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HomeMy WebLinkAbout060419 April 19, 2006 Hagerstown, MD 21740 A workshop meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:20 a.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. BUDGET WORKSHOP – PERSONNEL REQUESTS AND GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES David Hankinson, Director of Human Resources, continued to review the specific personnel requests made by the County departments with the Commissioners. The Commissioners approved the Water Quality Department adjustments which included an inequity adjustment for the Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance and Systems Mechanic III. The Commissioners approved the requested 8% increase to the salary scale. Public Safety – Colonel Mullendore met with the Commissioners to continue discussions regarding a pay increase for public safety personnel. He provided information that was requested at the Commissioner’s April 18 meeting. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to move forward with the proposal. Mr. Hankinson proposed that after the budget is approved, each department work with the Budget and Finance Department to determine authorized staffing levels by classification which it would be responsible for managing until the next budget cycle. He proposed that the Human Resources Director be authorized to fill these positions, as long as it was in compliance with and did not exceed the department’s authorized staffing level as established by the Commissioners. After discussion, the Commissioners declined to take action on this proposal. The Commissioners also agreed not to provide the requested increase to Election Board members and the Election Board attorney. General Fund Discussion - Expenditures The Commissioners continued discussions on the FY 2007 General Fund expenditures budget. Debra Murray, Director of Finance, and Kim Edlund, Assistant Director, were in attendance. The Commissioners continued their review of County departmental budgets. Commissioner Snook requested that $250,000 be set aside in the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget for the construction of wet labs for bio-technology oriented companies. He stated that this amount is needed as a match for grants from TEDCO and the Department of Business and Economic Development. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to the request. Commissioner Wivell asked that the Commissioners consider removing one Humane Society officer and vehicle from the Society’s budget request. The Commissioners approved the change. Commissioner Kercheval asked that the income tax revenue line item be increased by $500,000, based on the current FY 2006 revenue, and that these funds be set aside for affordable housing initiatives. The Commissioners agreed with this request. He also requested the Commisisoners consider expanding after-school programming in the County by using the Local Management Board to manage competitive grants, but suggested that this could be considered at a later time using possible surpluses from the FY 2006 budget. Commissioner Nipps suggested that a “piggyback” program on the Homeowners Tax Credit be considered to assist the lower income homeowners. The Commissioners agreed to discuss this item next Tuesday when final adjustments are made to the budget. APRIL 19, 2006 PAGE TWO Commissioner Wivell suggested that the teen pregnancy funding of $134,097 in the Health Department budget be held in a reserve account until it is agreed how they wish to utilize the funds. The Commissioners agreed to set aside the funding for this purpose. The Commissioners agreed to review the draft reflecting changes that have been made at their April 25 meeting and to take the approved budget to public hearing on May 9, 2006 after final revisions are made. Commissioner Munson stated that he would like the Commissioners to consider lowering the tax rate to the constant yield rate. The Commissioners also discussed whether a $100 rebate would be given for FY 2005 and 2006 funds or a credit. Ms. Murray stated that the calculations were based on providing this for owner- occupied residential accounts. Commissioner Wivell stated that it should be given for residential improved properties. The issues were not resolved. Ms. Murray also provided an update on the collection of the State “flush” tax for septic systems. She stated that 800-1,000 accounts are outstanding. County policy states that, after a second reminder letter, it would go to collection. She asked the Commissioners to determine what steps they want her department to take in order to collect the State tax. The Commissioners took this matter under consideration. The meeting was adjourned at 12:02 p.m. , County Administrator , County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk