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.
Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
April 4, 2006
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported on attending an Eagle Scout ceremony for Brandon Brown last Sunday. At the Planning Commission meeting on Monday, the proposed Town at Rockspring development was on the agenda. Traffic concerns in the area have been discussed. A proposed small development in Tilghmanton was denied based on the historic nature of that Rural Village and the restrictions on subdivisions within the RV zoning category. The preliminary Plat for Powers’ Estates near Huyett’s Crossroads was approved. That subdivision would contain 118 single-family lots. Final Plat approval would depend on the subdivision passing the APFO test for schools or offering an acceptable mitigation plan. Planning Commissioner Ben Clopper sat with that Commission for the final time on Monday. Kercheval said Ben was a great member who handled the issues fairly and with much thought and will be greatly missed. The County/City 2+2 committee met minus Commissioner Dori Nipps. Hagerstown’s Adequate Public Facility Ordinance and several other minor issues were discussed, Kercheval said.
Commissioner Dori Nipps commented on interacting with Leadership Hagerstown last Friday. That group was taking Citizens Emergency Preparedness Training (CERT), Nipps said. Habitat for Humanity raised $57,500 last weekend. The next Habitat home will be built near City Park on Reynolds Avenue, Nipps said.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook told the Board that the unveiling of the Sheriff's Department SWAT team vehicle will be held at 1 pm on April 11th. On May 29th a Veteran’s memorial ceremony will be held at the Veterans’ Cemetery at Rocky Gap, Snook said. The Chamber of Commerce Board met last week and reported it had received a clean audit for the year. The final meetings of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) legislative committee were held last week. About 20 bills were filed late. MACo took no position on most of those bills. The State Employee and Teacher’s Retirement bill will likely pass, Snook said. The funding for this legislation will initially come from the state, but Counties may have to pick up the tab later on. $25 million in state Highway User funds will be released to the Counties, and Washington County stands to receive about $565,000, Snook said. The final dollar amount for school construction is expected to be $320 million. Washington County will see about $7 million of that money. The Maryland Municipal League and MACo have come to an agreement on annexation legislation, Snook reported.
STAFF REPORTS
Buildings, Grounds and Parks Director Jim Sterling said that the Agricultural Heritage Museum Board Events Committee is holding its first event of the year, a truck show and truck pull at the Ag Education Center on May 21st to benefit the Museum. For more information call 240-313-2839. The Ag Center is being used very heavily with attendance soaring, Sterling said. Last weekend's Egg Hunt drew over 200 children and parents. In addition, Sterling requested permission to utilize work-release prisoners to assist with mowing in the parks this summer if part-time seasonal workers cannot be hired. The measure was given an OK by the Board.
Fire and Emergency Services Director John Latimer recognized the State Fire Marshal's Office for the work it did in helping convince state officials to initialize the burn ban for all of Maryland except Garrett County. Latimer cited fires on February 21st and March 31st that caused more than $500,000 in damage and destroyed or damaged four homes, as a result of uncontrolled outdoor burning. The Health Department is also to be commended for imposing a voluntary ban on issuing burn permits last week, Latimer said. The statewide ban on outdoor burning will continue in effect, as the rain the County received Monday night was not enough to ease the dry situation. Latimer requested approval for a Memorandum of Agreement with the Maryland Institute for Emergency Services Systems (MIEMSS) for a $3,200 grant to offset costs of County Emergency Management. The measure was approved by unanimous vote. 35 members of Leadership Hagerstown took the Citizens' Emergency Response Training (CERT) last weekend, Latimer said. The next CERT training is scheduled for July 20th and the public may register at 240-313-2904. Latimer named William Young, an Attorney as the 8th member of the Emergency Services Fee Task Force. Latimer is a non-voting member. Goals of the Task Force were established April 25th 2005 by the Emergency Services Council. Minutes of that meeting will be sent to the Commissioners.
WORK CREW SUPERVISOR GRANT
Alternative Sanctions Office Director Terry Masters brought this request, for approval of the Work Crew Supervisor Grant, before the Board. The grant application, in the amount of $30,950 would be submitted to the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention for the salary of the Work Crew Supervisor. That position oversees persons who have received community service through the court system. The supervisor is responsible for arranging the work, monitoring the hours worked, maintaining equipment and serves as a liaison to various agencies and organizations. Beginning on July 1, 2004 this position became full-time and as a result, the crew has expanded its program and has been able to supply labor to the County and non-profit organizations. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
BID AWARD: WATER QUALITY LABORATORY SERVICES
County Purchasing Agent Karen Luther and Sherry Alidoosti, Chief of Laboratory Testing in the Department of Water Quality brought this request, to award the bid for Laboratory Services for Water/Wastewater Testing for the Department of Water Quality to the responsible, responsive bidder Atlantic Coast Laboratories, Inc. of Newark, Delaware, with the lowest bid amount of $32,170.00, before the Commissioners for approval. Scope of services to be provided by the contractor includes pick-up, preservation and transport of samples, which could be water, wastewater and/or solids, from the Department of Water Quality’s Lab twice per week. All analyses are to be completed and reported within 2 weeks after the contractor receives the sample. The contract is for a period of 1 year, with an option by the County to renew for up to 2 additional consecutive 1-year periods. Funding for these services is included in the Department of Water Quality’s operating budget at $65,500 for FY ’06 with $65,500 requested for FY ’07. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop requested Budget Workshops be set for 1-4 p.m. on April 10th, 9-Noon on April 11th and 9-Noon on April 17th.
