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APRIL 28, 2023
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New pop culture event to debut this Saturday and Sunday at OC convention center – Page 27
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School board wonders what county wants Commissioners’ request for detailed budget questioned
HUNTER HINE/OCEAN CITY TODAY
WARD WINNER
Ocean City hosted the 50th in-person Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center last weekend. Pictured are attendees looking at the masters level carving entries. The duck with the blue ribbon was declared first in the masters decorative life-size floating waterfowl, diving ducks division.
By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (April 28, 2023) Worcester County Public Schools’ Superintendent Lou Taylor and Chief Financial Officer Vince Tolbert plan to meet “The with county commissioners are officials to disnot entitled to a cuss the public detailed budget. school system’s fiscal They are not. If we 2024 budget decide to give it to and County them, then that is Commissioner this board’s President decision. Chip Bertino’s Board President request for Todd Ferrante more clarity. The Worcester County Board of Education decided at its April 18 meeting to have the conference after discussing the issue for nearly 45 minutes. Earlier that same day, at the county commissioners meeting, some commissioners expressed worries over a perceived lack of transparency in the budget after Taylor and Tolbert See BOARD Page 6
City to incentivize volunteer firefighters Public safety employees, others could benefit from new property tax rebates By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (April 28, 2023) Using language from a newly modified state law, Ocean City officials are hoping to re-
ward volunteer firefighters — and possibly all city employees — for living in town limits. During the 2023 session, Maryland legislators passed modifications to a bill that allows public safety officers to receive local tax incentives for living in the jurisdictions where they work. The changes expand the definition of public safety officers to in-
clude volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians and give elected officials the ability to remove a $2,500 cap on the incentive amount. At a work session Tuesday, City Council members voted 5-0 — with Council President Matt James and Councilman Will Savage abstaining because they are volunteer firefight-
ers — to create an ordinance to make active volunteers eligible to receive the incentives. Volunteer Fire Chief James Jester pushed for the change in an effort to increase membership and participation in the department. The city’s paid and volunteer fire departments have both struggled with recruiting. See PAID Page 4
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Ocean City Today
APRIL 28, 2023
APRIL 28, 2023
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Fire engines are shown in the garage of the Ocean City Fire Department Headquarters on 14th Street. Council members voted this week to issue a purchase order early for two new fire apparatus set for arrival in fiscal 2025 to avoid expected higher costs from inflation and impending emissions requirements.
Purchase order for two new fire engines approved early By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (April 28, 2023) In an attempt to avoid higher costs due to inflation and impending federal emission requirements, Ocean City officials are locking in the purchase of two new fire apparatus a little earlier than expected. At a work session Tuesday, City Council members voted 6-1, with
Councilman John Gehrig opposed, to approve a zero-dollar purchase order for two new replacement engines for the fire department. The new vehicles, which will replace two apparatus set for retirement, were initially set for purcahse and in fiscal 2025. But with equipment costs increasing roughly 45 percent, and new federal emissions See INFLATION Page 4
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