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
May 8, 2007
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner
Kristin Aleshire reported on attending the Board of Education redistricting
meeting held last week in Williamsport. Between 40 and 60 citizens were
in attendance and focus was on Greenbrier and Boonsboro elementary schools and
possible redistricting to the new Rockland Woods Elementary school being constructed
in the Westfields subdivision. Aleshire commented that the committee making
redistricting recommendations is made up of parents of school children. The
Teen Pregnancy Awareness Awards ceremony last week was well attended. Ads and
videos were edgy and interesting, Aleshire said.
Commissioner
Jim Kercheval commented on the Planning Commission meeting held on Monday evening.
Section 5 of the Westfields development received preliminary plat approval for
69 homes. Williamsview subdivision, part of the Breichner farm, received preliminary
consultation comments on a 294 lot site plan. The number of lots represents
a density below what is allowed by the current zoning in place, contrary to
a rezoning request last year for a PUD. There will be school issues that will
need to be mitigated at elementary, middle and high school levels as well as
significant road improvements, including Bower Avenue and Rt. 11, before that
development would get final approval, Kercheval said. The Commissioner also
suggested the County investigate a regional solution to the surrounding traffic
problems so that the many proposed developments in that area can participate
in those projects. An annexation off Oak Ridge Drive for a commercial
development was also discussed in that meeting. The Commission recommended
several conditions be placed on that development in exchange for express approval
in order to protect neighboring residential developments. The Planning
Commission also approved the 6-year Capital Improvement Plan as consistent with
the County's Comprehensive Plan. The County/City 2+2 Committee met and discussed
issues relating to widening and new construction on Eastern Boulevard.
Commissioner
Terry Baker commented on calls from municipalities on evening meetings in
the towns. Baker said he was hopeful that such meetings would be scheduled
following the completion of the FY 2008 Budget. Commissioners'
President John Barr told the Board that citizens have received misinformation
on the refugee issue and on the Free Library budget. Refugees are not illegal
aliens and are supported by the U.S. Sate Department under contracts with
faith-based agencies.
CONTRACT AWARDS: GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE
Purchasing
Agent Karen Luther and Mike Marchini, Senior Benefits Consultant with CBIZ Benefits & Insurance
Services, Inc brought this request, to award County employee health insurance
coverage contracts to United Health Care of Elkridge, Maryland
for Medical, Prescription and Stoploss Coverage; to United Concordia Companies,
Inc. of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for Dental Coverage;
and to Spectera of Baltimore, Maryland for Vision Coverage before the Board,
as recommended by the Coordinating Committee. Marchini told the Board that United
Health Care absorbed MAMSI, Inc. and is now a major provider. Changes under
the new health care provider include elimination of referrals from primary care
physicians for visits to specialists, and a better disease management program
than under the previous insurance company, Care First. Fixed costs would be
reduced from the current level of $701,631 to $643,543, a savings of about $163,000.00.
Concordia, the dental provider has a larger network than the previous insurance
company, and fixed costs would be reduced from $745,000 to $691,000. Spectera
vision services would feature no in-network copay, and have $37,000 less in
fixed costs than the previous provider. Total savings in fixed costs to the
County would be $203,000 in the first year of the 3-year contracts. County employees
would pay 10.2% of health benefit costs, while the County would pay 89.8%, an
overall change of one tenth of one percent. The measures were approved by unanimous
vote.
APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION PROJECTS
Tim Troxell,
Executive Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) office and EDC
Project Coordinator Robert Mandley brought Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
preliminary project descriptions for FY 2008 before the Board for review. EDC
asked the Commissioners to accept projects' prioritization, and forward to the
Tri-County Council for funding consideration, and to approve moving ahead with
application submissions for projects that receive ARC grant funding. Troxell
told the Board that as part of the annual ARC funding program for FY '08, Tri-County
Council of Western Maryland (TCC), the local administrator of the federal funds,
requests the County review and prioritize projects submitted for grant funding
consideration. The County Administrator, Director of Planning and EDC
Director have met, reviewed and ranked the projects based on the economic impact
each could have on the future of Washington County. Prior to forwarding
to the TCC the Board of County Commissioners concurrence was required. Municipalities,
education agencies, healthcare providers and non-profit agencies were invited
to apply for funding in March. 10 projects were received for consideration.
In the Area Development Projects category there are eight proposed projects
including $90,000 for enhancement of a Biotechnology Industry in Washington
County from Hagerstown Community College, $20,000 to support the Washington
County Leadership Development programs, $48,300 for a Student Resource and Allocation
Project and $150,000 for the Barbara Ingram School of the Arts by the Board
of Education. The Commission on Aging requested $10,500 for a Comprehensive
Aging Planning Project, and the City of Hagerstown requested $1,000,000
for Fire and EMS Stations in the West End and the North End of town. In the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century TEA-21 Access
Road funding category there were two proposed projects, the Northwest Connector
Bridge and the Eastern Boulevard North Extension at a total of $1 million by
the City of Hagerstown. Total requested funding for the 10 projects was $2,318,800,
Troxell told the Board that priorities are set due to funding levels for all
three Western Maryland Counties, this year at 1.4 to 1.6 million dollars. The
measure was approved with the provision that the Eastern Boulevard North Extension
project be ranked higher than the Northwest Connector Bridge project,
by unanimous vote.
2007 ON BEHALF OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT HOUSING BOND ALLOCATION
Director
of Planning and Community Development Mike Thompson brought this request before
the Board, to approve the 2007 On Behalf Of (OBO) Local Government Housing
Bond Allocation. The allocation for Washington County is $4,201,120.00. Each
year the Board of County Commissioners approves the transfer of Washington County’s
allocation to the Community Development Administration for the issuance of housing
bonds for first time home buyers in Washington County as part of a statewide
bond pool. The pool allows the counties to transfer their allocation to
the State to issue bonds to fund the housing programs. Washington County has
historically used this allocation to participate in the Maryland Mortgage program.
The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU ANNUAL REPORT
Tom Riford,
CEO of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB)
presented that agency's annual update to the Board. Riford said that tourism
is strong in Washington County, local hotel occupancies maintained a strong
pace in 2006, and revenues for hotels were up. Visitation to local attractions
increased in 2006. 2007 will also be a good year for tourism, Riford said. 6,000
people work in tourism according to state statistics of Washington County’s
Leisure and Hospitality classification. The State tourism office reports
that 1.9 million visitors spent $237.7 million in Washington County in
2006, not including visits to the local retail malls, a significant increase
over the prior year. CVB’s financial situation has improved during the
last three years, and the CVB is debt-free, he said, with positive assets of
$241,000. May is Tourism Month, and May 12-20 is Maryland and National Tourism
Week. New events, attractions, and museums are working closely with the
CVB, which has taken an active role in assisting local groups and their tourism
marketing efforts.
PROCLAMATION: TOURISM WEEK
Commissioners'
President John Barr presented the Convention and Visitors Bureau's Tom Riford
with a proclamation designating May 12 through 20 as Tourism Week in Washington
County. Events happening around the state during May include the annual National
Pike Festival and Wagon Train, set for the weekend of May 19-20 in Washington
County.
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT: ELECTIONS BOARD
Board of
Election Supervisors Office Director Dorothy Kaetzel and the County Commissioners
presented a Certificate of Merit to Charles L. Mobley, Jr. for many years of
service to the Elections Board. He was appointed to the Washington County Board
of Election Supervisors in June, 1991 as an alternate member, became a regular
member in June 1993, and served as Chairman of the Board since June 2003. His
term ended in June 2007. In presenting the certificate, Commissioners' President
John Barr cited Mobley's leadership and dedication. Barr also served as a member
of the Elections Board prior to being elected County Commissioner.
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.
No one appeared to make comment on this day.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney
Issues: County Attorney John Martirano told the Board that a formal motion would
be in order for inclusion of the three non-profit agencies that recently
requested placement on the list to which Commissioners may donate, the Sectiopn
1-108 list. Leadership Washington County, the Antietam Health Care Foundation
and the Parent-Child Center recently applied. The Board requested further time
to discuss the listings.
Appointments
to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner presented three requests
for appointments or reappointments to County advisory Boards or Commissions.
The Local
Management Board (LMB) requested that Donna Rudy be approved for an additional
3-year term as a Community Representative and that Kim Mills be approved as
a new Community Representative for a 3-year term to fill a current open position.
The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
John Venditta,
who serves as an alternate on the Animal Control Authority, has offered to fill
the remainder of an unexpired term on that board through July 31, 2009.
The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
The Board
of Zoning Appeals has requested appointment of Dr. Thomas Oyster,
who currently serves as an alternate, to replace Spence Perry, who has served
two three-year terms. Also, Hampton Wedlock has agreed to serve
as an alternate to fill the remainder of Dr. Oyster’s term, which extends
to July 31, 2008. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator's
Comments: County Administrator Greg Murray told the Board that a letter from
the State Board of Public Works announced the state property tax rate will remain
stable for FY 2008. Murray said he has drafted a letter to the municipalities
outlining the tax rebate procedure for the year, and advising Mayors and Councils
that evening meetings will be set to discuss issues of importance to the municipalities.
