[00:03:19]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE APRIL 2ND, 2024, CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING, WHICH IS NOW IN ORDER.
THIS MORNING WE HAVE OUR INVOCATION BY PASTOR TOM FISCHER OF ABRAMS MEMORIAL CHURCH OF DENTON,
[Call to Order: Invocation- Pastor, Tom Fisher, Abrams Memorial Church of Denton, Pledge of Allegiance; Agenda Review]
AND THAT'LL BE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.>> BEHIND THE COMMISSIONER THERE'S A SIGN THAT SAYS, IN GOD WE TRUST.
MOST GRACIOUS GOD, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER DAY IN THIS JOURNEY CALLED LIFE.
WE THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO WAKE UP THIS MORNING [INAUDIBLE] OUR MIND AND THE ACTIVE USE OF OUR LIMBS AND PREPARED TO DO YOUR BUSINESS, PREPARED TO GO TO WORK FOR YOU.
WE ASK THAT YOU BLESS CAROLINE COUNTY, YOU BLESS ALL THE LITTLE MUNICIPALITIES IN CAROLINE COUNTY, AND JUST BRING DOWN YOUR SOVEREIGN LOVE UPON US ALL.
I PRAY FOR THE COMMISSIONERS AS THEY MAKE DECISIONS THAT WILL HELP THE GREATEST TO THE LEAST IN THIS WHOLE COUNTY.
THEIR DECISIONS WILL BE IMPARTIAL AND THEIR DECISION WILL BE FOR THE UPBUILDING OF, NOT ONLY YOUR KINGDOM BUT THIS COMMUNITY.
I PRAY THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO SHINE DOWN YOUR LOVE AND YOUR REIGN UPON US THAT THE THINGS THAT HAVE TO GROW WILL GROW WHEN THEY WILL BE FED WITH SUNSHINE [NOISE].
I PRAY THAT YOU WILL BE WITH US IN THIS MEETING AND YOU WILL LEAD US, GUIDE US, AND DIRECT US IN THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE NOW, HENCEFORTH, AND FOREVERMORE.
WE PRAY IN JESUS CHRIST NAME. AMEN.
[Public Comment]
[00:05:13]
>> THIS IS OUR FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD OF THE MEETING.
THERE WILL ALSO BE ONE AT THE END OF THE MEETING.
IS THERE ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT AT THIS TIME? THE COMMISSIONERS MET IN TWO CLOSED SESSIONS DURING THEIR MARCH 26TH,
[President’s Closed Session Report: March 26, 2024]
2024 COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING.BOTH WERE UNDER GENERAL PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 3-305B, SECTION 1 TO DISCUSS THE EMPLOYMENT, APPOINTMENT, AND EVALUATION OF AN AT WILL EMPLOYEE.
THE ATTENDEES WERE COMMISSIONERS BREEDING, BARTS, AND PORTER, KATHLEEN FREEMAN, DANIEL FOX, ROBERT ZIMMERHO, ROBIN K. HALL, AND JENNIFER REIBLY.
OUR FIRST AGENDA ITEM IS A PROCLAMATION FOR APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH, AND HERE FOR THE PROCLAMATION IS AMY HORNE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CASA OF CAROLINE INC, AND KEMI MORRIS, CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER COORDINATOR, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
EVERYONE WANTS TO COME FORWARD? LET'S HERE FOR THE PROCLAMATION.
YOU CAN HAVE A SEAT IF YOU WANT TO READ.
>> TELL ME WHAT TO DO. JUST DIRECT ME.
MR. BREEDING, TELL ME WHAT TO DO. DIRECT ME.
>> IF YOU WANT TO JUST READ THE PROCLAMATION AND GIVE US A LITTLE BACKGROUND.
>> CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND PROCLAMATION, NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH.
WHEREAS THE PROSPERITY AND VITALITY OF OUR SOCIETY AND INEVITABLY LINKED TO THE CHILD WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT OF OUR YOUTH, WHO STAND AS THE VANGUARDS OF TOMORROW'S ADVANCEMENT AND CUSTODIANS OF OUR LEGACY, WHEREAS IT'S A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF EVERY CHILD TO BE NURTURED IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS DEVOID OF MALTREATMENT AND FEAR, THEREBY FOSTERING AN ATMOSPHERE CONDUCIVE TO THEIR HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT AND REALIZATION OF POTENTIAL.
WHEREAS THE SCOURGE OF CHILD MALTREATMENT AND NEGLECT REPRESENTS A MULTIFACETED AND PERVASIVE CHALLENGE THAT INFLICTS PROFOUND AND ENDURING TRAUMA ON THE INFECTED USE, THEREBY NECESSITATING URGENT AND CONCERTED INTERVENTION.
WHEREAS THE ONUS OF ERADICATING CHILD ABUSE AND FOSTERING A PROTECTED MAYO FOR OUR CHILDREN NECESSITATES A SYNERGISTIC COLLABORATION AMONGST INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES, COALITIONS, ORGANIZATIONAL ENTITIES, AND GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS.
WHEREAS THE PROMULGATION OF EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS, HEIGHTENED SOCIETAL AWARENESS, AND THE PROVISION OF ROBUST SUPPORT SERVICES ARE PIVOTAL IN THE CRUSADE AGAINST CHILD ABUSE AND EMPOWERING FAMILIAL UNITS AND CAREGIVERS.
WHEREAS THE OBSERVANCE OF CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH APRIL 2024, WE ARE AFFIRMING OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING OUR CHILDREN, FORTIFICATION OF FAMILIAL STRUCTURES, AND CULTIVATION OF COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT THAT IS SECURE AND NURTURING FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE AND IMPRESSIONABLE CITIZENS.
>> WELL, THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH.
>> I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS.
KEMI IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER, SO SHE DOES THE FORENSIC INTERVIEWS, AND THEN AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF CASA, WE PROVIDE ADVOCATES FOR THOSE CHILDREN THAT ARE FOUND TO BE CHILDREN IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE.
WE WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS PROCLAMATION AND WE HOPE WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE PINWHEEL PLANTING CEREMONY NEXT WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10TH, AT 4:30 UP IN THE DENTON COMMUNITY GARDEN.
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, THERE WILL BE AN EXHIBIT AGAIN THIS YEAR OF THE PINWHEELS OF HOPE.
IT'S THE COLORING PROJECT THAT CCPS STUDENTS DO.
WE HAVE SOME OFF IN OUR WINDOWS NOW.
WE'LL HAVE AN EXHIBIT OF THOSE THERE AGAIN THIS YEAR.
>> KEMI, HAVE YOU DECIDED WHEN YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO DECORATE THE DHS?
>> WE'RE REALLY HOPING THURSDAY AT 10:30, BUT IT'LL BE WEATHER DEPENDENT AS IT IS TODAY.
>> I KNOW WE HAVE THE COURTHOUSE CLOCK TOWER LIT UP IN BLUE IN SUPPORT OF THIS MONTH'S AWARENESS. DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANYTHING?
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR BEING THE VOICE FOR THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE ONE SOMETIMES.
SOME OF THE STUFF YOU SEE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS, I COULDN'T IMAGINE, BUT THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE FOR, [NOISE] THAT NEED HELP.
>> THANK YOU TO OUR MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM.
WE WORK WITH THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, FAMILY ADVOCATES, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, AND FORENSIC INTERVIEWERS.
[00:10:02]
WE DON'T DO THIS ALONE. TAKES A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.>> THAT'S A GREAT TEAM. IT REALLY IS. I ENJOY WORKING WITH EVERYBODY.
>> THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR YOUR WORK IN THIS AREA.
I KNOW IT PROBABLY SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE NOT MAKING A LOT OF HEADWAY AT TIMES, BUT VERY IMPORTANT JOB, SO THANK YOU.
>> YOU TWO STAND TOGETHER IN FRONT OF THE LINE.
>> LET ME GET BACK IN THE BACK ROW SO I'M NOT COVERING ANYBODY.
>> YOU'RE FINE. YOU CAN BLOCK WHOEVER YOU WANT.
>> FRANK. TAKE HALF A STEP THAT WAY.
>> SEE IF YOU CAN FIND YOURSELF A SMILE.
>> I THINK WE'RE WAITING FOR THE COORDINATOR TO DECIDE TO SIT DOWN [LAUGHTER].
>> IT'S RAINING PRETTY HARD OUT THERE.
>> I'M GOING TO GIVE A SECOND FOR THE ROOM TO CLEAR OUT HERE.
[Proclamations for April as Child Abuse Prevention Month]
[BACKGROUND].OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS DANIEL FOX, DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR, AND STACY SEWARD, GRANT COORDINATOR WITH A 2025 LIBRARY BUDGET REQUEST AND A BUDGET WORKSHOP.
>> IF WE CAN DO THE BUDGET. DO YOU WANT TO DO THE BUDGET WORKSHOP FIRST?
>> YES, WE CAN GO OVER THE UPDATED DOCUMENTS WE HAVE THAT WE'VE HANDED OUT AND THEN WE'LL ALLOW DEBBIE AND JOHAN TO COME ON UP AND GO THROUGH THE QUESTIONS WITH THE LIBRARY.
SO THIS MORNING, STACY AND I WANTED TO SIT DOWN WITH THE THREE OF YOU TO GO OVER WHERE WE LEFT OFF AFTER LAST WEEK'S BUDGET WORKSHOP.
AT THAT BUDGET WORKSHOP, WE HAD BALANCED OUT THE OPERATING BUDGET.
SINCE THEN, WE'VE HAD A FEW CHANGES THAT HAVE COME TO LIGHT.
ONE WAS SOFTWARE SERVICES FOR HR.
WE WERE WAITING ON COST FOR THAT TYPE OF SYSTEM OR SOFTWARE.
WE WEREN'T SURE IF IT WAS GOING TO BE A ONE TIME CAPITAL OR OPERATING YEARLY COST.
SO THAT IS BUILT INTO THE PROPOSED BUDGET THAT YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY.
WE ALSO HAD A SMALL ADJUSTMENT IN THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET DUE TO A CHANGE THAT WE HAD TO MAKE WITH THE CIVIL PROCESSOR.
SO HR HAS COMPLETED THE NECESSARY CHANGES WITH THAT, AND THAT'S INCORPORATED IN THE BUDGET IN FRONT OF YOU.
>> AND THAT'S IN HR'S LINE ITEM?
>> THE HR SOFTWARE IS IN OUR HR'S LINE ITEM, CORRECT.
>> RECURRING COSTS FOR THAT, WILL IT GO DOWN NEXT YEAR AFTER THE INITIAL PURCHASE OR IS THIS A SUBSCRIPTION FEE WITH NO PURCHASE?
>> THIS IS A YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION.
SO JUST LIKE OUR PAYROLL SERVICE WHERE THERE'S [OVERLAPPING].
