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April 8, 1999
Hagerstown, Maryland
WORKSHOP SESSION
A workshop session of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington
County, Maryland, was called to order at 7:00 a.m. by Vice President Paul L.
Swartz, with the following members present: Commissioners Bertrand L.
Iseminger, John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell.
General Fund Budget - FY 2000
Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, and Debra Bastian, Director of Finance,
reviewed the latest draft of the general fund budget summary for Fiscal Year
2000 with the Commissioners. Ms. Bastian stated that the current shortfall
is $3,305,957. Mr. Shoop then reviewed the proposed budgets by department.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to restore
funding to the proposals made by the Commission on Aging and the Washington
County Free Library and to fully fund those requests in the amount of
$375,860 and $1,254,900, respectively.
Ms. Bastian informed the Commissioners that her initial recommendations for
use of any surplus funds from FY 1999 would be to fully fund the cash
reserves, reduce borrowing for FY 2000 by funding capital projects in FY
1999, and fund Y2K expenditures. Mr. Shoop stated that the Commissioners
need to decide whether to make reductions to balance the budget using the
current revenue projections or to consider increasing revenues.
The Commissioners discussed the Board of Educations budget request. Ms.
Bastian provided calculations for increasing the Boards budget between five
and eight percent. She also provided information on how funding at these
levels would reduce the current shortfall. Mr. Shoop suggested that the
staff could make the necessary reductions to balance the budget if the
Commissioners decide on the funding for the Board of Education. Ms. Bastian
stated that the Board has requested $4,587,907 for salaries, benefits, and
the cohort adjustment. The Commissioners then reviewed the list of
priorities submitted by the Board. Commissioner Iseminger stated that he
feels the Commissioners should consider increasing revenues by raising the
property tax rate by six cents or raising the transfer tax. He also stated
that the Commissioners need to have discussions with the Board of Education
regarding on their budget process and accountability. Commissioners Wivell
and Schnebly stated that they are not in favor of a tax increase.
Commissioner Swartz indicated that he would support a tax increase only if
it is absolutely necessary. The Commissioners then discussed additional
funding for the Board of Education. The recommendations for funding ranged
from $4 million to $5.6 million. Mr. Shoop stated that the staff would
continue to work to make reductions to the budget and make recommendations
to them at the April 13 meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
TAX SETOFF PROGRAM - KEEDYSVILLE
The evening session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Keedysville Town
Hall by the Vice President Paul L. Swartz, with the following Commissioners
present: Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr. and John L. Schnebly. Also in
attendance were Mayor Lee Brandenburg, Assistant Mayor Matt Hull and Council
member Yvonne Hope.
Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, 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. Mr. Shoop informed them that for Fiscal
Year 1999, the Town of Keedysville would receive $3,117. However, the money
for the municipality is applied toward the cost of a County deputy for 30
hours per week.
Mayor Brandenburg requested the Countys assistance to obtain land for the
Rails-to-Trails program. Also discussed were funding options for the deputy
program, a proposed by-pass from Dogstreet Road to Route 34, and assistance
from the local Delegation to the General Assembly to obtain funding for a
water tower.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
County Administrator
APRIL 8, 1999
PAGE TWO
County Attorney
, Clerk