kent county levy court · sweeney, glen howell, j. william andrew, commissioners terry pepper,...

KENT COUNTY LEVY COURT

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER & PARKS AND RECREATION BROCHURE

Upcoming Programs and Activities for Recreation, Parks, and Libraries

For information on county services visit www.co.kent.de.us

Spring 2017

About the Levy Court

Fitness ............................................................... 17 Leagues ............................................................. 19 Special Event/Trips ........................................ 20

Library Services Children’s, Teen & Adult Programs ........21-22

Activity Registration Form .............................. 23

Earth Day 2017 ...................................................... 24

Levy Court News ............................................ 4-8

Parks and Recreation Information ........................................................ 9 Registration & General Information ............ 10 Tot Programs .................................................... 10 Youth Programs ............................................... 12 Camps ............................................................... 14 Adult Programs ............................................... 15

Table of Contents

Hon. P. Brooks BantaPresidentCommittee: Finance 1st District 242-2572

Hon. Glen Howell Commissioner6th DistrictCommittee: Public Works531-8832

Hon. Eric L. Buckson Commissioner4th DistrictCommittee: Planning Services943-2832

Hon. Allan F. AngelCommissioner3rd DistrictCommittee: Administration382-6735

Hon. Jody Sweeney Commissioner5th DistrictCommittee: Community Services/Information Technology 943-7328

Hon. Terry L. Pepper Vice PresidentCommittee: Public Safety531-8803

Michael J. Petit de Mange, AICPCounty Administrator

Levy Court is your County government. Kent County Levy Court is comprised of seven elected Commissioners-six who are elected from the districts in which they reside – and the seventh elected at-large to represent the entire county. The Commissioners serve at the will of the electorate and answer solely to their constituents. Since the Commissioners are elected officials it is customary to refer to them with the designation of Honorable.

Levy Court responsibilities include enacting planning and land use ordinances, providing parks and recreation facilities, establishing fees, providing emergency medical services, 911 communications, emergency management, approving sewer system construction, establishing the yearly tax rate, appointing department heads and overseeing the county departments that support the mission of Levy Court. The Commissioners appoint a County Administrator who is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of county government.

Levy Court offices are at 555 Bay Road. Residents may call 744-2300 or 744-2305 to reach a County office. For more information on Levy Court, please visit our website at: www.co.kent.de.us

Special Note *The 2nd Levy Court District seat is currently vacant.A special election will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, to fill this vacancy.

Kent County Phone Directory

About the Row OfficesKent County has four Row Officers; each of which is an elected official. Row Officers serve four year terms

and each is empowered to manage their office. Each row office performs a distinct function within the County Government. Row Officers are held accountable to the electorate and it is customary to refer to them with the designation of Honorable.

Kent County Administrative Complex555 Bay RoadDover, DE 19901

Levy Court Office 744-2305Assessment Office 744-2401 Building Permits & Inspections 744–2451Code Enforcement 744-2452Community Development 744-2480Economic Development 678-3028Engineering 744-2430Facilities Mgmt. 744-2357Finance 744-2386 a. Tax Section 744-2341GIS/Mapping 744-2416Information Technology 744-2365Parks & Recreation 744-2495Personnel 744-2310 Planning 744-2471

Row OfficesClerk of the Peace 744-2346Recorder of Deeds Office 744-2315Register of Wills Office 744-2330Sheriff’s Office 736-2161

Kent County Emergency Services Building911 Public Safety Blvd.Dover, DE 19901

Emergency Communications 735-2200Emergency Management 735-3465Emergency Medical Services 735-2180

Kent County Library497 South Red Haven LaneDover, DE 19901 Library Services 744-1919

Kent County Parks And Recreation1683 New Burton Road Dover, DE 19904 744-2495

Kent County Wastewater Treatment Plant139 Milford Neck RoadMilford, DE 19963 Wastewater Facilities 335-6000

Register of Wills: Hon. Harold K. Brode [email protected](302) 744-2330 Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Chief Deputy – Dianne M. Rager [email protected](302) 744-2328

Deputy – Peggy [email protected](302) 744- 2327

Recorder of Deeds: Hon. Betty Lou McKenna [email protected] (302) 744-2321Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Deputy – Despina [email protected](302) 744-2318

Sheriff: Hon. Jason [email protected](302) 736-2161 Office Hours: 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.

Chief Deputy – Nicholas [email protected](302) 744-2158

Clerk of the Peace:Hon. Brenda [email protected](302) 744-2346Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Deputy – Patricia A. [email protected](302) 744-2347

Deputy – Marty [email protected](302) 744-2346

Department of Public Safety officials pose with the commem-orative plaque, which officially recognizes their outstanding accomplishments. Shown in photo are, Dispatcher II/EMD-QTom Williams, Edward Semans, Ronald Short, Jeff Outten, Operation Support Officer Dan McLaughlin, Administrative Officer, Scott Bundek and Division Head, Kevin Sipple.

About the cover illustrator: The cover of our Spring 2017 County Newsletter is illustrated by Alyssa Williams, a freshman art student majoring in Illustration at Delaware College of Art and Design in Wilmington, Delaware. A Milton, Delaware native and graduate of Sussex Tech High School (2016), Williams is the youngest of three children. “I’ve had an interest in drawing since childhood. At first my art consisted of heroines and women expressing huge amounts of courage and bravery, something that as a child, I desper-ately wished to portray. But as I aged, my works changed a bit. I began focusing more on character development, while improving my fictional writing for stories that I’m planning to turn into novels and comics. Now, I aspire to become a character concept artist for videogames,” Williams said. “Though I’m currently working to improve my skill set in Photoshop, I still work traditionally with oils, acrylics, watercolor and inks. I’m in love with color and find inspiration in almost anything! Many of my works contain pieces depicting adventure and people I’ve encountered during my travels. I hope to do this for the rest of my life.”

Williams illustration choice for this Spring cover, features the Pantone 2017 Color of the Year, Greenery. Appropriately enough, the drawing utilizes watercolor and depicts a hummingbird preparing to enjoy the nectar of Spring time wild roses.

“The Kent County Department of Public Safety is second to none,” says Levy Court President P. Brooks Banta. “I have firsthand experience with this phenomenal group of well trained professionals, and I know the level of service they provide, as well as, how hard they work,” Banta said.

IAED, a non-profit, which is dedicated to promoting safe and effective emergency dispatch services world-wide, will also recognize the accomplishments of KCPDS in The Journal of Emergency Dispatch. IAED is made up of four Academies: Medical, Fire, Police and Emergency Communication Nurse System Dispatching. Additionally, they support first responder related research, unified protocol applications, legislation for emergency call center regulation and the emergency dispatch community.

KCDPS achieved re-accreditation for their ongoing compliance with the Medical Priority Dispatch System and the associated “20 Points of Excellence”, which includes the international standards of excellence for Emergency Medical Dispatch. By exhibiting effective oversight, quality improvements, and ongoing individual certification of all emergency call-takers, KCDPS has positioned itself among a select group of 9-1-1 emergency communication service centers.

“Kent County Public Safety does a fantastic job,” Banta says. “They are well deserving of this distinction and honor. I’m tremendously proud of our staff and the community is extremely lucky to have them at their service.”

Kent County Department of Public Safety, Earns Re-Accreditation as an Emergency Medical

Dispatch Center of ExcellenceBy Kia Evans

Kent County Department of Public Safety (KCDPS) was recently approved as an Emergency Dispatch Center of Excellence by the Board of Accreditation of the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED). As such, KCDPS has achieved the distinct honor of being the 49th Emergency Medical Dispatch Accredited Center in the World.

Cover artist Alyssa Williams

ATTENTIONKENT COUNTY GARBAGE COLLECTION CUSTOMERS(This does NOT apply to you if your collection is provided by a municipality or a private contractor)

**COUNTY GARBAGE DISTRICTS WITH YARD WASTE COLLECTION**YARD WASTE COLLECTION IS CURRENTLY SUSPENDED FOR THE WINTER MONTHS

YARD WASTE SERVICE WILL RESUME ON MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2017.

For questions regarding Garbage Collection services, please contact us at (302) 744-2429 or visit us online at Kent County Department of Public Works, www.co.kent.de.us.

Levy Court Receives Capital Credit from Delaware Electric Co-Operative

By Kia Evans

Kent County Levy Court receives a Capital Credit Check from J. William Andrew, President/CEO, Delaware Electric Cooperative. Shown L-R: County Administrator, Mike Petit de Mange, Commissioners Jody Sweeney, Glen Howell, J. William Andrew, Commissioners Terry Pepper, Allan Angel, President P. Brooks Banta, and Commissioner Brad Eaby.

Dover, DE - J. William Andrew, President/CEO, Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC), presented member-owner Kent County Levy Court (KCLC) with a check in the amount of $81,571.72.

Kent County Resources Recovery Facility in Frederica is the single largest DEC customer using around 11,236,800 KWH of electricity each year.

Known as Capital Credits, the monies represent the Co-op’s profits margins, which are returned to the people and/or companies the cooperative serves.

DEC, a non-profit organization, was formed in 1936 by a group of farmers in Southern Delaware who sought to filled the void in the electrical infrastructure to the local rural areas.

Today, serving approximately 84,000 members in Kent and Sussex County, DEC continues its mission of providing reliable quality service.

To learn more about Delaware Electric Cooperative, visit: http://www.delaware.coop

DASEF: An Established Force for STEM EducationServing ALL Schools, Teachers and the Public

2016/2017: THE DASEF JOURNEY AT 27

For over twenty-seven years, DASEF has provided innovative, interdisciplinary content areas that use Earth and Space as broad, motivational frameworks for teaching science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and non-traditional career choices to allchildren. DASEF strives to improve the quality of life through its advocacy of education, the environment and strengthening the workforce.

ENVIRONMENTAL OUTPOST PROGRAMS

DASEF is pleased to offer exciting and entertaining learning experiences for teachers, children and their families. Programs include school and youth field trips,Destination Explorations, Professional Development,Eyes on the Skies, Family Days, Academies, Delaware Libraries, Young Children, K-12 Outreach for NASA Space Grant and the Center for Applied Optics and Space Science and Birthday Parties. To schedule, email your name, number of participants, and your phone number to Lynne Bloom: [email protected] or call (302) 659-5003 or (302) 834-1978.

All ages are welcome! Pre K – College, School Field trips, Youth Groups,

Teachers and Families! Learn more - go to: www.dasef.org

Come to the Outpost for Planet Earth Day,May 6, 2017 • Big Oak County Park • 1 - 4 p.m.

There will be lots of simultaneous fun-filled family activities, including rocket launching, face painting, solar viewers, a spinning device, a hands-on Clean WaterMaze featuring marine life by Wyland. Meet all of our Endangered Species under a special tent, move likecaterpillar, experience our Earth Walk, our new outdoorWhisper Seats exhibit, try our Bird Migration Maze, and meet some special visitors on May 6, 2017

DASEF’s Innovation Technology Exploration Center (ITEC) UPDATE

With the support of Kent County Levy Court and a private contributor, DASEF has completed the installation of the Geothermal System in the mechanical room, theinstallation of the Heat Pump Loop Piping, electrical sub panels feeders and the construction of the walls for the electrical panels on all (3) floors. One step at a time and NO DEBT!

Park’s Studio Sculpture at DASEF’s campus in Smyrna. Wisdom Begins with Wonder illuminated.

No one plans to call 9-1-1, but now you can plan ahead.Sign up for Smart911 to give 9-1-1 valuable information about yourself, family members, your home, pets and even vehicles that will be immediately available to 9-1-1 when you make a 9-1-1 call. These details can save valuable seconds or even minutes during an emergency.

A child goes missing.

There’s a fire.

You experience a medical emergency.

There’s an accident at home or work.

You are in a vehicle accident.

Seconds count when….

Seconds Save Lives. Sign Up Today.

