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
December 18th, 2007
FIRE AND RESCUE INSURANCE RENEWAL
Becky Maginnis, Risk Management Administrator, and Tom Hoblitzell, Vice President
of Hilb, Rogal & Hobbs consultants brought this request for approval of
the Fire & Rescue Companies Insurance Renewal, before the Board. Package
insurance placement for policy year January 2008 to January 2009 for all fire
and rescue companies in the Washington County Fire & Rescue Association
awarded to Selective Insurance Company for an annual premium of $373,813 for
property and casualty and $188,132 for volunteer Workers Compensation coverage.
Maginnis told the Board that Five insurance carriers specializing in fire and
rescue insurance programs responded to bid specifications. Three were disqualified
since they were unable to provide all coverages requested. The lowest quote
was received from Selective Insurance Company, and includes coverages for general
liability, property, auto liability and auto property damage, inland marine,
directors and officer’s liability, employer’s liability, and workers
compensation. With acceptance pf the quote, there would be a savings of approximately
$220,000 under budgeted FY 2008 premiums. The measure was approved by unanimous
vote.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Terry Baker commented on the recent article regarding Revenue
Sharing with the City of Hagerstown, asking that facts and figures be presented
to the Commissioners on that issue. The Commissioner also called for work
sessions to be held in early mornings or evenings to provide adequate preparation
time for Tuesday Commissioners' meetings. A date will be set soon for Baker's
proposed Weaverton-Roxbury rail-trail walk. The County has acquired some
right of way agreements along that route, Baker said.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported on the recent meeting of the Black Rock
Golf Course Board of Directors and reminded the Commissioners that one opening
will occur on that Board in January. The Chamber of Commerce Pre-Legislative
Forum last week was productive, Kercheval said. Discussions with the Director
of Girls' Inc. indicated that Girls' Inc's facility is idle from 8 a.m -
3 p.m. daily, a period in which most senior centers are active. The Commissioner
set up a meeting and tour with members of the Commission on Aging to investigate
the opportunity that joint use of the Girl's Inc. facility would have in
providing a Senior Center site downtown. This opportunity will be explored
in the weeks ahead and be included in options for the Senior Center Steering
Committee to evaluate. Commissioner Kercheval wished Washington County Employees
and County citizens Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a safe New Year.
Commissioner Bill Wivell also wished a happy and safe holiday season to County
employees and Citizens alike.
Commissioner Kristin Aleshire responded to a letter from the Board of Education
to the Legislative Delegation citing a shortfall in revenue if the County
minimum excise tax of $3.00 per square foot moves ahead. Aleshire reminded
the Board that a number of Fire and Rescue companies are holding holiday
events and said he would circulate a list of companies and event dates. Aleshire
also expressed support for work sessions for the Commissioners. On the Revenue
Sharing issue, Aleshire commented that the article inferred that the Commissioners
have not participated in the proposed Library renovation funding. That issue
has been addressed in the County Capital Improvement Program budget in coming
years, the Commissioner said. Aleshire commented that revenue sharing issues
with the City mist be resolved. County Administrator Greg Murray commented
that the work session proposal will be discussed in the new year.
Commissioners' President John Barr presented his wishes for a happy holiday
season to employees and all citizens.
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 date.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney Issues: County Attorney John Martirano reported to the Board
that the current draft of enabling legislation for changes to the excise
tax is being prepared, and asked for an agreement by the Board on a cap
for the amount that could be charged. The Board previously set a minimum
per square foot tax of $3.00 for residential construction. In the recent
Legislative Delegation meeting with the Board, a "range" was
requested, but no cap had been set. For enabling legislation purposes,
consensus was reached to set the cap at no more than $6.00 per square foot
for that type construction. Martirano commented that the cap was for purposes
of drafting the enabling legislation only.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought
requests from several advisory Boards and Commissions before the Board.
The Water Quality Advisory Commission requested appointment of Bill Breichner.
The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
The Airport Advisory Commission requested appointment of Mitesh Kothari to
its membership. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
The Commission on Aging requested appointments of Rose Walters and Linn Hendershot.