>> THERE WAS NO UPFRONT PURCHASE PRICE.
>> IS THERE AN UPFRONT PRICE ON THE ONE WEEK OR?
>> YES, THERE WAS A SMALL SET UP FEE, HOWEVER, THE PRICE WILL REMAIN ABOUT THE SAME WITH THE COST BUILT IN FOR A YEAR INCREASE NEXT YEAR.
>> THANK YOU, SHERRY. SO WITH THAT,
[00:15:06]
THE BUDGET THAT YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU IS ESSENTIALLY BALANCED DOWN TO ZERO.SO WE HAVE $71,448,000 ROUGHLY IN REVENUE AND THE SAME AND PROPOSED EXPENSES.
WE SIT IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY WITH ONE OF OUR LARGEST NUMBERS STILL A LITTLE UNKNOWN, SO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO DR. SIMMONS FROM THE BOARD OF ED ABOUT OUR LOCAL SHARE NUMBER FOR THE BOE.
AT THIS TIME, WE ARE STILL ANTICIPATING A REVISED FIGURE FOR THE BOARD OF ED NUMBER.
THAT'S LOCATED ON PAGE 3 OF THE HANDOUT THAT I PROVIDED TO YOU.
SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT AN ALLOCATION OF $16,522,844 TO OUR LOCAL BOE.
IN THIS YEAR'S CALCULATION OF THE BLUEPRINT FUNDING, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES AND STUDENT ACCOUNT THAT'S REPORTED TO THE CALCULATION.
THE LONG AND SHORT WITH THAT IS THERE IS AN INCREASED OBLIGATION WITH THIS RECALCULATION FOR BOTH THE STATE AND THE COUNTY SHARE.
WE'RE LOOKING AT AN ESTIMATED $500,000 INCREASE IN THIS NUMBER.
STACY AND I ARE LEARY TO PLUG IN AROUND $500,000 WITHOUT KNOWING THE EXACT DOLLAR AMOUNT.
IN CONVERSATION WITH DR. SIMMONS, THERE ARE A COUPLE OTHER THINGS THAT MSD IS WORKING THROUGH RIGHT NOW BEFORE THEY'LL PROBABLY COME UP WITH THE EXACT DOLLAR AMOUNT.
>> ANY TIME APRIL 2ND AND WE STILL DON'T KNOW THE FINAL NUMBER.
>> THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE INCOMPETENCY OF THIS WHOLE OF THE MSDE.
>> IT'S A TOUGH ONE FOR OUR BUDGET PROCESS.
AS YOU KNOW, IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE'LL BE DOING OUR PUBLIC HEARING TO GO THROUGH WITH THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
THAT'S WHY WE'VE ZEROED OUT THE VERSION THAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY IN CASE WE HAVE TO GET TO THAT POINT.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, THE FIRST BUDGET WORKSHOP, WE WENT THROUGH CAPITAL AND THE THREE COMMISSIONERS LEFT IN EXCESS OF FUNDING AND CAPITAL, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE'D MORE THAN LIKELY HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT THE BOE NUMBER.
SO IT WOULD BE STACY AND MY RECOMMENDATION THAT WHEN THAT NUMBER COMES IN, WE TAKE AND ADJUST OUR CAPITAL ALLOCATION, WHICH IS UNDER THE TRANSFER LINE, AND REDUCE THAT DOWN BY WHATEVER NUMBER THE BOE NUMBER INCREASES, ESSENTIALLY LEAVING A BALANCED BUDGET.
THERE WOULD JUST BE ESTIMATED $500,000 LESS IN CAPITAL ALLOCATION THIS YEAR.
>> AND THAT WILL PUT THE TOTAL INCREASE TO THE BOARD OF ED SOMEWHERE AROUND 2.3 MILLION FOR US OVER LAST YEAR?
>> YES, SIR. WE WERE ABOUT 1.7 CURRENTLY, AND THEN WOULD ESTIMATE A 500, 2.3 WOULD BE IT.
>> IT WAS 600,000 LAST YEAR, 2.3 MILLION THIS YEAR PLUS THE LOSS OF THE DISPARITY GRANT?
>> YES, WE HAD A LOSS OF ABOUT $615,000 AND STATE FUNDED DISPARITY.
>> AND THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE SUSTAINABLE FOR COUNTIES?
>> WELL, DISPARITY IS NOT BASED ON EDUCATION OR WAS IT BASED FOR EDUCATION? IT WAS JUST TO LEVEL OUT THE INCOME TAX.
>> CORRECT. YES, IT IS A WEALTH-DRIVEN FORMULA WHICH TRIES TO ESSENTIALLY BRING EVERYBODY UP TO 75% AVERAGE OF THE STATE.
AT THIS TIME, WE'RE AT A POINT THAT WE WILL ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE ABOUT THE BUDGET.
WE CAN CERTAINLY DIVE INTO ANY OTHER LINE ITEMS. I KNOW, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE THE LIBRARY HERE TODAY.
>> SO TO GO BACK FOR A SECOND, DISPARITY.
SO THE DISPARITY GRANT, THAT MEANS THAT THE STATE GOT POOR?
>> THE STATE GOT POOR [OVERLAPPING] BECAUSE IT'S BASED ON THE STATE'S [OVERLAPPING].
>> SO THEY TAKE US, THEY TAKE THE STATE AT 75% AND THEY GIVE US A GRANT PER CAPITA.
