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HomeMy WebLinkAbout060411 April 10, 2006 Hagerstown, MD 21740 A workshop meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 1:00 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. GENERAL FUND BUDGET WORKSHOP The Commissioners began discussions on the FY 2007 General Fund expenditures budget. Debra Murray, Director of Budget & Finance, informed the Commissioners that the general fund requests have increased by $17.2 million. She stated that, by category, the increases are as follows: 17% education, 17% public safety, 37% capital and transfer related costs, 8% State functions, 10% GASB 45 funding, transit funds, and children and youth, 2% GIS start-up costs, and 10% other. Ms. Murray reviewed the Board of Education’s request and informed the Commissioners that it has been reduced by $1,799,000 but will preserve maintenance of effort. She explained that the buses have been shifted from maintenance of effort into one-time costs, for total proposed funding for the Board of Education of $83,303,108. The Commissioners asked for an update on the Judith Center and questioned whether the increase requested could be funded through their operating budget. The Commissioners reviewed the budget proposals for Hagerstown Community College and the Washington County Free Library. Ms. Murray noted that the roof repair for the Williamsport Branch Library would be funded in the FY 2006 budget. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, noted that personnel requests would be heard next week and indicated that those changes are included in this draft. The Commissioners then began their review of the FY 2007 County departmental budgets and non-profit agencies to which they contribute funds. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 3:45 p.m. JOINT PUBLIC HEARING – REZONING CASES RZ-06-002 A joint public hearing of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County and the Washington County Planning Commission was convened in Court Room #l at 7:00 p.m. to hear testimony and receive evidence in rezoning map amendments RZ-06-002. Presiding at the hearing were County Commissioners President Gregory I. Snook and Planning Commission Chair Benjamin Clopper. Also present at the hearing were County Commissioners William J. Wivell, James F. Kercheval, and Doris J. Nipps, and Planning Commission members Linda Parrish, Terry Reiber, Bernie Moser, and Clint Wiley. Planning Commission member George Anikis was absent due to illness, but listened to the hearing via telephone. The public hearing was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. __________________________, County Administrator , County Attorney , Clerk April 11, 2006 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson and Doris J. Nipps. APRIL 11, 2006 PAGE TWO INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Snook, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL TO FILL POSITIONS – HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to approve filling the vacant Maintenance Equipment Operation I positions at the Highway Department. Unanimously approved. (Vice President William J. Wivell arrived at 8:45 a.m.) GENERAL FUND BUDGET DISCUSSIONS Debra Murray, Director of Budget & Finance, and Kim Edlund, Assistant Director, met with the Commissioners to continue discussions of the FY 2007 General Fund expenditures budget. The Commissioners began review of County departmental budgets. Discussions were stopped at 9:00 a.m. to hold a scheduled public hearing. They agreed to continue discussions following the hearing. PUBLIC HEARING – PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BUILDING EXCISE TAX ORDINANCE The Commissioners convened a public hearing at 9:00 a.m. in order to hear comments regarding proposed amendments to the Building Excise Tax Ordinance. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, and Michael Thompson, Planning Director, appeared before the Commissioners to outline the amendments. Mr. Douglas reviewed the following proposals: 1) The definition of “construction” in Section 2 was simplified and references to replacement of units were eliminated. 2) Definitions were added for “Director of Planning” and “Nonresidential Construction.” 3) The definition of “gross square footage” eliminated any reference to the building code and was simplified. 4) The definition of “Residential Addition Construction” was clarified. 5) Section 3A(a)(3) was revised to make it clear that the exemption for residential construction applies “per dwelling unit.” 6) Section 3A(b) was revised to send appeals from decisions on the Ordinance to the County Administrator rather than the County Commissioners, for efficiency and consistency with Section 9. Section 3A(b)(1) was revised from 85% to 90% for school capacity to conform to a change in the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance. 7) Section 3B(a) was revised to clarify that the Director of Planning shall determine the applicability of the percentages for nonresidential construction and that changes shall be shown on a site plan. 8) Section 3B(c) was added to provide for the computation of tax on “nonresidential addition construction.” 9) Section 3B(e) was added to prevent piecemeal applications with regard to nonresidential construction. 10) Section 5(c) was eliminated and a new Section 5(c) was added to set forth the rules for application of the tax to replacement construction. 11) Section 5(h) was amended to exempt only the schools portion of the building excise tax (70%) on housing for the elderly. 12) Section 5(j) was amended to add “and additions” to the exemption for “small developments.” 13) Sections 8(b)(2)(a) and 8(c)(4)(b) were revised to set time limits on the deposit of taxes with the Department of Budget and Finance. 14) Several sections of the Ordinance were amended to clarify that decisions as to the applicability and interpretation of the Ordinance shall be the responsibility of the “Planning Director or designee” for consistency with sections of the Ordinance governing appeals. 15) Section 13(b)(2) was clarified as to definition of workforce housing. 16) Some sections were renumbered. 17) Other minor changes were made for consistency. The Commissioners discussed each of the proposed amendments with Mr. Douglas. After discussion, Commissioner Snook opened the meeting for public comments. Twelve individuals provided testimony on the proposed amendments with the majority of those in opposition to the provision to waive the fee for elderly housing. After hearing all comments, the hearing was closed at 10:36 a.m. Commissioner Snook announced that the record would be open for five days to receive written comments. GENERAL FUND BUDGET DISCUSSIONS – CONTINUED The Commissioners continued their review of the General Fund expenditures budget at 10:50 a.m. They discussed the information and agreed to cancel APRIL 11, 2006 PAGE THREE the budget workshop previously scheduled for April 17 and reschedule it for April 19. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 12:02 p.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:00 p.m. at the Washington County Detention Center in order to attend the dedication and demonstration of the Bearcat Armored Rescue Vehicle and meet with Dennis Shrader, Director of the Maryland Governor’s Office of Homeland Security. SWAT VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION The Commissioners attended the unveiling and dedication ceremony of the new “Armored Rescue Vehicle” for the Washington County Special Response Team. Mark Holtzman of the County’s Special Response Team stated that the vehicle was purchased solely through a grant from the Homeland Security Department. The grant would be administered through the Governor’s Office for the State of Maryland and locally by the Washington County Emergency Management Agency. BRIEFING ON 2006 HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDIING Dennis Schrader, Director for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, met with the Commissioners to brief them on the 2006 State Homeland Security Grant process. He reviewed the regional needs assessments and the federal Homeland Security initiatives and grant programs. The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. , County Administrator , County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk