FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS
CONTACT: NORMAN BASSETT RELEASE
240-313-2130

Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
March 11, 2003

COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Dori Nipps commented on the recent Recreation and Parks Board meeting. A presentation to that group from the Washington County Marbles League led to a request to the Commissioners for use of space at Marty Snook Park for "Marble Ring Pads" for practice and play of the game. Nipps told the Board that the area to be used would not interfere in any other Park activities, and that the League would provide materials, installation and maintainence for the concrete pads. Washington County has been home to several National and International Marbles Champions. Staff of both the Recreation and Buildings, Grounds and Parks Departments supported the plan. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Commissioner John Munson reported on the recent Maugans Avenue public information meeting. Munson said that 70% of those attending approved the road-widening project.
Commissioner Bill Wivell commented on a recent Maryland Association of Counties' legislative committee meeting. MACo has taken a complicated position on Slot Machines in Maryland, stating that Governor Ehrlich's plan must provide revenue to Counties and cause no harm to other funding mechanisms. A meeting of the PenMar Development Corporation discussed the possible reuse of the Fort Ritchie Gymnasium under a rental agreement with CSL sports group of Smithsburg.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported that the Board of Education selection committee is continuing to narrow the field of candidates to replace Commissioner Nipps. A meeting has been set with Hotspots Director Carolyn Brooks to discuss that program, Kercheval said.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook told the Board that a letter from the Maryland Department of the Environment has announced a public meeting on the application of sludge on farmland on Frogeye Road in the southern end of the County. That meeting is set for March 27th at 7 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Elementary School. The Maryland Municipal League will meet on March 24th at Sharpsburg, Snook said. A recent presentation to Leadership Hagerstown discussed differing forms of County government in Maryland and challenges Washington County must face in the coming fiscal year. A letter from Permits and Inspections Department Director Paul Prodonovich asked the Board if it intends to continue the practice of waiving permit fees for school construction and renovation. Hagerstown Community College has asked for such a waiver for the next phase of its renovation project. This practice has been in effect for many years, Snook said. No one on the Board objected to continuing the practice. The County Transfer and Excise tax bill is out of the rules committee as of Monday, according to Delegate John Donoghue, Snook reported.

REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer said pressure continues to be brought on the legislature by the Maryland Association of Counties on the Highway User Fund issue. Washington County stands to lose 46% of the funds that pave roads, plows snow and patches potholes under the current plan. A follow-up meeting was held with Public Works Division staff following the Maugans Avenue widening project public meeting last week to discuss citizen concerns, Rohrer said. Most of the objections have to do with traffic management on the proposed 5-lane road. Commissioners' President Snook asked when traffic control devices such as those in Halfway Park would be tested on a County street. Complaints of speeding in the park have diminished since the "speed humps" were installed last year, Snook said.
Department of Emergency Services Director Joe Kroboth reported that staff is working on paperwork on the Presidents' Day snowstorm, in order to recoup some of the $1.2 million the County spent on overtime salaries and supplies for plowing. Cost of that storm statewide is estimated at $55 million, Kroboth said. Other damages may result, as flooding conditions are reached on streams and rivers in the community. Meetings are being held with Maryland Correctional Institute officials prior to a tabletop disaster exercise scheduled for May 1. DES personnel staffed a booth at the recent Home Show, distributing information on the Home Chemical Safety program, Kroboth said.
Planning and Community Development Director Bob Arch told the Board that a meeting with Historical District representatives will discuss a conservator for the French Lane property. Adequate Public Facility Ordinances will be a topic on the Spring MACo agenda, Arch said, as APFO studies are being undertaken in many Counties across the state.

