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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.31.2015 Minutesk BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland March 31, 2015 The Commissioners attended a luncheon and tour at 1:00 p.m. of the current warehouse and early voting facilities at 101 Tandy Drive, Hagerstown, with the Washington County Election Board and staff. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Barr offered the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. CALL TO ORDER President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, to order at 2:27 p.m. in the County Administration Building located at 100 West Washington Street, Room 255, Hagerstown, with the following members present: Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and Commissioners John F. Barr and LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — MARCH 10, 2015 AND MARCH 17, 2015 Commissioner Myers, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the minutes of March 10, 2015 and March 17, 2015. The motion passed unanimously. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION — SEX OFFENDER COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT IN MARYLAND GRANT Susan Buchanan, Senior Grant Manager, Community Grant Management, and Carly Hose, Sheriff's Department, requested permission to submit an application to the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention for a $26,450 Sex Offender Compliance and Enforcement in Maryland grant. Ms. Buchanan advised that the no -match grant would support the salaries of two part-time civilian employees who assist the Sex Offender Registrar with registration and monitoring support. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to approve submission of the $26,450 grant application and accept all funding received as presented. The motion passed unanimously. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION — SCHOOL BUS SAFETY ENFORCEMENT FUND GRANT Susan Buchanan and Carly Hose requested approval of the submission of a $17,820 School Bus Safety Enforcement Fund grant application to the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention. Ms. Buchanan indicated that the Sheriff s Office plans to utilize the funding to provide law enforcement presence during times of dropping off and picking up children, and following school buses while monitoring "hot spot" areas. Program funds would be used toward salary and overtime costs. There are no grant match requirements. March 31, 2015 Page 2 Ms. Hose stated that the original grant amount was $16,320; however, increased funding was offered that would now be used toward public service announcements pertaining to school bus/public vehicle safety. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to approve submission of the $17,820 grant application and accept all funding received as presented. The motion passed unanimously. JOINT MEETING WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION The Board of County Commissioners met jointly with the Board of Education. In attendance were President Terry L. Baker, Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and Commissioners John F. Barr and LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. Board of Education members present were Donna Brightman, Justin Hartings, Jacqueline Fischer, Michael Guessford, Karen Harshman, Wayne Ridenour, and Melissa Williams. PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2016 GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Chris South, Chief Financial Officer, Washington County Public Schools (WCPS), and Donna Brightman, BOE President, presented the Board of Education's (BOE) FY 2016 general fund budget request of $94,061,844, representing a 3.7% increase over what was provided in Fiscal Year 2015, and $4,059,574 more than the required maintenance of effort. This $4,059,574 represents the combined cost of the school nurse program, school resource officer program, and crossing guard program. Ms. Brightman indicated that while these three functions are vital to WCPS operations, these costs had previously been absorbed into the school system's operational funds without a proportionate increase in County funding. The BOE is also requesting that the County Commissioners provide a non-recurring cost of $743,480 (an amount equal to the decrease in the required maintenance of effort) to help cover the cost of replacing roofs at Clear Spring High School and Boonsboro Middle School. The sum of these requests is $99,647,084. The parties discussed several aspects of the budget including teacher pension costs, the school nursing program, and pupil enrollment figures. Commissioner Baker requested additional information regarding student enrollment projections. SECOND QUARTER ADJUSTMENTS TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION'S FY2015 GENERAL FUND BUDGET Chris South, Chief Financial Officer, Washington County Public Schools, requested adjustments to the Second Quarter FY 2015 General Fund Budget by increasing the following categories: Revenue - $241,500; Instructional Textbooks and Supply - $1,109,461; Other Instructional Costs - $106,761; Special Education - $800,000; Student Personnel Services - $19,475; and Maintenance of Plant - $750,000, and by decreasing the following categories: Administration - $1,141,905; Mid -Level Administration - $178,803; Instructional Salaries - $237,530; Student Transportation Services - $222,048; Capital Outlay - $395,663; and Fixed Charges - $1,088,160, for a net change in fund balance of $719,912. Mr. South indicated that $500,000 of that amount would be committed to the downtown educational hub project, leaving $219,912 in the undesignated fund balance. March 31, 2015 Page 3 Commissioner Myers questioned why the $500,000 would not be committed to needed roofing projects. Commissioner Baker requested information on the past ten years of budget adjustment figures. The Commissioners took no action on the matter. RECESS The County Commissioners recessed at 3:24 p.m. and relocated to Room 227 for the remainder of their meeting. FISCAL YEAR 2016 BUDGET DISCUSSION Debra Murray, Chief Financial Officer, and Kim Edlund, Director, Budget and Finance, reviewed the County's proposed Fiscal Year 2016 General Fund Budget balanced at $206,904,540 million. Ms. Murray indicated that the budget decreased by $2.4 million from 2010 to 2016 and has not recovered to its 2010 