[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6632716,"mediaKeyId","2671071-5776b6bc143ff5f9791edd575f033268","parentId",2671071,"title","Votes at a glance: Worcester County Commissioners, March 18, 2025","audioSeconds",1405,"startMs",171000,"endMs",1576000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2671071-5776b6bc143ff5f9791edd575f033268&start=171&end=1576","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2671071-5776b6bc143ff5f9791edd575f033268/thumbnail_171000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6632716/Worcester-County/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Worcester-County-Commissioners-March-18-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632716-cb0ac8005900d21f9fd216dfe7b2e928/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437737&Signature=ARIO7UYUjAhSejGdYiqfaH1yJ33zGIpHIYEJGq-Ztde7Q6GYikIE4xlEpLjY8cFPKK1mj3kcx0aQi8iR~YggKjplx7mtmcqCQtsudXg3QFFlllP~g6v1ixbYOwGNpKp-8348WxZLIEAje~3fnteNkQ9Ty5MU0YEdYwRmSBkTp4tbPl0U~MWOBm7quUUXcCvdLtH9om7LVfnvrIHbtss7qUjPWg6YgfhNkvCJ0nFyuF135kyMFuTFB9RRQzAPNtb7LUuC9Zsse423RZqhbGheuPIxWmyi4GO5XHnEGf5jSoY1U23NcFoI9WXufx-3QsBr5IvgiIHN4unSMMO2hspnBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Worcester","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Worcester County Commissioners took the following formal actions during their March 18, 2025 meeting. Counts and outcomes are reported as read into the record.

- Closed session to discuss personnel, a proposal and legal advice: motion made by Commissioner Abbott, seconded by Commissioner Purnell; vote recorded \"7 in favor\" to go into closed session (meeting convened at 9:00 a.m.; closed session adjourned at 10:03 a.m.).

- Approval of closed-session minutes from March 4: motion to approve; adopted unanimously (7-0).

- Consent agenda (items 1–11): approved unanimously (7-0).

- Item 12 — Community development grant support request from Diakonia: motion to approve and an amendment to the motion and second were recorded; vote recorded as unanimous approval.

- Item 13 — Request to repeal Resolution 13-6 (GIS policies, procedures and fees): motion to approve; adopted 7-0.

- Item 14 — Request to utilize a portion of the West Ocean City Harbor parking lot for Route 50 Drawbridge Room: motion to approve; adopted 7-0.

- Item 15 — Public Works request for a Route 589 corridor infrastructure study: motion to table until rezoning and associated public hearings; motion carried 5-2 (Commissioners Bertino and Bunting opposed).

- Item 16 — Request to set water and sewer equivalent use to a consistent 250 gallons per day: motion to approve; adopted unanimously.

- Item 17 — Jail request to modify sergeant qualifications: motion to approve; adopted 7-0.

- Item 18 — FY2026 health benefits committee recommendations (CareFirst renewal, use of rate stabilization reserve, mandated hearing-aid coverage): motion to approve; adopted unanimously.

- Item 19/20 — FY2026 general fund operating budget presentation and notice of public hearing: notice of public hearing (May 6, 2025, 6 p.m.) approved unanimously.

- Item 21 — Enterprise fund operating budgets: motion to post materials and set public hearing approved unanimously; commissioners later voted to post an explanatory document online within a week or two and requested review before posting (unanimous).

- Other: No board appointments were made. The board made a required announcement concerning a December 3, 2024 procedural notice under Maryland Open Meetings Act (Md. Code, Gen. Prov. §3-302).

Ending: Most items were adopted unanimously; the Route 589 study was the clearest recorded split vote (5-2). Items that require further public input or follow-up were scheduled for upcoming public hearings and budget work sessions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Worcester - County Commissioners Meetings - Mar 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A roundup of formal actions taken by the Worcester County Commissioners on March 18, 2025, including votes on consent agenda items, resolutions, parking requests and personnel changes.","taxTitle","Worcester County, Maryland","taxId",53952,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632721,"Commissioners approve FY2026 health benefits renewal; CareFirst plan to rise 12.24%",80,1708000,1788000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2671071-5776b6bc143ff5f9791edd575f033268&start=1708&end=1788","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2671071-5776b6bc143ff5f9791edd575f033268/thumbnail_1708000.jpg","/articles/6632721/Worcester-County/Maryland/Commissioners-approve-FY2026-health-benefits-renewal-CareFirst-plan-to-rise-1224","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632721-49ad76fcbd25b756c052fd7956232040/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437737&Signature=LDD-uqRAhithap4WkMR~cR3hTS6C7X8iA7GwC2ygtCNnzN54N0Q~5mbIsJMiYVUejneTmxiS8njwkDc~KMZTwQsblFCtczbQ5BwEX19YcNXPynSdw5GpfzSc4TCiMwQ9JPWoipNihhyY8doXsFl8ElHFRvd8U8eoRpNvIf7exTu99MjXAWjc2IiOVLBgQ780vvArQUpght2Vg3Tl5I6vz2ktWUCBFNYvDa4u2bfronMz8f45dfAgltmVlIShUuZdGxlimW59T9B-Vg6-bhT4MuyrrAt8nqS-ctWKOrvGoPycct7n8mZ~~AGb-23qb8w8mh1JySs1jPP3ErOWI2hdaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Worcester County Commissioners unanimously approved the Health Benefits Committee’s FY2026 recommendations during the March 18 meeting.

Human Resources Director Stacy Norton presented the committee’s recommendation and said the county’s medical and pharmacy vendor, CareFirst, submitted a renewal with a 12.24 percent increase. The renewal cost for medical and pharmacy was presented at $3,960,251. Norton said the committee recommended using $888,801 from the rate stabilization reserve to reduce the net premium increase and bring employee rates to 7.99 percent.

Norton also said the committee recommended adding two state-mandated changes; she identified one explicitly as adult hearing aid coverage up to $3,000. The committee recommended continuing current dental with CareFirst (if applicable), vision with VSP and county-only life/disability with Guardian, according to Norton’s presentation.

Commissioner Peterssic (sic) moved approval; the motion passed unanimously.

Ending: Commissioners approved the FY2026 health benefits recommendations and directed staff to implement the renewals and the mandated coverage changes in plan documents and employee communications.","The Board approved the health benefits committee’s FY2026 recommendation to renew medical and pharmacy with CareFirst at a 12.24% increase and to use $888,801 from the rate stabilization reserve to limit employee rate increases to 7.99%. The board also approved adding new mandated coverage for hearing aids up to $3,000 for adults.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632727,"Commissioners table Route 589 infrastructure study after debate over timing and public input",1007,549000,1556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2671071-5776b6bc143ff5f9791edd575f033268&start=549&end=1556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2671071-5776b6bc143ff5f9791edd575f033268/thumbnail_549000.jpg","/articles/6632727/Worcester-County/Maryland/Commissioners-table-Route-589-infrastructure-study-after-debate-over-timing-and-public-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632727-0b8f196e0796b3640d85117e319f3c0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437737&Signature=OLm4w8PqX4Os-gmQp7zh4o7ml3PeYCyEFHR8CH~ldcrCmhJpEDoEHplgrfPMFdaHglXAznCspyBtSH5kaq3QRyCLllTghFZsbtT27-QyictYt0ec2lpbeqxv2HyVLXQydKVsn1M~sRJD2vSHDfHW5az5-HqLveFLB3tcPfwx0q9UUoNLcBDPkT9AB76HClS5~TwJzUsQbYIvUMRM5ny0j2qA6KH~CfzrHBZsDPlcoK6Uz2H61AOFTMpLOodVKRcA5DcaFejEinqlZ-VNxhkHFUY9PftPhsdMYtQS5kcz7TkfRO1JtTsn8N-nZdljIsJ1i4c8QYPLw9~l8oadtEwTWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Worcester County Commissioners voted 5-2 on March 18 to table a $23,700 scoping study proposal for water and sewer infrastructure along the Route 589 corridor until after pending rezoning applications and public hearings are complete.

Public Works staff and other commissioners argued the study would allow the county to \"assume worst-case scenario\" sizing so infrastructure is not underbuilt if high-density residential development occurs. Staff described the study as a way to recommend regional pump-station locations and force-main sizing so future developers would not individually construct small systems that increase county maintenance costs.

