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.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Dori Nipps reported on a meeting of the Mental Health Authority, which is reviewing applicants to fill a vacant position. Nipps commented on attending a ribbon cutting for Susquehanna Bank Shares new facility on Shawley Drive. The Annual Senior Fair was well attended, Nipps said. The Airport Commission meeting last week heard a progress report on construction projects from consultant U.R.S. Bids will go out soon for utility relocation and bridges for taxiways and the runway soon. A ribbon cutting for expansion projects at the HGR terminal has been set for June 7 th. Projects include work at the passenger screening area, and the apron adjacent to the terminal. Bids for air service will be let shortly, Nipps said, and should be in place by July 1 st. The Commissioner commented a meeting with the Western Maryland Consortium and said the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association “heroes” event was well done.
Commissioner John Munson commented on the scope of the Senior Fair.
Commissioner Bill Wivell reported on last week’s Sheriff’s Department open house and memorial service for law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported on speaking at a ribbon cutting ceremony for 12 new miles of Rail Trail at Hancock, and on attending a ceremony opening expanded facilities for Green Spring Water Company at Bog Pool. The Mental Health Advisory Committee discussed n ed for a second Mental Health position at the Health Department at its meeting last week with Health Department Officer Bill Christoffel. The Local Management Board elected officers at its meeting last week, heard a presentation on the future of the Children, Youth and Families office after legislation creating that office sunsets. Local Management Boards will continue to operate statewide, but it is unsure at this point where they will be housed within state government, Kercheval said. The Department of Social Services is in need of surrogate representatives for foster children, and DSS case management staff has a workload of 40 cases per case manager as compared to a normal rate of 15 to 18 cases, Kercheval reported. Last week’s cable access/broadband/telecommunications meetings held by the County’s Information Technologies Department took input from the public and from those interested in providing programming for education and government access. The possibilities of training Fire and Rescue personnel by broadband connection, or program access by video on demand services were discussed. Kercheval extended congratulations to the new Hagerstown Mayor and members of Council and commented on a well-run campaign by all candidates.
Commissioners’ President Greg Snook reported on attending a meeting of the Western Maryland Consortium in Garret County last week. The state and federally funded organization provides retraining for dislocated workers. Assistance is being provided former employees of three firms in Washington County. Consortium management is working on ways to address future budget cuts that would affect all three Western Maryland counties. An article in the Baltimore Sun discussed a halt to residential construction in Prince George’s County due to distance from Fire and Rescue facilities. Snook is the incoming chair of the Maryland Association of Counties’ Legislative Committee, and asked the Commissioners to be thinking ahead to issues that should be put before next year’s General Assembly session.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer told the Board that vandalism occurred recently at Snook Park and that assessments of damage are underway. The Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incidents, Rohrer said. Tollgate Road Bridge Phase II is complete and that intersection is open to State Route 144. Plans are being finalized for a change order that will be necessary to complete wing walls damaged by storms last year, and all work should be complete in the area by this fall.
Planning and Community Development Director Mike Thompson told the Board that June will be another busy month for the Planning Commission and there may have to be an additional meeting during that month.
Economic Development Commission Director Tim Troxell reported on a visit from the CoStar group, which covers commercial development throughout the country, advising business and industry of attractive properties and locations. Washington County has been a focus of late due to growth in the County, Troxell said, and available commercial real estate will now be listed with CoStar.
Information Technologies Department Director Ron Whitt told the Board that three meetings were held last week to get input on cable franchising, expansion of broadband capabilities and other telecommunications needs in Washington County. A meeting for Public, Educational and Governmental users of cable channels was held on the afternoon of May 18 th at Kepler Theater at Hagerstown Community College. A meeting was held that evening to gather general public feedback, and a meeting was held for the “I-net” group the following day. Four surveys, focusing on different aspects of the cable franchise/broadband audience have been mailed to residents of the County. Whitt thanked the Health Department for assistance in mailing the surveys.
WASHINGTON COUNTY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Ross Rhoads and Spence Perry representing Leadership Washington County Presented aLeadership Development Program Talking Report to the Board.
This new program would combine Leadership Hagerstown, Junior Leadership Hagerstown and Leadership Hagerstown Alumni Association into one new leadership development program. The new program also adds two new areas-- Boardsmanship and Executive And Management Orientation. The new program would have full time administration from two staff members as opposed to the current programs that have part-time and ad hoc administration. The group is requesting a $40,000 initial grant, matched by City and Maryland Municipal League, to start the program and a possible $10,000 annual recurring grant. Commissioners’ President Greg Snook said the issue will receive further discussion and a decision made at a later date.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney John Martirano brought a grant agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration and Maryland Aviation Administration before the Board. The grant is for the next installment of funds for the runway expansion program at Hagerstown Regional Airport. Federal funds total 95% of the $8,421,000 grant, while State funds are $215,000 and County funds are $215,000. The measure was approved by 4-1 vote with Commissioner Wivell voting no.
County Attorney Richard Douglas brought a request from Hagerstown Housing Authority that the County release the Declaration of Restrictions and Covenants on a 9-acre parcel donated by the County to HHA several years ago. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
BID AWARD: LABORATORY INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
County Purchasing Agent Karen Luther and Department of Water Quality Director Greg Murray brought this request, to award the bid for a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to the single responsive proposal submitted by OPS Systems, Inc. of Rio Rancho, New Mexico in the amount of $36,800.00. The Department of Water Quality’s Testing Laboratory at the Conococheague Wastewater Treatment Plant has a requirement for a LIMS. The lab currently performs approximately 50,000 analyses per year that is required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Maryland. These agencies require testing and monitoring of water and wastewater in order for the facilities to demonstrate that they continue to meet the required regulations and permits. Presently, the laboratory uses bench sheets to manually record, hand calculate and transcribe results. This is a time consuming effort and requires additional quality assurance and controls to insure accuracy. A LIMS would automate these operations resulting in a less labor intense and time consuming process as well as insuring a more accurate and efficient operation. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
REQUEST FOR QUOTE: ULTRAVIOLET LIGHTING PARTS
Luther and Murray also presented a request to accept a quotation from Delmar Ultraviolet Company of Beaufort, South Carolina in the amount of $25,915.00 for lamps and other parts necessary for water treatment at the Conococheague water treatment facility. Murray told the Board that the quote saved $20,000 over the previous expenditures for the same items, and that the purchase must be completed in time to be funded from the current year’s budget. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
LANDFILL SCRAP TIRE EVENT
County Recycling Coordinator Harvey Hoch brought this request, to approve an agreement with the Maryland Environmental Service for the 2005 Citizen Scrap Tire Drop-Off Day. That event was formerly known as Scrap Tire Amnesty Day. Citizen Scrap Tire Drop-off Day is a program funded by the Maryland Environmental Service (MES), to be held on designated Saturdays in August/September 2005, where citizens may turn in scrap tires at county landfills. Residents using non-commercial vehicles may deliver up to 5 scrap tires on a one-trip per resident or household basis. The County furnishes all supervision, labor, materials and necessary equipment. This project will fund the transportation and disposal of up to a maximum of 75 tons of scrap tires collected by the County. MES will transport all scrap tires collected at the Forty West Landfill within 13 calendar days of the event. After discussions with the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the Board of County Commissioners, rules were adjusted to reduce the risk of exceeding State funding of this project. The County has the option to choose the MES contractor or the County’s disposal contractor for tonnage that exceeds 75 tons. The Amendatory Agreement includes only minor changes in language from the original Agreement. Should the event exceed the 75 tons funded by the State the County could be liable for an estimated maximum of $5000 dollars in disposal costs. After discussions with MES the risks of exceeding funding are less than previous events. The measure was approved by 8unanimous vote.