The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
The Historic District Commission requested reappointments of Robert Bowman,
Sandra Iser and Merry Stinson and appointment of Chris Horst. The measures
were approved by unanimous vote.
Comments from County Staff: Division of Fire and Emergency Services Director
John Latimer requested approval of two grants from the Maryland Numbers Board
to improve fire and rescue services for Washington County. $160,040.00 was
allocated for purchase of a 600KW emergency generator for the new 9-1-1 dispatch
location on Elliott Parkway. A grant for Five 9-1-1 dispatch console chairs
for a total of $5,580 consisting of $4,500 from the Numbers Board and $1,080
in County match was also up for approval. The measures were approved by unanimous
vote.
Washington County Community Partnership Program Director Stephanie Stone
requested recognition in the official meeting minutes of the Bridge Program
grant approved on November 27th that would fund 13 transitional housing units.
The Board reaffirmed its support of that grant.
Public Works Director Joe Kroboth reported that Highways Department crews
worked around the clock during the recent ice and wind event last weekend,
clearing felled trees from roadways. Hardest hit area was the Edgemont/Cascade
region of the County, Kroboth said.
SALARY REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
Special Projects Director Gary Rohrer and members of the Salary Review Committee
brought recommendations before the Board and requested their adoption.
The recommendations included approving 10 reclassifications and extending
the Overtime Policy to Grade 13-and-below employees for emergency call-outs
only; adopting proposed changes to the performance appraisal system to
be effective January 1, 2008; adopting the proposed Grade and Step Wage
Classification Scale effective July 1, 2008; and adopting the proposed
Grade and Step Transition effective July 1, 2008. As part of the Commissioners'
2007 goals, the Salary Review Committee, consisting of volunteer members
approved by the County Administrator, including members of the employee
union convened with a primary charge to review requests from the FY 2008
budget for a variety of reclassifications or upgrades and one-time pay
increase requests. In addition, the Committee reviewed the current Wage
and Salary Classification Scale and the current employee performance evaluation
process. Recommendations included approval of the 10 reclassifications
discussed as part of the FY '08 budget process. The Committee said it could
not support a request for a one-time pay increase for the Assistant Collections/Distribution
Superintendents (DWQ), and recommended that the Board approve the same
overtime policy adopted several years ago for Highway Section Supervisors
and their Assistants. Upon further discussion with the County Administrator,
it was recommended that the practice be extended to all employees Grade
13 and below for emergency call-outs, only. The Committee examined performance
appraisal systems, forms and related materials used by several local government
employers in the area. Given the number of classifications within County
government, the Committee felt that four basic appraisal forms were necessary
and developed a hybrid between the existing County form and several from
the Washington County Public School system. The new process would focus
on job performance: job specific, job knowledge, and job application. In
addition to being more efficient, it would hold employees more accountable
at all levels by incorporating a disincentive for failing to perform satisfactorily.
The Committee reviewed and discussed the current wage and salary scale
and cited the difficulties with the system after studying salary and classification
information from seven Counties in the region, three cities including Hagerstown,
the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, and the Washington County
Public School System (WCPS). The Committee narrowed its focus on the City
and WCPS pay scales and how they are used to compensate the employees of
the two entities. The Committee recommended that the County convert to
a scale with grade and steps similar to that of the Sheriffs Department.
Such a system would be more equitable in that it would address recruiting
and retention incentives as well as longevity and market factors. The Committee
said that adopting a properly structured classification and pay scale would
not resolve all of the challenges with recruitment and retention but believed
it would go a long way toward restoring internal equity, reduce subjectivity
with pay for performance, be consistent with surrounding jurisdictions
and provide for more predictable budget projections. The Committee cited
a need for a market based analysis of current, up-to-date job descriptions.
Rohrer told the Board that the cost to implement the recommendations would
actually be less than projected changes based on current methods, $1.17
million as opposed to $1.18 million. After considerable further discussion
on the performance appraisal system and the step/grade proposals, Commissioner
Baker made a motion to approve the Salary Review Committee recommendations
as presented, with future development and addition of an employee incentive
program. The measure was approved on a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Kercheval
voting "no".