Commissioner Bertino and Commissioner Bunting opposed tabling the study, arguing the county should proceed proactively to plan for known development pressures. Commissioner Fiore, who supported moving forward with the study at the time, said the $23,700 study would protect the county from higher costs later. Commissioner Matresic said he sought to delay the study so its parameters could be refined based on public-hearing input for two pending rezoning requests — one a minor commercial amendment, the other a larger request for high-density residential on a parcel of more than 20 acres.

A Public Works representative told commissioners the study could be sized for a \"worst-case\" high-density scenario and later scaled if less infrastructure is needed. Opponents said having the public input first would allow the study to be better focused and more acceptable to affected residents.

The motion to table passed 5-2, with Commissioners Bertino and Bunting recorded as opposed.

Ending: Staff said they will return with a refined timeline and integrate the study scope with planning commission public-hearing schedules if the board later directs the study to proceed.","Worcester County Commissioners voted 5-2 to table a requested Public Works funding and scoping study for the Route 589 corridor until after rezoning and public hearings, citing concern that the study parameters should reflect public input and pending rezoning outcomes.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632732,"County presents FY2026 operating budget request showing $2.26 million shortfall; public hearing set for May 6",391,1819000,2210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2671071-5776b6bc143ff5f9791edd575f033268&start=1819&end=2210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2671071-5776b6bc143ff5f9791edd575f033268/thumbnail_1819000.jpg","/articles/6632732/Worcester-County/Maryland/County-presents-FY2026-operating-budget-request-showing-226-million-shortfall-public-hearing-set-for-May-6","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632732-93ea642e332826a001d8ee1d34a661b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437738&Signature=Dv4FdifmbjYfwsIQqzV7FTPilXPhO-gP4TkioF7bDmIJNsF-ppLdwVeWrI7ZJlBSic9GO3XxQ4z56BNTS4GXG5KMHwZr9wJm6DCCEG-PgqLB5wvNjbW498zf4D2zbXO6Pq7AqPMI16M316qzhLx3NgYRtpXSlxg2GHAm2zo65JJTWdDK~H~6OcoOdhsWjqT2IrEtTV13Cv8A0fxWa8VNylHDyiMNHH3-E3et6isHrt3KAN9w2lR3IG5krAJpAcHHZchlQWQMXNkla56nA7NU6QuGxlXXLH9V0bTzZksvALfqMPmtRZ9DMW8-HPT9cf8BRw912Zco5F-OxSc53Qdvow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kimberly Reynolds, Worcester County’s budget officer, presented the county’s requested FY2026 general fund operating budget to the commissioners on March 18.

Reynolds said requested general fund revenues, based on current tax rates, are estimated at $284,574,909, an increase of $22,600,000 (9 percent) from the current year. Requested operating expenditures total $286,835,734, an increase of $24,900,000 (10 percent). That leaves a projected shortfall of $2,260,825 the county must reconcile through expenditure reductions, additional revenues or a combination.

The presentation included sensitivity options that show the revenue effects of reducing property or income tax rates in penny or fractional-penny increments, and an example of how a change would affect a median valued home in Worcester County. Reynolds also outlined potential state-driven cost shifts included in the requested budget, including an SDAT 90% cost share change, a potential increase in the county’s share of teacher pension costs (about $672,312 if enacted), an estimated $5,600,000 placeholder for health department core funding uncertainties, and a roughly $27,560 possible community college retirement cost shift.

The board voted unanimously to approve a notice of public hearing on the operating budget, scheduling the hearing for Tuesday, May 6 at 6 p.m. Staff also noted budget review sessions are scheduled April 1 (departments and enterprise funds) and April 8 (board of education, county departments), with additional work sessions on May 13 and May 20. The FY2026 general fund operating budget must be adopted by June 3, 2025.

