OC Today-Dispatch MARCH 7, 2025
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Short-term rental limit approved City Council agrees, 4-3, to end renting properties for short stays in R1, MH neighborhoods by 2027. — PAGE 10
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
PHOTO COURTESY DANA MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY
The contributions and life of Cheryl Taustin, who died last year, was celebrated at the OC Chamber 75th Anniversary Celebration last Friday with her family accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award on her behalf. Cole and Jay Taustin are pictured at the event with Commissioner Joe Mitrecic and Delegate Wayne Hartman. See page 61 for more photos.
County looks at tax decrease Rather than collect entire revenue windfall because of the increased tax base, county commissioners agree to see what the effect would be if they lopped a few cents off the existing rate for property taxes. — PAGE 3
This crush is ours Delaware can say what it wants, but this is an Ocean City beverage. So says a bill in legislature to make it Maryland’s official cocktail. —Page 54
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OC Today-Dispatch
Now Open for the 2025 Season!
MARCH 7, 2025
MARCH 7, 2025
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OC Today-Dispatch
Commissioners to consider property tax rate decrease County officials direct staff to prep revenue projections for proposed rate reduction By Brian Shane Staff Writer (March 7, 2025) Could a tax break be coming to Worcester County property owners? Elected leaders say they want to explore the possibility. “Because we are having increased revenue coming into the county, that doesn’t mean we should spend it,” said County Commissioner Chip Bertino at Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting. “Quite honestly, as we all know up here, it’s not our money. I’d very much like us to see money given back to the people who are paying it, because costs are going up and up and up.” For now, property taxes for Worcester County are set to 84.5 cents per $100 of assessed value. Based on that level of taxation, the county could expect to receive an additional $18 million in property tax revenue for fiscal year 2026, according to preliminary estimates released in December. However, if the tax rate generated the exact same revenue as last year – the term for this is constant yield – then the county’s tax rate would drop to about 77 cents. Every penny on the tax rate brings about $1.8 to $2 million in revenue, according to Bertino. Looking ahead, given the expected property tax windfall for fiscal 2026,
Bertino (District 5, Ocean Pines) on Tuesday asked county staffers to prepare a report demonstrating projections if the tax rate were dropped by 2, 3, 4 or 5 cents – or even if it fell 7 cents, to the constant yield. The commissioners approved his motion unanimously. Bertino also said he’s heard the scuttlebutt around the county, that a projected revenue increase would mean more spending – but that’s not a done deal. “If we can push back money, yeah, I think we should,” he said. “How much does government need to increase? At some point, enough is enough. If you’re on a fixed income, as many people are in the Ocean Pines area, it means something to them. I just feel very strongly about it, especially since I’m seeing these (property) assessments increasing considerably.” Bertino was quick to say that while he supports a property tax reduction, he’s not necessarily advocating for it – yet. That’s because, given the state of Maryland’s projected $3 billion revenue shortfall, state lawmakers may shift the burden of some services onto individual counties. It means the near future is unclear because Worcester and the state’s other 22 counties may be forced to pay for things it never did before, like some community college funding, state property assessments, and the register of wills office. “We’re getting hit with increased See COUNTY Page 6
Council grants conditional use for new escape rooms By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (March 7, 2025) A conditional use approval will allow Maze Games LLC to establish new escape rooms in Ocean City. During Monday’s regular meeting, the Ocean City Council voted unanimously to approve a conditional use request from Maze Games LLC. Planning and Community Development Director George Bendler told officials this week that the request, supported by the Ocean City Planning Commission, would allow for new escape rooms at 8001 Coastal Highway. “Approval aligns with the uses permitted in the LC-1 district,” he said. On Feb. 4, the Ocean City Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional use request from Asiya Abdrakhmanova and Ekaterina Golub, principals of Maze Games LLC, to permit new escape rooms at 8001 Coastal Highway. They said the business, to be located within one of the interior units
of the strip center, would differ from other escape rooms the company operates within the resort. “We’re going to build at least three new rooms,” Abdrakhmanova said at the time. “This is a good opportunity for people to escape the beach, for at least an hour. It’s a very good rainy day activity, which we are lacking.” With the commission’s support, a favorable recommendation was forwarded to the Mayor and City Council, which considered the conditional use request on Monday. Bendler told the council this week the planning commission had provided approval with several conditions, including that no locking mechanisms be installed on interior doors and that video monitors must be installed and in constant use in the rooms at all times of operation. With no further discussion, the council voted 7-0 to approve the conditional use with the special conditions.
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