County hears legislative recap; receives $703,754 Program Open Space award

County legislative consultants R and R Solutions presented a post‑session report on June 2, and county staff announced a $703,754 Program Open Space award for FY27 and described proposed park projects that will be submitted to the state.

Ryan Snow and Jeanne Haddaway Riccio of R and R Solutions told commissioners the 2026 session saw 2,654 bills introduced and 887 enacted; R&R monitored 264 bills for Worcester County and recorded support for 14 and opposition to 11. They highlighted three priorities that advanced: expanding the local board of license commissioners from three to five members; a legislative economic development tool permitting special‑event area designations to help rural municipalities attract visitors; and a $100,000 legislative bond initiative toward planning/design for the county recycling center. Consultants also described pending federal earmark requests (Ocean Pines River Run wastewater project — $2,650,000 requested; Pocomoke City health center/senior center earmark request — $3,000,000 submitted to Senate appropriations) and updates to MDE funding applications.

Separately, staff announced the county received $703,754 in Program Open Space funding for FY27 and outlined projects to include in the county’s annual program submission: a bathroom at Herring Creek Nature Park ($100,000), multipurpose field renovation at Newtown Park ($60,000), pavilion addition at Isle of Wight Nature Park ($175,000), and concessions/bathroom/pavilion upgrades at Northern Worcester Athletic Complex ($150,000). Commissioners approved acceptance of the award and the plan to submit individual project applications to the state.

What’s next: R and R said decisions on federal appropriations could occur in the next 3–4 weeks as Senate appropriations completes its review; staff will prepare the annual Program Open Space packet for the June 30 state submission and return to the commission for individual project approvals.