THE BOARD VISITED THE WASHINGTON COUNTY FARM BUREAU FOR THE ANNUAL LUNCHEON MEETING
ADOPTION OF BUILDING CODES
Department of Permits and Inspections Director Dan Divito and Deputy Director
Angela Smith brought these requests for adoption of various building codes
before the Board. A public hearing was held on November 13th, 2007 for
the purpose of considering the repeal, enactment or adoption of a number
of codes and guidelines. In order to protect the health, welfare, property
and safety of the citizens of Washington County, it was recommended that
current versions of those codes be adopted. The Maryland Building Rehabilitation
Code became effective throughout the State on June 1st, 2001, to encourage
and facilitate the rehabilitation of existing buildings by reducing the
cost of and constraints on rehabilitation that result from existing procedures
and standards. The MBRC encourages uniformity throughout the State by providing
funding for certain programs to those local jurisdictions that adopt and
administer the MBRC without making local amendments. Pursuant to the Code
of the Public Local Laws of Washington County, Maryland, the County may
impose civil penalties for violations of the building codes in the event
a violation is not corrected in a reasonable period of time. The goal of
imposing civil penalties is not to generate revenue, but to encourage those
in violation to bring their properties into compliance with the building
codes. The Codes provide that a fine for a civil offense shall be established
by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County,
Maryland. The request was to adopt 9 items, to be effective March 1, 2008.
The actions would repeal pertinent existing codes and: Enact the 2006 International
Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, First Printing, with
Local Amendments for Washington County; Enact the 2006 International Building
Code, First Printing, with Local Amendments for Washington County; Enact
the 2006 International Plumbing Code, Second Printing, with Local Amendments
for Washington County; Enact the 2006 International Mechanical Code, First
Printing, with Local Amendments for Washington County; Adopt the 2006 International
Fuel Gas Code, Second Printing, with Local Amendments for Washington County,
Adopt the 2006 ICC Electrical Code - Administrative Provisions, First Printing,
with Local Amendments for Washington County; Adopt the Maryland Building
Rehabilitation Code including the Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code
Regulations; Adopt the proposed Civil Citations Guidelines; and Adopt a
resolution Establishing a Fee Schedule for Civil Citations. The measures
were approved on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Wivell voting "no".
The Commissioner was opposed to the Civil Citation resolution.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES MASTER PLAN
John Latimer, Director of the Division of Fire and Emergency Services and
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association President Glen Fuscsick presented
a follow-up discussion on the EMS strategic plan presented to the Board
of County Commissioners on February 6, 2007. and requested adoption of
the plan. In April 2002, the Board of County Commissioners established
the Emergency Services Advisory Council (ESAC) to provide recommendations
regarding the provision of emergency services in Washington County. The
ESAC created a taskforce on March 29, 2004 to study the current emergency
medical services program and create a strategic plan to address both current
and future challenges at a system-level. The “Emergency Medical Services
Plan for the Future” creates a strategic plan, phased for implementation
in such a way that the volunteer component of the emergency medical services
system will be preserved and a customarily high level of emergency medical
services will be enhanced for the citizens in the most efficient and cost
effective manner possible. All recommendations were based on national trends
and standards, state and federal regulations and best practices in pre-hospital
emergency medical care. The subcommittee membership included representation
from County staff, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (VFRA), ESAC,
Hagerstown Fire Department, the County EMS Medical Director and two County
EMS companies. The taskforce reviewed the plan with the ESAC and County
EMS Company Chiefs to receive their support and held a public forum at
HCC’s Kepler Theater to explain the plan and answer questions from
fire and rescue personnel and citizens of the community. Last February
the VFRA held a formal vote on the matter at its membership meeting. The
plan received 22 Yes votes, 2 No votes, one abstention, and one company
was not present. Latimer told the Board that the plan summary states that
the mission of the Task Force is to effect a cultural change within the
fire and emergency services community. The plan recognizes that change
is necessary and proposes to educate elected officials and the public on
the needs of an enhanced and improved system. Having a clear and concise
vision for the future is essential to guide the system. All recommendations
are based on national trends and standards, state and federal regulations
and best practices in pre-hospital emergency medical care, the plan said.
