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July 8, 1999
Hagerstown, Maryland
Meeting with Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly
A special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County,
Maryland, was called to order at 3:00 p.m. at the Miller House by the Vice
President Paul L. Swartz with the following members present: Commissioners
Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell.
Members of Washington Countys Delegation to the General Assembly in
attendance included Senator Donald Munson and Senator Alex Mooney and
Delegates Louise Snodgrass, Chris Shank, Robert McKee, and Sue Hecht.
Delegate McKee provided a brief report of the 1999 legislative session.
Legislative Agenda for 2000
The Commissioners reviewed the proposals presented by the County Attorney
for the year 2000 legislative agenda. The proposals are as follows:
1) Request State funding for a University System of Maryland -
Hagerstown campus. Senator Munson stated that a request must be made to the
Governor for these funds. The Delegation discussed the funding needed for
the project.
2) Long-range plan for County libraries. Mary Baykan Director of the
Washington County Free Library, provided information on the branch library
facilities in the County. She explained that many of these buildings are
inadequate. Ms. Baykan presented information on the Clear Spring branch
library. Commissioner Iseminger stated that this is part of a comprehensive
plan to provide branch library facilities in the County. He indicated that
the Clear Spring community is providing a significant contribution and has
also applied for grant funding. The Delegation discussed the States
philosophy on funding for the construction of libraries. Delegate Hecht
stated that the State views this as a local commitment. She suggested that
they make a request to the Governor for capital funding for libraries.
3) Request for Enabling Legislation to Allow Counties to Impose an
additional one-cent sales tax. Commissioner Swartz asked the Delegation to
consider sponsoring legislation for an additional one-cent sales tax to be
distributed back to the counties. He stated it is projected to add an
additional $12 million and that the water and sewer debt could be repaid in
five years. The funding could also be used to fund educational needs.
Commissioner Iseminger stated that it could also provide one-time funding to
be designated for specific projects. Delegate McKee suggested that the
County should utilize other means of raising funds through the piggyback tax
and property tax.
4) State School Funding Formula. The Commissioners discussed the
committee formed by the State to review the state school funding formula.
They outlined the small amount of additional funding provided by the State
for this purposes.
5) Smart Growth Legislation. Robert Arch, Director of Planning &
Community Development, discussed the items which need to be addressed in any
state government legislation. Mr. Arch stated that the he would like to be
included if the State appoints a committee to discuss changes to the Smart
Growth legislation.
6) Downtown Revitalization. Commissioner Schnebly stated that the
Commissioners have designated funds for revitalization of the downtown area
and are willing assist the City with their plans for the Arts and
Entertainment District. The group discussed the proposal to fund a
feasibility study for a Civil War museum to be located downtown.
Commissioner Schnebly indicated that the Commissioners would like more
information about the developers before the County commits to participating
financially in the study.
7) School Health Nurse Program. The Commissioners asked that the State
participate in funding for the school health nurse program. They explained
that it is an unfunded mandate from the State.
8) Gaming Commission Terms. Commissioner Iseminger stated that the
terms of Gaming Commission members comes due when they are processing
applications. They asked that the terms be changed from June to January.
9) Exempt state lands from those for which a county must reimburse the
Department of Natural Resources for firefighting expenses.
JULY 8, 1999
PAGE TWO
The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
County Administrator
County Attorney
, Clerk