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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