Dorchester County, MD

County Council

The Dorchester County Council meets on October 6, 2026, with a packed agenda covering grant applications, bid awards, and a zoning amendment. The Council will introduce legislation to authorize and regulate Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) under the County Code. It will also consider a $1,350,000 PROTECT grant application for road resilience planning and design on Elliott Island Road and Hoopers Island Road Causeway, and award a bid for the CGE Ramp Pavement Repair Project at the airport. Several other grant awards and submissions, board appointments, and a pool safety barrier discussion are also on the agenda.

• Introduction of a zoning amendment to authorize Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in the County Code
• Request to submit a $1,350,000 PROTECT grant application for a Transportation Resilience Improvement Plan and design of Elliott Island Road and Hoopers Island Road Causeway
• Request to accept a $20,184.56 Waterway Improvement Fund grant for Back Creek Marina dock repairs
• Request to accept a $24,781 FY27 Destination Marketing Organization grant for tourism promotion
• Request to submit a $73,351 Special Grant application for CGE Ramp Pavement Repair Project and emergency runway repairs

County Council

The Dorchester County Council meets on September 15, 2026, with a closed session at 5:00 p.m. before the open session at 6:00 p.m. The council will hold public hearings on the proposed Community Reinvestment & Repair Fund (CRRF) Distribution Plan and Resolution 718 revising the Solid Waste Management Plan. It will also consider five resolutions covering emergency closures, vehicle use, Thendara Camp & Range, the Public Information Act, and disciplinary action, and vote on consent agenda items including grants and a license agreement.

• Public hearing on the proposed CRRF Distribution Plan
• Public hearing on Resolution 718 – Solid Waste Management Plan Revision
• Consent agenda: $175,000 FY27 Management Grant from Maryland Heritage Areas Authority for Tourism, with $25,000 in mini-grants and a 100% in-kind match
• Consent agenda: $14,165.40 AY27 Courthouse Security MOU Agreement for camera upgrades and key fob access
• Resolutions 713–717 to be considered: inclement weather/emergency closure, vehicle use, Thendara Camp & Range, Public Information Act, and progressive disciplinary action

County Council

The Dorchester County Council meets September 1, 2026 for Legislative Day No. 11, with two public hearings on proposed bills: a zoning amendment (Bill No. 2026-10) and a change to Council compensation (Bill No. 2026-11). It will also take up a request to advertise airport ramp pavement repair, two state grant applications for boat ramp and bulkhead repairs, and a proposed plan for spending the County's share of cannabis taxes. Several items are second discussions or introductions, with final consideration set for later dates.

• Bill No. 2026-11 would raise Council member salaries from $16,000 to $21,000 and the President's from $17,000 to $22,000, effective at the start of the following term
• Bill No. 2026-10 would repeal the Unclassified category in the Table of Permitted Uses, which allowed non-commercial personal storage in B-1, B-2, I-1 and I-2 districts
• Request to advertise Bid No. 2026-12 for milling and overlay of about 20,400 square feet of ramp at Cambridge-Dorchester Regional Airport, bid deadline September 23, 2026
• Two Waterway Improvement Fund grant applications with no match: up to $500,000 for Ragged Point boat ramp and marina, and up to $500,000 for Elliott Island boat ramp and select bulkhead
• Poll confirmations: $156,595 FY27 Court Security Officer grant accepted, $84,388 School Resource Officer grant application, and $9,500 police communication encryption grant application, each by 4 to 0 vote

The Dorchester County Council adopted Bill No. 2026-10, which repeals the Unclassified category from the zoning Table of Permitted Uses, on a 3-1 roll call vote (Kramer nay, Nichols absent). It also adopted Bill No. 2026-11 raising Council member salaries from $16,000 to $21,000 and the President's from $17,000 to $22,000, effective at the start of the following term, on a 3-0-1 vote (Pfeffer abstained, Nichols absent). The Council approved the 2027-2028 Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation easement applications and rankings 5-0, and approved introducing a Community Reinvestment & Repair Fund distribution plan for cannabis tax revenue, with a public hearing set for September 15, 2026. Other actions included confirming interim poll decisions on grants and approving a workforce agreement.

