2607.

With that, we're going to old business.

We'll move into new business.

Commissioner Angel.

Thank you, Madam President.

I would like to reintroduce ordinance LC 2604, an ordinance repealing the current Kent County Code, Volume 1, Chapter 41, Ethics Code of, and replacing it with a new chapter 41, relating to ethics, postemployment restrictions and standards of conduct and removing Chapter 68, personnel poly subsection 68-7, vacancies, recruitments and appointments.

Paragraph H for the public hearing on Tuesday, July 21st, 2026 at 7 p.m.

Item number two, Commissioner Angel.

Thank you.

Although I was not here for this meeting, I did do my homework and understand this has been something that we've been working on.

Thanks to Commissioner Sippel.

What seven years and now we're in 2022 and now we're 2026.

This is something that needs to be taken care of.

Um lease agreement between the Delaware State Police Office and our space.

So having said that.

I move to approve the lease agreement between Kent County Levy Court and the State of Delaware, Office of Management and Budget, acting on behalf of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Delaware State Police as presented, and authorize levy court present to execute all necessary documents associated with this agreement.

We have a motion by Commissioner Angel.

Do we have a second?

Second.

Second by Commissioner Hall.

Any questions on the motion?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel.

Yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz?

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper.

In order to avoid what might appear as a conflict of interest, I will not be voting on item number two.

Mr.

Scott.

Kind of same scenario due to employment with uh Dollar State Police, I will be abstaining from voting at this time.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston?

Yes.

Impression roll call reveals five years.

One not voting, one abstaining.

Let the record show five years, one not voting, and one abstaining.

Commissioner County Administrator Sipple, thanks a lot for all your hard work on getting this to the finish line.

Commissioner Hall.

Thank you, Madam President.

I'll be reading resolution 4172 into the record, a resolution opposing Senate Bill 23.

Whereas Senate Bill 23, known as the Housing for Every Delaware and Act, and any substitute or amendment thereto proposes significant amendments to titles 9, 22, and 29 of the Delaware Code relating to comprehensive planning zoning, housing supply, and land use regulation.

And whereas the Kent County Levy Court recognizes the importance of expanding housing opportunities and acknowledges the challenges associated with affordable housing throughout the state, and whereas Kent County has already undertaken significant local zoning and planning reforms intending to increase housing supply, improve housing diversity, and reduce barriers to residential development, including permitting accessory dwelling units by right, allowing additional housing types, reducing lot sizes and setbacks within designated growth areas, eliminating minimum parking requirements, and adopting other locally developed reforms.

And whereas Senate joint resolution number eight establish a voluntary technical assistance pilot program intended to assist local governments in modernizing zoning ordinances and supporting housing development.

And whereas Sunnet Senate substitute number two for Senate Bill 23 would require counties and municipalities to incorporate affordable housing plans into their comprehensive plans and establish measurable strategies and objectives intended to achieve a target of 20% affordable housing inventory within local jurisdictions.

And whereas the proposed legislation would require local governments to implement mandatory zoning and land use measures, including increases in residential density, authorization authorization of additional housing types, modifications to bulk and dimensional standards and administrative approval processes for certain residential developments.

And whereas Senate Bill 23 reduces the current time frame for counties to complete rezoning actions following adoption of a comprehensive plan from 18 months to 12 months and establishes procedures requiring approval of certain rezoning applications if the county does not complete rezoning actions within the presqu prescribed time frame.

And whereas zoning is a legislative act with parcel level consequences.

Kent County remains concerned that treating comprehensive plan hearings as satisfying future zoning or rezoning hearing requirements blurs the distinction between the long-range planning and the legislative zoning actions, reduces focused public participation on actual zoning changes and may expose local governments to unnecessary legal risk.

And whereas the proposed legislation further establishes by-right residential development approval processes that supersede certain existing public hearing requirements for qualifying residential and mixed use development.

And whereas the Kent County Levy Court further believes that local governments are in the best position to evaluate infrastructure capacity, traffic impacts, environmental concerns, agricultural preservation, public safety considerations, and community planning objectives unique to their respective jurisdictions.

Whereas Kent County Levy Court remains concerned that Senate substitute number two for Senate Bill 23 in its current form, creates legal uncertainty, imposes substantial administrative and implementation burdens upon local governments, limits local flexibility and planning and zoning decisions, and reduces opportunities for meaningful public participation regarding development proposals impacting local communities.

And whereas Kent County Levy Court believes that affordable housing solutions should continue to be developed collaborative collaboratively between state and local governments in a manner that preserves the local planning authority and provides flexibility for counties and municipalities to address housing needs based upon their individual circumstances and community prioritize priorities.

Now therefore be it resolved that the Kent County Levy Court hereby opposes Senate substitute number two for Senate Bill 23 in its current form.

That the Kent County Levy Court respectfully requests that the Delaware Gent General Assembly delay further action on this legislation and continue working collaboratively with counties, municipalities, developers, housing advocates, and other stakeholders to develop balanced and flexible solutions that address affordable housing needs while preserving local planning and zoning authority.

And be further resolved that the Kent County Levy Court supports housing policy reforms that increase housing supply, improve predictability, and remove unnecessary barriers to residential development when such reforms are clearly drafted, legally sound, aligned with locally designated growth areas and capable of practical implementation by local governments.

And be it further resolved that copies of this resolution shall be transmitted to the members of the Delaware General Assembly, the governor of the state of Delaware, and other appropriate state officials for consideration during deliberations on Senate substitute number two for Senate Bill 23.

And be it further resolved that this resolution shall be incorporated into the official minutes and records of the Kent County Levy Court upon its adoption, adopted this 9th day of June 2026.

Thank you, Commissioner Hall.

I need a resolution, or I'm sorry, I need a motion for resolution 4172, a resolution opposing Senate Bill 23.

Madam President, uh I move to approve resolution number 4172, opposition to Senate substitute number two for Senate Bill 23, the Housing for Every Delaware and Act.

We have a motion by Commissioner Hall.

Do we have a second?

Second.

Second by Commissioner Angel.

Any questions?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel.

I'm very against this because I still I still believe we haven't hit the target, what is affordable.

Out there.

And I don't think the state realizes it either.

And I think at the local level, we have the best interest of our constituents at heart because of the zoning laws and what we put in place.

I'm sure the state couldn't handle what we do at this level.

Just want to get it on record.

So yes, I am I'm opposed to this.

Mr.

Hall.

Um my vote's going to be based on uh I appreciate how much work has gone in to this by uh county staff, and um I I think some of the improvements were a direct result of that.

And um I I think some of the improvements were a direct result of that.

It's the overall principle that the state feels it needs to tell us how to do the job.

Um that I disagree with.

I think that uh we're we're on a good path without uh them dictating and prescribing exactly how to do things.

So I vote no.

Yes.

Excuse me.

Mr.

Hertz.

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott.

Yes, and to duplicate some of what was said, uh, I think that sometimes there's confusion of what actually drives the market.

The market drives the market.

It's not it's not us.

And the thing is is for these these homes to be affordable.

Uh I just don't see where three and four hundred thousand dollar homes are still gonna be what would be classified as affordable.

So with that I vote yes to support the resolution.

Mr.

Sweeney?

So this started with uh marijuana establishments.

It went to where Sussex County was going to be able to deny uh offshore wind coming on shore at Indium River.

And I said back then that this was just gonna get worse and has.

Um I would very much prefer that the Senate or the House would just come up with a resolution that said here's what we'd like to see, and hope that the counties and municipalities would follow suit.

Um but it doesn't look like that's gonna happen.

So uh my vote is yes in favor of this resolution in order to get the state out of our business.

Mrs.

Maston.

Yes, I agree with uh opposing Senate bill or the resolution here, and I agree with everything that Commissioner Angel, uh, Commissioner Sweeney, and Commissioner Hall have said Madam President roll call reveals seven years.

Let the record show seven yes for resolution 4172.