Reynolds said the published budget document reflects state budget assumptions current as of the document’s production on March 12 and may be updated as the General Assembly completes action.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to proceed with the public-notice schedule and to present more detailed department-level analyses during the scheduled budget work sessions.","Budget officer Kimberly Reynolds presented the county's FY2026 general fund operating budget request, projecting $284.6 million in revenues and $286.8 million in expenditures, leaving a $2,260,825 gap. Commissioners approved a notice of public hearing for May 6.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632736,"Worcester County commissioners set public hearing on water and sewer rate plan, agree to post explanatory materials online",2443,2225000,4668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2671071-5776b6bc143ff5f9791edd575f033268&start=2225&end=4668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2671071-5776b6bc143ff5f9791edd575f033268/thumbnail_2225000.jpg","/articles/6632736/Worcester-County/Maryland/Worcester-County-commissioners-set-public-hearing-on-water-and-sewer-rate-plan-agree-to-post-explanatory-materials-online","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632736-573de57160bdd46886e232184ef3291c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437738&Signature=Qm3Q2xPqPiHScnHB-m17m4ZbyvugLu3pfI-bzdF5GcvrjFJVg61oU8~~Zgujh3BdesR0WAqVkN6OmSa7fJ~45POoNpCpO9B0DQavAXeTps2~qoUIvakhnXazAcvtp-GPJaASzgiq-Ud3e9kOGdi4gKZ3zg9Yw8feJ5dQMTVctySiCeQjMT2ucw6USXdEdIgbrxwrmPPOJ7ogSMG8~QAX8ULZGjiG2tQgU0VojTbTt7dzFKb4MnR5QZNznOcGHS2v0rcJwTRKdpqiyw5ihqlNd-wiX5juEk1VKiBevtbAKjgoXQT6F~UL9-MZVfKBTDaoOVmUSoF-vsc8m0kmUQ3PXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Worcester County Commissioners voted unanimously March 18 to schedule a public hearing on proposed changes to county water and sewer enterprise funds and to publish a document online within the next week or two that explains how the proposed rate changes were calculated.

The commissioners’ decision follows a lengthy discussion about a $2.2 million operating deficit in the enterprise funds for fiscal 2026 and a previously made $9.2 million transfer from the general fund to cover prior deficits. Commissioner Bertino urged a mailed notice to all ratepayers; others argued a web posting and electronic link would be more economical for districts already facing deficits. Commissioners agreed the final document will be circulated to the seven commissioners for review before public posting.

Why it matters: the county’s 11 water and sewer service areas are operated as enterprise funds. County staff and commissioners said earlier decisions and uneven historical practices left some districts with larger deficits than others; the March 18 materials presented a single option for rate adjustment that would spread costs across service areas, prompting concerns that some districts could be asked to shoulder more than their proportional share.

Budget officer Kimberly Reynolds presented department figures and timeline for budget and hearings; enterprise fund staff described a process that would apportion recent and ongoing shortfalls across the service areas so systems can meet their operating and capital obligations. Commissioners and staff cited two figures repeatedly: an estimated $2.2 million shortfall anticipated in the FY2026 enterprise budgets and a prior $9.2 million transfer from the general fund that will require repayment or accounting in future years.

Commissioner Bertino framed the issue as a transparency and accountability problem, saying, \"This government failed the ratepayers\" in these service areas and urging the county to explain \"why their rates are going up, and by how much.\" Several commissioners asked that the explanatory material include per-household impacts, the percentage change for each service area, and a line-item explanation showing whether increases would go to capital, operations, or debt service.

Commissioner Bunting and others emphasized the complexity of the county’s water and sewer systems and said the committee’s presentation was a starting point for public review rather than a final plan. The commissioners agreed to post the explanatory materials online and to allow commissioners to review the document before posting.

Formal action: the board voted to post a document that includes per-household rate increases and percentages by service area, a dollar-for-dollar explanation of what increases fund, and an explanation of the current $2.2 million deficit and the prior $9.2 million transfer. The motion carried unanimously.

What’s next: the enterprise fund public hearing will be scheduled as part of the board’s upcoming public meetings; staff said they will present more detailed, service-area-specific figures at the public hearing and in follow-up budget sessions.

Ending: Commissioners said they expect the public hearing and posted materials to prompt public comment and to inform subsequent decisions about whether to adjust rates, pursue consolidation options, or seek alternative funding strategies.","After heated debate over past deficits and how to notify ratepayers, the Worcester County Commissioners voted to schedule a public hearing on proposed enterprise fund rate changes and to publish a detailed explanation of deficits and projected per-household impacts online within the next one to two weeks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Worcester County Commissioners, March 18, 2025

Commissioners approve FY2026 health benefits renewal; CareFirst plan to rise 12.24%

Commissioners table Route 589 infrastructure study after debate over timing and public input

County presents FY2026 operating budget request showing $2.26 million shortfall; public hearing set for May 6

Worcester County commissioners set public hearing on water and sewer rate plan, agree to post explanatory materials online