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Dorchester County Council approves $5.4 million broadband boost, reduces public-health match and accepts multiple safety grants
Summary
The County Council approved an increase to the Long Lanes broadband award to $5,426,051, accepted an FY26 public-health funding agreement with a reduced local match of $858,914, and approved several Sheriff's Office grants to fund monitoring, community outreach and body armor purchases.
The Dorchester County Council on July 15 approved a state-funded increase to a broadband expansion award, finalized a FY26 public-health funding agreement with a reduced local match, and accepted several grant awards for the Sheriff's Office.
Council members voted to accept an increase to the Long Lanes Broadband Expansion grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, bringing the award to $5,426,051 after additional state funds were identified. Marilyn Williams, the county grant writer, told the Council the state increased the award to provide additional broadband deployment resources for the project.
The County also authorized the FY26 Core Public Health Services Funding Agreement with the Maryland Department of Health. Dr. Casey Scott, the county health officer, said the state reduced the County's immediate match requirement from $1,189,226 to $858,914 after negotiations with the State; the Council recorded a commitment to meet full CORE funding by FY2030. The Council approved the agreement following a motion by Councilman Ricky C. Travers, seconded by Councilman William V. Nichols.
The Council accepted multiple public-safety grants for FY26: a $21,750 Warrant & Absconding grant to fund deputy overtime to serve warrants; a $3,600 Body Armor award (with a $3,600 local match) to purchase three sets of body armor; an $8,840 Domestic Violence Unit Program award to fund deputy overtime for entry of peace and ex parte orders; an $11,187 Sex Offender Compliance & Monitoring grant to partially fund a full-time deputy responsible for monitoring registered sex offenders; and a $34,969 Community Grant Program Fund award to pay overtime for deputies at community events and juvenile violence-intervention work. Marilyn Williams presented the grant requests on behalf of Sheriff James W. Phillips, Jr.
The Council approved a FY26 School Resource Officer grant application of $91,421 to the Maryland Center for School Safety; the application would fund salaries and overtime for deputies assigned as SROs in the County's 13 schools if awarded.
Why this matters: the broadband increase funds infrastructure expansion that County staff said will extend service to more residents; the modified public-health match reduces immediate budget pressure while the County commits to full funding over time. The Sheriff's Office grants will cover personnel and equipment needs without additional state-required local matches in most cases.
The meeting closed after additional presentations and public comment; the Council adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
