Note: This is a SUMMARY of the Commissioners Meeting for the purposes of a Press Release. These are not the official minutes of the meeting.
Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
January 23, 2007
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner
Terry Baker reported on the Maugansville Volunteer Fire Company awards event
last weekend, on the recent Community Action Council Board meeting and on representing
the Board of County Commissioners at the 90th birthday event for Ann Hinkle.
Baker also requested clarification on meetings with municipalities in the evenings.
County Administrator Rod Shoop said that the Commissioners may meet with municipalities
at the Towns' scheduled meetings. Further discussions will take place on the
issue.
Commissioners'
President John Barr commented on installing Commission on Aging Board officers
last week and a presentation on the Aspiring to Serve organization's mission.
The 4th annual volunteers luncheon at the Rural Heritage Museum heard a report
on expansion. Bids for the second museum building will; be let soon, Barr reported.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET OVERVIEW
Budget and
Finance Director Debra Murray brought the first of many discussions on the County's
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) before the Board. Murray gave the new Board
an overview of projected revenues, beginning with transfer taxes and the excise
tax. Excise tax revenue has experienced a slowdown due to housing market factors.
Housing unit projections are down for the first 6 months of the fiscal year.
About 637 units were expected to be built from July-December of 2006, but only
225 permits were issued. The lack of excise revenue will impact the 6-year CIP
Murray said. Debt affordability was also reviewed, along with debt capacity
analysis and debt service as a percent of General Fund Revenues.
CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Each week
the Board of County Commissioners sets aside time to hear from citizens of Washington
County on matters of importance to the community.
Williamsport
Councilman Jeff Cline thanked County Staff for providing information on growth
in Washington County used for a presentation to the Maryland Municipal League.
Dan Moeller
of Rohrersville commented on the Charter Home Rule Committee, on utility debt
being paid by users of the system, and against a proposal for graduated excise
taxes based on the size of new homes.
Diane Eves
of Hagerstown commented on Property Tax assessments and credit card debt.
Vicki Sadehvandi
of CASA and Carl Galligan of the CASA Board requested reappointment of Galligan
and the measure was approved.
Karen Lucas
of Discover Station invited the Commissioners to attend a Corporate Open House
from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday January 31st.
Tom Grosh
of Williamsport commented on the Agricultural Preservation program and the need
to recognize the C&O Canal National Park as preserved land in making Ag
Preservation easement decisions.
OTHER BUSINESS
Appointments
to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner reminded the Commissioners
that the Area Agency on Aging And the Housing Authority of Washington County
still do not have Commissioners assigned to them. The measures will be discussed.
Staff Comments: Chief Engineer Terry McGee reported that the Storm Water
Management Pond at Brightwood Acres was accepted into the County Maintenance
program following its completion. Citizen complaint from Scott Frye prompted
the investigation. A number of items proposed for maintenance will be undertaken
by the Highways Department, McGee said.
Cindy Mowen of the Department of Human Resources requested advertisement
of an Equipment Operator III position at Highways. The measure was approved
by unanimous vote.
Community Partnership Director Stephanie Stone reported that Local Management
Board funding from the Governor's Office for Children will remain at 2007
levels, and no personnel or policy changes at the state level are expected.
Funds will be more flexible for use in local jurisdictions through a block
grant approach. The new administration is seen as positive for children and
family issues, Stone reported.
Buildings, Grounds and Parks Director Jim Sterling told the Board he had
provided information on a history of Program Open Space contributions to the
Board for its review.
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer reported that the traffic signal at U.S.
11 and State Line Road is moving forward after a 10 year negotiation between
the County, Antrim Township, Pennsylvania, PENNDOT and The Maryland Highway
Administration. Citicorp provided funding for the equipment as part of an
APFO agreement, Rohrer said.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET OVERVIEW--Continued
Budget and Finance Director Debra Murray briefed the Board on capital improvement revenues for the six-year plan, which included transfer tax, excise tax, and levels of debt issuance. Debt ratios and supporting economic factors were reviewed during the presentation along with revenue projections. Debt issuance is projected to remain at the current level along with transfer tax. However excise tax was decreased from the prior year based on anticipated market conditions. Total requests submitted were $652 million for the six-year plan from 2008-2013, including $97 million for FY 2008. The FY 2008 requests included $54 million for schools, $12 million for road improvements, $12 million for public safety, library and other building upgrades. The requests submitted to the County before the first working balance draft would leave the capital improvement plan approximately $112 million short. In addition, Murray said, was the request that projects disclose new operating costs associated with each project. During the upcoming budget workshops the Commissioners will review a later working draft of the CIP. Capital Improvements include all facility construction and renovations, infrastructure such as roads and bridges, as well as water and sewer lines. The Commissioners review each line item expenditure prior to budget approval. All phases of the FY '08 Capital budget will be reviewed and amended many times before final adoption, in May.
HOUSE KEYS FOR EMPLOYEES PROGRAM
Assistant
County Attorney Andrew Wilkinson brought this discussion to the Board. The request
was made to approve the state "House Keys for Employees" program,
which allows eligible home buyers to receive a matching contribution towards
down payment and closing costs for a home purchase if the buyer’s employer
also makes a loan or grant to the employee up to $5,000.00. This goal
of the State initiative is to foster home ownership statewide. Washington
County government has been approved by the State to participate in the program
for its employees. By participating, the County could provide a loan
or grant up to $5,000.00 to an employee that meets eligibility requirements. The
funds could be used only for down payment or closing costs. An eligible
employee would then be loaned an additional $5,000.00 from the State, with the
opportunity to receive another $5,000.00 loan from the State under certain situations. The
home must be a primary residence and be located in Washington County. The recommendation
included provisions that the program be a loan program, not a grant, and be
payable on sale of the residence. Employee eligibility would begin on the date
of hire, and was seen as an incentive for new employees. The Community Development
Administration [CDA] rules would be followed for first-time homebuyers, and
there would be no limitation on the number of times an employee could use the
program. The funds would be repaid on sale of the home or payoff of the first
mortgage whichever is first. The funds would not be taxable to the employee. Repayment
would be due if the employee leaves County service, on an installment basis
to be designed by the County. CDA rules allow that if the property is located
outside the City of Hagerstown, the buyer must be a first time homebuyer. First
Time Home Buyer means that a person has not owned a principal residence in the
last 3 years. Under CDA rules if the property is located inside the City of
Hagerstown, the buyer does not need to be a first time homebuyer. Eligibility
requirements would vary. Outside the "Targeted Area", essentially
the City of Hagerstown, a family could have an income of $75,000 and be eligible,
with the maximum home price at $319,000. Within the City, the income could be
as high as $91,000 with a $390,000 home cost a possibility. The County would
adhere to all applicable rules of the state program. The measure was approved
by a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Wivell and Baker voting "no".
YOUTH MERITORIOUS AWARD
THE BOARD ATTENDED A JOINT MEETING WITH THE HAGERSTOWN MAYOR AND COUNCIL
DURING THE AFTERNOON TO DISCUSS THE TAX SETOFF FOR 2007 AND OTHER MATTERS OF
INTEREST.
The Board
attended this joint meeting with the Mayor and City Council to discuss the Tax
Setoff for FY '07. Property Tax setoff funds are paid to municipalities annually
to help reimburse costs for Police services, Roads and Parks. For fiscal year
2007 Hagerstown's allocation increased by 13% over FY 2006 to $1,253,286.00,
up from its 2006 allocation of $1,108,797.00. Allocations for all 9 municipalities
were at or above the previous year's funding level. Other items of discussion
included the role of the "2+2" Committee, the Quarterly meeting agenda,
and Program Open Space requests.