(March 30, 2017) Snow Hill Mayor Charlie Dorman and Pocomoke City Mayor Bruce Morrison have joined forces in pursuit of slot revenues for their respective towns.
In a January 31 letter to Maryland State Senator Jim Mathias (D-38) Dorman and Morrison asked for an adjustment to the distribution equation for revenue generated at the Casino at Ocean Downs.
State law mandates 5.5 percent of casino revenue are returned to neighboring communities through local impact grants. In Worcester, the county retains 60 percent with 20 percent going to Ocean City, while Berlin and Ocean Pines both receive 10 percent.
“I have met with Mayor Bruce Morrison … and together we would like to see legislation introduced that would allow Snow Hill and Pocomoke City to be included in the Local Impact Grants,” Dorman said. “We feel that distribution throughout all the municipalities would be advantageous to all, as everyone can benefit from additional funding for economic and community development.”
Morrison said the pair approached Worcester County officials with the same request last year, but were informed the change had to come at the state level.
“We’re hurting for revenue,” he said. “All we’re asking for is 1 percent to spread the wealth.”
In the letter, Dorman notes that during pervious discussions with the county it was explained that to have the funds reallocated to Snow Hill or Pocomoke the towns would need to demonstrate an impact from the casino.
“While we agree that Ocean City, Ocean Pines and Berlin are the most impacted areas for public safety and infrastructure, I would argue that all the municipalities should be afforded the opportunity to benefit from the grants towards economic and community development,” he said.
Reached for comment Mathias said nothing actionable is imminent during the current legislative session, and any future discussions concerning reallocating funding would need to involve the county and local municipalities.
In a January 31 letter to Maryland State Senator Jim Mathias (D-38) Dorman and Morrison asked for an adjustment to the distribution equation for revenue generated at the Casino at Ocean Downs.
State law mandates 5.5 percent of casino revenue are returned to neighboring communities through local impact grants. In Worcester, the county retains 60 percent with 20 percent going to Ocean City, while Berlin and Ocean Pines both receive 10 percent.
“I have met with Mayor Bruce Morrison … and together we would like to see legislation introduced that would allow Snow Hill and Pocomoke City to be included in the Local Impact Grants,” Dorman said. “We feel that distribution throughout all the municipalities would be advantageous to all, as everyone can benefit from additional funding for economic and community development.”
Morrison said the pair approached Worcester County officials with the same request last year, but were informed the change had to come at the state level.
“We’re hurting for revenue,” he said. “All we’re asking for is 1 percent to spread the wealth.”
In the letter, Dorman notes that during pervious discussions with the county it was explained that to have the funds reallocated to Snow Hill or Pocomoke the towns would need to demonstrate an impact from the casino.
“While we agree that Ocean City, Ocean Pines and Berlin are the most impacted areas for public safety and infrastructure, I would argue that all the municipalities should be afforded the opportunity to benefit from the grants towards economic and community development,” he said.
Reached for comment Mathias said nothing actionable is imminent during the current legislative session, and any future discussions concerning reallocating funding would need to involve the county and local municipalities.