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:

On a weekly basis, I attend every Levy Court meeting, having only missed one since becoming a Levy Court Commissioner (to travel to Kansas to be with my daughter and two grandsons while her husband is deployed oversears).  I also very frequently attend the weekly Leadership meeting. 

On a monthly basis, I attend the Kent County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meetings, Kent County Crimewatch, either the Camden or Wyoming Town Council Meetings, University of Delaware Lifelong Learning Founders meeting, dishwasher at the Viola-Canterbury-Felton Ruritan Club Breakfast and meeting, 34 District Democrats meeting, Kent County Central Democrats meeting.

I am a frequent attendee at the Kent County Sewer Advisory Board monthly meeting, greeter at the Wyoming United Methodist Church, the Delaware League of Local Governments, Delaware Association of Counties, Caesar Rodney High School Football games, and any homeowner association group that will have me.

 January, 2009 -  

  • Assigned to Chair of Community Services Committee (Parks and Libraries)
  • Assigned to Chair of Information Technology
  • Assigned to Liaison to Education
  • Assigned to Liaison to the Legislature
  • Began discussions on library services in Kent County with presentation by Dover
  • Began discussions on passive solar project as Wastewater Treatment Plant in Frederica
  • Attended Kent County Levy Court Budget Retreat
  • Appointment of Richard Maly, 5th District Resident, to the Regional Planning Committee
  • Attended the Kent County 4-H Legislative Dinner

February, 2009 -

  • Began discussions about County budget and plan to mitigate $3.5million deficit.  Deficit was a result of the economic downturn and new unfunded mandates by the State ($1.2million in dog control and paramedic services).  Options discussed were:
    • Early Retirement Option
    • Across the board cuts in every County Division
    • Hiring freeze of all but critical positions
    • Small Property Tax increase
    • Energy usage review of County facilities
  • Voted in favor of Harmony Hill sub-division near Star Hill, a Milford Housing project with affordable housing for every income level
  • Appointment of Michael Riemann, 5th District Resident, to Building and Codes Committee
  • Appointment of Alan Comstock, 5th District Resident, to Community Board of Appeals
  • Appointment of Anna Owens, 5th District Resident, to Personnel Advisory Committee

March, 2009 -

  • Voted in favor to create the Dover Air Force Base Sewer District, with Kent County to assume management of the Base's sewer processing
  • Voted in favor of the Ridgely Auction Conditional Use application was approved.  I supported this because I thought that they had a good operation and I don't like the thought of impeding small business entrepreneurs. 
  • Voted to repeal the Overlay Zoning Ordinance passed last year in 2008.  This ordinance was overturned by the courts after a lawsuit who found it illegal. 
  • Budget discussions continued in one of the toughest budget cycles in most Commissioners' recent memory.
  • Attended the Stonegate Development Homeowners Association Annual Meeting
  • Attended the Annual Green Convention in WIlmington

April, 2009 -

  • Voted in favor of code change to enforce a minimum of 28 foot street widths in new developments in support of Firefighters
  • Voted to approve new Amish photo-ID card
  • Voted in favor of new ordinances allowing off-premises monument signs. 
  • Voted in favor of a resolution to eliminate the Mortgage Commissioner, an appointed position, saving the County $15,000 per year. 
  • Voted in favor of a resolution to eliminate the Comptroller and Receiver of Taxes elected positions, which will also save an additional $200,000 per year. 
  • Voted in favor to eliminate the "Rule of 70" policy, created to allow retirement if a employees age and years of service totaled 70.  This ordinance DID pass. 
  • Voted in favor of  change to * NEW * Employees Health Care benefit.  100% for 20 years of service, 75% for 15 years of service, 50% for 10 years of service, 25% for 5 years of service. Did not pass.
  • Voted in favor of change to * NEW * Employees vesting rights from 5 years to 8 years.  Did not pass.
  • Voted in favor of change to * NEW * Employees Pension contribution from 1% to 3%.  Did not pass.
  • Voted in favor of change to * NEW * Employees Pension Multiplier from 2.0 to 1.8.  Did not pass.
  • Continued discussions on the FY2010 County Budget. 
  • Participated in the Annual Spring Earth Day event at Silver Lake Park, Dover

 May, 2009 -

  • Final discussions on the budget.  Voted in favor of the FY2010 County Budget, including a $.06 increase in Property Tax Rate.  County budget, through cuts was reduced from $28million to $22million.  Average increase in property tax increase was $26 per year.  This tax increase was NOT to cover infrastructure, but to cover $1.2million in unfunded mandates from the State in Dog Control and paramedic funding.  Budget includes funding paramedics, Senior Centers, Fire Departments, the SPCA, and other worthy causes that directly affect the lives of our residents. 
  • 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. 
  • Early Retirement Option employees started retiring.  More than 30 employees took the offer.
  • The County Library discussions began.  The Dover Town Manager made a presentation to Levy Court which defined the role of a governing body for libraries in the county, 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, without a method to fund that contribution..  I disagreed with that position.  I disagreed with the plans for the City Library size and location.  Alternate locations in vacant buildings were rebuffed by the City.  Due to the stalemate with the City, the County decided to move in a different direction.
  • Attended the Delaware State University Graduation
  • Attended the Barclay Farms Spring Fling   

June, 2009 -

  • Voted in favor of an ordinance to allow for administrative review of accessory structure approval, allowing for attached structures and accessory cottages, such as a small accessory apartment for an ailing family member, or a mother-in-law's room.
  • Voted in favor of administrative approval of location of off-site monument signs  and monument signs were both approved, that are close to main roads but not on the same property as the organization.
  • Without a vote, added procedure for new Monthly Reporting from County Administrator
  • Attended the 11th Annual Safe Summer Day, Brecknock County Park
  • Spoke at the Disabled American Veterans Dinner

July, 2009 -

  • Discussions concerning fees for the Clerk of the Peace
  • Discussions for use of County offices by outside organizations.
  • Conditional Use meeting for Coker Concrete, 29 conditions were set for compliance by June 22, 2010.
  • Attended the Delaware State Fair in County Information booth
  • Attended Governor's Day at the Delaware State Fair

August, 2009 -

  • Voted in favor of increase to Clerk of the Peace fees to align with other counties and to ensure Office expenses are covered.
  • Voted in favor to add a fee for use of County sports fields for advance reservation, preferred use, and tournaments.  These fields are pristine in condition and require a lot of upkeep, and I prefer to see the users of those fields bear the costs as opposed to every person in the county.
  • Voted in favor to extend the time for establishments with commercial dishwashers to install Fats-Oils-Grease traps in their drains to capture FOGs before they enter the sewer system.
  • Voted in favor to increase fees for document handling for the Recorder of Deeds office.
  • Attended the Annual Caesar Rodney Back-to-School Breakfast
  • Attended the Wyoming Peach Festival parade and worked my information booth

September, 2009 -

  • Voted in support of Harrington to take back their own building permitting and inspections
  • Reviewed and voted to approve the FY10 Senior Center Transportation budgets (pass-through from DART)
  • Voted to approve surcharge exemptions for non-profits, utilities, government, and fire companies
  • Voted to approve modifying procedural approvals for RPC, Director of Planning, and County Administrator for final preview plan recordation.
  • Participated in the Coastal Cleanup Day
  • Attended the Star Hill Civic Association meeting

October, 2009 -

  • Reviewed new bids for County Newsletter, reducing from 4 to 3 printing per year, saving money
  • Authorized Community Services to move forward with Kent County's 1st Dog Park
  • Approved $10,000 to Greater Dover toward feasibility study for Kent Regional Sports Facility
  • Voted in opposition of Farmington Hot Mix Plant
  • Authorized County to search for to lease a new Kent County library.
  • Attended the State of Delaware Volunteer Fireman Association Dinner at Harrington Fire Company
  • Participated in County Make-A-Difference Day, planting trees and spreading mulch at Silver Lake Park in Dover
  • Attended the County Fright Night at Brecknock County Park
  • Attended the SPCA Dog Day at Tidbury Creek County Park
  • Attended the County 4H Banquet, DE State Fair

November, 2009 -

  • Started review of partnership with Delmarva Council of Boy Scouts for the purchase of Kesselring Farm purchase
  • Approved change of Library from lease to purchase of a building, assigning funds to buy a building from existing Capital Funds

December, 2009 -

  • Approved new Dog License fee to counter State of Delaware's mandate that Counties assume Dog Control
  • Attended the Annual Caesar Rodney Holiday Luncheon for supporters

January, 2010 -

  • Reviewed and approved changes to Dog Kennel fees
  • Finalized the partnership with the Delmarva Boy Scouts Council for cooperative purchase of Kesselring Farm, a portion of which will be used for the Delmarva Boy Scout Administrative Complex and the rest for another County Park.

February, 2010 -

  • Voted in opposition to the Farmington Hot Mix Plant due to dangerous traffic conditions.  Application approved.