• Adopted Bill No. 2026-10 repealing the Unclassified zoning category (3-1, Kramer nay, Nichols absent)
• Adopted Bill No. 2026-11 raising Council salaries to $21,000 and President's to $22,000, effective next term (3-0-1, Pfeffer abstained, Nichols absent)
• Approved 2027-2028 Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation easement applications and rankings (5-0)
• Approved introducing CRRF Committee distribution plan for cannabis tax revenue; public hearing September 15, 2026 (4-0, Nichols absent)
• Approved posting five draft policy resolutions for 10-day employee comment (4-0, Nichols absent)
• Confirmed interim poll: accept $156,595 FY27 Court Security Officer grant (4-0)
• Confirmed interim poll: submit $84,388 FY27 School Resource Officer grant application (4-0)
• Confirmed interim poll: submit $9,500 FY27 police communication encryption grant application (4-0)

Administrative Charging Committee

The Dorchester County Administrative Charging Committee holds an open session on August 26, 2026 at the County Office Building in Cambridge. The agenda includes approval of minutes from the July 22, 2026 meeting, discussions with law enforcement agencies, and a closed session under Maryland code §3-305(b). The meeting also includes a closed session summary and a public comment period before adjournment.

• Approval of ACC Open Session Minutes – Closing Statement – July 22, 2026
• Discussions with Law Enforcement Agencies
• Closed Session under §3-305(b): (1), (13) & (7)
• Closed Session Summary §3-305(b): (1), (13) & (7)
• Public Comments period

County Council

The Dorchester County Council meets August 18, 2026, with a closed session at 5:00 p.m. before the open session at 6:00 p.m. The Council will consider seven resolutions on personnel and employment policies, a request to buy four 2026 Ford F-150 pickup trucks, and a Chesapeake College request for a letter committing County funding toward an HVAC replacement. It will also discuss a new state regulation on the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund and fill board vacancies.

• Chesapeake College requests a letter of intent to the Maryland Higher Education Commission that the County fund 18.9% ($125,921) of the 25% local share of a $2,665,000 emergency Economic Development Center HVAC replacement, funded in FY28
• Public Works requests to proceed with purchase of four 2026 model-year Ford F-150 light-duty pickup trucks, funded by the FY27 Capital Budget: 1/2-Ton Pickup Trucks
• Chesapeake College requests approval of its Revised FY27 Operating Budget, reallocating $84,569 to fund an additional 2% salary increase for staff and administrators
• Planning & Zoning requests to advertise Bid No. 2026-10 for proposals to purchase County owned properties
• Seven resolutions proposed: No. 704 social media, No. 706 uniform & dress code, No. 707 Americans with Disabilities Act, No. 708 equal employment opportunities, No. 709 Family & Medical Leave Act, No. 710 sick & safe leave, No. 711 volunteer standards

The Council adopted resolutions regarding social media, dress code, ADA compliance, equal employment, and volunteer management. It also approved the purchase of four pickup trucks, the acquisition of property at 704 Perkins Alley, and the sale of seven surplus vehicles.

• Adopted Resolution No. 704 (Social Media), 706 (Dress Code), 707 (ADA), 708 (Equal Employment), and 711 (Volunteers) (5-0 each)
• Approved $180,000 purchase of four 2026 Ford F-150 trucks (unanimous)
• Approved purchase of 704 Perkins Alley for Health Department parking (unanimous)
• Approved $125,921 commitment for Chesapeake College HVAC replacement (unanimous)
• Approved disposition of seven surplus vehicles via auction (unanimous)
• Approved $479,910 SAPP grant application for radio encryption (unanimous)
• Approved $75,000 Chesapeake Bay Trust grant application (unanimous)
• Approved establishment of a Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund Committee (unanimous)

County Council

The Dorchester County Council meets August 4, 2026, with a closed session at 4:30 p.m. and open session at 6:00 p.m. The Council will consider a resolution for a temporary 12-month moratorium on data centers, hold public hearings on bills permitting farm breweries and distilleries and revising Rural Residential minimum lot sizes, and introduce a change to Council compensation. It will also vote on a salt purchase agreement with the State Highway Administration not to exceed $51,236 and several grant and agreement items on the consent agenda.

• Resolution to establish a temporary 12-month moratorium on data centers in Dorchester County
• Public hearing on Bill No. 2026-8 to permit farm breweries and farm distilleries in Chapter 155-Zoning
• Public hearing on Bill No. 2026-9 to update Rural Residential District intent and minimum lot size standards
• Three-Year Salt Utilization Agreement with SHA to purchase salt during snow events, not to exceed $51,236 (Sept 1, 2026–Aug 31, 2029)
• Introduction to amend County Code to increase annual salaries of County Council members and the President, effective the following term

The Dorchester County Council adopted a temporary 12-month moratorium on data centers and passed two zoning amendments permitting farm breweries and adjusting rural lot sizes. The Council also approved a consent agenda including grants for marina repairs and a critical area review, as well as a salt purchase agreement. Two new bills regarding council compensation and zoning use categories were introduced for public hearing.

• Adopted 12-month data center moratorium (4-0)
• Adopted Bill 2026-8 permitting farm breweries/distilleries (4-0)
• Adopted Bill 2026-9 updating Rural Residential lot sizes (4-0)
• Approved consent agenda including $25k marina grant and $25k CAC grant (4-0)
• Approved 3-year salt agreement up to $51,236 (4-0)
• Introduced bill to increase Council salaries for next term (4-0)
• Introduced bill to repeal Unclassified zoning category (4-0)
• Approved letter of support for Cambridge Harbor infrastructure grant (voice vote)

Board of Appeals

The Dorchester County Board of Appeals meets July 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM in Room 110 of the County Office Building, 501 Court Lane, Cambridge, MD. The board will take up two new special exception cases: a home occupation request from Jeremy & Nora Warner on Eldorado Federalsburg Rd, and a community scale solar project request from RWE Clean Energy DCE Development LLC on Hubbard Rd. No other business is listed.

• BOA Case #2826-26: Special Exception for a home occupation at 6862 & 6864 Eldorado Federalsburg Rd, Federalsburg, MD 21632 (Tax Map 0007, Parcel 0204, Lot 1, AC-Agricultural Conservation), requested by Jeremy & Nora Warner
• Jeremy & Nora Warner Allegation of Error listed under Case #2826-26
• BOA Case #2824-26: Special Exception for a community scale solar project at 7012 Hubbard Rd, Federalsburg, MD 21632 (Tax Map 0002, Parcel 0041, AC-Agricultural Conservation), requested by RWE Clean Energy DCE Development LLC
• Other Business: N/A
• Questions directed to Susan Webb, Director, at (410)-228-9636; agenda posted 6/23/2026

Administrative Charging Committee

The Dorchester County Administrative Charging Committee is scheduled to meet in open session on July 22, 2026 at the County Office Building in Cambridge. The agenda includes approval of minutes from the June 25, 2026 meeting, discussions with law enforcement agencies, a closed session, and public comments. The closed session cites Maryland code sections §3-305(b): (1), (13) & (7).

• Approval of ACC Open Session Minutes – Closing Statement – June 25, 2026
• Discussions with Law Enforcement Agencies
• Closed Session under §3-305(b): (1), (13) & (7)
• Closed Session Summary under §3-305(b): (1), (13) & (7)
• Public Comments

The Administrative Charging Committee approved its June 25, 2026 Open Session Minutes and Closing Statement, then heard brief operational updates from Cambridge Police and the Sheriff's Office. The ACC adjourned into closed session to discuss complaints against a specific law enforcement officer and obtain legal counsel advice, and made a determination on the complaint. No public comment was offered and the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.

• Approved June 25, 2026 Open Session Minutes and Closing Statement (unanimous)
• Adjourned into closed session at 4:37 p.m. under §3-305(b)(1), (13), (7) (unanimous)
• In closed session, made a determination on a complaint filed against a specific law enforcement officer
• Adjourned the meeting at 5:10 p.m. (unanimous)

County Council

The Dorchester County Council meets July 21, 2026 for Legislative Day No. 9. It will hold two public hearings on Bill No. 2026-6 (Critical Area Map) and Bill No. 2026-7 (Critical Area Definitions), both tied to the county's Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Program. The council will also consider three personnel resolutions and several Public Works and Corrections purchase requests funded by the FY27 Capital Budget. The agenda lists no dollar amounts for the financial report or the purchases.

