Council introduces bond legislation to fund sanitary district wastewater improvements including Royal Oak pump station

Talbot County Council introduced legislation authorizing the county to borrow up to $7,018,942 through general obligation bonds to finance and refinance improvements to wastewater and sanitary district facilities, including extending sewer service, rehabilitation of the Royal Oak pump station and connections to the St. Michaels Region 2 Wastewater Treatment Plant.

County staff said the borrowing would be effected through general-obligation bonds payable from ad valorem taxes and would reimburse construction costs already incurred or to be incurred for the project. The project traces to County Resolution 235, adopted in November 2016, which extended sewer into several subdivisions and tier 3C areas; phase 1 design and rehabilitation of the Royal Oak pump station was completed in 2024, phase 2 force main and valve installation was substantially completed in February 2024, and phase 3 — connection of listed properties — continues and is expected to run until early 2027.

Staff reported 90 properties from phase 2 had signed up to connect, with 30 physical connections completed to date. The legislation was introduced by Council members Callahan, Lesher and Milkey and will be billed as Bill No. 16-19; the public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 5:30 p.m.

County staff noted the bill seeks an exemption from sections 19-205 and 19-207 of the Local Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland to allow issuance as proposed, and authorizes consolidation or refunding of bond series as needed.