BUDGET PRESENTATION: EMERGENCY SERVICES/FIRE & RESCUE ASSOCIATION
Department of Emergency Services (DES) Director Joe Kroboth brought the Fiscal Year 2004 Operating DES Budget to the Board for review. Kroboth told the Commissioners that the department's budget falls into four separate categories. Fire/ Rescue Communications answered 20,000 incident calls last year. Its total budget for the coming fiscal year is $264,240.00, which is a reduction of .06%. 9-1-1 fees support 80% of that department's budget request, Kroboth said. The five Capital Outlay projects requested for the coming budget year include replacement of a 1992 vehicle with a 4 wheel-drive SUV. That vehicle would be useful in ferrying critical personnel to the Communications Center in situations like the recent snow event, Kroboth said. A Digitized Alarm Decoder must be replaced, because elements of the unit are nonfunctional and repair parts are no longer being made. 2 new Fire/Rescue dispatch software programs are needed, and the County's 9-1-1 center digital recorder must be replaced because the unit has failed and is non-repairable.
The Emergency Management Agency's request for FY 2004 is $25,100, a reduction of 2.37% over FY '03.
The Special Operations Team is requesting $136,060 in operating costs and $12,000 in Capital outlay. The operating budget is 1.38% less than last year. The only Capital request is for an emergency generator for the Special Ops building on Frederick Street. Special Operations performs Hazardous Materials, Mountain Rescue, Water Rescue and a number of other duties not performed by other emergency service companies.
The Emergency Air Unit's budget of $23,200 includes $5,500 for a one-time cost for pagers. No other increases would be sought in that unit's budget, Kroboth said.
Jason Baer, President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA) and Association Assistant Treasurer Rick Hemphill outlined the WCVFRA operational needs for the coming fiscal year. Hemphill presented the proposal, developed with input from the Washington County Department of Emergency Services (DES), as the County is one of several funding agencies for the non-profit organization. The Association requested a total budget of $2.49 million, of which the County proposes to provide $1.3 million as the annual Government allocation. 2,138 volunteers served the County in FY '02, Hemphill said, an increase of 200 over the prior year. This turnout shows proof that the new County/Association partnership is working. Volunteers save County taxpayers $30 million each year, compared to the amount that would have to be paid full-time firefighters and EMS technicians. Changing Federal regulations are having an impact on the way Fire and EMS services are being delivered in the County, Hemphill said. The way in which Emergency Services companies bill for services was discussed by the Board, with standards being recommended for the billing process in the future. More paid personnel are needed in the County, Hemphill said, and service hours increase as growth continues. 400 new homes built in the County in the past year are an indication of the need for greater funding. Baer and Hemphill said a need exists for an external study on how funding is distributed in the county, but that funds were not requested in the FY '04 budget for that item. Hemphill said the Association request is $111,000 less than the FY '03 budget. Additional budgets will be discussed by the Commissioners prior to approval of funding for the coming fiscal year, which will take place in May.

CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Each week the Board of County Commissioners sets aside time to hear from the Citizens of Washington County on matters of community interest.
Donald Allensworth of Hagerstown commented on the Planning Commission motion regarding the Emerald Pointe development, and disputed reports that the County revenue bill had progressed past the Rules Committee of the Maryland House of Delegates.

OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney Issues: Assistant County Attorney John Martirano reported on a recent presentation to Leadership Hagerstown regarding the Public Information Act and other legal issues.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner told the Board that an opening for a County Commissioner representative exists on the Community Action Council Board. The Commissioners could appoint a designee, Bittner said.
County Administrator Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop reported that a draft of the Organizational Review is available for comment. Once the Board has seen the document, it will be brought to open session for discussion, Shoop said.

The Board toured the Humane Society facility and discussed a proposed Spay/Neuter Assistance Program at the noon hour.

