Dorchester County Council introduces zoning changes, posts personnel policies and approves parks contract

During its legislative session the Dorchester County Council introduced two zoning ordinances and advanced several administrative items.

Staff introduced an amendment to the Dorchester County Code to permit farm breweries and farm distilleries; the council voted to introduce that legislation and scheduled a public hearing. The council separately introduced updates to the rural residential district to revise intent and lot standards tied to availability of community sewer and water.

Council members voted to post five personnel and workplace policy amendments for a 10‑calendar‑day public comment period ahead of consideration at the July meeting. The policies include a code of conduct, a safety standard operating procedure for work-related accidents, a social media use directive, a substance-abuse/drug-testing standard, and a uniform/dress code.

On procurement, the council approved awarding bid 2026‑8 to Lane Engineering for engineering and construction plans for six dedicated pickleball courts at a contract cost of $18,480, funded by the local parks and playground construction program. The council also approved poll confirmations and unanimously authorized the Dorchester County Health Department’s FY27 core funding agreement and a performance-period extension for a temporary shelter fund.

Finally, the council authorized a partnership agreement to participate in the "Community of Hope, Dorchester" collaborative to support an FY27 "Enough" grant application aimed at reducing childhood poverty; the agreement requires no direct county contribution but affirms local participation and coordination.