HomeMy WebLinkAbout010410April 10, 2001
Hagerstown, Maryland
A workshop meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of
Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 8:00
a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following
members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and
Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly,
and William J. Wivell.
FY 2002 GENERAL FUND OPERATING BUDGET DISCUSSIONS
The Commissioners met with Debra Bastian, Director of
Finance, to continue discussions of the fiscal year 2002
General Fund budget. Ms. Bastian reviewed Draft #3 and
highlighted the revisions that were made since the last
meeting. She stated that revenues have been increased for
the Engineering Department ($50,000), Planning Department
($10,000), Sheriff's Department ($15,000), and Recreation
Department ($25,000) for various fees charged by those
departments. The Narcotics Task Force revenue projection
was decreased by $5,000. Commissioner Iseminger
recommended that consideration be given to increasing plan
review fees and suggested that the staff review the fees
charged by neighboring counties.
Ms. Bastian reviewed the expenditure portion of the General
Fund budget and the adjustments made to the budget by the
staff. Ms. Bastian stated that "pay go" funding has been
increased by $1,081,441 and explained the effect this would
have on the budget through reduced borrowing. The
Commissioners then reviewed the changes proposed to the
Board of Education's budget. Ms. Bastian proposed total
funding of $69,156,854 for operational and one-time costs.
She stated that this amount is a 7.4% increase over last
year's budget and would allow the Board to fully fund the
Governor's teachers salary challenge as well as increases
of 4% for support and administrative personnel. The
Commissioners then discussed the budget with the Board of
Education and staff. They suggested that the Board could
reduce costs by lowering its workers' compensation benefit
to employees from 100% to 670. Commissioner Schnebly asked
for information on the frequency of the workers'
compensation claims at the Board of Education.
Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, summarized the
adjustments made and informed the Commissioners that they
total $425,000. Commissioner Wivell suggested that this
amount be placed in escrow to be used for "pay go" funding
for future capital school projects. The Commissioners
discussed several options for use of these funds. David
Brandenberg, Accounting Supervisor for the Board of
Education, expressed concern that increased funding for
private placements has not been included and will have to
be addressed by the Board of Education. It was the
consensus of the Commissioners that the savings realized
could be used by the Board of Education for other priority
areas. Also discussed were the costs associated with
consolidation and the need to budget funds for this
possibility. The Commissioners agreed to discuss the
general fund budget in more detail before finalizing the
Board of Education funding for presentation at the public
hearing.
Commissioner Swartz also requested that funding for
Hagerstown Community College be increased to 50. The
Commissioners agreed to increase funding from 4% to 5% this
fiscal year with the understanding that they would only
receive a maximum of 3% increase in FY 2003.
Ms. Bastian reviewed the assumptions used in projecting
income tax revenues for FY 2002 and provided historical
data.
Commissioner Iseminger asked the Commissioners to consider
providing additional funding for the Department of Social
Services' School -Family Liaison Program and setting aside
$400,000 for agricultural preservation. The Commissioners
asked for a summary of hotel rental tax funds and requests
for FY 2002. The Commissioners denied the request made by
the Housing Authority for a waiver of sewer connection
fees.
APRIL 10, 2001
PAGE TWO
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger,
to adjourn at 11:24 a.m. Unanimously approved.
County Administrator
County Attorney
Clerk ,