Ocean City Mayor Meehan urged the Worcester County Commissioners on Oct. 7 to allow a countywide increase in the hotel room tax from 5% to 6%, saying the additional revenue would help Ocean City cover rising public-safety and seasonal staffing costs while preserving the existing distribution formula for tourism promotion and safety.

The request was backed by Delegate Wayne Hartman, who said the enabling state legislation (House Bill 186) passed with support from the county delegation and allows the county, by unanimous vote, to raise the cap to 6%. Mayor Meehan and Ocean City officials said they expect the countywide increase to produce roughly $360,000 in additional revenue from unincorporated areas and smaller amounts for Berlin and Pocomoke.

Commissioners said they supported the idea in principle but discussed the county code changes and process. County Attorney Roscoe Leslie explained that the county code currently caps the county room tax at 5% and requires a public hearing and a resolution to adopt any new rate. Leslie advised that the enabling state law permits the increase, but the county code must be amended and a public hearing held before the rate can take effect.

Commissioner Metresick moved to direct staff to introduce legislation to raise the cap and to pursue emergency legislation to accelerate the process; Commissioner Fiore seconded. The motion passed, with the board directing staff to draft the code change and schedule a public hearing. County staff said they expect the ordinance to be introduced at the next meeting and the public hearing to be scheduled in mid-November so the measure could be in place for a January 1 start if adopted after the required proceedings.

Ocean City officials said the town would keep the current allocation formula that splits room-tax proceeds between general fund/public safety and tourism promotion. Mayor Meehan emphasized the request is intended to cover tourism-driven costs, including an announced plan to add 10 full-time police officers and an associated take‑home vehicle policy for retention; he asked the county to consider a grant request submitted during the budget process but said the tax increase would offset new Ocean City expenses.

Commissioners asked for public input and clarified next steps. Several commissioners praised recent operational cooperation between Ocean City and county public-safety agencies. The county attorney said staff would prepare the draft code amendment and run the public hearing process; commissioners discussed but did not adopt emergency legislation (which would require six votes). The board recorded direction to introduce and process the ordinance; a formal final vote on a rate change will follow the public hearing and any required code amendments.

Ocean City officials and members of the hospitality industry told commissioners they support the increase only if the existing distribution formula remains unchanged or if any additional revenue is used for tourism-related investments such as a sports complex. The commissioners requested the county office coordinate calendar and public‑notice steps so the public hearing could be held promptly.

Looking ahead, the county will publish the draft ordinance and notices for the public hearing; commissioners said they expect to revisit the item after the hearing and after the code amendment process is completed.