Rehoboth reduces number of committees by more than half

June 1, 2025 1

After nearly two years of discussion, Rehoboth Beach commissioners voted in favor of reducing the number of advisory committees from five to two.

In the name of efficiency, former Commissioner Toni Sharp introduced a proposal in November 2023 that would’ve eliminated the city’s five advisory committees in favor of one general committee. Those advisory committees include: streets and transportation, beach and boardwalk, environment, animal issues, and trees and green infrastructure.

Commissioners made the decision during a meeting May 16. As approved, there will still be an environment committee, but it will merge with the trees and green infrastructure committee. There will also be a public safety committee, which is a merger of the three remaining committees.

There are a number of code- or charter-required committees and boards not included as part of the discussion – planning commission, board of adjustment, parks and shade tree, audit, board of elections and personnel.

Mayor Stan Mills began the recent discussion by suggesting that everything be left alone, except that the advisory committees would be turned into task forces. The main reason why he wanted to take that path, he said, was because there’s a lot of work associated with sunsetting a committee, including the approval of minutes.

The general feeling among commissioners and members of the public was that there would likely be some additional work upfront for staff in the sunsetting process, but overall it would be a much better approach in the long run.

Resident Carolyn Diefenderfer encouraged sticking with committees over task forces. The idea behind a task force is that those people are tasked with one issue, and when it’s done, it’s done, she said.

Commissioner Patrick Gossett voted against the change. The committees end up dealing with the personal issues of members that only affect their street, block or grandchildren, he said.

Mills laid out the city’s next steps moving forward. He will appoint commissioner chairs for each of the new committees, then they will figure out mission statements, decide how many members for each group, find members, and determine agenda topics.

Something was accomplished, but now there’s a need for two chairs, said Mills.

Five-year strategic plan

Commissioners approved the city’s first strategic plan May 16. The creation of the plan was one of the first initiatives undertaken by City Manager Taylour Tedder after he was hired a little over a year ago.

The five-year plan establishes three priority areas, and outlines strategies and action steps to be undertaken. The plan was developed by planning consultant Emergent Method following community surveys, in-person and virtual listening sessions, and one-on-one interviews.

The three primary areas of focus include building and maintaining foundational and forward-looking infrastructure, fostering excellence and coordination in all city operations, and continually improving access and amenities throughout the city.

The plan outlines more than two dozen strategies and action steps to help the plan get completed, including developing policies that prioritize long-term climate resilience and sustainability; integrating streetscape initiatives into the city’s annual capital improvement plan; strengthening coordination and partnerships among public and private-sector organizations; developing and implementing a comprehensive emergency response plan; continuing to support inclusivity in city policies, events and other activities; incentivizing voluntary use of accessibility best practices by local businesses and organizations; exploring development of a tourism management plan; and fostering a more business-friendly environment.

A report on strategic plan goals will be presented to commissioners quarterly as a way to mark progress and ensure accountability to the community.

Commissioner Suzanne Goode made a motion to approve the plan with a condition that would have prevented Tedder from hiring any outside consultants to help the city complete the plan, but it failed after it was not seconded.