Council approves Program Open Space allocations and list of park projects to pursue

Dorchester County Council voted to approve the county’s Program Open Space (POS) planning submittal and a package of proposed park development projects on Aug. 5, after staff reviewed fiscal balances and a recent state law change that broadened allowable POS development use.

Staff reported an unencumbered county POS balance of $612,414.42 as of May 7 and a new apportionment of $117,447 effective July 1. Citing House Bill 717, which took effect Oct. 1, staff told the council the county may now use up to 100% of its local POS apportionment for development projects instead of the previous cap of 75 percent.

The staff-recommended development list presented to the council included these project requests (requested POS funding shown): - School Street project (facility/restroom/storage): $150,000 (10% local match $15,000). - Glasgow Street pickleball courts (site prep, surfacing, fencing, stormwater): $200,000 (10% match $20,000). - Camp Pendara (renovations, outdoor shooting range, kitchen/bathroom, roof, parking, fencing): $200,000 (10% match $20,000). - Scribe Rock Park (field fencing and dugout renovation): $80,000 (10% match $8,000).

Staff summarized available POS balances eligible for development and said final funding sources for the county match would be identified after plan approval. The council held a motion, second and voted to approve the plan; the motion carried with the ayes prevailing. Staff and council members discussed the need to identify the county’s 10 percent local match for each project; staff said they would determine the funding source and return with details.

Ending: The council approved the POS plan and project list and directed staff to confirm local match funding and return with a final financing recommendation. The staff presentation noted the county’s total POS balance after the apportionment and identified eligible development balances but did not appropriate county match funds during the meeting.