Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Administration Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Dorchester County Council approves $75,000 strategic planning contract, opts for volunteer disc‑golf installation and renews EMS training agreement
Summary
The Council approved Phase 2 of its strategic plan at $75,000, decided not to award the disc‑golf RFP because of budget constraints and to proceed with volunteer and in‑house labor, and renewed a clinical rotation agreement with Wor‑Wic Community College for EMS training.
At its March 17 meeting, the Dorchester County Council approved several administrative and project items intended to advance planning and public safety work while managing limited funds.
The Council approved Phase 2 of the County’s strategic planning process, contracting Integrated Impact Group for $75,000 to be funded from the Council Office’s FY26 operating budget (approved 4–0; William V. Nichols absent). The vote authorizes staff to proceed with the consultant for the next phase of the strategic plan.
On parks, Recreation & Parks Director Duc Trieu recommended the County not award the RFP to install an 18‑hole disc golf course at Egypt Park due to budget constraints. The Council agreed 4–0 to proceed with installation using volunteers and County in‑house labor as a lower‑cost alternative.
Public safety and training: The Council approved renewing a Clinical Rotation Agreement with Wor‑Wic Community College at the request of EMS Chief Debbie Wheedleton, allowing Dorchester EMS to serve as a field training site for EMT and Paramedic programs from July 1, 2026 through July 1, 2029 (approved 4–0). The Council also adopted Resolution No. 685 to join the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) pooled OPEB trust to accumulate and invest assets for other post‑retirement benefits.
Other administrative items: The Council confirmed multiple interim poll decisions—appointing Alfred Hughes to Cambridge Waterfront Development, directing staff to provide letters of support or grant-related confirmations consistent with prior poll votes, approving several grant applications (including a $5,000 Tobacco & Vape Prevention mini‑grant), and authorizing submission of a Congressionally Directed Spending request for preliminary planning of a new public safety building with a proposed local match of 10% ($25,000). The Council also directed staff to submit a list of highway priorities to the Maryland Department of Transportation that included intersection drainage projects, a truck detour in East New Market, rehabilitation of the Hurlock‑Linkwood rail corridor, and repairs to the Route 50 Malkus Bridge boardwalk pedestrian underpass.
Personnel: County Manager Jerry Jones announced Keith Benton as the new Deputy County Manager; Benton said he was "excited to be a part of the team and looking forward to meeting everyone." Councilman Mike Detmer publicly commended Public Works Director Matt Ozman for marsh restoration work at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and congratulated Bill Christopher on 10 years with the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce.
Next steps: Staff will execute the strategic planning contract, coordinate volunteer planning for the Egypt Park course, finalize the Wor‑Wic Clinical Rotation Agreement, and proceed with grant applications and highway priority submittals as directed by the Council.