March, 2010 -

  • Voted to approve a new Kent County Firearm policy requiring Sheriff's department to pass firearm safety and proficiency test to carry a firearm.
  • New discussions on * NEW * Employee benefits package changes to vesting, healthcare, pension multiplier, and pension contribution
  • Attended the Stonegate Homeowner Association annual meeting

April, 2010 -

  • Appointment of David Fry, 5th District Resident, to the Kent County/Dover Metropolitan Planning Organization.

May, 2010 -

  • Discussion, review, voted in approval of partnership with DelDOT on the expansion of the tarmac at the Kent County Aeropark, Civil Air Terminal, with potential growth of transport companies and jobs for Kent County
  • Voted to approve funding for Wastewater Treatment Plant Solar projects. 1) Solar panels to provide electricity making the plant energy independent, 2) Solar Passive heating to dry solids in place of gas fired heaters, saving money, improving green footprint.
  • Voted in favor of purchase agreement for Kesselring Farm
  • Voter in favor to stop Kent County Library Courier Service in lieu of the State's Courier Service, saving money
  • saw presentation for the Mid-Atlantic BMX project
  • Rode my bike through the Camden Historic House Tour
  • Met with Friends of Historic Camden to discuss a Count/Friends partnership to renovate the Goggin Mansion at Brecknock Park
  • Attended the Kent County Dog Park opening at Tidbury Creek County Park
  • Attended the Wynn Wood Homeowner Association annual meeting

June, 2010 -

  • Voted to approve vetinarians to offer Dog Licenses, along with SPCA and Kent County Admin Building
  • Voted in favor of resolution to State Legislature to eliminate the Receiver of Taxes and Comptroller, with annual savings of $200,000
  • Voted to distribute $30,000 in excess Reciprocal Borrowing Funds to each Kent County Library (Smyrna, Dover, Kent County, Harrington, Milford)
  • Voted in favor during 2nd vote on * NEW * Employee benefits package changes to vesting, healthcare, pension multiplier, and pension contribution.  Only Vesting change was approved from 5 to 8 years. 
  • Attended the 12th Annual Safe Summer Day, Brecknock County Park
  • Attended the Opening and worked information booth at the Delmarva Chicken Festival at Delaware State University
  • Attended the dedication of Felton Fire Company's new fire truck
  • Attended the United Way Annual Day of Action at the Big Oak County Park
  • Attended the ceremonial signing of the deed transfer for the Kesselring Farm to the Kesselring Farm County Park
  • Attended the Annual Ham Radio Weekend at the Petersburg Norman Wilder Preservation
  • Attended the new Kent County Library Dedication

July, 2010 -

  • Voted in favor of Sustainable Energy Utility, Facility review to find energy savings at County facilities
  • 2nd look at Class "C" recording of manufactured homes, to retire title from DMV, creating a Deed
  • Through my Viola-Canterbury-Felton Ruritan, donated two toys to Kent County Community Services for Habitat home renovations
  • Voted in favor of Loganberry Village, development along Barney Jenkins Rd, more so because we had no choice.  Houses will be middle-income affordable.
  • Performed as a Pirate at Kent County Summer Reading Program, Pirate Day
  • Attended Topping Ceremony for Bayhealth Emergency Room Construction Project
  • Attended the Delaware State Fair in County Information booth
  • Attended Governor's Day at the Delaware State Fair
  • Attended the Annual Friends of Historic Camden Picnic

August, 2010 -

  • 1st look at Economic Development Incentives to provide incentives to new businesses opening in Kent County and providng jobs for jobless Kent Countians
  • Voted in favor to extend conditions for Coker Concrete, preventing a business from closing and the loss of 12 jobs.
  • Voted to approve FY2011 Senior Center Transportation budgets
  • Worked the Ted Kauffman Information Booth at the Delaware State Fair
  • Attended the Wyoming Peach Festival parade and worked my information booth
  • Attended the Bowers Beach Big Thursday parade and festival
  • Met with Delaware State University representatives to partner on renovations of Hunn property, Lebanon
  • Attended the Star Hill Community Action Day
  • Attended the Annual Caesar Rodney Back-to-School Breakfast, dining with Captain Gavin Purcell (Troop #3 Commander), Kim Hitchens (CR Charleton Employee), and Jill Fuchs (Candidate for 34th District Representative)

September, 2010 -

 

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Paid for by Friends for Jody Sweeney

  UPDATED: Sep 3, 2010