>> WELL, THE STATE'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET A LOT POORER IF THIS CONTINUES, I CAN TELL YOU.
>> DEFINITELY IS NOT THE WAY WE THOUGHT DISPARITY WOULD BE GOING AT THE START OF THE YEAR.
DEFINITELY A BIG HIT FOR A BUDGET OF OUR SIZE FOR SURE.
AND IN A CONVERSATION THAT I HAD WITH DR. SIMMONS THIS MORNING, WE'RE SEEING OUR STUDENT POPULATION REBOUNDING IN COMPARISON TO OUR SURROUNDING COUNTIES.
[00:20:07]
SO OUR SURROUNDING COUNTIES ARE HAVING THEIR ENROLLMENTS STAY FLAT OR DROP WHERE CAROLINE IS EXPERIENCING A REBOUND.I DON'T THINK WE'RE BACK TO PRE-COVID LEVELS YET, BUT WE ARE SEEING ENROLLMENT GROWTH IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, WHICH IS PART OF THE REASON WHY OUR ADJUSTED LOCAL SHARE NUMBER IS GOING UP AS WELL.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR DANNY ANYMORE, MR. BARTS?
>> I WILL ADD ONE QUICK THING THAT I DID TO FORGET.
WITH CAPITAL, WE HAVE A CONTINGENCY.
WE'RE CLOSING OUT OUR THIRD QUARTER, SO ABOUT THREE MONTHS LEFT.
CONTINGENCY HAS A HEALTHY BALANCE.
KATHLEEN AND I HAD SENT AN EMAIL OUT TO THE DEPARTMENT HEADS ASKING IF THEY HAD ITEMS THAT NEEDED ONE-TIME COSTS THAT THEY COULD INCUR IN CONTINGENCY THIS YEAR THAT WOULD NOT HAVE TO HAPPEN IN FY25.
WITH THAT, WE MAY CHECK OFF SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE NOTED IN CAPITAL.
IF WE TAKE THOSE OFF, THAT JUST MEANS WE'RE GETTING THEM OUT OF THE WAY NOW SO THEY'RE NOT ON THE CAPITAL BUDGET IN 25.
OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE'D BE ABLE TO COMPLETE BEFORE JUNE 30TH.
>> ONE OF MY MAJOR CONCERNS IS THE COURTHOUSE CLOCK TOWER.
I WOULD LIKE TO GET THAT REPAIRED.
I KNOW WE'RE LOOKING INTO THAT.
>> QUICK UPDATE ON THAT AS WELL.
LAST THURSDAY, PAYTON BRIDGES FROM DAVIS, BOWEN, AND FRIEDEL MET WITH STAFF.
WE ACTUALLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A TOUR OF THE CLOCK TOWER.
PAYTON IS PUTTING TOGETHER A PROPOSAL AND FULL WRITE-UP OF WHAT THEY FEEL A FULL REPAIR OF THAT CLOCK TOWER WOULD LOOK LIKE AND THAT WOULD COME WITH COST ESTIMATIONS AS WELL THAT WE COULD TAKE.
WE WOULD HAVE BIDDABLE DOCUMENTS AT THAT POINT, AND THEN ALSO KNOW WHAT TYPE OF MONEY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
>> THANK YOU. STILL GOOD? THANK YOU. LIBRARY? GOOD MORNING.
>> DEBBIE, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT.
THAT SPURRED SOME QUESTIONS AT LAST WEEK'S COMMISSIONER MEETING, SPECIFICALLY BY ME BECAUSE WE TYPICALLY SEE
[• FY2025 Library Budget Requests]
READJUSTMENTS INSIDE A DEPARTMENT HEAD WHEN WE SEE A RETIREMENT.THE QUESTION WAS AROUND HOW YOUR PAYROLL IS GOING TO CHANGE CONSIDERING THAT AND HOW THAT FACTORS INTO YOUR BUDGET REQUEST.
>> DID YOU RECEIVE MY LETTER THAT I SENT TO JANE YESTERDAY?
>> HOPING THAT THAT WOULD HELP SPELL SOME THINGS OUT FOR YOU IN WRITING.
>> I DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO REVIEW IT.
>> FIRST OFF, WE'RE STILL REBUILDING OUR STAFF.
THE LAST FEW YEARS, JUST LIKE YOU-ALL, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET OUR SALARIES AT A MORE COMPETITIVE RATE SO THAT WE CAN HIRE AND RETAIN AND WE'RE STILL CHALLENGED HIRING AND RETAINING.
BUT WITH THAT, THERE HAVE BEEN POSITIONS THAT HAVE STAYED OPEN.
THIS COMING YEAR, THERE'S TWO POSITIONS, ON ADULT PROGRAMMING AND OUTREACH POSITION AND, OUR IT TECHNICAL POSITION, THAT WE REALLY NEED TO FILL.
WE'RE ACTUALLY USING WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MY SALARY TO FILL THOSE.
BUT WE ARE LOOKING FOR A 2% COLA FOR ALL OUR STAFF AND AN ADDITIONAL 2% MERIT INCREASE FOR OUR MANAGERS.
AT ONE POINT, WE WERE ABOUT 27FTE AND WE JUST KEEP ZIGZAGGING FROM ABOUT 15 TO A GOOD YEAR, WHICH WOULD BE 21.5 AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET BACK TO 21.5.
ALL OUR STAFF ARE BASICALLY CROSS-TRAINED SO THAT THEY CAN WORK AT ANY OF THE THREE LOCATIONS AND HELP OUT THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
BUT THESE TWO POSITIONS REALLY I THINK ARE IMPORTANT FOR US TO JUST ON DAILY BUSINESS AND TO REALLY GET BACK TO FULFILLING FULL COMPLEMENT OF SERVICES THAT WE REALLY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO SINCE COVID AND THEN WE WENT RIGHT INTO THE CENTRAL LIBRARY RENOVATION.
THERE WERE TWO ADDITIONAL FUNDING REQUESTS BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW IT'S GOING TO LOOK AFTER I RETIRE.
[00:25:01]
A LOT OF THIS PLANNING IS EVEN BEFORE WE KNEW WHAT THE BOARD WAS GOING TO DO WITH MY POSITION.BY THE WAY, MARK JOHNSON, OUR BOARD PRESIDENT, WHO IS IN THE AUDIENCE AND CAN HELP ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE BOARD.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ALWAYS WORK TO DO IS MAKE SURE ALL OUR FINANCES ARE TRANSPARENT AND AS SEPARATE AS THEY CAN BE, WHICH IS HARD IN THE SMALL OPERATION.
WE WERE STARTING TO LOOK INTO WHETHER WE SHOULD OUTSOURCE PART OF OUR RECORD KEEPING.
THE $30,000 WAS A PLACEHOLDER BECAUSE TALKING TO OTHER LIBRARIES, IT COULD BE FROM 18,000-65,000.
THE OTHER THING THE BOARD WANTED TO DO WAS TO PUT IN A HALF-YEAR SALARY FOR A NEW ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.
JONAH AND I TALKED AND WE TALKED WITH THE BOARD AND WE FEEL LIKE WE CAN TABLE BOTH OF THOSE FOR THE YEAR BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE A YEAR TRANSITION FOR JONAH AND STAFF CONTINUE TRYING TO HIRE STAFF AND STABILIZE AND JONAH STEPPING UP INTO THIS POSITION, IT TAKES A YEAR.
BY TABLING THOSE, OUR REQUEST FOR AN INCREASE WOULD JUST BE $20,947.
WELL, THAT WOULD BE THE CALL ON A MERIT.
YEAR AFTER YEAR, WE'RE SEEING INCREASES WITH MAINTENANCE.
EVEN THOUGH WE'VE DONE A LOT, THERE'S STILL ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT COMES UP SO WE TRY TO PUT A MORE REALISTIC NUMBER ON THAT LINE ITEM 2.
I LOVE THAT YOU STREAM YOUR MEETINGS SO THAT I CAN STAY INFORMED WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU'RE DEALING WITH.
JUST THE BLUEPRINT ALONE IS STRESSFUL.
WE WANT YOU TO HELP US KEEP GROWING AND GET MORE STABILIZED.
BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, WE WANT TO WORK WITH YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT ON THE PLATE SO WE'D LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER THIS.
>> RIGHT NOW WE HAVE PENCILED IN A 5% INCREASE IN YOUR BUDGET OVER LAST YEAR.
I THINK YOUR REQUEST WAS FOR 6.5% OVER LAST YEAR.
JUST QUICK MATH I DID WHILE I WAS SITTING HERE.
IS THAT RIGHT, DANNY? ONE IN A 5% INCREASE?
>> DID YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> NO, I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS.
I HAVE A COMMENT WHEN WE'RE DONE WITH THE BUDGET PART.
>> WHAT SHE'S ASKED FOR, DANNY WHAT'S THE NEW NUMBER NOW, IF YOU TAKE OUT THE TWO? YOU DO KNOW.
>> IT'S 5%. WE WENT WITH 5% INCREASE.
>> I'M GOING TO PUT YOU IN LINE TO HAVE EITHER $1,420,000.
>> THE NUMBER THAT WE HAD IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET WAS THE FLAT 5%, WHICH WAS JUST TAKING OBVIOUSLY FY-24 ALLOCATION.
PER DEBBIE'S LETTER AND WHAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT TODAY WITH THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT THEY'RE OFFERING TO MAKE, THEY WOULD ONLY SEEK AN INCREASE OF $20,947 ABOVE FY-24.
IF WE DECIDED TO GO WITH THAT, WE WOULD TAKE THE NUMBER THAT WE CURRENTLY SHOW AS $1,420,000 AND WE COULD DROP THAT DOWN TO $1,373,995.
I GUESS THERE'S TWO OPTIONS THERE.
>> WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE IT AT THE $1,420,000?
>> WE CAN BRING IT ALL THE WAY DOWN AND JUST COVER THE ITEMS BACK.
>> DOES THAT GIVE YOU THE NEW IT POSITION?
>> YES, AND THE ADULT PROGRAM.
>> I'M GOOD WITH THE IT. YOU NEED IT.
>> JONAH NEEDS TO START DOING THAT.
>> YEAH, AND THE NEW ROLE. ABSOLUTELY.
>> BUT HE'S GOING TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR LOOKING FOR HELP TO HIRE AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.
[00:30:03]
THAT'S GOING TO HAVE TO HAPPEN, BUT I THINK IF HE CAN GET THESE OTHER STAFF AND WORK TO STABILIZE AND THEN FIGURE OUT WHO HE WANTS OR WHAT HE'S LOOKING FOR.>> NO, I'M SAYING YOU'RE ASKING NOW.
I'VE NEVER SEEN PEOPLE ASK FOR LESS.
>> WE HAVE A LOT OF CAPITAL NEEDS THAT WE'VE GOT TO ADDRESS; OFFICE SPACE, DETENTION CENTER.
>> YEAH, AND THE MULTIPLE THINGS THAT WE GOT TO DO.
>> WHATEVER YOU ALL THINK, IT'S REALLY YOUR PARKING LOT.
>> YEAH. I THINK IT COULD LAST.
YOU CAN GET ANOTHER 10 YEARS OUT OF IT IF YOU SEALCOAT IT.
>> I THINK THAT STOPS THE GRASS GROWTH FROM HAPPENING.
>> YEAH, AND PREVENTS WATER INTRUSION AND CRACKING AND THAT KIND OF STUFF FROM GETTING WORSE.
I THINK SEALCOAT WOULD DO THAT AND WE COULD GET A FEW MORE YEARS OUT OF IT.
>> I'M FINE WITH THE $1,420,000, IS WHAT WE HAVE.
I THINK EVERYBODY JUST HAS TO BE AWARE GOING FORWARD, THIS IS PROBABLY THE EASIEST BUDGET WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FROM HERE ON OUT.
THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANY EASY BUDGETS.
IF THIS BLUEPRINT THING KEEPS GOING THE WAY I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE GOING, THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS TO THIS BUDGET TO ALL COUNTIES, BUT PARTICULARLY TO THIS COUNTY.
ONE QUESTION THAT I THINK IS GOING TO COME UP HERE SOON IS GOING TO BE NEGOTIATION OF THE LEASE IN GREENSBORO.
GENERAL, ARE YOU ON BOARD THAT YOU UNDERSTAND WHERE EVERYTHING IS AT THIS TIME?
>> YES, SIR. WE GOT UNTIL MARCH 2025.
>> THERE HAS BEEN SILENCE, BUT WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE THE NEW HVAC UNITS IN.
>> MARCH 2025 IN GOVERNMENT TIME IS TOMORROW.
WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT THIS HOW MANY YEARS AGO.
>> YEAH. I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW MANY YEARS.
>> AS YOU KNOW, MARCH 2025, THAT'S WHEN WE GO TO PAY NO RENT.
SO IF WE HAVE TO SIT THERE FOR A WHILE WHILE WE FIGURE THINGS OUT, LIBRARY IS TOTALLY OKAY WITH THAT.
WE STILL HAVE THE SPACE, IT'S IMPORTANT SPACE FOR THE COMMUNITY IN NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY.
ABSOLUTELY DON'T WANT TO GET RID OF IT AND DEFINITELY WANT TO TRY TO WORK SOMETHING OUT.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. WE'RE SETTLED $1,420,000?
>> KEEP YOUR BELT TIGHT THOUGH, BECAUSE YOU MIGHT NOT GET MUCH NEXT YEAR.
>> COMMISSIONER PORTER AND JENNIFER REIBLY WITH A 2024 STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE.
[2024 State Legislative Session Update]
>> WE'RE WINDING DOWN THANKFULLY.
THE TWO BILLS THAT I THINK WE'VE BEEN REALLY TRACKING PRETTY CAREFULLY IS THE HOUSE BILL.
GOT AN EMAIL, I THINK EVERYBODY GOT IT YESTERDAY, FROM STEVE, SAYING THAT THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE HAVE COMPROMISED ON THE BILL AND IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE MAINLY THE HOUSE PROVISIONS, WHICH I THINK IS PROBABLY THE FAVORABLE ONES THAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR.
THERE MAY BE SOME AMENDMENTS INVOLVING TRANSPORTATION.
>> I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THERE.
>> HAVING TO REPORT THE ROOT THAT THE MATERIAL WILL BE HAULED ON FROM THE PLANT TO THE STORAGE FACILITY, WHICH I FEEL LIKE THE CHICKEN ASSOCIATION IS GETTING A LOT OF STUFF THEY WANT AND WE'RE NOT GETTING MUCH.
IF THAT'S BEING REMOVED, OBVIOUSLY SOMEBODY'S ASKING THEM TO REMOVE IT, IT'S NOT US.
>> THE LANGUAGE AS FAR AS PREEMPTION, I THINK WE'RE GOOD WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION, WHICH CAME PRETTY QUICKLY, SURPRISINGLY.
I THINK WE'RE COMFORTABLE WITH THE FACT THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE SIGHTING OF ANY NEW FACILITIES.
I SUGGEST WE TAKE THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION AND CARVE IT IN STONE AND PUT IT SOMEWHERE THAT WE CAN SEE IT.
BUT THE OTHER ONE WAS THE SENATE BILL 783.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE HAS BEEN AN AMENDMENT STRIKING THE $2,500 PER MEGAWATT LIMIT.
THAT'S WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR.
I TAKE A SHOUT OUT TO FROM WHAT I GATHERED,
[00:35:01]
KEVIN CANALE AND MAKO DID A LOT OF YEOMAN WORK ON THAT ONE TO GET THAT TAKEN CARE OF.THE OTHERS, JENNY, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING THAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT?
>> THE SINE DIE IS COMING UP WEDNESDAY 8TH OR SOMETHING.
>> DID YOU GET THE INVITE FOR THAT?
>> NO, THAT'S IN PERSON IF YOU'LL ATTEND.
>> I THINK IT WAS A SESSION THAT IS, IN MY OPINION, GEARED MORE TO THE GREEN AGENDA, WHICH IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER COSTLY THING TO THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
I HOPE THE STATE OPENS UP THEIR COFFERS BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF MONEY THAT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE SPENT FOR THIS.
I DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT, I THINK GOVERNOR MOORE IS GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME SERIOUS DECISIONS HERE ABOUT VETOING SOME BILLS.
THE STATE TAX ON SERVICES IS GOING TO BE A CRUCIAL DECISION FOR HIM TO MAKE.
IN ADDITION TO HIS TIME BEING SPENT ON THE TRAGEDY AT THE KEY BRIDGE.
I THINK HE'S GOT SOME REALLY TOUGH DECISIONS TO MAKE.
I SEE A LOT OF ARTICLES WRITTEN ABOUT WHAT EVERYBODY THINKS HE'S GOING TO DO, BUT NO ONE KNOWS AT THIS POINT.
I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE ARE. I'LL TRY TO GIVE A FINAL REPORT WHEN EVERYTHING'S OVER SO WE CAN GO THROUGH ALL OF THEM.
BUT I THINK THE LOCAL BILLS THAT WE HAVE ALL LOOK LIKE THEY'RE IN GOOD SHAPE AND SO WE'LL KNOW MORE AT THE END WHEN EVERYTHING'S FINAL.
>> COUNCIL DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU FOR MONITORING ALL THIS STUFF FOR THE BOARD AND BRINGING EVERYTHING TO OUR ATTENTION.
LET'S MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, CONCERNS ABOUT ANYTHING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?
[Consent Agenda:]
WE ONLY HAVE THREE ITEMS TODAY.>> I MAKE A MOTION WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR APRIL 2ND, 2024.
[County Administrator’s Report]
COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT.>> I HAVE THREE THINGS TO MENTION TO YOU OR UPDATE YOU ON.
FIRST THING, I SENT AN EMAIL TO YOU LAST NIGHT REGARDING BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS. IT POPPED UP ON MY CALENDAR THAT OUR MORATORIUM EXPIRES JUNE 13TH, AND BECAUSE OF OTHER THINGS, WE HAVEN'T MADE REALLY MUCH PROGRESS ON THAT.
I ALSO SENT A LINK TO AN ARTICLE HAVING TO DO WITH SOME OTHER JURISDICTIONS DEALING WITH THIS, AND HAVE FOUND OTHER JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ALSO ENACTED MORATORIUMS, AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO ADOPT THAT NFPA 55 STUFF THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED TO EXTEND THE MORATORIUM WHILE WE WORK ON THAT CODE.
I KNOW THERE'S STILL INTEREST IN BRINGING BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE FACILITIES TO CAROLINE COUNTY, BUT IT BUBBLED UP ON MY CALENDAR AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW.
LET'S SEE, IT'S APRIL 8TH, THAT TWO MONTHS.
>> IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN TWO MONTHS.
>> THE CODE IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN TWO MONTHS.
WE WANT TO CONTEMPLATE EXTENDING THAT WHILE WE WORK ON THAT.
>> WELL, THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IS LONGER THAN TWO MONTHS.
IF WE HAD IT READY [OVERLAPPING] TO INTRODUCE NOW.
>> THERE'S NO PENDING APPLICATIONS, SO I DON'T THINK EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM WILL CREATE A BIG ISSUE.
IF IT EXPIRES, I THINK WE'LL GET AN APPLICATION.
>> IS THE STATE WORKING ON THAT? WHERE ARE WE AT?
>> THE ONLY THING I KNOW IS THAT THE FIRE MARSHAL IS WORKING ON THE EXTENSION OF NFP 855.
>> WELL, THEY HAVEN'T ADOPTED IT.
>> THEY WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS OF ADOPTING THAT TYPE OF THING.
MY SUGGESTION IS THAT WE KEEP THIS MORATORIUM ON UNTIL WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THE ADOPTION OF THE NEW CODE.
I DO NOT WANT THESE THINGS IN THIS COUNTY.
I THINK THE HEARING THAT WAS HELD WITH THE PENDING WAYPOST WAS THAT THEY WERE AGREEABLE TO NOT PUTTING THEM IN AT THIS TIME.
WELL, THE TIME ISN'T NOW, SO I'M GOING TO SUGGEST THAT WE EXTEND THE MORATORIUM.
WHAT'S THE LONGEST WE CAN EXTEND IT?
>> WELL, MOST OF THE TIME IT'S A ONE-YEAR MAXIMUM PERIOD.
[00:40:04]
>> MY SUGGESTION IS WE EXTEND IT FOR A YEAR UPON ITS EXPIRATION.
>> I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT UP BECAUSE IT POPPED UP IN MY EMAIL AND MY CALENDAR AND GOT ME THINKING ABOUT IT.
THE TWO OTHER THINGS WE I BELIEVE, WE MEANING COMMISSIONER BREEDING, MYSELF, STEWART, DANNY, AND MARY.
I THINK I'VE TOURED EVERY AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL OFFICE SPACE IN THE TOWN OF DENTON TRYING TO FIGURE OUT OFFICE SPACE FOR I THINK THREE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY LEASING.
I THINK OFFICE OF LAWS CASE JUST CRAMMED INTO A PRETTY TIGHT SPACE.
DANNY AND I TOUCHED BASE YESTERDAY, AND WE'LL SIT DOWN, I THINK, WITH THE OFFICE OF LAW AND LOOK AT ALL THE SPACES, AND TRY TO GET A GAME PLAN TOGETHER.
I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER SPACES OUT THERE, SO SOME OF THE PLACES WE'VE TOURED HAVE ALSO REACHED BACK TO US TO TRY TO FIND OUT IF WE'VE MADE ANY DECISIONS.
