Port Deposit council votes to join state investment pool, backs revenue task force and renews sheriff contract

Port Deposit On March 24, 2026, the Port Deposit Town Council approved Resolution 03-2026 to participate in the Maryland Local Government Investment Pool (MLGIP), adopted Resolution 04-2026 supporting House Bill 1142 to establish a Local Revenue Task Force, and voted to renew the annual contract with the Cecil County Sheriff's Office for fiscal year 2027.

Treasurer Patti Gray presented the MLGIP resolution, describing the program as a state-run option that allows local governments to earn interest on funds while maintaining access to those funds. Council members discussed the pool's flexibility and accessibility compared with traditional instruments; Councilwoman Randa Thiele moved approval and Councilman Tom Knight seconded. The motion passed, recorded in the minutes as having passed unanimously.

Town Administrator Vicky Rinkerman presented Resolution 04-2026 expressing the council's support for HB 1142, which would create a task force to study and modernize revenue sources for counties and municipalities in Maryland. Deputy Mayor Kevin Brown moved the resolution and Councilwoman Thiele seconded; the council approved the resolution. Council members emphasized the importance of diversified and sustainable local revenue streams.

On public-safety contracting, Treasurer Gray presented the annual contract for services with the Cecil County Sheriff's Office covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Gray reported that the hourly rate would decrease from $83.83 to $83.36 due to workers' compensation adjustments. Council moved to renew the contract, citing a positive working relationship with the sheriff's office; the motion was approved.

Council also reviewed several operational items: Administrator Rinkerman reported a revised reimbursement agreement for a Town surveillance camera located on private property, noting updated usage data that estimated annual electricity usage of roughly $8.46 while the current reimbursement is $225 annually; council agreed the property owner should determine whether the camera remains in place. The council declined to assume responsibility for streetlights and trees on the County portion of the Powers Road extension and concurred with signage updates to redirect truck traffic toward Route 276 and Interstate 95 to reduce residential intrusion. Council approved plans to convert the dog park surface from mulch to grass and directed that the project be included in the FY2027 budget.

The meeting concluded with Council announcements about Town Clean-Up Day on April 25, 2026 and the upcoming Spring Quarterly Newsletter. At 8:06 p.m. the council voted to adjourn the public meeting and enter a closed executive session under Maryland law to discuss personnel and real property matters; the council did not return to open session.

What happens next: The dog park surface project will be considered for inclusion in the FY2027 budget, and actions taken on the resolutions were recorded in the meeting minutes.