Commissioners approve zoning resolution, budget calendar and unanimous motions on letters, appointments and consultant funding

Worcester County Commissioners on March 17 approved a slate of routine and time-sensitive actions, advancing the county’s budget calendar and taking several unanimous votes including a zoning resolution, a budget amendment and several letters of support and opposition.

The board voted to adopt findings of fact and a resolution establishing the Racetrack Village residential planned community floating zone after staff confirmed the proposal had been reviewed at a public hearing on Feb. 17. The action was moved and seconded and passed without dissent.

Administration presented a series of budget items and schedules for FY27. Staff said the requested FY27 general fund revenues total $299,118,027 and requested expenditures total $302,074,373, leaving a projected shortfall of $2,956,346 that must be reconciled through expenditure reductions or additional revenues; the board scheduled review sessions in April and additional work sessions in May and set a public hearing for May 5 on the operating budget. Staff also proposed rate-impact inserts in April utility bills and website pages showing district-level and customer-level rate changes; commissioners asked for clear, district-specific materials to help ratepayers assess potential quarterly bill impacts.

On the FY26 budget, administration requested an amendment to remove local income tax revenue and offsetting town distributions by $3,677,108 following the county audit firm’s recommendation; staff said the change has no net financial impact and results from revised recording practices. Commissioners approved that amendment unanimously.

The board approved a reallocation of up to $80,000 from vacancy savings to hire a third-party vendor to assist the treasurer’s office on time-sensitive tasks; staff said eight firms were contacted and four expressed interest. Commissioners also reappointed JT Novak to the Electrical Examiners Board and approved three added items: (1) a draft letter opposing proposed state cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Administration in the FY27 state budget; (2) a letter of support for a grant application to restore the Girdle Tree Museum; and (3) a resolution redesignating the Snow Hill Arts and Entertainment District. Each of those actions passed on a single motion covering all three items.

All votes recorded at the meeting were unanimous; commissioners closed the public portion of the meeting and reconvened in closed session to conclude personnel and administrative matters.

Next steps: scheduled budget work sessions will flesh out FY27 proposals and any capital requests stemming from today’s items will return for formal consideration and appropriation.