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HomeMy WebLinkAbout970428 April 28, 1997 Hagerstown, Maryland A Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by the Vice President, John S. Shank, with the following members present: Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers and R. Lee Downey, and James R. Wade. BUDGET WORKSHOP Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, and Kim Edlund, Assistant Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to continue the review of the Fiscal year 1998 budget. The Commissioners discussed the compensation and classification study done by Hendricks and Associates. Ms. Bastian stated that it would cost approximately $235,000 to move employees to a 40-hour pay scale and approximately $450,000 to fund the recommended 4% increase on the salary/midpoint scale. The request from the Sheriff for new positions would cost approximately $390,000. The Commissioners continued discussions regarding the need to increase tax revenues and reviewed the options presented by the Finance Department. They concurred that they would continue to reduce the budget prior to the public hearing but agreed that they should determine which option they wish to adopt for budget purposes. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to adopt the proposal for a ten-cent increase in the real estate tax and a four percent increase in the income tax rate for presentation at the public hearing on May 14, 1997.  Motion carried with Commissioners Downey, Wade, and Shank voting AYE, and  Commissioner Bowers voting NO. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to propose funding of $275,000 for Hagerstown Junior College, $1.75 million to the Board of Education over the Maintenance of Effort, and $1 million for public safety requests. Commissioner Wade stated that he feels they need to move toward uniformity of salary increases for employees of the County, the Board of Education, and Hagerstown Junior College. The Commissioners then discussed funding levels for the non-profit agencies, intergovernmental agencies, and conservation and natural resources. The Commissioners met with Water & Sewer Advisory Commission members Clarence Scheer, Bonnie Parks, Christopher Diehl, Ed Renn and Gordon Crabb, to discuss the Water & Sewer Department budget. Also present was Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department. The Commissioners reviewed the recommendations made by the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission as well as the tentative water and sewer rates. The Advisory Commission recommended that the Commissioners not implement any water or sewer rate increases on July 1, 1997. They also recommended that consideration be given to revising the rate structure for multiple residential customers so they are billed on an EDU basis rather than the cost of service method. The Commissioners reviewed the following recommendations of the Advisory Commission: hold labor rates to a total of 4%, pay Water & Sewer Department increases from the County General Fund, make additional budget cuts, focus on economic development and steer growth to areas with existing infrastructure, aggressively pursue water and sewer grants, solicit manufacturing firms to locate in the desired areas, increase lab revenue through marketing, and investigate options for sludge disposal. After discussion, Commissioner Wade suggested that the planned increases be implemented and, if the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission can develop a plan to fund the additional revenue needed, the Commissioners will hold a public hearing to reduce the rates. APRIL 28, 1997 PAGE TWO The Commissioners reviewed the pretreatment operating budget for Fiscal Year 1998. Mr. Scheer stated that the Advisory Commission recommends that the County continue to operate the pretreatment facility but to continue to evaluate the financial status for the following budget year. The Advisory Commission also recommended the elimination of the emulsified oily waste stream as of July 1, 1997, and to notify the customers that the Water and Sewer Department will no longer receive or treat this waste. They also recommended that marketing efforts be initiated to attract revenue-generating waste stream customers with these efforts to be evaluated on a scheduled basis. The Advisory Commission also recommended that any bond limitations be included in the marketing efforts. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed from 12:42 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. for lunch. Commissioner Bowers was excused from the meeting at this time. The Commissioners continued reviewing the requests from the non-profit agencies and other County departments. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to adjourn at 3:10 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk