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Commissioners form work group to study consolidation of water and wastewater service areas
Summary
Facing uneven rates and operating losses across service areas, Worcester County Commissioners voted to form a three‑member commissioner work group to develop consolidation scenarios and recommend options to the full board. Minutes of work‑group meetings will be circulated to all commissioners; membership was adjusted to include Ocean Pines'
Worcester County commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 18 to create a three‑member commissioner work group to develop scenarios for consolidating water and wastewater service areas.
County staff told the board that service areas have differing rates, EDU calculations and accessibility fees, creating complexity and inequity. Some service areas are operating at a loss, requiring short‑term loans from the general fund to keep facilities running.
Commissioner John Fiore moved to create the task force and nominated himself and Commissioners Tal Elder and (initially) Commissioner Matresic; the motion was amended to ensure Ocean Pines representation after concerns that its service area had been excluded. Commissioners required that minutes from every work‑group meeting be circulated promptly to all seven commissioners.
Commissioners emphasized the work group's role as an exploratory body to identify options and bring back scenarios for full board consideration. The board did not adopt any rate changes at the meeting; staff will present scenarios and financial analyses to the work group and the full board before any formal action.
"We need to create a task force to examine all the possibilities of both efficiency, billing, EDUs," Fiore said, citing urgent losses in several small service areas. Commissioner Bertino and others requested representation for Ocean Pines; the motion was amended and passed with a unanimous voice vote.
