Dorchester County council approves road conveyance, tax‑credit change, contracts and landfill closure; several items held for review

Dorchester County Council on June 3 enacted legislation to close and convey a portion of Hornet Creek Road in a land swap for waterfront property, amended county code language on the tax credit for shoreline erosion control charges, and approved multiple contracts and sole‑source purchases, the council said.

The council opened and closed a public hearing on Bill 2025‑6, the ordinance to close, abandon and convey a portion of Hornet Creek Road adjacent to a county boat ramp. The council approved the legislation by roll call vote. Councilman Nichols, Councilman Kramer, Councilman Fepper, Councilman Travers and Council President Pfeffer voted yes. The council also authorized the council president to sign the related contract for sale once the ordinance becomes effective; staff said there is a 60‑day effective period after enactment during which the county would finalize the sale closing.

The council also opened and closed a public hearing on Bill 2025‑7 to amend Chapter 144 (Taxation), sections 144‑37 through 144‑43 of the Dorchester County Code regarding the tax credit for shoreline erosion control charges. Council members approved the corrected language by roll call vote (Councilman Nichols, Councilman Kramer, Councilman Tucker, Councilman Travers and Council President Pfeffer recorded yes votes). County counsel characterized the action as a language verification and said the amendment does not remove the credit.

Contract and procurement actions

- Circuit port lighting (sole source): The council approved a sole‑source award to Kinsey Electric for the circuit port lighting project at a contract price of $67,306. Council discussion and county staff later clarified that a Delmarva Power incentive of $50,975 and an additional grant of $16,330 cover the project costs, leaving the county with no net cost for this installation.

- Landfill closure construction: The council approved a bid award to Allen Myers MDGIC, Inc., for a landfill cell closure at a contract price of $6,093,280.75. Finance Director Karen Tully confirmed the landfill closure account has sufficient funds to cover the award though staff said the award will reduce remaining funds available for daily operations.

- County office leases: The county received a five‑year lease renewal proposal from the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (current annual rate $24,780) and a renewal for the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (current rate $0). Council members moved to hold the Assessments and Taxation renewal for further review of market rates; the Veterans Affairs renewal was approved under the same terms and a different room designation was noted for that state tenant.

- Tipping fees waiver: The council approved a request from Marcus Flowers of the Poper's Island Volunteer Powder Company to waive tipping fees at Golden Hill Transfer Station for trash generated by the boat docking event in September.

- Interim (poll) confirmations and grant actions: The council ratified administrative grant modifications including a reduction to a 2021 State Homeland Security Program grant (from $120,100.231 to $100,084.03 as reported), a reallocation in an offender compliance and monitoring grant to cover deputy salary costs ($8,278.43 moved), submission of a Maryland Business Ready Sites Program grant application (match requirements noted), and a $38,290 hazardous materials preparedness training grant to USDOT PHMSA with a 20% in‑time match.

- Sole‑source cross‑pipe patching: Public Works requested and the council approved a sole‑source purchase to Russell Fayette & Co., Inc., for cross‑pipe patching at multiple roads at the cost of $25,075; staff said multiple pipe failures and time constraints prevented a full RFP process.

Public comments and clarifications

During public comment a resident asked for clarification on the landfill closure contract; staff explained the contract caps a filled cell to prepare the next cell for use. Another resident described a transfer station interaction; the county manager requested follow up and asked the resident to provide site details so staff could investigate.

Provenance: the actions and roll‑call votes are recorded in the county meeting transcript and the listed contract amounts and grant adjustments were presented by county staff in the action items portion of the meeting.