SANDY HOOK WATER TOWER SPACE LEASE
Real Property Administrator Dean Lowry brought this proposal, to lease space on County-owned property adjacent to the Sandy Hook Water Tank to T-Mobile communications company, before the Board. The County Tower Site Committee has recommended moving forward with the lease, creating $900 per month in revenue. The Committee has also sanctioned negotiations with CSX railroad for a Telephone Pole/Repeater site at the location. The T-Mobile tower would be 40-60 feet high, and CSX is deciding if it wants to construct a 40-foot tower there as well. The companies would have to apply to the Planning Commission for a Special Exception. The County-owned property has been identified as the key site for location of cellular monopoles in the Southern Washington County area. Representatives of the Harper's Ferry Conservancy referred T-Mobile to the County. Lowry told the Board that the 40-foot poles would be the same height as the existing tower, and that a 60-foot pole would be just at tree height. Homeowners in the area will be contacted about testing that the company will do in the area. Today's action will allow Lowry to sign an Owner Authorization Agreement with T-mobile. The company will raise an antenna on a crane to determine if signal strength would be sufficient in that area. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.

POSITION VACANCY, WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT
Assistant Director of Human Resources Dee Hawbaker and Water/Sewer Director Greg Murray brought this request before the Board. An employee in the Lab Tech I position at the Water and Sewer Lab has resigned, effective March 28, 2003. Murray told the Board that the position is critical for proper testing of treated water from the Conococheague plant. The position is budgeted at grade 6, at $22,044 per year. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.

BUDGET PRESENTATION-GENERAL FUND
Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian brought draft two of the Expenditure side of the General Fund Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2004 before the Board for discussion and review. Education tops all proposed budget expenses at $85,143,564.00. This figure reflects $6.97 million in new funding, or an 8.91% increase. The Educational expense category amounts to 68% of the proposed budget for the Fiscal Year, with K-12 education accounting for $80 million. The Board of Education's latest request will be discussed later this week. The Commissioners began trimming budgets, to make up for an anticipated $5.2 million shortfall in revenue due to state budget cuts and the soft stock market. The Health Department has been flat-funded for the past three fiscal years, attributable to conservative management practices by that Department's administration. The Department of Social Services request to cover a budget shortfall and a rent increase relating to the Family Center was cut, with the rent increase of $3,000 remaining in the budget. The Board discussed two Agricultural Extension Service requests, with travel funds being cut and flat funding for operational costs. Circuit Court operations were down 2.33%; Orphan's Court was flat funded. The Election Board requested an overall 20% increase due in part to new voting machine technology, and will be asked to justify costs associated with staff training and development for the coming fiscal year. The Soil Conservation District and Historic Society will receive the same amount of funding as in FY 2003, as will the Weed Control and Gypsy Moth spraying programs. A look at funding for non-profit organizations began with the Tri-County Council, which assists in securing grants for the County, receiving an increase of about $3,000.00. The Humane Society had requested a 4% increase, but will be asked to provide additional information to justify the added funds. The Civil Air Patrol will be flat-funded at just under $4,000.00. Children's Village will also receive the same amount as funded in FY 2003. The Washington County Volunteer Fire/Rescue Association budget recommendation is 7.97% over that received in the current fiscal year, but $116,000 below the organization's request. A general discussion of non-profit agencies, to which the Commissioners make donations, took place. By state mandate the County must give about $3 million to non-profit charities, but no list of guaranteed recipients exists. A number of agencies are eligible to receive funds, but there is no specified amount that must be donated to each agency. The Board will discuss budgetary matters a number of times prior to a public hearing and final adoption of the FY '04 budget document.

PROCLAMATION: COVERING THE UNINSURED WEEK
Kery Hummel, Executive Director of the Western Maryland Area Health Education Center (WMAHEC) and Maryland Covering Kids and Families, along with County Health Officer Bill Christoffel and Earl Stoner, Director of Health Services at the Washington County Health Department received a proclamation from Commissioner's President Greg Snook, designating the week of March 10th through 16th, 2003 as "Cover the Uninsured" Week in Washington County. The proclamation cited the 41 million Americans who do not have health care coverage and said that 8 of 10 uninsured people are in working families. Uninsured Americans live sicker and die younger than people who have health care coverage. Those factors, along with the slow economy, higher unemployment and rising health costs mean that the rate of uninsured citizens is on the increase. The Board recognized the urgency of finding solutions for this problem and urged all citizens to observe Cover the Uninsured Week.