I THINK WE NEED TO JUMP ON THAT AND WE'LL BE DOING THAT.
THEN THE LAST THING, I JUST WANT TO MENTION THIS IS GOOD NEWS.
YESTERDAY THE SELECTED DPW DIRECTOR CAME TO HR, FILLED OUT ALL OF HIS PAPERWORK.
HE IS SCHEDULED TO START ON MONDAY.
WE'RE OPENING UP WITH A MEETING MONDAY MORNING WITH THE DPW STAFF AND THEN I'VE GOT A FULL DAY OF ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR HIM.
BUT HE'LL BE AT YOUR MEETING ON TUESDAY, SO WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO A PHOTO AND I THINK MAYBE HIS ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER THAT. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> YES. WE'LL PUT OUT AS A FULL PRESS RELEASE.
>> I SPOKE TO HIM YESTERDAY. HE'S EXCITED.
HE ALREADY HAS HIS EMAIL SET UP.
I KNOW YOU'RE IN HERE SOMEWHERE. HE'S GOOD TO GO.
THAT'S GOOD NEWS. THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT.
>> DANNY, YOU'RE GOOD? ANYTHING? GOOD? COUNTY COMMISSIONER OPEN DISCUSSION PERIOD.
[County Commissioners Open Discussion Period]
MR. BARTS, DO YOU WANT TO GO?>> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING AT THIS TIME.
>> WE HAVE EAGLE SCOUT CEREMONY COMING UP SATURDAY.
>> I CAN DO IT IF IT'S SUNNY AND DRY.
[LAUGHTER] I MAY BE A FEW MINUTES LATE, BUT I'LL TRY TO MAKE IT.
>> I THINK I HAVE THE CERTIFICATE IN MY OFFICE.
>> I'LL HAVE BASEBALL PRACTICE IN THE MORNING IF IT'S SUNNY AND DRY.
>> SATURDAY YOU'RE BUSY? [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE'RE MORE COORDINATED, EITHER YOU OR I COULD GO.
>> I'LL TAKE THE REST OF THE CERTIFICATE WITH ME.
THEN THURSDAY NIGHT, I THINK IT'S APRIL 4TH, THERE'S A DINNER AT GREENSBORO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS. I'LL I'LL GET IT.
>> I'VE GOT A BASEBALL GAME AGAINST ST. MICHAEL'S THAT NIGHT.
>> OTHER THAN THAT, I SPENT SOME TIME YESTERDAY TALKING WITH AN INDIVIDUAL ABOUT A PROPOSED SUBDIVISION THAT HE'S TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.
I THINK THERE'S SOME RESEARCH BEING DONE ON THAT AND I WOULD LIKE TO SET UP, I DON'T KNOW.
AT SOME POINT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DISCUSS HOUSING CODES.
>> YEAH, IT'S GETTING OUT OF HAND.
>> WE'RE GETTING TO A POINT HERE WHERE WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SOME HEADWAY HERE ON THIS.
OTHER THAN THAT, THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.
>> TOMORROW NIGHT I HAVE A PARKS AND REC ADVISORY BOARD MEETING.
YESTERDAY, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM SCOTT GETCHELL.
THEY HAVE SCHEDULED A JOINT WORK SESSION WHICH IS AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING.
THERE'S NOT REALLY ANYTHING TO DISCUSS.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US ON APRIL 25TH TO LAY OUT OUR PLANS FOR THE SHARP ROAD TO PLAN TO MOVE THE BASEBALL FIELD FROM POKEMON SHARP ROAD AND THEN BUILD ANOTHER FIELD AT SHARP ROAD.
SCOTT GETCHELL, TOWN MANAGER FOR THE TOWN OF DENTON, HAS SCHEDULED THAT MEETING AT THE CHOPTANK VISITOR CENTER DOWN HERE FOR APRIL 25TH, WHICH IS A THURSDAY. AT WHAT TIME?
[00:45:03]
>> 6:00 PM. JANE IS GOING TO ADVERTISE THAT AS A COMMISSIONER MEETING SO THAT WE MEET ALL THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT IF ALL THREE OF US CAN ATTEND.
IF NOT, I CAN HANDLE IT, OR WHOEVER WANTS TO COME.
IT'S JUST BASICALLY JUST LAYING OUT WHAT OUR PLANS ARE AND I GUESS THAT'S IT.
I DON'T THINK MAYBE SOME PUBLIC COMMENT, IF THERE'S ANY THOUGHTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I'M IN THE THROES OF HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SEASON RIGHT NOW, SO WE'VE ONLY PLAYED ONE GAME TO DATE.
BUT THE NEXT FOUR OR FIVE WEEKS WE'VE GOT THREE GAMES A WEEK SO I'LL BE PRETTY BUSY WITH THAT.
THANK YOU ALL FOR PICKING UP MY SLACK IN ADVANCE.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? GOOD, FRANK?
>> WE NOW HAVE OUR CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
[Public Comment]
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? WITH THAT, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO GO INTO A CLOSED SESSION WITH COUNCIL TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE UNDER AUTHORITY 2014[Meeting Adjourned]
MARYLAND CODE STATE GOVERNMENT 3-305B PARAGRAPH 7 AND WE NEED A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THIS.FIRST OF ALL, DO I HEAR THE MOTION?
>> I MOVE WE ADJOURN TO A CLOSED SESSION.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. COMMISSIONER PORTER?
>> AYE. COMMISSIONER BREEDING.
AYE. [NOISE]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.