Back to you, Commissioner Hall.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um I'm gonna introduce ordinance LC26-10, an ordinance to amend the comprehensive plan map designation and the official zoning map of Kent County, Delaware pursuant to the provisions of King County Code, Volume 2, Chapter 205, zoning, Article 3, Section 205-8 and 205-9, and Article 28 changes and amendments, effective December 1, 2000, as amended in reference to CZ 26-02, Taylor Joseph Lewis I fourth, and Christina L for public hearing on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 7 p.m.

Commissioner Hall, number three.

Uh action item from our June 2 workshop, introduction of ordinance LC26-06 data centers.

An ordinance to amend Kent County Code, Volume 2, Chapter 205, zoning as amended by revising Article 5, permitted uses, subsection 205-53, permitted use table, and two in subsection 205-59, industrial uses, and Article 6, conditions of approval, subsection 205-72, industrial uses to add data center as a permitted use with conditions in the IL Limited Industrial and IG general industrial zoning districts to find the use and establish conditions for the use for a public hearing on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 7 p.m.

Thank you.

Commissioner Hertz.

Okay.

Uh Sam's still here.

Yes, good evening, Commissioners.

Thank you.

Uh this item before you is an award for the for purchase of three new generators to replace two existing generators and install a new generator.

Um staff properly bid this project and um premium power was the lowest responsible bidder.

This project is listed as a den reconciliation order project, and uh staff recommends its approval.

And uh staff recommends its approval.

So I can answer any of your questions.

Any questions for Sam?

Thank you very much.

Back to you, Commissioner Hertz?

Thank you, Madam President.

I make a motion to move to award the purchase of two replacement generation generators and one new generator with transfer switch to premium power solutions, crashes services, LLC in the amount of 124,963 using sewer fund contingency and move to authorize issuance of the purchase order for the purchase.

Second.

We have a motion by Commissioner Hertz.

Second by Vice President Scott.

Any questions on the motion?

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.

Back to you, Commissioner Hertz.

Okay.

Back to you, Sam.

Yes.

Thank you, Commissioner.

This item is the Twin Maples Mobile Home Parks septic elimination project.

Uh Levy Court did um approve a contract with Davis Bowen and Friedel for septic elimination engineering services.

And now we are going ahead and uh awarding them the engineering services contract.

Uh they did submit a proposal and engineering staff did review it for 230,000, and we found it to be acceptable.

So staff uh recommends its approval.

Questions for Sam?

Thank you.

Back to you, Commissioner Hertz.

Thank you, Madam President.

I move to approve a contract for Twin Maples MHP Septic Elimination Project, Engineering Services to Davis Bowman and Ferdell Incorporated, and the amount not to exceed $230,000.

Funding will be through the sewer fund, operating revenues, DemREC funding, and other specific projects funds as budgeted or amended, and move to authorize the President of the Levy Court to sign the contract subject to county attorney concurrence and move to authorize director of public works to pursue funding from state and federal agencies and complete necessary funding applications.

Second.

I have a mo a motion by Commissioner Hertz, 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.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President, roll call.

Reveal seven years.

Let the record show seven years.

Back to you again, Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

I have two items.

First item is a reintroduction.

About it's LC 25-24, amending chapter 128 fees.

Article 9 fees enumerated 128 through 49 meeting room fee schedule for public hearing on Tuesday, July 21st, 2026 at 7 p.m.

Next item.

Next item item number two is commands to director of finance pertaining to the fiscal year 2027 budget resolutions.

And to go ahead and command recommended director of finance to collect the taxes on what left court just approved.

Thank you.

I don't believe we have executive session tonight, correct?

Do we have any information items?

Do we have any public comments?

For our guests joining us online, if you would like to make public comments at this time, please indicate by raising electronic hand by pressing star three if you join if you join us on a computer or star six if you join us by phone.

See no hands raised online at this time, Madam President.

Thank you.

Any commissioner comments?

Um having nothing else to discuss, meeting is adjourned, and I think we're gonna be able to do that.