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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: NORMAN BASSETT
240-313-2077

Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
February 3rd, 2004

COMMISSIONER COMMENT

Commissioners' President Greg Snook announced the makeup date for the State of the County Address, which was postponed from this date due to inclement weather. The address will be held on Tuesday, February 17 th , at 7:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel, in conjunction with the Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES

Human Resources Administrator Dee Hawbaker brought Thomas Davis, recently hired by the Engineering Department as a Project Manager to the Board for Introductions.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS

Commissioner Dori Nipps commented on the Boonsboro Fire and Rescue Company's recent awards event.

Commissioner Bill Wivell reported on a meeting of the Greenberry Hills neighborhood watch group. Concerns were raised regarding abandoned properties and drainage issues, Wivell said. The Chewsville/Smithsburg Soccer League requested use of playing fields and a portion of the parade grounds at Fort Ritchie for Soccer and Softball fields, Wivell said. In addition, a PenMar area softball league is asking to use fields at the former Army post. Buildings, Grounds and Parks will do an assessment and report to the Board. Two openings on the Department of Social Services Board will need to be filled soon, Wivell reported. The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Legislative and Taxation Committee discussed possible further cuts in state aid to Counties. MACo's legislative initiatives include preservation of Counties' budget integrity, Admission and Amusement tax revisions, and Public Safety Communications, Wivell said.

Commissioner Jim Kercheval told the Board that a fund raising event for the proposed stadium at North Hagerstown High School drew 400 attendees. With the postponement of the State of the County address, Kercheval said the Board should make further content recommendations. The Planning Commission approved the Westfield development's second phase plat at its Monday night meeting. That development is located off Sharpsburg Pike. The development may contain an elementary school, through donation of land for the site. Detailed feedback from the Board of Education will be needed on site requirements as large subdivisions are developed. The Planning Commission approved a site plan for a Popeye's Restaurant on Dual Highway , and an AT&T cell phone tower on South Mountain. The tower will be designed to blend into the landscape, Kercheval said. A written opinion is needed on the legality of fees pertaining to minor one and two-lot subdivisions, Kercheval said. Commissioners' President Snook said time should be set aside for discussion of the issue. Kercheval requested a Public Hearing be set next week for the Easterday development in Boonsboro. The Planning Commission voted to deny that plan at its recent meeting. Staff will talk to Boonsboro town government and set a date that will work for the elected boards as well as the public.

Commissioners' President Greg Snook commented on testimony given before the Budget and Taxation committee on cuts to County Highway User Funds and Thornton Commission funding for schools, delivered to the General Assembly last week. A search committee has been formed to seek a successor to Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce departing President Fred Teeter. The Chamber also requested that Bob Ernst be appointed as its representative to the Economic Development Commission. Two letters from Governor Ehrlich announced funding for parks in two of the municipalities. Funkstown will receive $182,000.00 and Boonsboro will receive $87,000.00 Snook reported.

REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF

Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian requested a change in the Commissioners' legislative request to aid in construction of the Airport main runway. The Board had requested Delegation support for a $50 million bond bill, as allowed by law. Bastian asked that $20 million be added to that request now, so that bills can be paid as contractors work on the project. The funds will be reimbursed to the County by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Maryland Aviation Administration. County Attorney Richard Douglas commented that the delegation is looking at adding $5 million to the $50 million for agricultural land equity programs. A motion to ask the delegation for its commitment on the issue was approved by a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Wivell and Munson voting "no"

APPLICATION FOR TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE

County Attorney Richard Douglas brought this matter before the Board. Case RZ-03-003 amends the County Zoning Ordinance at the request of the Commissioners. The first amendment would include the Highway Interchange-2 zone as a location where Planned Urban Developments (PUD) may be located and deletes an obsolete reference to the former HI zone. All such zones have been reclassified as HI-1 or HI-2. PUDs would only be allowed in the HI-2 zone. The second amendment would change the time period provided for the decision of the County Commissioners on a PUD following a public hearing, from 60 days to 120 days, to allow sufficient time for Planning Department staff reports to be completed, transmitted and presented to the Board of County Commissioners. The planning Commission and Department of Planning and Community Development have recommended that the amendments be approved. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.

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.

Lester Adeslberger, President of the local chapter of the Antique Car Clubs of America told the Board that a major national classic car show is set to take place at the Ag Education Center in June. Several thousand participants are expected, and the event will benefit the local economy. Adelsberger asked that the County waive $1,200 in fees for Ag Center rent. Commissioner Dori Nipps told the Board that the practice is not usual for the Ag Center, but that the request would be presented to the Recreation and Park Board at its monthly meeting later this week.

OTHER BUSINESS :

County Attorney Issues: Assistant County Attorney John Martirano told the Board that an Attorney is being considered for appointment to the Agricultural Reconciliation Board, and the name will be brought to the Commissioners for approval in the near future.

County Administrator Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop requested waiver of permit and inspection fees for the Town of Clear Spring, which is constructing an addition to its water treatment facility. The cost would be $750.00. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.

Shoop also reminded the Board that the first meeting of the Rural Area Zoning Task Force will take place this Thursday night at the Planning Department at 80 West Baltimore Street.

PROPOSED 2004 GOALS

County Administrator Rod Shoop brought this issue before the Board. On January 20th Shoop and staff discussed progress made on the 2003 Goals to further Commissioners Initiatives in support of the County Vision and Mission, and proposed 7 new goals for 2004. Public Works Director Gary Rohrer reviewed Goal #1, Development and Implementation of a Highway Pavement Management Plan. Rohrer told the Board that the plan would deal with repair and maintenance of the existing highway system in the County. Cost of the project would be about $100,000.00. Alternate sources for funding that goal will be explored. Proposed Goal #2 states that Adoption of Rural Area Zoning will take place after Task Force recommendations are considered, and Comprehensive Plan recommendations for Urban and Town growth areas will be implemented. The third Goal says that Enhancement of government services through internet and intranet and improvements to the County web site is an ongoing goal and would be furthered by developing procedures to post appropriate documents and data on the County web site, and developing a Frequently Asked Question system on the web site. Development of an Employee Reward and Recognition program linked to a suggestion program is the fourth Goal proposed for 2004. Goal 5 focuses on Adopting a revised method for distribution of Property Tax Setoff for the municipalities, and talks will continue with the City of Hagerstown and other local jurisdictions. Development of an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance for schools in cooperation with each of the 9 municipalities in the County was the 6th goal. Development of a master plan for emergency medical services was the final goal presented to the Board. Commissioner Kercheval suggested that the County's Transportation Plan be reviewed to address the impact of growth on the community. Development of a long-term funding model for school renovations was another Kercheval suggestion. Commissioner Bill Wivell, suggested development of a Marketing Plan for full utilization of the Airport as a goal for 2004. That issue was a carry-over from the 2003 Commissioners' goals. An audit of efficiency was another Wivell proposal, as were revitalization of the Urban Tax Credit program and Update of the Water/Sewer plan for acceptance by the Maryland Department of the Environment. Commissioner Dori Nipps requested development of long-term planning for Capital Improvement Projects in the school system. Commissioner John Munson also called for a goal to measure cost effectiveness in Government. Commissioners' President Greg Snook called for goals to deal with Tax Credits for Urban Development, possible sale of the Nicodemus Water treatment plant and the Conococheague Industrial Pretreatment Facility, and development of the Emergency Services and Government Communication System. Additional discussion will take place at next week's meeting.

CIP WORKSHOP

Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian and Public Works Director Gary Rohrer brought the first of many discussions on the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget for Fiscal Year 2005 before the Board. Bastian gave an overview of projected revenues from a number of sources. In the coming fiscal year, the Excise Tax should generate $1.8 million. The transfer tax should bring in $2.5 million. The Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) for Schools is expected to generate $3.1 million and the APFO for Roads should generate $2.9 million in developer contributions. Bond funds will account for $10 million of the FY '05 CIP budget and there will be $2.27 million in Pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) funds in that budget. The presentation looked at long-term trends for revenue through 2010. Amounts did not include grants and other sources of revenue. The projected total CIP budget for the coming fiscal year is $54.6 million. Discussion of projected expenditures to the CIP budget will take place at next week's meeting. All phases of the FY '05 budget wills be reviewed and amended many times before final adoption, in May.

RESERVE POLICY

Budget and Finance director Debra Bastian and Financial Advisor Lester Guthorn brought this policy before the Board for revision. The revisions would incorporate all reserve functions of governmental operations and refine the County's management practices. Bastian told the Board that prudent levels of reserves should be maintained to meet anticipated and unanticipated expenditures. As part of the Department's annual review of policies, the Reserve Policy was expanded to incorporate the full spectrum of reserves found within all County operations. Major additions include contingency reserves, self-insurances, capital expenditures, closure and post-closure reserves, and fund policies. Revisions also include allowed use of reserves and requirements for each fund. The County should set the reserve amount at the peer group median for the general fund, and set amounts for each of the enterprise funds. Guthorn told the Board that a strong reserve policy helps receipt of positive feedback from financial ratings agencies such as Moody's and Standard and Poor's. Last year Moody's gave the County a "positive outlook" based in part on the reserve strategy and fiscal responsibility that the County shows, the only such accolade awarded in the state of Maryland. Guthorn told the Board that many other counties in Maryland do not utilize the prudent fiscal policies that Washington County employs, and some do not abide by their written policies. Looking at the history of the County, a dramatic change in the way Washington County does business can be seen as compared to the 1980's. Two months operating reserve is called a "rational level" of reserves by financial rating agencies. The requested revisions call for a 14.8% reserve level, or approximately 50 days of working capital as a goal. The reserve policy was created in 2001, and reserves are maintained in all County funds. Support for the Reserve Policy as outlined and amended was approved by unanimous vote.