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HomeMy WebLinkAbout051121 November 21, 2005 Hagerstown, MD 21740 Joint Meeting with the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly A special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President William J. Wivell and Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. Members of the County Delegation in attendance included Senators John Hafer and Alex Mooney and Delegates Robert McKee, Christopher Shank, Richard Weldon, John Donoghue, and LeRoy Myers. Commissioner Snook welcomed the Delegation and informed them that a public hearing was held on October 25, 2005 regarding the following legislative proposals. The Commissioners outlined their legislative proposals for the upcoming 2006 legislative session. County Legislative Requests Excise Tax – Individual Exemptions – The Commissioners requested an amendment to the building excise tax enabling law to provide them with the authority to grant individual waivers or exemptions for nonresidential building types and uses. The group discussed how the exemptions would be applied and whether it would affect the County’s competitiveness in attracting new businesses. Delegate Shank asked how the Commissioners would apply the exemptions and expressed concerns about the subjectivity of the process. Commissioner Snook informed him that the Commissioners would utilize the State matrix that the Economic Development Commission now uses to determine what incentives are offered to companies. Commissioner Snook also provided an update on the Advisory . School Design Review Committee Jobs Creation Tax Credit – The Commissioners requested an amendment to the enabling statute to permit the granting of a credit under the jobs creation tax credit ordinance for “a full- time position of indefinite duration or a contract position of definite duration lasting at least 12 months with an unlimited renewal option.” Civil Citations (Weed Control, Electrical, Plumbing, Building and Mechanical Codes, and Health Department) - request general authorization to utilize civil citations for violations of county and state laws to provide a means of enforcement that can be pursued without charging the citizen with a crime. Dan Divito, Director of Permits & Inspections, explained how the citations would be administered. Delegate Shank asked the County staff to draft an amended proposal and submit it to them for review. County Attorneys – Authorized Number – the Commissioners requested that the current language in the Code of the Public Local Laws be updated to allow the employment of more than one county attorney. Certificate of Guaranty Program - Debi Turpin, representing the Building Development Guaranty Group, explained that five counties in Maryland have been granted the authority to accept certificates of guarantee as a form of bonding. The Commissioners asked that the legislation be amended to include Washington County in the enabling legislation. Sheriff’s Department Requests Fire Police - to allow the Sheriff to appoint more than three members of fire companies, designated by their commanders, as special deputy sheriffs, otherwise known as fire police. These persons would have the powers to perform the duties of deputy sheriffs while going to, functioning at, or returning from fires, accidents, floods, other emergencies, or other functions conducted by a fire company under Md. Code, Public Safety Article, Section 7-302. The Delegation discussed the request with Sheriff Mades and agreed to support the change to allow the NOVEMBER 21, 2005 PAGE TWO appointment of up to 12 members per company. Sheriff’s Deputies – period of probation – the Washington County Sheriff’s deputies now have a probationary period of one year, during which time the deputy may be dismissed for any reason, just as any other County employee. However, the statute provides that: “At the conclusion of twelve months’ continuous employment, a deputy sheriff having the rank of lieutenant or below has tenure, and may be discharged by the Sheriff only for misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance, or insubordination in office.” Sheriff Mades proposed that the period of time in the statute be eliminated, leaving it to him as a matter of internal policy, and to change the references to lieutenants to majors, to conform to recent changes in the command structure. Items for Discussion Local Management Board Reauthorization - to support statewide legislation that would replace the previous law that was allowed to “sunset” on July 1, 2005. Mental Health Advisory Committee – The Committee has informed the Commissioners that when the State moved from grant-funded programs to a fee-for-service structure for mental health programs, there were some unintended negative consequences. Commissioner Kercheval stated that the Committee has asked that Washington County be included in a pilot program to provide additional assistance for qualified applicants. He indicated that they would be outlining the request in more detail at a future meeting. Delegate Weldon gave a brief update on this issue. Cell Phone Use While Driving – Commissioner Munson stated that most accidents are caused by inattention and asked the Delegation to support legislation to prohibit cell phone use while driving. Commissioner Wivell stated that there has been some discussion at the State level about having childcare vouchers administered by the Department of Education rather than the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. He stated that the Board of Social Services feels that they should remain under Health and Mental Hygiene since many of the children are not in the public school system. Commissioner Wivell asked if State law requires that any property adjoining a public water and sewer system must be connected to it and if there is a method for exemptions. Delegate Weldon stated that there is clear precedent that adjoining properties must connect if federal funding is involved but he would check into whether it is required under State regulations. Commissioner Snook informed the Delegation that the County sent a letter as part of the Maryland Association of Counties in support of additional funding to support school construction. Commissioner Kercheval stated that construction costs are increasing dramatically and additional funding will be needed to meet the increases. The group discussed the growth issues and maintenance costs that the school system is now facing. The Commissioners agreed to send the Delegation a spreadsheet explaining the funding sources used to support the Board of Education’s capital program. Commissioner Nipps asked Delegates Myers and McKee, who serve on the Ways and Means Committee, to oppose efforts to change the formula for maintenance of effort. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, introduced John Latimer, III, who was recently hired as the new Director of the Emergency Services Department. The meeting was adjourned at 3:08 p.m. , County Administrator NOVEMBER 21, 2005 PAGE THREE , County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk