OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.COM
MAY 6, 2022
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
SPRINGFEST
SEASONAL KICK-OFF
Weekend event to offer music, local flavors, beach tennis, and 250 vendors – Page 26
FREE
Resort tax rate to drop slightly in new budget Gisriel asks for tax cut, as Gehrig explains budgeting
MALLORY PANUSKA/OCEAN CITY TODAY
AIR FISHING
A group of men wrestle with the string of a large, colorful fish kite on May 1 on the beach between Third and Fourth streets during the 2022 International Kite Festival hosted by Kite Loft and the city.
Private sportsplex talk protested Mitrecic says nothing came of conversation he had with private investor/constituent By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (May 6, 2022) A meeting between Worcester County Commissioner Joe Mitrecic, Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young, and a private investor about the proposed sports complex has some commissioners wondering how the public knew about the gathering before they did. Commissioner Chip Bertino said it was concerning that meetings were taking place with potential sponsors
without all seven commissioners being informed. He said it really did not matter if nothing came of the meeting, but suggested it was the principle. “Other people around the county seem to know more than the county commissioners as to what is being said, with whom conversations are being had, and Joe Mitrecic what is being offered. I don’t think that’s right,” Bertino told the other commissioners. “I would ask moving forward, that if anybody in the county is having
meetings with regard to naming rights, what is out there, I think it’s responsible that the commissioners, all of us, be informed that either a meeting took place, what was discussed, who was there, etc. I don’t think it’s fair I had to find out by reading the newspapers, what’s going on for the county when I’m responsible, or Chip Bertino one of the responsible people for the county.” The commissioner’s concerns came just two weeks after a public See MITRECIC Page 4
By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (May 6, 2022) Keeping city property taxes at the constant yield rate stands to save some homeowners on their bills in fiscal 2023, but at least one vocal resident thinks more should be done. City Council members held a hearing Monday to gauge John Gehrig public opinion on a proposed constant yield rate of 45.26 cents per $100 of assessed value, which is marginally less than the current rate of 45.63 cents. The change could mean a slightly lower tax bill for property owners whose assessments have not changed. The city’s overall tax base is calcuSee GISRIEL Page 4
County will begin job of balancing income, expenses By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (May 6, 2022) Worcester County officials anticipate being $11.3 million short of covering the $229.6 million Weston Young spending budget proposed for FY23, versus $218.3 million in revenue being projected next year. Chief Administrator Weston Young presented the budget to the county commissioners on Tuesday See WORCESTER Page 6