GENERAL FUND BUDGET DISCUSSIONS
Budget and Finance Director Debra Murray brought a continued review of projected revenues for Fiscal Year 2007 before the Board. In this review, Murray told the Board that the Personal Property Tax Rate is mandated to be 2.5 times greater than the Real Estate Tax. A lowering of the current Real Estate Tax Rate of $0.948 per $100 of full assessed value could affect the Personal Property rate as well. Washington County's Property Tax rate is 16th lowest out of the 24 counties in Maryland. The income tax revenues are projected to have a 5.44% increase. There is no more Disparity Tax revenue for Washington County given the growth rates that have been experienced.
Revenues are about 5.5% above projections for the current fiscal year, and if budget trends hold, the County could finish the year about 7% above projections. Future costs of operations for new schools have yet to be factored into operations budgets, Murray said. Some baseline revenue increases should be reserved to meet those anticipated needs in Fiscal Year 2008 and 2009 when the new schools come on line. Murray noted a 2.94% increase in Admissions and Amusement taxes or about $10,000, and a $1 million increase in Recordation Taxes, about 12.5%. The Hotel-Motel Tax should grow about $40,000, based on new hotel space in the County. Total General Fund Proposed Revenue stands at $117,116,490, a 10.7% increase over FY '06. The review of proposed General Fund Expenditures will take place beginning next week.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney Issues: County Attorney Richard Douglas brought several measures before the Board for discussion and approval.
A Resolution for the Homestead Tax Credit was presented to the Board for action. The credit, or cap on increase of assessments, was approved by the Commissioners on March 28th. The resolution formalizes the action taken by the Commissioners, and puts it into a form that may be forwarded to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation as required by law. It lowers the cap from the present rate of 110% to 105%, effective July 1st, 2007. The measure codified last week's action and the Resolution will be sent on to the State. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Douglas also presented a final draft of the Hagerstown Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance to the Board for discussion and approval. State law requires that the school adequacy provisions of Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances (APFOs) adopted by the municipalities in Washington County be “substantially similar to or more stringent than” the standards set forth in the County Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance in order to be eligible to retain the municipal portion of the building excise tax. Hagerstown has just adopted an APFO. The major differences between the City and the County APFO were set forth in a memorandum from City Planning Director Kathleen Maher. The revised City APFO is compliant with the school adequacy provisions of the County Douglas said. A clause dealing with existing boundaries was added to a section on minor subdivision exemptions. Under state law the County must approve municipalities' APFO's as consistent. Those comments were approved and will be sent to the City.
House Bill 1407 dealing with the Excise Tax and exemptions for certain non-residential construction was discussed. The Local Delegation wants comments from the County on the proposed bill, which would allow businesses to make additions up to 50,000 square feet without paying excise tax. The amendment would apply to Non-residential, non-retail businesses. The comments were approved and will be sent to the Delegation as requested.
CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Each week the Board of County Commissioners sets aside time to hear from citizens of Washington County on matters of importance to the community.
Tom Berry of Rohrersville commented against Code
or Charter Home Rule.
Diane Eves of Hagerstown commented in favor of
Charter or Code Home Rule.
PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED LANDFILL FEE CHANGES
Solid Waste Department Director Bob Davenport brought this request for fee adjustments to Public Hearing to permit any resident of Washington County to appear and testify concerning proposed modification to certain landfill user fees. The recommendation is based on a fee structure established from a Financial Model on full costs accounting; budget requirements for all Solid Waste Operations, future construction, closure and post closure (30yr) costs. Proposed fee increases for commercial tipping would be $60 per ton for rubble and composting, and $50 per ton for municipal solid waste. Permit fees would also increase under the plan, with the Senior Citizen fee increasing by $5.00 from $90 to $95 per year and regular permits increasing from $120 to $130 per year. The shortfall in permits could be reduced from $350,000 to about $291,000 in FY ’07. The model does not reflect reopening of the Rubble Landfill, which has been discussed. Proposed tipping of 159,000 tons would raise $8.34 million in revenues. Permits would raise $886,000 in revenues, but costs for permits would run about $1.18 million. The Solid Waste Advisory Commission recommended $75 per ton for Rubble and Building Debris and $100 per ton for High Volume-Low Weight materials, based on average weight to cubic yard ratios for used capacity. No one appeared to comment either for or against the fee proposals.