• Public hearing on Bill No. 2026-6 to amend the Dorchester County Critical Area Program and Official Zoning Maps, required every 10 years by the State of Maryland Critical Area Commission
• Public hearing on Bill No. 2026-7 to amend Chapter 68 (Chesapeake Bay Critical Area) code, updating the definition of "Critical Area" for consistency with Maryland Code Annotated, Natural Resources §8-1807
• Resolutions No. 702 (Code of Conduct), No. 703 (Safety), and No. 705 (Substance Abuse & Drug Testing) to amend and readopt personnel policies; Resolutions No. 704 (Social Media) and No. 706 (Uniform & Dress Code) were not included to allow more time to review employee feedback
• Public Works requests to piggyback on Sourcewell contracts for a skid steer, a 25-ton equipment trailer, and an HM210 Mulcher Attachment for a Cat 308 mini excavator, all funded by the FY27 Capital Budget
• Bid award recommendation for Bid No. 2026-7 for professional lobbying services, funded by the FY27 Contingency Fund, plus a County Council compensation discussion

The Council adopted two bills amending the Critical Area Program map and definitions. It also approved several equipment purchases for Public Works and a contract for professional lobbying services. Additionally, the Council voted to draft legislation to increase member salaries.

• Adopted Bill No. 2026-6 to amend Critical Area Program and Zoning Maps
• Adopted Bill No. 2026-7 to amend 'Critical Area' definition
• Adopted Resolutions 702, 703, and 705 regarding conduct, safety, and drug testing
• Approved $95,117.17 skid steer, $47,301.87 trailer, and $29,113.00 mulcher (4-0)
• Approved $58,205.00 Ford Transit van for Corrections (4-0)
• Awarded $65,000.00 lobbying contract to R&R Complete Solutions, LLC (4-0)
• Approved drafting legislation to increase member salaries to $21,000 and President to $22,000 (3-0)
• Approved grant applications for $67,909 (BJAG) and $284,057.28 (Court Security) (4-0)

Police Accountability Board

The Dorchester County Police Accountability Board holds an open session on July 13, 2026 at the County Office Building, 501 Court Lane, Room 110, Cambridge. The agenda lists approval of April 13, 2026 open session minutes, discussions with law enforcement agencies, a closed session, a closed session summary, and public comments. The agenda does not state what will be discussed with law enforcement agencies or what the closed session concerns.

• Approval of PAB Open Session Minutes – Closing Statement – April 13, 2026
• Discussions with Law Enforcement Agencies
• Closed Session under §3-305(b): (1) & (13)
• Closed Session Summary §3-305(b): (1) & (13)
• Public Comments

The Dorchester County Police Accountability Board approved its Open Session minutes and Closing Statement from April 13, 2026 by a 4-0 vote, with Chair Riordan abstaining and members James and Adkins absent. It also approved the Closed Session minutes of April 13, 2026 by the same 4-0 vote. The Board announced the resignation of Keith Adkins effective July 13, 2026, creating a Councilmanic District 5 vacancy. The Board met in closed session to discuss complaints filed against law enforcement officers and took no action; there was no public comment.

• Approved Open Session minutes and Closing Statement of April 13, 2026 (4-0, Riordan abstained, James and Adkins absent)
• Approved Closed Session minutes of April 13, 2026 (4-0, Riordan abstained, James and Adkins absent)
• Announced resignation of Keith Adkins effective July 13, 2026, resulting in a Councilmanic District 5 vacancy
• Voted 5-0 to adjourn into Closed Session on July 13, 2026 at 4:19 p.m. (James absent, Adkins resigned)
• Closed session discussed complaints filed against law enforcement officers; no action taken
• Adjourned the meeting at 4:32 p.m. (5-0, James absent, Adkins resigned)