BID AWARD: 2005 PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AND REFINANCING BONDS
Budget and Finance Director Debra Murray and Lester Guthorn, the County's Financial Advisor brought the Award of Bid for the Public Improvement and Refunding Bonds of 2005 before the Board. The request was to award the bid for the bonds in the amount of $30,135,000 - $10,000,000 new money, and $20,135,000 refunding, subject to change based on market conditions. Electronic bids were taken via Parity for the purchase of the 2005 bonds until 11:00 a.m. Guthorn opened the bids via Parity software. The Commissioners were able to view the bids on-line, and saw an apparent low bid from Legg Mason of 3.72%. The County recently received a rating of AA minus from Fitch Bond Rating Company, and sustained its current bond status with both standard and Poor’s and Moody’s. Guthorn said growth in the County is a factor in the bond rating industry, and that higher bond ratings will come as higher incomes move westward.
All bids were evaluated for the lowest interest cost to the County. After external validation of bids and interest costs, the Commissioners approved the bid on-line by unanimous vote. The refunding of the current bonds will reduce debt service cost over the original life of those bonds by $1,417,810 or 5,052% Guthorn told the Board.
RESOLUTION: ACCEPT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT
Economic Development Commission office Director Tim Troxell brought this request, to approve a resolution allowing receipt of $21,385.00 from the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF), to the Board. The State Department of Business and Economic Development (DEBED) under MEDAAF has approved an award of grant funds to the Board of County Commissioners to cover a portion of the costs of conducting a land development assessment of property. The County would use the proceeds of the Grant toward a contract for consultant services for a land development assessment of property owned by Mack Trucks, Inc. This Resolution authorizes and empowers the President of the Board or other appropriate officials of the County to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Department. The Board has previously approved the use of $14,715.00 to fund the remainder of the contract. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION
Dan Moller of Keedysville commented on proposed densities in land zoned Preservation in the proposed rezoning plan.
Tom Berry of Rohrersville commented on downzoning issues.
Karen Cramer of Rohrersville, Kim Austin, Karen Riley and Donna Brightman of in-county Knoxville mailing addresses commented on Boonsboro High School Citizens Action Committee wishes for that school.
WORKSHOP: STATE PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS, TAX CREDITS AND APPEALS PROCESS
County Treasurer Todd Hershey, Director of Assessments Tom O'Rourke and Appeals Tax Board Director Ron Bowers brought this presentation to the Board.
During the April 5th meeting the Commissioners requested a workshop to discuss property tax assessments, affordable housing and tax credit programs. The discussion included the state tax assessment processes and increases over the last several years, the affect of the 10% annual cap on assessment increases, and various tax credit programs available to the citizens of the County. Information on the Maryland State Assessment Program is available on the Internet at www.dat.state.md.us . Click on the Tax and Assessments link and information is included on all the State programs, including tax credit programs. Citizens can find information regarding A Homeowner's Guide to Property Taxes and Assessments , the Property Owner's Bill of Rights, Questions & Answers About Real Property Assessments, The Homestead Credit, The Assessment Appeal Process, Tax abatements for blind, disabled veterans, and low-income homeowners, Information on "semiannual" real property tax payments, Information on full value assessments, Constant Yield Tax Rates, How to notice, and many other topics. Washington County's budget for FY 2006 contains a property tax rate of just under 95 cents per $100 dollars of assessed full value of property. That rate has not increased since 2001. O’Rourke described the triennial assessment procedure used by the State, and the 10% assessment cap allowed annually by state law. Currently, the western and southern parts of the County excluding Boonsboro are being assessed. Assessors look at additions to homes, and factor in selling prices of homes in the area in order to assess the value of properties. Bowers talked about the various types of tax credits, the fact that property tax generates $6 billion for the state base annually, and said that 1,600 homeowners in Washington County received some form of tax relief last year. There are a number of programs benefiting homeowners, but few are well known. Hershey told the Board that the Commissioners usually take the blame when assessments go up, because state tax rates are included on the annual tax bills. The state raised its rate to 13.2cebnts per $100 several years ago, leading to the feeling that taxes were being raised at the County level. Hershey said that the 58,000 tax bills sent out this year will feature information on tax credits, including a renter’s tax credit. Hershey said that persons renting may ask that a portion of the amount spent in rent be reimbursed to them as amounts paid as taxes. All three officials recommended the State Department of Assessments and Taxation website for answers to questions on taxes. Applications for tax credits are available at the State Tax Assessor’s office on the Square in Hagerstown.
THE BOARD ATTENDED the annual Youth meritorious Award Recipients Luncheon held at University System of Maryland Hagerstown Center, at 32 West Washington Street, in Hagerstown, This event is sponsored by the washington county community partnership to honor the 2004 – 2005 nominees and recipients of the Youth Meritorious Awards.
HUMANE SOCIETY/ANIMAL CONTROL BUDGET DISCUSSION
Washington County Humane Society Director Paul, Miller brought this Discussion before the Board. In its operating budget for Fiscal Year 2006, the Humane Society requested a $393.242.00 increase or 51%, citing the growing number of stray animals it handles each year, and raising its annual total to $1,162.988.00. The Board requested detailed information from that organization. Although the Board took its $161 million budget to public hearing last week, it can make adjustments in line items and reduce operating or capital expenditures. After discussion, the organization was among those experiencing adjustments in the final budget. One proposed personnel position was eliminated and one vehicle eliminated. The County will give the organization a used SUV to further reduce expense requests. The final cuts totaled $75,000.00.
FY '06 BUDGET: DISCUSSION AND ADOPTION
Budget and Finance Director Debra Murray brought this matter to the Board for discussion and final approval. The Commissioners took the FY 2006 Budget to public hearing on May 10 th. The written record was open for 10 days to allow additional public comment. The budget as presented is balanced at just under $161 million, provides all Education in the County with $109,851,841 in operating and Capital expenses and fully funds the Board of Education's fiscal request. Public Safety, Police Fire and Ambulance services would receive $20.5 million, and Courts and State Agencies would receive $6.3 million under the proposal. The remainder of the budget would support Government services, Non-profit Human Service Agencies and other programs. Approximately $563,000 was moved from the Capital Improvement Projects budget to a contingency line item following adjustments.The Board reviewed the amended budget by line item and made a number of adjustments. Murray told the Board that the Highway User Fund will increase by $1.8 million and will increase amounts used for paving projects and needed equipment for the Highways Department. The Board did not reach consensus to add a Board of Education supplement to its Capital Improvement request, pending full evaluation of the maintenance needs of all of the schools. A measure to include Dog licensing applications in with County tax bills for purposes of fee collection was approved. The School Board's operating budget of $92,752,440 was unchanged. $7,500 was added to the Department of Social Services budget for the Director's salary. The Arts Council request was reduced by 50% with the remaining $2,250 added to the Senior Living Alternative, Holly Place, budget. The Washington County Free Library had included $70,000 due to an extra pay period in 2006. Murray told the Board that each year has 52 weeks, and the increase was removed.
The Humane Society Operating budget was reduced by $75,000.00. The County Attorney's budget for contractual services was reduced by $15,000.00. $100,000 of the amount moved from the CIP to contingency was set aside to provide funding for a study of transferable development rights or other agricultural preservation programs. The average employee salary adjustment was maintained at 4%. In Human Resources policies, the employee education reimbursement sliding scale was eliminated. The changes resulted in a reduction of approximately $152,500 to operating budgets. A final budget number will be available when the Budget and Finance department present an official tally to the Board later in the week. A motion to approve the Fiscal Year 2006 Washington County Capital Improvement Project budget at $52,847,544 with adjustments, was approved by unanimous vote. A motion to approve the Fiscal Year Washington County Operating Budget at $160,869,866 less adjustments of approximately $152,500 to expenses, was approved by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Bill Wivell voting no.