HOME RULE TASK FORCE
Assistant Director of Public Works Joe Kroboth, serving as Chairman of the Task Force on Home Rule, brought members of the Task Force before the Commissioners to continue discussions and answer questions the regarding the Home Rule Task Force report and process. On March 7th the Task Force on Home Rule presented its findings to the Commissioners along with three recommendations: First, to adopt some form of home rule; Second, that Charter Home Rule was determined to be the best form of Home Rule for Washington County and, finally, to propose a mix of geographic and demographic representation on the Charter Board. Bonding Authority would be limited to 15% of the assessable base under Charter Home Rule, although a cap could be set lower under the Charter form. Any law or Ordinance now on the books could be amended or repealed by taking to public referendum. 5% of the registered voters would have the ability to petition the government within 45 days of enactment of a law or regulation, and that measure could be taken to referendum at the next election. If an emergency law were enacted, it would stay on the books until the next Regular election. The top reasons to change the County's current form of government, expressed by the Task Force members, were revenue limits on property tax in the Charter form, limitation of debt, and greater self-governance. The Charter form of Home Rule would take 24 to 31 months to enact; The Code Home Rule form could be placed on the November Ballot following two public hearings if a decision was reached in May. The discussion was for infoprmation purposes only and further discussions will take place.
PUBLIC HEARING: WATER AND SEWER UTILITY RATES
Department of Water Quality Director Greg Murray brought this proposal to Public Hearing to permit any resident of Washington County to appear and testify concerning the proposed modification of water and sewer rates and certain miscellaneous fees for Fiscal Year 2007. The proposed residential sewer rates would go to $107.70 for 12,000 gallons per quarter, an increase of $2.15. The residential water rates were requested at $118.60 per 12,000-gallon average quarterly flow, an increase of $3.50. Overall increases are 3% for water service and 2% for sewer service. Water and Sewer revenue requirements show that a 3% increase in water revenue and a 2% increase in sewer revenue are necessary to facilitate the Department of Water Quality's long-range financial plans. The presented rate schedule for FY 2007 is based on this requirement. No one appeared to testify either in favor of or against the proposed fee structure. The resolution will be returned to the Commissioners for a vote in the Commissioners' meeting April 18th. County Administrator Rod Shoop commented that the Black and Veatch study of the water and sewer utility in 1995 estimated 7% to 10% increases annually. Through conservative fiscal policies and proper management, increases have been held to less than 3% per year, Shoop said.
HUMAN RESOURCES BUDGET DISCUSSION
Human Resources Director Dave Hankinson brought this review of proposed wage, salary and benefits changes for Fiscal Year 2007 before the Board. A summary of employee turnover during the past year indicates that retention of qualified employees remains an issue. 18 employees left the Department of Water Quality and 19 left the Highways Department over the last 9 months, Hankinson said. A 4.5% merit salary increase for employees was requested for Fiscal Year 2007. The County has embarked on a series of proactive wellness initiatives designed to improve employee health. In the benefits review, Hankinson told the Board that Health Insurance will see increases in both EOS and POS plan copays by $5.00, emergency room copays will increase from $50 to $100. Employees will continue to pay between 7 and 10% of health costs in FY '07 Hankinson said. The maximum lifetime benefit limitation would increase from $1 million to $2 million. Dental and Vision benefits would remain unchanged for the coming fiscal year. Prescription drug copays would be unchanged for Generics, increased from $15 to $20 for Retail Preferred brands and from $30 to $35 for Retail Non-preferred brands. The County would implement a program that would allow employees a $5,000 zero-interest deferred payment loan to promote home ownership. Further review of the recommendations will take place at next week's meeting.
PROPOSED FEE STRUCTURE FOR PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Director of Planning and Community Development (PCD), Mike Thompson brought a proposed new fee structure for the Planning Department before the Board for Approval and to move forward to public hearing. Thompson said that the proposed fee structure has been designed to address the desire of the Board to have the Development Review functions of the Planning Department funded through fees assessed on projects.
The Commissioners established fees collected by the Planning Department for development review activities in the late 1980s and except for the addition of new fees for items covered under the Forest Conservation Act in 1993, these fees have remained unchanged. As a result the amount of money from the County’s General Fund to cover costs development review activities has been steadily increasing. Based on an analysis of the FY ’06 budget, the estimated costs of the development review function is approximately $377,807.34, while the estimated revenue is $133,200.00 or approximately 35% of the costs. Thompson said that the department has no control over the revenues generated by development review activities, and is dependent on the number and types of projects submitted by the private sector. Thompson said staff undertook a time study to determine the average amount of time necessary to review the various types of projects. An analysis was done of the responsibilities of all the members of the Planning Department staff in order to determine how much of each individuals time is spent on development review functions, which illustrated that while some employees are not involved at all, some spend nearly 90% of their time on developer driven activities. A review of the development fees charged by the City of Hagerstown, the City of Frederick, and Frederick County was done as well. The revised fees would increase department revenues by approximately $250,000.00-$300,000.00 per year, Thompson said. Some of the proposed changes would see Map Amendment fees increase from $200 to $20 per acres plus $2,000; Text Amendment fees would increase from $200 to $2,000; Site Plan for residential construction would go from the current $10 per unit plus $100 to $10 per unit plus $750.00. Staff Site Plan Approval would see a new $500 fee; a Zoning Verification Letter Report would have a $100 charge; Preliminary Consultations would be charged a $20 per acre plus $500 fee. Board of Zoning Appeals fees would increase as well as Subdivision plats, PUD's and Forest Conservation Plan reviews. Thompson told the Board that fees approved to go to Public Hearing would be posted on the County Website, www.washco-md.net or be available at the Planning Office at 80 West Baltimore Street. Additional information will be presented next week. The measures were approved for advertisement to take to Public Hearing on April 25th.
ROXBURY ROAD EMERGENCY STREAM BANK REPAIRS
Assistant Public Works Director Joe Kroboth brought this request before the Board, to approve a repair contract to the low bidder for the Roxbury Road Emergency Stream Bank Erosion Repairs, C. William Hetzer of Hagerstown in the amount of $59,730. On March 14th, the Division of Public Works requested authorization to award a contract for erosion and embankment stabilization repairs on Roxbury Road near the bridge approximately 500 feet west of Alternate Route 40. The Commissioners approved the funding and the Division proceeded with obtaining competitive bids. Plans and specifications were prepared and distributed to six construction-contracting firms. On Wednesday, March 29th a site visit with all the interested contractors was held. Price proposals were received on Monday, April 3, 2006 at 4:00 pm. A letter of permission was obtained from the adjacent property owner to position equipment and materials on his property during the construction process, allowing the road to remain open. The Maryland Department of the Environment approved work without a stream diversion as long as no motorized equipment was used in the streambed. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Angela Helfrick of the Washington County Community Partnership (WCCP) brought this award ceremony to the Board. The WCCP Outreach Committee selected two students to receive the Commissioner’s Youth of the Month awards for the month of February. Lindsay Nicole Steiner is the High School student winner and Courtney Silvis is the Middle School winner.
Commissioner Dori Nipps presented a Certificate of Merit and a $100 Savings Bond to Courtney, daughter of Dennis and Mary Nalley, an eighth grade student at Boonsboro Middle School who has been on the Distinguished Honor Roll and Honor Roll in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, and served as treasurer of the Student Council. Courtney has been captain of the basketball and volleyball teams at Boonsboro Middle, and has played softball on the Washington County Youth League. Courtney also participates in the families “game night” once a month and reads to her 7-year-old sister every night. Courtney has assisted with Boonsboro Days, helped with canned food drives and raising money for needy families in addition to collecting clothes for the needy through her church. Courtney is described as well spoken, a team player, responsible, respectful, calm under stress, and a good decision-maker.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval presented the Certificate of Merit to Lindsay, a senior at South Hagerstown High School. Daughter of Timothy Steiner and Pamela Steiner, Lindsay currently holds a 3.71 grade point average and has had perfect attendance from kindergarten to the present. A member of the Honor Club and National Honor Society, where she serves as Treasurer, Lindsay also participates in the Key Club, International Club, Diversity Achievement Council, Student Government, Homecoming Committee and Prom Committee. Lindsay has played volleyball for 4 years, and indoor track and track and field, where she has served as a captain. She attends church with her family and also participates in family “game night” on a monthly basis. In addition to school activities, she works as a hostess at a local restaurant, volunteers at the YMCA as a volleyball coach, in the summer and has volunteered at the JFK 50-mile run.
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HANCOCK TAX SETOFF FOR 2006
The Board held its annual joint meeting with the Mayors and Councils of Hancock and Clear Spring at 7:00 p.m. in Hancock Town Hall, to discuss the tax set-offs for the current fiscal year. The nine municipalities will receive $1.38 million in tax setoff from the County, $112,627 more than 2005. Hancock will receive $52,135, an 8.87% increase over last year. Clear Spring will receive $2,000 for FY '06, which is the same amount received in FY '05. The Tax Setoff reimburses the towns for services such as roads, parks and police, and is based on assessable tax base, taxable income and population.