At its Dec. 16 meeting, the Kent County Levy Court approved a package of procurement contracts, engineering services and personnel changes that local staff said will support infrastructure, operations and recruitment.

Key votes and motions at a glance

- Recreation center officials room renovation: The court moved to award the renovation contract to Conventional Builders, Inc. for $85,952 and approved an additional $14,000 from the Parks and Recreation capital contingency to complete the fit-out. Roll call recorded six yeas and one absence.

- Pump Station No. 3 engineering services: Commissioners approved a contract for design of an influent screen and related improvements with a recommended engineering scope. The motion authorized engineering services in the amount of $129,592 funded from FY26 sewer fund contingency; roll call recorded six yeas, one absent.

- Hedgerow Hollow septic elimination: Levy Court authorized under a motion to contract with Davis, Bowen & Friedel for engineering services for the Hedgerow Hollow Mobile Home Park septic elimination project in an amount not to exceed $220,000, with funding through the state revolving fund loan, sewer fund operations and other project funds as budgeted; the motion passed (6 yeas, 1 absent).

- Computerized maintenance management system (CMMS): Staff recommended Limble (implemented via SHI International) to integrate CMMS with county GIS and Tyler systems. The court approved a professional services contract with SHI for $48,730.04, funded from sewer fund operating revenues budgeted in prior fiscal years; roll call recorded six yeas, one absent.

- EMS rank restructure (paramedic ranks): Commissioners approved creation of three new paramedic rank classes with designated pay grades (described in the meeting materials as expanding the existing structure toward a seven-step rank ladder). Vice President Robert Scott moved the measure and Commissioner Angel seconded; roll call recorded six yeas, one absent.

Other formal items

- Resolution 4,137: The court adopted Resolution 4,137 granting a Kent County meritorious service medal to Gene Vandewijn for long service in tax ditch/drainage coordination; roll call 7 yeas.

- Resolution 4,140: The court proclaimed January 2026 as National Blood Donor Month to highlight local EMS efforts to carry whole blood in the field; roll call 7 yeas.

How commissioners described these actions: Public Works Director Sam Bautista said the Pump Station No. 3 influent screen would help prevent debris-related clogs and possible overflows; he recommended JMT for construction documents and engineering. Bautista said the CMMS will centralize asset history, work orders and improve preventive maintenance, and staff recommended Limble for its integration capabilities. Chief (transcript: Chief Tanger) described the paramedic rank changes as a retention measure that expands career steps for existing staff.

Financial and procedural notes: Several contracts were funded from sewer fund contingencies or operating revenues and, where noted, state revolving loan funding. Most motions passed with six yeas and one absence (Commissioner Pepper was recorded as absent for several votes); ceremonial items and employee awards were also adopted by unanimous roll call where presented.

What’s next: Contracts will be executed subject to county attorney concurrence and signature by the president of the Levy Court; staff indicated future work to bring wet-well sizing and emergency storage recommendations for Pump Station No. 3 back to court for additional action.