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
CONTACT: NORMAN BASSETT
240-313-2130

Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
April 15, 2003

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS EVENTS
Public Works Division Administrative Specialist Tina Rupert and County Attorney's Office Legal Secretary Vickie Lumm brought information on events planned for the week to support our troops in the Middle East to the Board. A Special Casual Day is planned for Thursday, April 17th, with proceeds going to benefit the Red Cross and Washington County's Operation Keep Connected. That project is collecting funds to send prepaid telephone cards to troops overseas so that they may stay in touch with family and loved ones stateside. Special flag pins and ribbons are available for contributors. Employees are requested to wear red, white and blue on the day, and at 12:15 p.m. on Casual Thursday in front of the County Administration Building, employees will gather to "Honor and Support our Armed Forces" with the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of God Bless America. The Commissioners made donations for the Casual Day event.
Public Information Officer Norman Bassett reported that on April 22nd, the "Citizens of the Year" proclamation will be presented in honor of all Washington County Citizens now serving in the armed forces, either on active duty, Guard or Reserve status, and all those who have served in the past. The proclamation will be presented to highlight the sacrifice and dedication of our troops and veterans. Names, rank and branch of service of all employees who are members of the armed forces and veterans, will be read.

HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT: PRIVACY RULE ADOPTION
County Attorney Richard Douglas and Human Resources Department Benefits Administrator Jodi Ebersole brought this measure before the Board for approval. Congress has enacted the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which imposes a number of new requirements on the operation of the County's health insurance plan, primarily for the protection of the privacy of County employees in their medical information. The County needs to adopt a privacy policy for handling "protected health information" and notified employees about that policy change prior to the HIPAA effective date of April 14th. Douglas presented a resolution to the Board that designates the Benefits Administrator as the "Privacy Official" and the "Contact Person" under the Plan, adopts a Plan Privacy Policy and Procedures, and designates the County Administrator as the person to execute business associate agreements on behalf of the Plan and the County as the sponsor of the Plan. Ebersole told the Board that the changes include employees having to make direct contact with health providers when questions about coverage arise. Release of information about an employee's medical information could result in disciplinary action under the new rules, Ebersole said. Concurrences have been given by Jonathan Topazian, County labor and employment counsel, County Administrator Rod Shoop, and Dee Hawbaker, Interim Director of the Human Resources Department. The measure was adopted by unanimous vote.

COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Commissioners' President Greg Snook told the Board that two vacancies will exist on the Tax Assessment and Appeals Board soon, and that three candidates for each position should be submitted to the Governor's Office. Sherry Cooper, Director of Habitat for Humanity for Washington County requested waiver of a picnic pavilion fee for that agency's upcoming volunteer recognition picnic. The measure was passed by a 4-0-1 vote with Commissioner Nipps abstaining for business reasons.

BUDGET WORKSHOP
Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian brought the most recent Fiscal Year 2004 budget information before the Board for review. General Fund Budget Draft #3 showed balanced revenue and expenditures of $138,601,264.00. Bastian told the Board that Real Estate tax revenue increased by $350,000 due to revised state assessments on April 7th, and Payment In Lieu of Taxes increased due to new revenue sources. 9-1-1 fees are proposed to increase, raising revenues by $221,000.00, helping the projections for Fiscal Year '04. Figures presented showed the total proposed budget for all education at $82.9 million or 60% of the total General Fund budget. That amount included $73.8 million maintenance of effort for K-12 education, plus about $731,000 for One-time costs, Crossing Guards and the Judith Center, for a total of $74,581, 847.00. This figure represents an increase in new funds of $2,868,532.00 or 4.00%. The total education figure also includes money for School Health Nurses, Hagerstown Community College, Maryland School for the Blind and the Free Library System. Libraries receive funding through the U.S. and Maryland Departments of Education, and this is the first year those funds have been included under the education category. Public Safety expenditures total $17,341,615.00, an increase of $946,979.00 or 5.78%, Bastian said. This increase was largely based on salary for nine Sheriff's Patrol Deputy positions that were authorized mid-year in FY '03 that went into effect in January, and on Fire and Rescue insurance increases. A $5 million shortfall had been predicted in Budget Draft #2, Bastian said, but was reduced through a number of measures. $3.8 million in education costs were reduced based on revenue projections, Food Service savings at the Detention Center, use of increases from recordation taxes to offset costs of new Sheriff's Department cruisers, increases in projected 9-1-1 revenue as the result of a new law, reduction of proposed salary increases to 2% from the 3% original projection, health insurance adjustments, increase in collections of real estate taxes, prefunding pay as you go appropriations, and other miscellaneous items all contributed to the balanced budget figure. Education remained the largest recipient of new funds, with 66% of new revenue. The total balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2004, of $138,601,264.00 was approved to be taken to Public Hearing on May 6th, by unanimous vote. The Hearing will be held at Kepler Theater on the Hagerstown Community College campus, at 7:00 p.m. on that day. The event will be cablecast on Antietam Cable TV's Channel 65.

OTHER BUSINESS
Public Information Officer Norman Bassett reported that the "Rally in Support of the Troops" event is set for Saturday, April 19th at the Clarion Hotel. The event will; kick off at 12:30, with patriotic music from the Rohrersville Band, speakers from County, City and State government, Veterans' groups and others. Citizens are asked to donate cash or small toiletry items to the event, and a buffet lunch will be featured at a cost of $12.95 per person. Proceeds from that buffet will be donated to AMVETS for their support drive. Free flags and ribbons will be distributed, and the public is urged to attend.