HomeMy WebLinkAbout010301March 1, 2001
Hagerstown, Maryland
A workshop meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of
Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by
President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present:
Vice President Paul L. Swartz, and Commissioners Bertrand L.
Iseminger, Jr., and John L. Schnebly.
BUDGET WORKSHOP - HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, SOLID WASTE, AND SHERIFF'S
DEPARTMENT
Highway Fund - J. Theodore Wolford, Superintendent of the
Highway Department; Jack Reynard, Fleet Manager; Dave Shrader,
Traffic & Safety Supervisor; and Diane Mongan, Office Associate,
presented the Highway Department budget request for FY 2002 in
the total amount of $6,923,703. The staff highlighted the major
changes in budget categories and line items, the reasons for the
proposed increases, and answered questions from the
Commissioners. Mr. Wolford stated that the Department is funded
by highway user revenue distributed by the State of maintain the
road system.
(Commissioner Wivell arrived at 10:41 a.m.)
Solid Waste - Robert Davenport, Director of the Solid Waste
Department, along with Steven Zies, Operations Manager; Donna
Fuss, Office Associate; and Harvey Hoch, Recycling Coordinator,
presented the budget request for the Solid Waste Department for
FY 2002 in the total amount of $4,517,132 for all landfill
budgets. Mr. Davenport stated that they are taking steps to
identify trends developing in the "out" years. The staff
answered questions from the Commissioners and discussed proposed
rate changes, capping fees, and other items related to the
landfill. Mr. Davenport emphasized that there are no general
fund monies included in their FY 2002 budget.
Sheriff's Department - Sheriff Charles Mades, Lt. Van Evans, and
Lt. Doug Mullendore presented the FY 2002 Sheriff's Department
budget as follows: Judicial - $783,871; Patrol Division -
$4,203,570; and Detention Center - $6,356,106. They each
reviewed significant changes requested in the FY 2002 budget.
Lieutenant Evans distributed information comparing Washington
County's budget and staffing levels with those of other
comparable counties in Maryland.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to
convene in closed session at 11:07 a.m. to discuss proposals for
businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or
remain in the State in accordance with Section 10-508 of the
State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
Unanimously approved.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to
reconvene in open session at 12:15 p.m. Unanimously approved.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed two (2) proposals
for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand,
or remain in the State. Present during closed session were
Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L.
Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also
present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County
Administrator; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; John Howard, Director
of the Economic Development Commission; and Robert Arch,
Director of Planning & Community Development.
RECESS
The Commissioners recessed at 12:15 p.m.
TAX SETOFF - SHARPSBURG TOWN HALL
The evening session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the
Sharpsburg Town Hall by President Gregory I. Snook, with the
following Commissioners present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz,
and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and William J.
Wivell.
MARCH 1, 2001
PAGE TWO
Sidney Gale, Mayor of Sharpsburg, along with Council members
Denise Troxell, Patricia Hammond, Ralph Hammond, Joseph W.
Eichelberger, and Russell Weaver were also present at the
meeting. Keedysville representatives included Mayor Lee
Brandenberg and Council member James Kerns.
Commissioner Snook stated that, pursuant to Section 6-306 of the
Tax -Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the
Commissioners are required to meet with each municipality
annually to discuss the tax setoff program. He also reviewed the
summary and formula for highways, police, and parks.
Commissioner Snook stated that Sharpsburg would receive $4,155
in fiscal year 2001 and Keedysville would receive $2,926. He
noted that the tax setoff money for these municipalities is
applied toward the cost of a County deputy for 30 hours per
week.
He explained that a committee has been appointed to review the
tax setoff formula and that Mayor "Skip" Kauffman was the
representative from the Washington County chapter of the
Maryland Municipal League. Commissioner Snook invited
interested Town officials to the meetings and stated that the
committee is reviewing a tax differential model used in Anne
Arundel County.
Sharpsburg Request to Waive Billing Fees
Commissioner Snook stated that he had informed Mayor Gale that
the County would waive the billing fees for the credits given by
the Town of Sharpsburg for water and sewer service if it is done
annually instead of semi-annually.
Land Preservation Activities
Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development,
reviewed land preservation measures taken in the
Sharpsburg/Keedysville area. He presented a map delineating the
areas that are protected by preservation easements. Mr. Arch
explained the Rural Legacy Program that has preservation
easements on 996 acres of land between the Frederick County line
and the Sharpsburg/Keedysville area. He stated that the Rural
Legacy Program has been very successful. Council member Russell
Weaver asked if they could be informed of any activity in the
easement areas so the Town could act as a "watchdog." Mr. Arch
explained the notification process used by the Planning
Department and the changes they are making to it.
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Projects
Commissioner Snook reviewed future CIP projects for the Towns,
including the Dogstreet Road Bridge, Prys Mill Road/Keedysville
Road Bridge, and improvements to the Sharpsburg water system.
Commissioner Snook informed the Town officials that the County
recently adopted a revised Animal Control Ordinance and that the
towns could adopt the County's Ordinance or adopt their own and
provide their own enforcement. Commissioner Snook also provided
an update on the overlay program and revisions to the Roads
Standards Policy.
Mayor Brandenberg asked if the road to the Southeastern
Community Center was in the County's overlay program for next
fiscal year. The Commissioners stated that they would review
the program but there was some question as to whether the road
was within the Town boundaries. Mayor Brandenberg asked them to
provide their response in writing.
The group then discussed items of interest including the use of
the former train station, the Recreation Commission's summer
play camp program, the Sharpsburg library, and the Metropolitan
Planning Organization's plans to construct a new bridge on Route
34.
The Commissioners then answered questions and explained the tax
setoff formula.
MARCH 1, 2001
PAGE THREE
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to
adjourn at 8:10 p.m. Unanimously approved.
County Administrator
County Attorney
County
Clerk