The taskforce report designs the transition from the volunteer corporation-based
service with supplemental career staff to a centralized countywide combination
system, which would have the depth to weather the growth and demographic
changes facing Washington County. The plan calls for the transition to
occur in two phases and includes cost estimates and the creation of a revenue
stream to fund the program. Phase I would include: Comprehensive review
of policies, procedures and the education program; Revision of current
service areas to insure the closest unit is responding to the emergency;
Acquisition of scheduling software to track the utilization of personnel
(career and volunteer) and resources; Transport unit maintenance and fuel
reimbursements for volunteer corporations; Due diligence and planning for
centralized billing occurring in phase two; Establishment of four geographic
battalions in the County with advance life support personnel and equipment
assigned to each area as a redundancy in the current system; Creation of
an Assistant Chief of EMS Operations for personnel management, field support
to comply with FLSA requirements and coordination the transition. Cost
for Phase I was estimated at $1.4 million. Phase II of the plan would see:
Consolidation of staffing to address system depth, quality assurance and
equity within the system as determined by the monitoring of an established
set of benchmarks or at the request of an individual corporation for assistance;
Implementation of a centralized billing program as the corporations require
individual staffing assistance; Supplemental funding for volunteer corporations
to help cover physical plant cost based on the level of operational activity;
Creation of a volunteer corporation reimbursement program as a financial
incentive for volunteer recruitment and retention. Phase II would cost
an estimated $4.6 million. The task force concluded that many reports and
studies have been produced since the inception of EMS in Washington County
containing recommendations for how to improve the system but acknowledged
that few of the recommendations made were implemented. "The time
has come to address the long-acknowledged but unmet need to strengthen
this vital service," the Task Force said in its report. Fuscsick cited
cooperation between EMS companies and the ESAC. Latimer told the Board
that the plan was written by volunteers and that portions of Phase I were
included in the FY '08 budget. Commissioner Kercheval made a motion to
approve both phases of the plan, with budget issues to be worked through
as part pf the coming FY '09 budget cycle. Commissioner Wivell stated a
need for time to review each company's fiscal records, and Commissioner
Baker stated he was not ready to vote on the issue, citing the agenda description
of the presentation as "a discussion". The motion by Kercheval
was approved on a vote of 3 "yes" and two "abstain" votes,
from Commissioners Wivell and Baker.
VOLUNTEER LENGTH OF SERVICE AWARD PROGRAM (LOSAP)
Assistant County Attorney Andrew Wilkinson and Fire and Emergency Services
Director John Latimer brought this request, for acceptance of several amendments
to the LOSAP Program Plan before the Board. The LOSAP Program provides
retirement and death benefits to active volunteers of one or more Washington
County fire, rescue, or emergency medical services, or support organizations
approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The Plan is intended to
comply with the length of service award plan requirements under the Internal
Revenue Code and with the length of service award program requirements
under the Maryland State Income Tax Subtraction Modification Program. The
LOSAP Plan Committee previously suggested changes to the LOSAP Program
Plan and those changes were incorporated into the Program Plan and are
ready for implementation. The changes to include adding members of the
Photo Team as Eligible Volunteers; requiring a volunteer to be 16 years
or older before being considered an Eligible Volunteer, unless the volunteer
earned any LOSAP points before turning 16; adding the Director of Emergency
Services and County Attorney to the Plan Committee; clarifying the progression
of payments to beneficiaries in the event of the death of an Eligible Volunteer;
clarifying the burial benefits for a deceased Eligible Volunteer; clarifying
when non-service connected benefits cease; a and adding reporting requirements
from volunteer companies. Commissioner Wivell commented he had requested
additional language in the amendments that would remove anyone caught falsifying
information from the LOSAP program. Wilkinson commented on researching
legalities of such a measure. Pending a legal ruling by outside counsel,
such a measure would be added as the 8th in the list of changes. The measure
was approved by unanimous vote.