George "Jody" Sweeney

COMMISSIONER

5th District Levy Court

Since the election, your Kent County Levy Court has faced some very tough decisions and some very easy ones.  Shared in this space are some of the most controversial and my position on those decisions:

February, 2009 - This month started the public discussion about the County budget and plans to mitigate a $3.5million deficit.  This deficit was the result of a downturn in revenue from the Realty Transfer Tax and the State Legislature dumping nearly $1.2million in costs (dog control and paramedic services) on the county with no funding to cover it.  In committee, we discussed an Early Retirement Option (ERO) for employees.  Finally, in the 5th District, the Harmony Hill subdivision was approved.  This small development is being built off of Peach Tree Run, just across the street from Price Honda.  It is a Milford Housing project to offer low-income housing for first time homeowners.

March, 2009 - The Dover Air Force Base Sewer District was created to replace the base's sewer processing with a transmission line to the County Wastewater Treatment Facility.  The Ridgely Auction Conditional Use application was voted on.  I voted to approve the application because I thought that they had a good operation and that I don't like the thought of impeding small business entrepreneurs.  We also voted to repeal the Overlay Zoning Ordinance passed last year.  This ordinance was overturned by the courts after a lawsuit by John Paradee.  Our budget discussions continued in one of the toughest budget cycles in most Commissioners' recent memory.

April, 2009 - Levy Court discussed such controversial issues as street widths, accessory structures, the Amish photo-ID card, and off-premises monument signs.  We passed a resolution in support of eliminating the Mortgage Commissioner, an appointed position, saving the County $15,000 per year.  We also passed two more resolutions in support of eliminating the Comptroller and Receiver of Taxes elected positions, resulting in a savings of an additional $200,000 per year.  These resolutions tell the State Legislature that we are in favor of them voting to eliminate those positions.  If the State Legislature passes theses laws, the savings begin immediately with the Mortgage Commissioner and Receiver of Taxes, both vacant positions, and in 2013 with the Comptroller.  Changes to employee benefits were discussed, such as vesting rights for retirement benefits, contributions to health insurance and pensions, and the Rule of 70 policy.  All changes would have affected NEW EMPLOYEES only and I supported all of them, but not all passed, only the Rule of 70, which was implemented during the Burris/Smith administration of Levy Court.

Property Taxes - This month also marked the extensive discussion on the budget and property tax rate.  The County faced a $3.5million deficit due to the downturn in the economy and costs that were pushed to the County by the State's 144th General Assembly.  I promised I would not raise taxes to pay for infrastructure.  The $.06 raise in the property tax rate did not contribute to infrastructure, it was a response to the $1.8million in new costs from the State.  The average increase in Property Taxes for the typical resident in Kent County was $26.00.  On top of nearly $2.0million in cuts in a $24million dollar budget, the Commissioners voted and passed a balanced budget.

May, 2009 - This month was the vote on the budget.  After much discussion, the budget was voted on and passed, and beyond the daily operations of County government, we provided funding to paramedics, Senior Centers, Fire Departments, the SPCA, and other worthy causes that directly affect the lives of our residents.  We also saw the initial presentation for the Kent Sports Regional Complex, a privately run facility for sports like football, soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse, to be located near Frederica on County lands.  May also started the retirements of more than 30 employees who took advantage of the ERO offered.

County Library - Of all the issues I have faced, May started the most controversial:  The County Library.  A presentation to Levy Court defined the role of a governing body for libraries in the county, and called for the elimination of the County Public Library and Bookmobile, and for the County to contribute $3.7million in funds to the Dover Library.  I definitely disagree with that position.  The City Library is too large for the area and in the wrong location.  Offers by Levy Court to consider different locations that MAY have altered the vote were rebuffed by City Council.    We came to a stalemate and the County moved in a different direction. 

June, 2009 - During this month, ordinances for administrative review of accessory structure approval and monument signs were both approved.  I was in favor of both.  The accessory structure approval allows for just the Planner to approve the addition of structures that benefit families, such as a small accessory apartment for an ailing family member.  Monument signs allow for signs that are close to main roads but not on the same property as the organization.

July, 2009 - A fairly slow month.  Discussions concerning fees for the Clerk of the Peace and use of County offices by outside organizations was discussed.  I agreed that both fees are appropriate.

August, 2009 - The Parks and Recreation Division does not carry its own where the budget is concerned.  In order to better provide these services, it has become obvious that fees for exclusive use of our sports fields is appropriate.  I am in favor of this minimal fee to help with maintenance at the fields that keep them in pristine condition.

September, 2009

October, 2009

November, 2009

December, 2009

January, 2010

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Paid for by Friends for Jody Sweeney

  UPDATED: Jan 14, 2010