Murray said that tax information and rebate checks were being mailed to the
towns so that time on town agendas could be spent discussing citizen concerns,
rather than the annual tax setoff. Murray requested a budget transfer in the
amount of $26,500 for two bridge projects, Indian Springs Road Bridge and Lane's
Run Road culvert due to additional expenses., The measure was approved by unanimous
vote. Murray commented on attending the No-Smoking Youth Club meeting last week,
and circulated the Community Report Card for 2007.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS OF 2007 AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION
Director
of Budget and Finance Debra Murray and Timmy
Ruppersberger. Esq., Bond Counsel for Washington County requested a resolution
for authorization to issue
Washington County, Maryland, Public Improvement Bonds of 2007. Chapter 205
of the Laws of Maryland of 2004, as amended, authorizes and empowers the
County to issue and sell at public sale, upon its full faith and credit, its
Public Improvement Bonds of 2007 in the principal amount of $16,000,000, subject
to change. The bonds will be used to fund a portion of the project costs
of roads, bridges, the communication system, building improvements, education
projects, Airport projects, Solid Waste projects, and issuance cost. The
measure was approved by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Bill Wivell voting "no".
MARYLAND HERITAGE AREA PLAQUES
County Administrator
Greg Murray brought this request from the City of Hagerstown, to place commemorative
Maryland Heritage Area Plaques on the Washington County Courthouse and the County
Office Building at 33 West Washington Street. The City received a grant from
the Maryland Heritage Area Program to create interpretive plaques for downtown
on Civil War history. The City has been working with local historians to develop
the plaques, commemorating the Ransoming of Hagerstown. The original Civil War
era Courthouse burned and the current structure was built in 1873 on the same
site. Confederate General John McCausland met with Hagerstown town officials
and Directors of the Hagerstown Bank to finalize the ransom demand of $20,000
in 1864. A Judge of Circuit Court, Henry Kyd Douglas served with Confederate
General Stonewall Jackson, and practiced law in Hagerstown following that conflict.
The County Office Building at 33 West Washington Street was the location of
the Hagerstown Bank, which played a pivotal role in that event. The measure
was approved by unanimous vote.
AMENDMENT #9: CONSOLIDATED GENERAL SERVICE AGREEMENT
County Administrator
Greg Murray brought this item before the Board for approval, Execution of a
joint resolution Amendment #9, to the Consolidated General Services Agreement.
The amendment would allow 3.12 acres of additional property on the Northern
side of Leitersburg Pike to be included in the area served by Joint Sewer
Service provided by the County and the City of Hagerstown. All parties would
abide by the same terms and conditions of the agreement and amendments, and
the parcels would be subject to the same requirements for application, review
and approval for wastewater service as all other prospective Joint Sewer Service
customers covered by the Agreement. The Joint Resolution was approved by the
Hagerstown Mayor and City Council on February 27th, 2007. Murray told the Board
that two items in the proposed amendment should be changed. One item had to
do with a definition of the Joint Service area, and the other dealt with
matters pertaining only to the City and a developer. Both items were removed,
and the City would execute its developer agreement at a later date. The amendment
as modified was approved by unanimous vote.
GENERAL FUND BUDGET DISCUSSIONS
Budget and
Finance Director Debra Murray brought further review of proposed General Fund
revenues and expenditures for Fiscal Year 2008 before the Board.
Total revenue
for FY '08 is projected at $195.58 million, at the same level as in draft #1
of the revenue projections.
Operating
budget expenditures under Other Government Programs were reviewed. The category
included State, Non-Profit, General Operations, Planning and Permits, Buildings,
Medical, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Economic Development and Other,
and was projected at $28.9 million, an increase of $1.55 million from FY 2007,
or 5.7%. Minor
adjustments were made to a number of line items. In the State category, the
Agricultural Marketing Specialist position was recommended for total funding
at $93,000.00 to include salary at $40,000 benefits at $17,000.00 and Operating
Costs at $35,000. Under Non-Profit agencies, the Commission on Aging would see
Meals on Wheels funded as requested, but Medicare Part B would be funded at
50% of the requested amount or $12,750. COA was asking for increased funding
due to a state cut in a one-time expense. In highlights of the General Operations
category, the County Administrator's Office would see an increase of $243,230
due to transfers of cost centers for two positions. Decreases in other budget
categories would offset those position transfers. Information Technology would
see a $192,280 decrease in its total budget from 2007 levels because of
a one-time software upgrade. General Operations would increase $506,730 or 14.9%.
There are several items to discuss in next week's meeting as the projections
are finalized.
The total
General Fund expenditure request for Fiscal Year 2008 is $195,583,750 balanced
with revenues.
All budgets
will be reviewed on a line-item basis prior to the Budget Hearing set for May
22nd at 7:00 p.m. in Kepler Theater on the Hagerstown Community College campus.
OTHER ACTIONS
In actions
following closed session discussions, Jason Haupt was appointed as Alternate
to the Animal Control Authority Board, and Kenneth Showe was hired as a Project
Manager for the Department of Water Quality.
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