Be Smart About Safety

Sign Up Today

Smart911 is a free 9-1-1 service available in Kent County.

For questions, pleasecall (302) 734-6040.

Opening Spring 2017

Be Smart About Safety

Sign Up Today.

Employee of the Year 2016

Kent County named Frances S. Gunning, from the Kent County Department of Community Services as the 2016 Employee of the Year.

Fran has been a Kent County employee since September 2002 and serves as a Library Technician in the Division of Libraries. Her primary duties include operating the bookmobile, assisting library patrons with book and material selection, cataloging/processing library materials, and assisting visitors with the public computers and internet access.

Praised by her supervisor for providing superior customer service, Fran is devoted to meeting the needs of remote library users in underserved communities such as the Veterans Home, senior housing communities, daycare centers and charter schools.

All permanent, full-time classified employees and slotted deputies who positively promote Kent County to the public, demonstrate sustained performance, and contribute to the achievement of county objectives, are initially eligible for nomination as Employee of the Month, from which the Employee of the Year is selected.

County officials congratulate the 2016 Kent County Employee of the Year. Shown L-R: Commissioners Jody Sweeney, Glen Howell, Employee of the Year, Frances Gunning, Commissioner Terry Pepper, President P. Brooks Banta, County Administrator, Mike Petit de Mange, and Commissioner Allan Angel.

SENIOR CITIZEN SCHOOL PROPERTY TAX CREDITTo qualify for this property tax credit you must be age 65 or older by June 30. Also, the property for which you are applying for the credit must be your principal residence and your name must be on the deed. This tax credit is equal to 50% of your school tax with a cap of $500. The amount of credit you receive depends on the age of the persons named on the deed. Full credit is given if you or your lawful spouse (if named on the deed) is age 65 or older. Only partial credit is given if additional persons under age 65 are named on the property deed. A copy of your driver’s license or birth certificate is required for each applicant on the application. This one-time application must be filed with the Kent County Tax Office. If you have questions regarding this contact: (302) 744-2341.

* The state of Delaware now has a three-year Residency Requirement for New Applicants.

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR THIS CREDIT IS APRIL 30 OF EACH TAX YEAR. This deadline is fixed by State law and allows no exceptions by the County. Retroactive credits are not permitted.

ELDERLY/DISABILITY PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONTo qualify for this property tax exemption YOU MUST BE AGE 65 OR OLDER BY MAY 31ST OR be totally (100%) disabled and able to document said disability. You must HAVE AN ANNUAL INCOME OF LESS THAN $16,000 FOR SINGLE PERSON OR $22,000 FOR MARRIED COUPLES (figures can change annually). You must currently reside on the property and have resided on the property as your principle residence

for 1 year. You must have been a Delaware resident for at least 5 years (waived for military service related disability). This exemption reduces the amount of the taxable assessment thereby reducing or eliminating your property tax liability.

A completed application and income/disability verification forms must be received by the Assessment Office no later than May 1 prior to the tax year (June 1) for which the exemption is sought. YOU MUST REAPPLY EVERY YEAR FOR THIS EXEMPTION BY MAY 1. RETROACTIVE CREDITS ARE NOT PERMITTED.

UNIFORMED MILITARY PERSONNEL SERVING IN COMBAT ZONES TAX RELIEF

Persons who have served in combat zones (as declared by the President of the U.S. and defined by the United States Treasury as Uniformed Military Personnel) begin on or after November 13, 2007 may qualify to receive partial relief from County government taxes (school taxes must still be paid). TAX YEAR BEGINS JUNE 1st. APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE NO LATER THAN MAY 31 PRIOR TO THE TAX YEAR (JUNE 1) FOR WHICH THE EXEMPTION IS SOUGHT.

You must apply every year. Additional information including application forms, guidelines and deadlines regarding Kent County Property Tax exemptions are available at www.co.kent.de.us or by contacting the Assessment Office at (302) 744-2401.

kent county levy court · sweeney, glen howell, j. william andrew, commissioners terry pepper,...

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