Note: This is a SUMMARY of the Commissioners Meeting for the purposes of a Press Release. These are not the actual minutes of the meeting.

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

Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
April 8, 2003

PROCLAMATION: COUNTIES CARE FOR KIDS WEEK
Stephanie Stone, Director of the Washington County Community Partnership received this proclamation from the Board of County Commissioners, designating the week of April 6-12 as Counties Care for Kids Week. Commissioner Dori Nipps presented the proclamation and said that Washington County makes services to children and families possible and provides for health and well being for families. The County coordinates emergency services in time of disaster to protect children and families and provides public safety services to protect families' lives and property. Because Washington County has a long history of caring for children, the week will be observed as Counties Care for Kids Week, 2003.

PROCLAMATION: NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK
Jill Ritter, Director of the Victim-Witness unit of the State's Attorney's Office received this Commissioners' Proclamation, designating April 6-12, 2003 as Washington County Crime Victims' Rights Week. The proclamation, presented by Commissioners' President Greg Snook, cited crime and threat of violence as having devastating effects on individuals, families and communities. The threat and reality of terrorism have brought the impact of violent crime to the forefront of America's awareness. Significant physical, psychological, financial and spiritual effects are felt by countless victims of violent crime in Washington County and nationwide. 10,000 community and system-based victim service programs exist in our nation, and these provide a wide range of service and support to victims of crime. In addition, the Office for Victims of Crime of the U.S. Justice Department marks its 20th year of existence this year. The Board of County Commissioners urged all County citizens to reaffirm a commitment to respect and enforce victims' rights and address their needs during the Victims' Rights Week and throughout 2003.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Dori Nipps commented on a meeting of the Historic District Commission, which discussed the statue of Robert E. Lee that may be erected on land adjacent to the Antietam Battlefield. The Historic Commission voted to deny approval of the request, but the Zoning Appeals Board cited a technical error due to unmet timelines, and did not hear the case. The County Attorney's Office will review the ordinance and make necessary corrections to prevent such problems in the future. The decision can still be appealed to Circuit Court, Assistant County Attorney John Martirano said. Commissioner Nipps also reported on a meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board and on a meeting with PenMar Development Corporation officials on Monday.
Commissioner John Munson asked if the Board had sent a letter to Fire/Rescue Companies asking that state traffic laws be obeyed during emergency runs. Commissioner Snook responded that Washington County Volunteer Fire/Rescue Association Chair Jason Baer had sent out such a letter recently. Munson requested that the Board send a follow-up letter to all the Fire and Emergency Services Companies in the County. The Agricultural Preservation Board's recent meeting discussed lack of state matching funds for the programs, and possibility of using $400,000.00 in current funding to continue the programs.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval told the Board that the Planning Commission, meeting on Monday evening, voted to deny a rezoning request for subdivision in the Sandy Hook area. The Planning Commission also voted to deny a requested amendment to the subdivision ordinance that would have required compliance with density provisions for new subdivisions in the revised County Comprehensive Plan. The Commission voted to approve a site plan for the Bowman property, which would include a larger stormwater management system and plantings along a berm.
Commissioner Bill Wivell reported on a tribute to current and former Mayors of the Town of Smithsburg. The Town Council voted to erect a plaque in honor of the mayors. A recent meeting with the Humane Society Board of Directors discussed animal control issues. A recent email from a local veteran requested County support of a rally for U.S. troops in Iraq. The City is planning an event for Friday of this week, and staff will follow up and coordinate.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook told the Board that State cuts to the Mental Health Authority may be deeper than were reported. A meeting with MHA Director Dr. Philip Dukes discussed those issues last week. Student tuition payments at Hagerstown Community College are in line with other Community Colleges in the state, Snook reported. A letter from the Maryland Aviation Authority regarding the Federal letter of intent will be circulated for Commissioner's information, Snook said.

SALARY, PERSONNEL AND BENEFITS PRESENTATION
Acting Human Resources Director Dee Hawbaker brought the annual budget recommendation for employee salary increases and benefit adjustments before the Board for review and discussion. The recommended salary adjustment is a 2% increase for all full-time employees in addition to the performance rating factors. Cost to the County would be $519,785. The plan would maintain an equitable income in today's economy, Hawbaker said. The 2% was recommended to offset increased costs for health insurance that will begin on July 1. An example showed an employee earning $20,710 per year, with the 2% increase would earn $21,124 per year, an increase of $414.00 annually, or $7.97 per week. Average employee family health costs will rise from $19.16 per week to $26.59 per week, an increase of $7.43. The employee would only realize 54 cents per week, at the 2% rate. Hawbaker told the Board that if approved, the Salary Study Committee would be chaired by Water and Sewer Department Director Greg Murray. That committee would review the recent wage and salary study, make a report to the Board in the Fall, and recommend implementation of the findings in January of 2004. The issue of bi-weekly pay was discussed as a means to streamline business practices and save administrative costs. Initial implementation could be problematic, with employees going for as long as three weeks without a paycheck. An employee loan program would be implemented, Hawbaker said, to minimize these problems and the Budget and Finance Department is developing options for enabling transition to the bi-weekly plan. Current benefit levels would be maintained for employees covered under the Health Insurance program, but employee contributions would increase from 8.2% to 10% of the total program cost. A recommendation was made to enhance benefits by allowing an employee to use up to 5 sick days a year for care of an immediate family member who is ill, or for birth or adoption of a child. New positions and other personnel requests were discussed, at a total cost of $210,943.00. Positions requested included a move from part-time to full-time for an Assistant State's Attorney II, an additional Assistant County Attorney and a Legal Assistant, three Detention Center Deputies, 2 part-time employees for the Special Operations team to maintain equipment and assist with duties at volunteer companies, an Assistant Chief for 9-1-1 Communications and an Office Associate III for that department, and a grade 10 employee in the Solid Waste Department to monitor natural gas wells at recently-closed Resh Landfill. The Assistant County Attorney and part-time employees for the Special Operations Team were not recommended by Human Resources. County Attorney Richard Douglas amended the request, asking instead for a part-time Assistant County Attorney, which would cost less than the Legal Assistant, and provide greater services. Other employee position adjustments included an $11,500.00 reduction in part-time wages by the Treasurer. Adjustments recommended included adding overtime for Golf Course restaurant employees, increasing overtime for County Collection Lines Operations in the Water and Sewer Department, increasing part-time employee wages for Recreation programs, adding or increasing overtime for employees of Communications Maintenance, 9-1-1 Communications, and the Detention Center. Increases in wages and salaries for Elections Board members and workers were not recommended. Additional discussions will take place prior to the Public Hearing, set for May 6th at Kepler Auditorium on the Hagerstown Community College campus.

CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION
Each week the Board of County Commissioners sets aside time to hear from citizens of Washington County on matters of interest and concern to the community.
Katherine Schoen, President of the Washington County Women's Commission requested aid in paying for recruitment ads, due to increases in advertising rates by a local newspaper, and billing errors. Schoen was told to submit the bill to County Clerk Joni Bittner, and payment would be made.
Donald Allensworth of Hagerstown commented on zoning issues in Hagerstown's north end, and on the recently passed state budget.

BUDGET PRESENTATION: CITIZENS ASSISTING AND SHELTERING THE ABUSED, INC.
CASA Director Vicki Sadehvandi, and Chair of the CASA Board Lt. Jack Hall of the Hagerstown Police Department brought that agency's FY 2004 budget request before the Commissioners for review. The agency is seeking an increase of $4,009.00 to its operating budget for employee cost of living. Sadehvandi told the Board that 2,414 new clients were served in FY '03, and domestic violence continues to increase in the County. Substance abuse plays a great factor in those statistics, Sadehvandi said. A portion of CASA's support comes from the County Marriage License fee of $60.00. Commissioners' President Snook told Sadehvandi to conduct a review of the License fee with an eye toward requesting an increase in next year's legislative session. Final budget adjustments will be made prior to the May 6th Public Hearing at Hagerstown Community College's Kepler Theater.

OTHER BUSINESS
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop brought County Chief Engineer Terry McGee before the Board, with a request to fill a Project Manager position in the Engineering Department at Grade ll entry level of $32,391.00. McGee told the Board that the position is difficult to keep filled at the salary level, and that the wage and salary study did not adequately address the position. The measure was
approved by unanimous vote.

EXPANSION OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CONTRACT: AIRPORT
Real Property Administrator Dean Lowry brought this request before the Board, to expand the management company responsibilities for County Owned rental property. Lowry asked that Valley Properties of Hagerstown, LLC be allowed to be fully responsible for rental and 24 hour per day 7 day per week maintenance of all Airport residential rental property, and handle advertising and leasing of commercial property at the Water and Sewer facility. Management fees would include cost of all advertising, 8% of monthly rental income, $20 per hour for maintenance costs, and compliance with MDE Lead Poisoning Prevention and registration. The company would also be responsible for applicant screening and background checks, market and rent analysis, rental contracts, collection of rents and fees, eviction proceedings, emergency maintenance and quarterly statements to the County. Properties are purchased to facilitate future airport expansion, at Federal Aviation Administration request and with FAA reimbursal. Lowry told the Board that until such time as airport expansion occurs, the properties are bringing in revenue, but are difficult to manage. Additional properties will be purchased as time for the runaway extension project approaches. Permission was granted for addition of the properties to the already existing management contract, with the exception of the Water and Sewer facility. Commissioners' President Snook told Lowry to take 60 days and attempt to rent the space at the facility on Elliott Parkway, and if unsuccessful then bring it back to the Board for a decision. Commissioner Kercheval asked that Lowry report on effectiveness of the management contract in one year's time.

OPERATION KEEP CONNECTED:
County Administrator Rod Shoop and Public Information Officer Norman Bassett reported on "Operation Keep Connected" designed to support U.S. troops overseas. An American Red Cross project, the operation seeks donations for purchase of pre-paid international telephone calling cards, which enable Armed Services personnel to stay in touch with loved pones in the United States. State's Attorney Office staffer Karen Hendrickson, a Red Cross volunteer, brought the idea to Shoop's attention. Collection Cans have been placed at many County-owned buildings, with others to come. Bassett told the Board that to date cans have been placed at the County Administration Building at 100 West Washington Street, County Office Building at 33-35 West Washington Street, County Administrative Annex at 80 West Baltimore Street, the 40-West Landfill Administration Building, the Water and Sewer Department building on Elliott Parkway, the Sheriff's Department Patrol Division Building on Western Maryland Parkway, the Highways Central Shop on Northern Avenue, the Parks Department on South Potomac Street, and the Recreation Department on the HCC campus. All employees are encouraged to donate to the drive, and the public may make donations as well. An employee committee is discussing additional events to honor overseas troops and County veterans as well. All veterans are being asked to submit their Branch of Service, service dates and rank, to be listed on a proclamation. In addition, those employees on active duty will be honored, as well as reservists and employees who have family members serving overseas.

The Board attended the Board of Education budget presentation at North Hagerstown High School, during the evening hours.