OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kent County Levy Court Workshop Meeting Summary – August 25, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, August 25, 2026
BodyKent County, Delaware
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, August 25, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:13:19

Transcript — Verbatim
0:11

So we saw me off the truth.

0:28

I am here tomorrow.

0:55

I haven't heard of it today.

5:49

You want me to process the only reading?

5:58

I think it's a real end.

6:04

So I see her share things.

6:16

You were you can see.

6:22

But I think it should be a point that I would be good.

6:26

It's not a question.

6:30

Yeah, I'm at it.

6:32

Oh, that's right, we did.

6:33

That's right.

6:35

Bobby and I graduated.

6:37

And he carry with all the seasons.

6:39

Yeah.

6:43

You can't look at these track records anyone.

6:45

This would be good.

6:47

We've got a two hour time, so that's just great.

6:50

We're only gonna take it out of the day.

6:57

I mean it's not like jumping to it.

7:01

You're already gonna have opportunities to speak out.

7:03

I thought it was a problem.

7:10

I'm not it.

7:11

Thank you.

7:16

Okay.

7:24

I just I don't have anything that's okay.

7:28

I I was on connected to my phone.

7:31

Now I changed it to unavailable online.

7:45

This is exactly how I'm using.

7:48

That is a good idea.

7:49

If I can have uh everyone's attention, please.

7:54

Thank you for attending the King County Levy Court workshop meeting tonight, the agenda.

7:58

Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 here in the caucus room at 555 Bay Road over Delaware 1901.

8:05

This time we'll turn it over to administrator sipple.

8:08

Thank you, Vice President.

8:09

Uh uh Scott.

8:11

This workshop will be uh being held in person at 555 Bay Road over Delaware and the caucus room.

8:16

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

8:19

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

8:23

Workshops are the opportunity for the levy court commissioners to publicly discuss policy issues among themselves and with staff.

8:33

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

8:38

The Vice President opens the public comment period.

8:40

Those attending in person may raise their hand and be recognized.

8:42

If you're joining us by the phone or wish to comment, start three, which will raise your electronic hand.

8:53

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

8:59

This meeting is being recorded.

9:08

This time we're gonna call the meeting to order.

9:12

We have four commissioners present.

9:15

Mark, do we have anybody online?

9:18

Yes, we do have um no, I don't believe we have any commissioners online at this time.

9:22

Okay, so we have Commissioner Hertz, Commissioner Hall, Commissioner Sweeney, and Commissioner Squat.

9:28

Scott is present for this evening's meeting.

9:32

And we also have the county attorney online.

9:36

At this time, we'll turn it in.

9:43

Can you hear us okay?

9:45

I can hear you just fine.

9:47

Thank you.

9:47

Okay, thank you.

9:49

This time I'd like to turn it over to Joel Hopper for our first aid honor flight presentation.

9:55

Thank you, Vice President Scott, and I'll actually see that time to the first aid honor flight uh Trish and your team if that's all right.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Data Center Regulation█████████████████████████████29%
Veterans Affairs███████████████████████23%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Miscellaneous████████8%
Procedural████████8%
Zoning Variances██████6%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Public Health██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Kent County Levy Court Workshop – August 25, 2026

The Kent County Levy Court held a workshop on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Caucus Room at 555 Bay Road, Dover, DE. The meeting was also available via WebEx. Four commissioners were present: Commissioner Hertz, Commissioner Hall, Commissioner Sweeney, Commissioner Squat (Scott), and Vice President Scott. The county attorney participated online. The workshop included presentations, discussions, and public comments on multiple items. The agenda item regarding Ordinance LC26-13 (Data Centers) was removed prior to the meeting. Public comments focused heavily on data center regulation and a local development access issue.

Consent Calendar

  • EagleView Contract Renewal: A six-year contract renewal for the EagleView aerial imaging software was discussed. The software is used by assessment, planning, public safety, and engineering departments. The contract value is approximately $400,000. Staff recommended approval and the item was moved to the consent agenda. Commissioners voted unanimously (5-0) to approve.
  • SL-25-01 The Landings: Cash in Lieu of Active Open Space Requirement: For a 10-lot subdivision outside the growth zone near LipSec, the developer offered $10,000 in lieu of a half-acre of required open space. Staff recommended approval. The item was moved to the consent agenda and approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Bonnie Pennington (Dover resident): Opposed data centers, citing health risks (cancer, respiratory issues), high water usage (two Olympic-size swimming pools per day), noise from 24/7 generators, and financial burden on the city. Urged rejection of data centers.
  • Melissa Beechum (122 Fairground Road, Harrington): Asked for a buffer approach, including classifying data centers as conditional use (not by-right), prohibiting them on sites served only by private wells, and establishing strict nighttime noise limits. Noted that residents on private wells near proposed sites could face water impacts.
  • Marissa McClinton (Sierra Club Delaware, DCLER facilitator): Acknowledged the county’s progress but urged timely completion of a strong ordinance to set a countywide standard. Requested a clear timeline and transparency on amendments. Noted other municipalities are watching the county’s lead.
  • Joy Woodruff (Dover): Asked the county to keep data center rules separate from broader land use issues. Urged a standalone vote to change data centers from by-right to conditional use, as promised at the July 21 meeting. Emphasized the need for public hearings and to keep the public commitment.
  • Dennis Norwood (3350 Woodyard Road, Harrington): Supported eliminating by-right and requiring public hearings. Stressed that data centers affect quality of life and that constituents’ voices must be heard.
  • Linda Lewis (Dover): Asked for increased transparency, including a calendar of milestones for the data center ordinance. Referenced previous commitments to discuss addenda (setbacks, noise). Expressed trust concerns due to lack of clarity.
  • Amelia Hodges (Clayton): Supported a moratorium on data centers while the ordinance is finalized to prevent applications during the process. Noted that data centers are moving quickly.
  • Donald Barnes (63 Vanessa Drive, Camden): Raised concerns about access to the proposed Harmony Hill 2 development in the Star Hill area. Stated that the new development lacks a proper entrance and could use Hestart Lane or Vanessa Drive, creating safety issues for emergency vehicles. Questioned whether the development had been approved. Commissioners noted the item is on the September 1 business meeting agenda.

Discussion Items

  • First State Honor Flight Presentation: Joel Hopper (treasurer) and board members Trish, Lee, and Sue presented the First State Honor Flight program. They requested use of the Levy Court building on Saturday, October 17, 2026, for a welcome-home ceremony (5:00–8:00 AM and 8:00–9:00 PM). The program provides free trips for veterans to Washington, D.C., memorials. The group also sought help signing up veterans and volunteers. Commissioners expressed strong support. Vice President Scott noted the building’s availability on Saturdays and that any staffing costs would not be a showstopper. Commissioner Angel suggested Joel Hopper work with staff to also consider future dates in 2027. There was general consensus to allow the use.
  • Data Center Regulation Discussion (in public comments): Several commissioners responded to public concerns. Vice President Scott noted there are currently zero data center applications in Kent County. Commissioner Angel explained the county is reviewing all legal options, including a potential moratorium, and that the ordinance is being carefully crafted to avoid errors. He emphasized that state and federal government also have influence (e.g., SB 23, federal AI push). Commissioner Hall added that citizens should also contact state legislators. The county attorney is working on the legal framework. No formal vote was taken on this topic.
  • Harmony Hill Development Access: Commissioner Angel informed Donald Barnes that the Harmony Hill 2 development access issue is on the September 1 business meeting agenda. He also said he asked the county administrator to add it to a future meeting with state senators and representatives to address road width standards.

Key Outcomes

  • The Honor Flight request to use the building on October 17, 2026, received general approval; details to be worked out with staff.
  • EagleView Contract Renewal and The Landings cash in lieu were approved on the consent agenda.
  • No decisions were made on data center regulations, but the county is actively working on amendments. A moratorium is under legal review. Commissioners committed to transparency and will provide updates.
  • The Harmony Hill 2 access issue will be discussed at the September 1 business meeting (7:00 PM, Chambers).
  • Future workshop agendas will include a three-minute limit for each public comment speaker.

The meeting adjourned after public comments and commissioner comments.

Meeting Transcript

So we saw me off the truth. I am here tomorrow. I haven't heard of it today. You want me to process the only reading? I think it's a real end. So I see her share things. You were you can see. But I think it should be a point that I would be good. It's not a question. Yeah, I'm at it. Oh, that's right, we did. That's right. Bobby and I graduated. And he carry with all the seasons. Yeah. You can't look at these track records anyone. This would be good. We've got a two hour time, so that's just great. We're only gonna take it out of the day. I mean it's not like jumping to it. You're already gonna have opportunities to speak out. I thought it was a problem. I'm not it. Thank you. Okay. I just I don't have anything that's okay. I I was on connected to my phone. Now I changed it to unavailable online. This is exactly how I'm using. That is a good idea. If I can have uh everyone's attention, please. Thank you for attending the King County Levy Court workshop meeting tonight, the agenda. Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 here in the caucus room at 555 Bay Road over Delaware 1901. This time we'll turn it over to administrator sipple. Thank you, Vice President. Uh uh Scott. This workshop will be uh being held in person at 555 Bay Road over Delaware and the caucus room. We're also making it available via the internet through WebEx. Participants can join us by phone or by computer during the meeting. Workshops are the opportunity for the levy court commissioners to publicly discuss policy issues among themselves and with staff. There will be an opportunity for public comment for those attending in person or online. The Vice President opens the public comment period. Those attending in person may raise their hand and be recognized. If you're joining us by the phone or wish to comment, start 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. This meeting is being recorded. This time we're gonna call the meeting to order. We have four commissioners present. Mark, do we have anybody online? Yes, we do have um no, I don't believe we have any commissioners online at this time.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com