base budget line to date. Over the past six years, a majority of that change involved increased funding toward Education and Public Safety and decreased funding to Operations and Pay -Go funding. Ms. Murray reported that the County is recovering from the recession with slow growth projected the next few years. Fiscal Year 2016 is the first year the County has increased base revenues over the past five years. The current unemployment rate stands at 6.8%. Ms. Murray discussed the $3 million projected increase in local tax revenue, mostly due to income tax and the anticipation of growth and decreases in the unemployment rate. The total revenue available implies an increase of 1.16% over the current fiscal year, or $2.3 million, due to a projected increase in property and income tax revenues and decreases in other categories. Discussion of the Fiscal Year 2016 budget was suspended to hold a scheduled public hearing at 4:00 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING — MODIFICATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2016 WATER AND SEWER RATES President Baker convened a public hearing at 4:00 p.m. to obtain public comment regarding the proposed modification of water and sewer rates. Julie Pippel, Director, Division of Environmental Management, presented the proposed schedule of water and sewer rates, which includes an increase per quarter for the average residential user of 3% (or $4.67) for water and 3.5% (or $4.98) for sewer. Similar increases are proposed for other user classes. Ms. Pippel indicated that the increases are needed to meet expenditure requirements for the two enterprise utility funds due to long-range financial plans. The hearing was opened for public comment. Hal Spielman, Town of Sharpsburg mayor, commented on the financial hardship to older Sharpsburg residents with fixed incomes. Jeff Miller, 17229 Amber Drive, Hagerstown, commented on water used toward car washing and similar uses that is not being treated. He suggested the County review how it charges for utilities. March 31, 2015 Page 4 The Public Hearing was closed at 4:05 p.m. The meeting was opened for discussion by the Commissioners. The Commissioners decided to consider public comments and vote on the proposal at a later date. Commissioner Baker advised citizens of the County's budget hearing scheduled for Tuesday, May 5 at 7:00 p. in. at Hagerstown Community College's Kepler Theatre. FISCAL YEAR 2016 BUDGET DISCUSSION (cont.) Debra Murray and Kim Edlund continued their review of the FY 2016 Budget. Ms. Murray indicated that Education funding remains the largest funding category at $107.1 million of the total expenditures. This category includes the BOE, HCC and Library. The budget contains an increase of $372,480 in overall funding from Fiscal Year 2015 above the current year, of which $90,002,270 is allocated to the Washington County Board of Education to meet per -pupil maintenance of effort requirements. The total amount is $743,480 less in Fiscal Year 2016 due to lower projected enrollment. Ms. Murray indicated that the maintenance of effort amount has been reduced by $744,000 based on lowered school enrollment. She advised that the BOE's maintenance of effort request had not been adjusted for today's presentation. The budget contains a 3.3% increase of $300,000 to Hagerstown Community College (HCC) to offset tuition and fee increases. HCC had requested $851,000, which was reduced by $551,000. The Washington County Free Library's budget contains an additional $75,000 to pay for employee salary increases. Law Enforcement ($28.6 million) and Emergency Services ($14.4 million) categories contain a combined increase of just over 4% under the proposed budget. The establishment of a Day Reporting Center for nonviolent drug offenders at the cost of $312,090 is contained in the budget at a half-year funding level to begin January 2016; however, there is still no identified revenue source for its support. Under the Emergency Services category, $562,500 is included for the continued funding of Phase I of the Fire Plan. The Election Board budget shows an increase of $189,450 toward a total allocation of $1.1 million due to costs associated with implementing a new voting system to be used in the 2016 elections. Ms. Murray indicated that nearly $15 million in debt service is projected to be paid off under the plan, with approximately $1.8 million to be transferred to the Capital Improvement Plan to support various capital projects. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There were no citizens present who wished to participate. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION County Attorney John Martirano informed the Commissioners that an additional item was added to closed session after the meeting agenda was published. The legal reason for the additional item is, "To consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation." March 31, 2015 Page 5 Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to convene in closed session at 4:45 p.m. to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto; and to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation, in accordance with Section 3-305(b) (3) and (8) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed specific details relating to the potential purchase/acquisition of real property for public use; discussed a specific personnel matter with staff and counsel; and discussed specific legal issues relating to potential litigation with counsel and staff. During closed session, the Commissioners provided specific direction to staff relating to the potential purchase/acquisition of real property for public use; provided staff and counsel direction relating to a personnel issue; and also provided direction to Staff regarding a matter that may in the future lead to litigation. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, John F. Barr, and LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; Kirk C. Downey, Deputy County Attorney; and at various times Rob Slocum, Director, Rich Eichelberger, Deputy Director, Susan Small, Real Property Administrator, and Jessica Spring, Project Manager, Engineering and Construction Management; Kevin Lewis, Director, Emergency Services; Sheriff Douglas Mullendore, Sheriff's Department, and Dale Hill, President, Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 5:38 p.m. EVENING MEETING — TOWN OF CLEAR SPRING An evening meeting of Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was held at the L. P. Snyder Memorial Library, 12634 Broadfording Road, Clear Spring. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Barr offered the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. CALL TO ORDER President Terry L. Baker called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. with the following members present: Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and Commissioners John F. Barr and LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. March 31, 2015 Page 6 COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline reported attending the Business Before Hours event at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. He participated in the business outreach visit to DVF Corporation, a small manufacturing firm on the Sharpsburg Pike, which began at Hagerstown Community College's (HCC) Technical Innovation Career incubator program. Mr. Cline attended the celebration for the remodeled Williamsport Moose Club facility and recognized the club for all it does to support the town. He attended the Washington County Humane Society's new Adoption Center and Spay/Neuter Clinic facility opening and the Truck Enterprises groundbreaking. He also attended the Sharpsburg Emergency Medical Service awards ceremony. Commissioner Myers discussed working on streamlining permitting methods in the County to assist citizens. He reported on progress to repair a ditch in Blair's Valley damaged by last year's flood. Commissioner Barr reported on the Business Before Hours meeting at the Airport. He attended a meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee whose members address any road/transportation concerns reported to the group. Mr. Barr attended a two-day conference in Roanoke, Virginia, as the Commissioners' representative to the I-81 Corridor Coalition. He noted the recent retirement of Goodwill Industries Executive Director Craig MacLean and praised his work for the organization. Commissioner Barr described the business outreach visit to DVF Corporation and the groundbreaking for Truck Enterprises. He attended the Chamber of Commerce's evening networking event at Children's Village. Commissioner Barr attended board meetings of the Airport Advisory Commission and Community Action Council. He enjoyed the HCC Foundation's tribute honoring Jim and Georgia Pierne that raised $200,000 for its Student Foundation. He attended the Minority Young Achiever's Program sponsored by the YMCA that recognized students for their hard work and achievements. Commissioner Baker thanked the town for hosting the evening meeting of the Commissioners. He reported attending the Sharpsburg Emergency Medical Services awards banquet and Truck Enterprises ribbon cutting. Mr. Baker spoke to seniors at the Golden Living Center about recreation opportunities in the County. He toured the Election Board warehouse and early voting facilities with his fellow Commissioners this morning. Commissioner Baker noted the recent passing of former County Commissioner John Munson. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Paul Hose, Jr. welcomed the Commissioners to the town. He and Town Clerk Juanita Grimm thanked the County and its employees for help with clean up and after - flooding issues in the town. Vice Mayor Steve Blickenstaff also thanked the County for its assistance. March 31, 2015 Page 7 REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF County Administrator — Airport Hanizar Fees Public Heariniz County Administrator thanked the town for hosting the Commissioners' meeting. He referred to ongoing budget discussions and the need to take Hagerstown Regional Airport proposed hangar fees to a public hearing before the County's May 5 budget presentation. The Commissioners gave their consensus to hold a public hearing regarding the proposed fees. Public Relations and Community Affairs Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator, discussed the recent Business Before Hours event at the Hagerstown Regional Airport, which is a joint effort between the Public Relations and Community Affairs Department and Department of Business Development. Airport Director Phil Ridenour advised Ms. Sprecher that Royal Aircraft gained a business relationship due to the networking event. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Gerry Ditto, 14736 Ditto Road, Clear Spring, commented on permitting issues and the Urban Growth Advisory Committee findings that listed the streamlining of County permitting a priority. Mr. Ditto also commented on ongoing County budget discussions regarding agricultural preservation funding. Mary Jane Spickler, representing the family of the late Donald Spickler, requested the addition of a room to the Clear Spring library to be called the Clear Spring Room. The addition would be filled with Clear Spring -related memorabilia such as school yearbooks, locally produced newspapers, and World War II soldier correspondence. The Commissioners and County Administrator Greg Murray discussed the proposal and requested space requirements for such a facility before speaking with staff in the County, Library Board, and Board of Education. Betty Shank, Clear Spring resident and Washington County Historical Advisory Committee member, welcomed the Commissioners. She commented on missing or deteriorated metal iron signs relating to historic events in the County and requested the replacement of such signs. The Historical Advisory Committee has discussed these signs with the Maryland Historical Trust that will pay for the missing ones. The State Highway Administration will refurbish signs using prison labor. She reported that the County's Highway Department that has agreed to catalog the condition of existing signs. Ms. Shank thanked County staff for assistance with past work done and reminded all of the John Frey Historic Preservation Awards luncheon scheduled for May 12. She also requested Commissioner representation on the Historical Advisory Committee that meets on the second Monday of each month at 12:00 p.m. Gerry Ditto voiced support of the Spickler family Clear Spring Room addition for local memorabilia. March 31, 2015 Page 8 ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to adjourn at 7:55 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. A Gregory B. M tay, Cou ty ��s- �. John M. Martirano, County Administrator Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk