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>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE NOVEMBER 19TH, 2024, CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING. THIS MORNING.
WE HAVE OUR INVOCATION BY REVEREND PAUL TWINY, THE REGIONAL COORDINATOR FOR THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER.
PAUL, THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.
IF EVERYONE COULD RISE, THAT'LL BE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> GRACIOUS HEAVENLY FATHER, HOW APPROPRIATE IT IS FOR US IN THIS MONTH THAT WE IN AMERICA HONOR A DAY TO GATHER WITH
[Call to Order: Invocation – Rev. Paul Twinning, Regional Coordinator-National Day of Prayer; Pledge of Allegiance; Agenda Review]
OUR FAMILIES AROUND OUR TABLES FILLED WITH TURKEY AND ALL THE TRADITIONAL FOODS TO PAUSE AND GIVE YOU THANKS.WITH THE SONGWRITER, WE SAY PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW.
THEN WITH DAVID AND PSALM 103, WE SAY, BLESS THE LORD, OH MY SOUL AND ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME.
BLESS THE LORD OH MY SOUL AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS, AND WE ALL SHARE IN SO MANY BENEFITS.
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WE THANK YOU AS DAVID SAID THAT YOU ARE A GOD WHO IS COMPASSIONATE AND GRACIOUS, SLOW TO ANGER AND PLENTEOUS AND MERCY.YOU DON'T TREAT US AS OUR SINS DESERVE, BUT YOU OFFER FORGIVENESS TO ALL THOSE WHO FEAR YOU, AND WHO ARE REPENTANT OVER THEIR SINS.
WHEN YOU FORGIVE, YOU REMOVE OUR SINS AS FAR AS FROM US AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST.
NOW WE THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE WE ALL SHARE IN LIVING IN THIS GREEN COUNTY OF CAROLINE.
YOU KNOW EVERY SINGLE NEED THAT WE HAVE.
LORD THIS MORNING, I ASK FOR YOUR MERCY IN EXTENDING TO US THE RELIEF FROM THIS SEVERE DROUGHT THAT WE ARE IN.
WE DO THANK YOU FOR THE RAIN YOU GAVE AT THE RIGHT TIME ENABLING OUR FARMERS TO HARVEST THEIR CORN AND BEANS.
NOW I ASK LORD THAT YOU WOULD EXTEND TO US YOUR WISDOM, GIVE THIS WISDOM TO OUR COMMISSIONERS AS THEY PRESIDE OVER THIS MEETING.
MAY YOU GRANT UNITY AND PEACE IN EVERY DISCUSSION, AND MAY WE BE GOVERNED BY THE WORDS OF PSALM 19 THAT SAYS, "LET THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND THE MEDITATIONS OF MY HEART BE ACCEPTABLE IN YOUR SIGHT, O LORD, MY STRENGTH AND MY REDEEMER." THIS WE PRAY IN HIS NAME, THE NAME OF JESUS, OUR SAVIOR. AMEN.
>> THANK YOU. DURING THE NOVEMBER 5TH, 2024 COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING, THE BOARD CONVENED IN CLOSED SESSION UNDER AUTHORITY 2014, MARYLAND CODE, STATE GOVERNMENT 3-305(B)1 TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL MATTERS, AND DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION.
[President’s Report Out]
NO ACTIONS WERE TAKEN.THE ATTENDEES WERE THE COMMISSIONERS, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR KATHLEEN FREEMAN, DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR DANIEL FOX, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER JENNIFER RILEY.
WE'LL NOW HAVE OUR OPENING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD THIS MORNING.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK DURING THE OPENING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD?
[Public Comment]
YES. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME.PLEASE TRY TO KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES?
>> YES, SIR. I WROTE A SPEECH THIS MORNING.
MY NAME IS CLARENCE STORMS. I'M PLEASE TO MEET YOU.
>> IT'S REDACTED FOR SAFETY REASONS. IS THAT OKAY?
>> BUT I HAVE RESIDED IN CAROLINE COUNTY MY ENTIRE LIFE.
MY NAME IS CLARENCE STORMS. I HAVE TWO BIOLOGICAL CHILDREN AND A STEPSON.
I'VE BEEN TO THE POLICE, CPS, STATES ATTORNEY AND WENT BEFORE A JUDGE FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER.
FEELING DEFEATED, NO ONE IS LISTENING TO MY CRIES FOR HELP FROM MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF.
THE MOTHER OF MY CHILDREN HAS BEEN ABUSING THEM AND MYSELF FOR YEARS.
I CRIED OUT FOR HELP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, EVEN WHILE RESIDING IN THE HOME WITH MY CHILDREN AND SOON TO BE EX-WIFE.
I'VE CALLED CPS AND THE POLICE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, NO ONE WOULD LISTEN.
WHEN I WOULD COME FORWARD ABOUT ABUSE I WAS ENDURED BY MY SOON TO BE EX-WIFE, I WAS LAUGHED OFF BECAUSE I'M A MAN.
AS THE YEARS WENT BY, I STATED NOTICING MY STEPSON WAS DOING ABUSIVE STUFF TO THE OTHER TWO CHILDREN.
AGAIN, CALLING OUT FOR HELP AND IT WAS CHALKED UP AS KIDS JUST BEING KIDS.
I LEFT THE HOME IN JULY OF 2024.
I RECEIVED CONSTANT PHONE CALLS WHERE THE CHILDREN SEEMED TO BE IN DISTRESS.
THERE WAS YELLING, SCREAMING AND FIGHTING IN THE BACKGROUND.
TEXTS FROM MY KIDS STATE THEY DID NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE HOME.
THIS IS VERY HEARTBREAKING FOR ME.
I'VE HAD TO CALL THE COPS 10 TIMES IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS AGO, DO A WELFARE CHECK DUE TO FEARING FOR MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY, BECAUSE THERE WERE PHYSICAL ALTERATIONS TAKING PLACE DURING THE PHONE CALLS THAT I RECEIVED.
IN OCTOBER 2024, THE CHILDREN WERE VISITED FOR THE WEEKEND.
COME TIME TO GO HOME, THEY INFORMED THEY WERE SCARED FOR THEIR SAFETY, WERE VISIBLY UPSET AND DID NOT WANT TO GO HOME.
I TOOK HIM TO THE SHERIFF'S STATION LOCATED IN MARYLAND, THAT RESPECT WITH SERGEANT M SHIVERS.
HE DID NOT SEE CONCERN WITH ANY OF THE ALLEGATIONS, BUT TOOK A REPORT ANYWAY.
THERE WAS REPORTED ABOUT THE CHILD AND ANIMAL ABUSE THAT HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE FOR YEARS.
HE ADVISED ME THAT HE WAS GOING TO CONTACT ANIMAL CONTROL AND CPS.
I WAS THEN ADVISED THAT I HAD TO RETURN THE CHILDREN TO THEIR MOTHER SINCE THERE WAS A CUSTODY ORDER IN PLACE, SO I DID.
I THEN LEARNED THAT MY STEPSON HAD BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSING MY DAUGHTER.
THE NIGHT I WENT TO THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AFTER HOURS TO FILE CHARGES, HE REFERRED ME TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DO MORE SINCE THE STEPSON WAS A MINOR.
I WENT TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE LOCATED IN DENTON, AND THERE I WAS TOLD NO ONE THERE COULD TAKE MY REPORT.
I THEN PROCEEDED TO THE STATE POLICE BARRACKS LOCATED IN EASTERN MARYLAND.
THERE I SPOKE TO TFC W KYLE BRINGHAM.
HE TOOK MY REPORT, LISTENING TO ALL MY CONCERNS AND LOOKING AT ALL THE EVIDENCE.
HE SPOKE A WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH CPS AND OTHERS TO TRY TO GET ME HELP.
WHILE THERE, I RECEIVED THE TEXT FROM MY DAUGHTER STATEMENT, THE MOTHER SAID THAT IF THE CHILDREN WERE TAKEN, SHE WOULD KILL HERSELF.
I MADE THEM AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND DISPATCHED POLICE OUT TO
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THE HOME WHILE THE MOTHER REFUSED TO LET THEM IN TO DO A WELFARE CHECK.THE POLICE THEN LEFT WITHOUT MAKING CONTACT WITH THE CHILDREN.
THE NEXT DAY, I WENT TO THE COURTS TO TRY TO GET HELP.
I FILE FOR EMERGENCY CUSTODY, WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN DENIED.
I WAS ADVISED BY A LAWYER TO FILE A PROTECTIVE ORDER AGAINST THE MOTHER AND STEPSON WITH MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN LISTED AS THE PROTECTIVE.
ALSO FOLLOWING THE SHIELD OF MY ADDRESS FOR FEAR OF RETALIATION DUE TO TURNING IN EVIDENCE AGAINST THE ACCUSED.
I WAS GRANTED A TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE ORDER AT THAT TIME BY JUDGE O'RILEY.
THE SAME DAY I WENT TO THE CPS OFFICE.
WHILE THERE, I SPOKE WITH A GENTLEMAN.
HE WAS NOT CONCERNED EITHER WITH ALLEGATIONS OR THE EVIDENCE THAT I PRESENTED TO HIM.
CPS HAS SINCE SPOKEN WITH THE CHILDREN.
THE CHILDREN HAVE STATED THAT THEY DO NOT FEEL SAFE LIVING IN THE HOME.
CPS DEVELOPED A SAFETY PLAN WHERE THE STEPSON IS TO RESIDE IN THE HOME WITH THEIR GRANDMOTHER WHILE THE OTHER TWO CHILDREN ARE TO RESIDE WITH THEIR MOTHER.
THE GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE IS ONLY A 10-MINUTE WALK AWAY FROM THE HOME THAT MY CHILDREN RESIDE IN.
MY CHILDREN ARE LEFT HOME ALONE WHILE THE MOTHER WORKS AND THE STEPSON STILL HAS ACCESS TO THE HOME WALKING THERE ALL THE TIME.
THE SAFETY PLAN IS CONSTANTLY BROKEN, WHICH HAS BEEN REPORTED SEVERAL TIMES TO CPS.
THEY BRUSH IT OFF LIKE IT'S NO BIG DEAL.
CPS CASEWORKER NAMED VALERIE CALLED ME.
ASKED IMMEDIATE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CASE.
SHE THEN PROCEEDED TO SAY THAT THE GOAL WAS TO GET MY STEPSON BACK IN THE HOME WITH THE OTHER TWO CHILDREN.
SHE HAS ALSO SPOKEN WITH MY CHILDREN ABOUT THIS GOAL.
I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE HOW THIS MADE MY DAUGHTER FEEL NOW THAT HER VIOLATOR WOULD BE PLACED BACK IN THE HOME WITH HER TO RESIDE.
NOW MY DAUGHTER IS SCARED OF RETALIATION.
ON NOVEMBER 7TH, 2024, I RECEIVED A VOICE RECORDING CLIPS VIA TEXT WITH MY DAUGHTER.
THE MOTHER AND MY CHILDREN WERE AT WALMART LOCATED IN DENTON, MARYLAND.
SHE WAS IRATE CUSSING AND SCREAMING AT THEM IN THE CAR.
MY DAUGHTER EXPRESSED CONCERN FOR HER SAFETY.
THE MOTHER THEN GOT IRATE WITH A BYSTANDER AND THEY PROCEEDED TO CHASE HER DOWN THE ROAD, TRYING TO MAKE THEM WRECK.
THEY CALLED ME BACK AFTER MAKING CONTACT WITH THE MOTHER AND MY CHILDREN.
THEY STATED IT WAS A NORMAL FAMILY ARGUMENT.
I WENT BEFORE JUDGE O'RILEY NOVEMBER 12, 2024, FINAL PROTECTIVE ORDER.
JUDGE O'RILEY SHOULD HAVE EXCUSED HIMSELF FROM THE CASE FOR PREJUDICE REASONS.
HIM AND MYSELF HAS HAD SEVERAL ENCOUNTERS PRIOR THAT I FELT MADE HIM BIASED.
HE REFUSED TO LOOK AT ANY OF MY EVIDENCE AND CONSIDERATION THE PROTECTIVE ORDER FOR MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF.
I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN, THE PEOPLE THAT RESIDE IN MY HOME AND MYSELF.
I FEEL AS THOUGH THIS CASE IS NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
WE HAVE HAD EXCHANGES FOR THE SURGEONS WHERE THE THREE CARD LOADS OF PEOPLE SHOWED UP AND ONE VEHICLE BELONGED TO THE GRANDMOTHER TRIED TO FOLLOW US HOME TO TRY TO GET MY ADDRESS.
THERE WAS ANOTHER EXCHANGE WITH THE GRANDMOTHER TRIED TO FOLLOW US AGAIN.
IT WAS GOING TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY CHILDREN AND WHY MY VOICE IS NOT BEING HEARD.
I FEAR WITHOUT THE PROPER PROTECTION IN PLACE, THERE WILL BE RETALIATION FOR THESE ARE VERY SERIOUS THINGS THAT I'VE REPORTED.
MY SON NEEDS HELP AND THE MOTHER NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE THINGS SHE HAS DONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> ALL RIGHT. CAN WE KEEP THAT?
>> YES SIR. THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> WE'LL FOLLOW UP WITH THE STATE'S ATTORNEY AND THE SHERIFF.
>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
>> YOU TO TALK ABOUT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IN DENTON, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ON 404.
>> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT JUDGE RILEY?
>> YES, SIR. HE WENT BY O'RILEY, HE WAS THE STATE'S ATTORNEY.
WE HAD AN ALTERCATION ONE OF HIS CASES AND I GOT EXCUSED FROM THE CASE, AND HE DIDN'T LIKE THAT AND HE SO MUCH AS EVEN MENTIONED IT IN COURT WHEN I WAS GOING FOR MY PROTECTIVE ORDER.
I ALSO ASKED FOR PERSON FOR DISABILITY TO BE THERE AND HE REFUSED IT EVEN THOUGH I'M ON FULL SSDI.
>> ALL RIGHT. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? I'M BEING SEEN, WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR FIRST AGENDA ITEM, WHICH IS JILL HIGNET, CFO FOR CAROLINE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.
[Discussion of Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Adjustments & Audit Report]
I BELIEVE DR. SIMON, SUPERINTENDENT OF CAROLINE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IS ALSO HERE.>> YOU ALL RIGHT THIS MORNING?
>> THANK YOU GUYS FOR HAVING US THIS MORNING AND WE APPRECIATE THE COMMISSIONER'S FLEXIBILITY.
WE'RE MEETING THIS MORNING TO TALK ABOUT THE END OF THE YEAR REALIGNMENT OF FUNDS IN THE OPERATING BUDGET.
THIS IS THE ACTIVITY WE DO EVERY YEAR AFTER ALL IT HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
WITH ME TODAY, I HAVE JILL HIGNET, JILL'S OUR NEW CFO, DO AN OUTSTANDING JOB, RISING UP THROUGH CCPS AND MOVING INTO THIS ROLE.
WE'RE HERE TODAY TO SHARE WHERE THE BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED TO TAKE PLACE IN THE OPERATING BUDGET TO ALIGN THOSE EXPENSES WITH THE ACTUALS AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.
JILL WILL WALK THROUGH THAT AND OF COURSE, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE'RE HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN THEM.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
>> STATE LAW REQUIRES OUR BUDGET TO TRUE OFF AND ANY TRANSFERS BETWEEN CATEGORIES MUST BE APPROVED BY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
WE'RE VERY THANKFUL TO HAVE SUCH A GOOD RELATIONSHIP AND BEING ALLOWED TO MAKE THIS ADJUSTMENT AT YEAR END RATHER THAN HAVING TO COME OVER MULTIPLE TIME THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO MAKE THESE ADJUSTMENTS.
>> THEY SHOULD HAVE A PAPER COPY OF IT AS WELL.
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>> I WAS JUST GOING TO WALK THROUGH THE HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS FOR FY24 AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT THE END, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK.
STARTING WITH THE REVENUES, IF YOU SEE RESTRICTIVE REVENUE, HERE'S A CHANGE OF SIX MILLION, THREE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY NINE THOUSAND, AND SEVENTY ONE DOLLARS.
>> THAT'S RELATED TO OUR GRANT FUNDING.
MANY OF OUR GRANTS A CROSS FISCAL YEARS AND ARE NOT SPENT OUT AT YEAR END.
WE MUST ADJUST THE REVENUES TO MATCH THE EXPENDITURES OUT WE'RE ACTUALLY SEEING AT YOUR END.
THEN GOING DOWN TO EXPENDITURES, THERE'S A FEW ITEMS. PEOPLE TRANSPORTATION WAS OVERSPENT BY $39,416, THAT'S RELATED TO FUEL COSTS BEING HIGHER THAN BUDGETED AND BUS DRIVER SALARIES ARE HIGHER THAN BUDGETED.
THEN CAPITAL OUTLAY IS $236,432 OVER BUDGET.
THAT WAS RELATED TO OUR YEAR END PURCHASES THAT WERE APPROVED BY THE BOARD.
WE HAD SOME FUNDS LEFT OVER AT YEAR END.
WE TOOK THAT OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SOME RENOVATIONS AT SCHOOLS, CONVERTING THE TECH CLASSROOM, PARKING LOT REPAVING, AND FLOORING RENOVATIONS.
EVEN WITH THOSE CATEGORIES BEING OVERSPENT, OUR BUDGET STILL SAW EXCESSIVE REVENUES OVER EXPENDITURES OF $5,782,498.
THOSE FUNDS WILL BE ADDED TO OUR FUND BALANCE, SO THAT WE CAN USE THOSE IF ANY EMERGENCIES POP UP IN THE FUTURE.
>> NO. GOOD. THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE.
I GUESS WE NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDED BUDGET?
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE.
>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE TODD LORD, EMPLOYEE ADVISORY BOARD WITH THE EMPLOYEE ADVISORY BOARD ANNUAL PRESENTATION. MORNING, TODD.
>> I HAVE DANIEL. SHE'S A MEMBER OF EAB.
I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONER FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HEAR THE EAB ANNUAL REPORT.
[Employee Advisory Board Annual Presentation]
JUST TO GET RIGHT TO IT. MY NAME IS TODD LORD FOR THE RECORD.I AM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EMPLOYEE ADVISORY BOARD FOR CAROLINE COUNTY.
THE MEMBERS ON THE BOARD ARE MAT KOZINSKI.
HE REPRESENTS THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND CODES, KENNY MANCHI, WHO REPRESENTS THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
DANIEL WILES, WHO'S ALSO IN ATTENDANCE TODAY, REPRESENTS THE DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS.
TARA CORSI, SHE REPRESENTS MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS, WHICH IS THE OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES, THE OFFICE OF INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE OFFICE OF FINANCE.
AS WELL AS THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE OFFICE OF COMMISSIONERS ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF.
SHE COVERS A LOT OF TERRITORY.
WE HAVE AUDREY JENKINS, WHO IS ALSO IS A DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES.
SHE'S THE NON VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD.
TIM BREWER, HE'S THE VIE CHAIR.
HE REPRESENTS THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, AND MYSELF, WHICH IS THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR, REPRESENTING DES. WHAT DO WE DO? I KNOW MR. PORTER HAS BEEN AROUND A WHILE.
THE OTHER TWO COMMISSIONERS HAVEN'T GOTTEN AN UPDATE FROM US, I THINK SINCE THEY WERE SEATED.
WE PROVIDE EMPLOYEES WITH A GROUP TO REPRESENT EMPLOYEE INTEREST, GENERATE IDEAS, FOSTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
THAT'S OUR PURPOSE AND MISSION OF WHY WE EXIST.
THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
THESE ARE ALSO WRITTEN IN THE CAROLINE COUNTY PERSONNEL RULES AND REGULATIONS.
AS DEFINED TO PROVIDE ADVICE COUNSEL AND GIVE SUGGESTIONS TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REGARDING PERSONNEL ISSUES, CONCERNS, POLICIES, AND INITIATIVES.
WE DON'T GET INTO WHAT WILL BE CLASSIFIED AS A UNIONIZED PERSPECTIVE OF THAT.
WE JUST ACTUALLY FOSTER THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THAT TO GET RESOLVED.
WE CAN RECEIVE WEST EMPLOYEE HUMAN RESOURCES ISSUES.
AGAIN, JUST TO FEED OFF OF THAT, WE JUST ASSIST IN GETTING THAT RESOLVED BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND THE EMPLOYEE AND HRA.
COMMUNICATE REGULARLY WITH THE WORKFORCE REGARDING ACTIVITIES, GOALS, AND THE PROJECTS OF THE EMPLOYEE ADVISORY BOARD AND TO ACTIVELY SEEK FEEDBACK FROM OUR STAFF.
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WE ACTUALLY ARE THE GO BETWEEN BETWEEN STAFF, HRA, COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.WHAT'S OUR ORGANIZATION LOOK LIKE? WE'RE COMPOSED OF SEVEN MEMBERS, SIX MEMBERS ARE VOTING MEMBERS, ALL OF WHICH I PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, DES, PLANNING AND CODES, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS, WHICH ARE VARIOUS, AND DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS.
THERE'S ONE NON VOTING MEMBER THAT'S MS. AUDREY JENKINS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES.
SHE'S A SECRETARY OF OUR AGENCY.
THE MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS, FULL TIME CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE, THEY HAVE TO BE A FULL TIME CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE.
THEY CANNOT BE THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEES, SUCH AS THE CHIEF OR DEPARTMENT HEAD.
THEY MAY NOT SERVE ON THE EAB, AND MUST BE A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING, MEANING NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION. WHAT DO WE ACHIEVE? NOW THAT YOU KNOW WHAT WE DO, WHAT DO WE ACHIEVE? WE'VE DONE THIS IN COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNICATION.
I GOT TO THANK MS. KATHLEEN AND DANNY AND SHERRY AND EVERYONE THAT'S HAD A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.
WE HAVE REALLY REINVIGORATED THE EAB SINCE A FEW YEARS AGO, WHICH WAS NON DESPONDENT TO CONCERNS.
WE'VE ACTUALLY TRIED TO GET THAT IMPROVED WITH COMMUNICATION AND THROUGH THANKS OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND HRA, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT.
WHAT HAVE WE ACHIEVED? I PUT THE BEST FOR FIRST.
IMPROVED PENSION PLAN FOR RETIREES.
THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WE THINK AS THE EMPLOYEES, WE THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR REALLY TAKING THIS ON AND IMPROVING IT TO GET IT UPDATED TO WHERE IT NEEDED TO BE.
WE'VE PROVIDED COMPETITIVE PAY INCREASES FOR TARGETED DEPARTMENTS.
THIS WAS JUST RECENTLY WE DID THIS TO INCREASE RETENTION.
BASICALLY, OUR ENTIRE GOAL WAS TO INCREASE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION FOR OUR STAFF.
WE IMPROVED THE EMPLOYEE REIMBURSEMENT POLICY.
WE JUST RECENTLY DID THAT IN ASSISTANCE WITH HRA, MYSELF AND SHERRY, WE'VE SAT DOWN MANY HOURS, AND WE DID THAT.
BUT THIS ALSO HELPS TO RETAIN OUR EMPLOYEES BY ASSISTING THEM WITH THE RETENTION AS FAR AS THEIR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE COLLEGE IF THEY NEED TO GO.
WHAT ELSE HAVE WE DONE? WE'VE REVISED THE HARASSMENT POLICY TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL STATE LAWS.
WE JUST HAD OUR FIRST TRAINING YESTERDAY THAT FELL IN COMPLIANCE WITH THAT.
MYSELF AND SHERRY HAVE SAT DOWN FOR MULTIPLE HOURS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO GET THAT REVISED TO BE COMPLIANT.
WE'VE ALSO INCREASED OUR HEALTHCARE REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT FOR RETIREES.
IT WAS $500, AND NOW IT'S $550, I THINK THAT WE CURRENTLY ARE OFFERING OUR CURRENT RETIREES.
YOU'VE PROVIDED ANNUAL COLLAR RAISES TO RETIREES TWO YEARS IN A ROW.
WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. WHAT'S OUR PROPOSED INITIATIVES GOING FORWARD? ONE OF THE THINGS I INCLUDED IN THE NEXT SLIDE IS A GRAPH THAT ILLUSTRATES WHERE THE TRAIN WENT OFF THE TRACKS, POST COVID OR DURING COVID.
OF COURSE, WE ALL HAD A SUPPLY DISRUPTION, WHICH CAUSED INFLATION TO WELL OUTPACE OUR WAGES.
AS YOU CAN SEE ILLUSTRATED IN THE GRAPH, YOUR INFLATION WAS RIGHT AROUND 2%-2.5% IN AUGUST OF 2020, AND BASICALLY NATIONWIDE WAGES WERE RIGHT AROUND 3%-3.5%.
NATIONALLY, WE WERE DOING OKAY.
LIKE I SAID, THE TRAIN ROLLED THE TRACKS IN SOMEWHERE AROUND MAY OF 2021.
WHEN THAT HAPPENED, WE GOT A LOT OF CLAMORING FROM STAFF, IT SAYS, WAGES ARE LOW AND PRICES ARE HIGH.
MAY OF 2022 WAS THE PINNACLE OF THAT PAIN.
THERE WAS A CALL FOR WAGE INCREASES IN WHICH THE COUNTY DID SO BY PROVIDING SOME COLLAR RAISES IN BETWEEN THAT.
FEBRUARY OF 2023 TO AUGUST OF 2024, WE CAN SEE AN INCREASE IN INFLATION TO ABOUT 2.5-3%, AND WAGES WERE ABOUT 5%, GOING FROM 2023 OF MAY TO AUGUST OF 2024.
WHEN LOOKING AT COLLAR RAISES, WE'RE INTO THAT AREA OF 5%.
THE REASON WHY IS THE CPI, I BELIEVE WHEN YOU HAVE COMMODITIES, GAS, AND GROCERIES THAT AREN'T QUITE REPRESENTED IN THE NATIONAL INFLATIONARY RATE, BUT THEY ARE REPRESENTED MORE SO ON THE CPI CONSUMER GOODS.
WHEN YOU FACTOR THOSE IN, THOSE PRICES HAVEN'T COME DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY. THEY'RE STILL UP.
WHEN WE HEAR STAFF, CONCERNED ABOUT PAY AND SALARIES,
[00:25:04]
IT REALLY IS TOUGH ON FOLKS THAT ARE THE LOWER WAGE WORKERS.THAT GRAPH ILLUSTRATES WHERE THE PANIC CAME INTO PLAY.
WHAT'S OUR INITIATIVES? WE'D LIKE TO SEE CONTINUE COMMITMENT FOR ANNUAL EMPLOYEE PAY INCREASES, WHICH THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE DEDICATED TO COUNTLESS YEARS IN THE PAST, CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ANNUAL COMPETITIVE PAY SALARY INCREASES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS AT NO ADDITIONAL OUT OF POCKET COST FOR THE EMPLOYEE.
THIS IS SOMETHING COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO, YEAR AFTER YEAR.
I CAN REMEMBER ONE YEAR A WHILE AGO WHERE IT WAS A 1% INCREASE AND THE COMMISSIONERS ACTUALLY OFFSET THAT BY 1% INCREASE IN SALARIES.
WE THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THAT.
THE PAY INCREASES ACTUALLY ARE THE DRIVING FORCE FOR EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.
A STANDARDIZED EMPLOYEE GRADE STEP PAY SCALE.
THERE'S CURRENTLY A PAY SCALE IN DEVELOPMENT.
THE CURRENT MODEL AS REFLECTED AS A HIGH MEDIUM AND LOW. EXCUSE ME.
THIS IS A REFLECTION OF NO GROWTH IN A PAY SCALE.
THE HIGH MEDIUM AND LOW DOESN'T PROVIDE ANY GROWTH OTHER THAN A COLLAR RAISES IN A PAY SCALE.
IT OVERLAPS, DOESN'T MATCH AND IS SOMEWHAT INEFFECTIVE. WHAT HAVE WE DONE? WE RECOMMEND MERIT PAY INCREASES ANNUALLY FOR STEP BASED OFF OF EMPLOYEE EVALUATIONS.
THIS WILL PROVIDE INCENTIVE FOR EMPLOYEES THAT DO GOOD WORK, THAT THEY WOULD GET THEIR MERIT PAY.
CURRENTLY, COLLAR RAISES ARE GIVEN TO EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF THE EVALUATIONS.
HOW THAT PAY SCALE LOOKS, I THINK IS CURRENTLY IN DEVELOPMENT, BUT CERTAINLY WE WOULD DIS-ENCOURAGE BUNCHING OF PAY.
WE REALLY WANT TO GET AWAY FROM THAT.
THAT WAS CONSIDERABLY A CONCERN AND PARTICULARLY IN DES, OF THE BUNCHING OF SALARIES.
CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE YEARLY COLLAR PAY INCREASES BASED ON THE ANNUAL INFLATIONARY RATE AS A COUPLE OF SLIDES AGO SHOWED, TO KEEP PACE WITH THAT, TO KEEP OUR EMPLOYEES ON TRACK.
IT SEEKS ALSO TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION, WHICH IS OUR ULTIMATE GOAL.
THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF OUR INITIATIVES THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING DISCUSSED HEAVILY IN DEPARTMENTS.
RIGHT NOW, WE WANT TO PROVIDE A HEALTH CARE PLAN AS COMPARABLE TO THE CURRENT HEALTH CARE PLAN THAT EMPLOYEES CAN TAKE INTO RETIREMENT.
WE UNDERSTAND THERE'S SOME DISCUSSION ON SOME PLANS THAT ARE BEING HELD.
WE'RE INVOLVED IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS.
BUT THE RETIREE COSTS, WE HOPE TO KEEP MATCHED WITH THE CURRENT EMPLOYEE PAYROLL DEDUCTION, WHICH I THINK IF I'M CORRECT IS ABOUT 7% FOR INDIVIDUAL.
>> WOULD PROVIDE EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE FOR RETENTION.
AGAIN, AND I DON'T MEAN TO MENTION THE DREADED WORD THE STATE, BUT THE STATE DOES OFFER IN THEIR RETIREMENT, FOR STATE EMPLOYEES TO HAVE THE OPTION TO TAKE A HEALTH CARE PLAN WITH THEM INTO RETIREMENT.
HEALTHCARE PLANS, LOOKING AT A VARIOUS TYPES OF HEALTHCARE PLANS.
THERE'S THOSE THAT ARE GOOD FOR MARYLAND DC, VIRGINIA, THAT ARE VERY COMPARABLE, INCLUDING THE FACT THAT WE DO HAVE A GREAT HEALTHCARE PLAN.
UNFORTUNATELY, YOU CAN'T TAKE THAT INTO RETIREMENT AS THE STATE.
BUT HAVING A HEALTHCARE PLAN THAT WE CAN TAKE THAT'S COMPARABLE TO WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE INTO RETIREMENT WOULD BE A HUGE BENEFIT AND RETENTION FOR OUR STAFF.
CONTINUE TO PROVIDE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE FOR RETIREES.
WHAT I DIDN'T MENTION IS, A LOT OF THIS IS BASED ON THE FACT THAT WE ANTICIPATE A VISION THAT SINCE WE'VE CHANGED A PENSION, A LOT MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO RETIRE AT PRE 65.
WE'LL NEED THAT. PRIOR TO THAT, A LOT OF FOLKS ARE RETIRING AT 65 ARE RIGHT AROUND THAT AREA.
THE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE DID ASSIST IN THAT, IF SOMEONE RETIRED AT 65, THEN THEY WOULD GET MEDICARE AND HAVE A SUPPLEMENTAL THROUGH ACCOUNTING.
WITH FOLKS NOW LOOKING AT RETIRING AT PRE 65, THIS IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT EMPLOYEES ARE GOING TO LOOK TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.
CURRENTLY, WE'RE USING A STIPEND FOR HRA COUNT, WHICH IS $550.
CERTAINLY WE THANK THE COMMISSIONER FOR OFFERING THAT.
THERE'S, I THINK A FEW PEOPLE ON THAT, FIVE I THINK.
>> WE ANTICIPATE THAT TO GROW.
[00:30:02]
NOW HOW THAT'S GOING TO LOOK FUTURISTICALLY, NOT SURE.WE UNDERSTAND THE COMMISSIONER'S CAUTION ON THAT.
I JUST WANTED TO DO A SURVEY OF MY DEPARTMENT AT DES, JUST TO GET THE FEEL OF WHERE THEY'RE AT WITH THIS TO GIVE THE COMMISSIONERS SOME IDEA OF WHAT THE FEEL IS FOR STAFF.
I JUST PULLED DES. I DID A SURVEY, AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE WAS 31 RESPONSES THAT WERE IN FAVOR OF TO PROVIDE A HEALTHCARE PLAN OPTION FOR RETIREES AND ONLY ONE TO STAY WITH THE CURRENT $550 STIPEND OPTION.
IT'S AN OVERWHELMING PROJECTION THAT STAFF WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS AS A RETENTION MECHANISM.
>> AGAIN, THIS FEEDS OFF THE PRE-65 RETIREMENT, AN ANNUAL COLA RAISE INCREASE FOR RETIREES.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COMMISSIONERS HAVE DONE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
THIS IS SOMETHING KATHLEEN AND I TALKED ABOUT AND DEBATED ABOUT EXTENSIVELY.
[LAUGHTER] WE HAVE OBVIOUSLY GREAT DEBATES.
CURRENTLY, THERE IS NO BUDGET LINE ITEM THAT IS SET ASIDE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PENSION IN THE BUDGET FOR COLA RAISES.
WHAT THE EAB WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS A LINE ITEM IN THE BUDGET THAT WILL SPECIFICALLY STATE IF IT'S 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, WHATEVER THAT WOULD BE.
THAT WAY, RETIREES PRE-65, IF YOU WERE TO RETIRE AT 55, BY THE TIME YOU BECAME SOCIAL SECURITY AGE, THE DOLLAR VALUE IS GOING TO BE 35% LESS THAN WHAT IT WAS WHEN YOU RETIRED.
WITHOUT PROVIDING THOSE COLA RAISES, EMPLOYEES WOULD FALL BEHIND MASSIVELY.
WE THANK IMMENSELY THE COMMISSIONERS FOR PROVIDING 2% COLA RAISES FOR RETIREES FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.
THAT'S A COMMITMENT THAT WE APPRECIATE AND HOPE TO CONTINUE.
THIS IS YOUR ONLY CAVEAT THAT DOESN'T FALL IN LINE CURRENTLY WITH THE STATE PENSION.
THE STATE PENSION HAS LEGISLATION THAT AUTOMATICALLY INCLUDES ANNUAL COLA RAISES BASED ON THE INFLATION RATE.
THIS WOULD ACTUALLY FALL IN LINE WITH EVERYTHING WITH THE STATE PENSION.
IT WOULD BE COMPLETELY THE SAME.
CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ANNUAL COST OF LIVING INCREASES TO RETIREES.
THIS AGAIN WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL INCENTIVE FOR EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.
THAT'S OUR INITIATIVES THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO TO GUIDE US IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
RIGHT NOW, I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ANNUAL SURVEY.
MS. KATHLEEN AND I WE'VE TALKED, AND SHE HAS PLACED US IN CHARGE OF THE 2025 AND 2024, ACTUALLY, ANNUAL EMPLOYEE SURVEY.
THE EAB CREATES THE SURVEY THAT SEEKS TO GAIN EMPLOYEE INPUT ON FUTURE INITIATIVES FOR THE COUNTY.
SURVEY IS DESIGNED TO GENERATE EMPLOYEE FEEDBACK TO ENHANCE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.
RESULTS PROVIDE AN OVERALL ANALYSIS OF THE COUNTY WORKFORCE TO BE PRESENTED TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
THE EAB WOULD SPECIFICALLY LIKE INPUT FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON QUESTIONS THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE INCLUDED ON THE SURVEY.
IT IS INCUMBENT UPON US TO ASK QUESTIONS YOU GUYS WOULD WANT TO KNOW FROM THE STAFF.
CERTAINLY WE WOULD WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS YOU GUYS WOULD WANT TO ASK THE EMPLOYEES FOR YOUR BENEFIT.
WE'RE CURRENTLY IN DEVELOPMENT OF THAT NOW.
>> BEFORE YOU GO ON, CAN I COMMENT A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SURVEY?
>> [LAUGHTER] YOU DID RECEIVE THE FULL RESULTS OF THE SURVEY.
THERE'S DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION IN THERE.
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE SURVEY TO ME IS PROBABLY IT'S TOWARDS THE END WHERE EMPLOYEES CAN TYPE IN SPECIFIC THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS.
ACTUALLY, THE WHOLE SURVEY IS IMPORTANT, I THINK.
BUT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, THERE'S THREE REASONS WE DO THE EMPLOYEE SURVEY ALL RELATED TO RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT.
ONE IS, OF COURSE, TO IDENTIFY WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO OUR EMPLOYEES AS DEMOGRAPHICS CHANGE AND WE HAVE GEN Y AND RIGHT NOW HAVE GEN ALPHA COMING ON BOARD, WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THE NEW WORKFORCE? SECOND THING WOULD BE TO IDENTIFY OUR OWN EMPLOYMENT TRENDS IN CONCERN WITH THE DEMOGRAPHIC DATA THAT WE GET FROM HUMAN RESOURCES.
WHAT'S THE AGE OF OUR WORKFORCE? WHERE ARE WE RECRUITING FROM? ARE THEY LOCAL? BECAUSE MY OWN PERSONAL INITIATIVE WHEN I THINK THE BOARDS IS, TO HOME GROW OUR STAFF AND HIRE GRADUATES FROM OUR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS, KIDS THAT GREW UP HERE MAYBE WENT AWAY TO COLLEGE AND COME BACK.
NOT THAT THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG FROM BEING FROM THE OUTSIDE BECAUSE I'M FROM THE OUTSIDE.
[00:35:04]
BUT TO RETAIN THOSE PEOPLE THAT GREW UP HERE AND CAN IDENTIFY WITH OUR OWN VALUES IN CAROLINE COUNTY.THEN THE LAST THING WOULD BE TO OBSERVE ANY DEPARTMENTAL CONCERNS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.
THAT CERTAINLY COMES OUT IN THE SURVEY FROM TIME TO TIME.
WE'VE DONE TWO SURVEYS SO FAR, 2021 AND 2024.
IN BOTH CASES, THERE WERE SOME ISSUES IN THE SURVEY, VERY DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, BUT WE FELT LIKE WE NEEDED TO ADDRESS AND THE COMMISSIONERS IN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION AND MYSELF, THIS ADMINISTRATION DID ADDRESS MOST OF THOSE CONCERNS.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT FOR ME THE EMPLOYEE SURVEY IS VERY IMPORTANT.
THIS GO AROUND, WE HAD LESS PARTICIPATION.
IT WAS VERY HEAVY ON DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES.
I THINK A BIG REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE TODD WAS APPROPRIATELY ENCOURAGING DES TO SUBMIT RESPONSES.
IN 2025, WE'LL PROBABLY, I WON'T SAY PROBABLY, I WILL DEFINITELY DO A BETTER JOB OF TRYING TO GET THE ENTIRE WORKFORCE TO RESPOND SO THAT WE HAVE MORE COVERAGE LIKE WE DID THE FIRST TIME WE DID THIS.
I WILL GO THROUGH A COUPLE OF THINGS REAL QUICK, TRENDS FROM THE SURVEY.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TOP THREE REASONS FOR EMPLOYEES TO WORK FOR CAROLINE COUNTY, THEY REALLY WERE BENEFITS.
CLOSE TO HOME, AND I GREW UP HERE.
NUMBER 2 AND NUMBER 3, THE OPPORTUNITY THAT THEY HAVE TO WORK FOR CAROLINE COUNTY, AND AND IT WAS A CAREER MOVE.
I THINK THOSE ARE ALL VERY POSITIVE TRENDS.
OF COURSE, ONE OF MY FAVORITE COMMENTS AND I WON'T CAPTURE THIS VERBATIM.
AS YOU GO THROUGH THE SURVEY, A LOT OF STAFF, SALARY AND COMPENSATION IS ALWAYS A BIG THEME.
I THINK IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE A BIG THEME NO MATTER WHAT.
THERE WAS ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO RESPONDED SOMETHING LIKE, "I FEEL LIKE MOST OF MY COMMENTS WERE ABOUT SALARY, BUT I LIKE WORKING HERE AND THAT'S PROBABLY ALWAYS WHAT MY COMMENTS ARE GOING TO BE NO MATTER WHAT I MAKE." [LAUGHTER] I THINK THAT PROBABLY CAPTURES A LOT OF PEOPLE'S PERSPECTIVE.
WE WORK BECAUSE WE ENJOY IT, BUT ALSO BECAUSE WE HAD TO MAKE A LIVING.
THERE IS SOME INFORMATION ABOUT BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION.
ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WAS, IF YOU HAD TO KEEP YOUR OVERALL COMPENSATION DOLLAR AMOUNT THE SAME, BUT YOU COULD REALLOCATE HOW YOU'RE COMPENSATED, MEANING LESS BENEFITS, MORE MONEY, MORE TIME OFF, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY WAS NO CHANGE.
THEN THE SECOND HIGHEST CATEGORY WAS OTHER, AND THEN THERE WERE ALL KINDS OF DIVERSE ANSWERS TO THAT QUESTION.
I THINK THAT'S GOOD. THEN ANOTHER AREA THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME, RANK.
THE QUESTION WAS, RANK THE FOLLOWING IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE FROM THE MOST IMPORTANT TO THE LEAST IMPORTANT.
THE MOST IMPORTANT WAS SALARY.
GOING DOWN THE LIST 1-9, SALARY, JOB SECURITY, HEALTH INSURANCE, PENSION, PAID TIME OFF, OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTION, EMPLOYER MATCH FOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION, MEANING THE 457 OR 403, WHICHEVER WE HAVE NOW.
>> THEY WERE THINKING FOR THE 457 FOR A REGULAR EMPLOYEE.
INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, NUMBER 9 WAS ABILITY TO WORK REMOTELY.
NOW, AGAIN, THAT MIGHT BE BECAUSE IT WAS DES AND THEIR WORK THEY CAN'T DO REMOTELY.
>> TRY TO SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE FROM HOME.
>> YES, THEY CAN, BUT MOST OF THOSE CASES, YOU CAN'T.
SALARY REMAINS A TOP ISSUE IN THE 2024 EMPLOYEE SURVEY.
THERE'S CERTAINLY SOME STAFF WHO MENTIONED THE LACK OF ABILITY TO PROMOTE AND SALARY IS NOT IN LINE WITH NEIGHBORING JURISDICTIONS AND NO PAY FOR PERFORMANCE.
I THINK WE'VE ADDRESSED AT LEAST TWO OF THOSE ISSUES, AND WE'RE WORKING ON POTENTIAL NEW PAY SCALE, THAT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO COMMISSION APPROVAL NEXT YEAR.
WE'RE DEFINITELY WORKING ON ADDRESSING THOSE ISSUES.
IN GENERAL, STAFF IDENTIFY THEIR COLLEAGUES, THE WORK THEY DO FOR THE COMMUNITY, THE WORK ATMOSPHERE AND THE BENEFITS, AND AS THE TOP REASONS WHY THEY WORK FOR CAROLINE COUNTY.
YOU HAVE ACCESS TO ALL OF THESE SPECIFIC ANSWERS IF YOU WANT TO GO THROUGH THEM, AND THEY'RE DEFINITELY WORTH A READ.
BUT I THINK THAT THE ANNUAL EMPLOYEE SURVEY IS A GOOD THING, AND I WOULD DEFINITELY ENCOURAGE.
I'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE EAB ON THIS, BUT IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS THAT YOU THINK WOULD BE GOOD TO GO IN THE SURVEY, PLEASE PER TODD'S REQUEST, SHARE THOSE.
>> THANK YOU, MS. KATHLEEN FOR THAT.
IN CLOSING, THE GREATEST ASSET AND I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD QUOTE.
[00:40:02]
THIS ACTUALLY COME FROM AN EMPLOYEE THAT ACTUALLY PARTICIPATED IN THE LAST SURVEY, AND SO I INCLUDED IT ON THE PRESENTATION.THE GREATEST ASSET THE COUNTY HAS ITS EMPLOYEES.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH THE EMPLOYEES HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB.
AGAIN, I REPRESENT DES, BUT DES CAN'T TRAVEL ROADS IF YOU DON'T HAVE PUBLIC WORKS.
DES CAN'T GET VEHICLES TO RUN IF YOU DON'T HAVE PUBLIC WORKS.
PARKS AND REC PARTICIPATES IN FOLKS THAT HAVE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN.
ALL THE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTY, FOLKS ARE DOING AN AMAZING JOB.
I CAN'T THANK MY BOARD ENOUGH FOR PARTICIPATING IN A TEAM.
FINALLY, JUST WE WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT.
ON BEHALF OF THE EMPLOYEES OF CAROLINE COUNTY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO THE DEDICATED MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE THE CITIZENS AND VISITORS OF CAROLINE COUNTY EACH DAY.
WE'VE GOT SOME GREAT PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE WORKING HARD FOR CAROLINE COUNTY.
THEY'RE OFTEN UNSEEN, BUT THEY'RE DOING THE WORK.
IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME, VERY HAPPY TO.
>> I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU TODD FOR TAKING THIS ON.
I'M SURE YOU DON'T GET PAID MUCH EXTRA FOR DOING THIS.
>> MS. KATHLEEN SAID [OVERLAPPING].
I THINK YOU GOT THE RIGHT ONE FOR THE JOB BECAUSE I THINK IT'S PERSISTENT AND THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE OIL BECAUSE I'M SURE YOU PROBABLY HAMMERED THIS DOWN UNTIL YOU GOT SOME RESPONSES.
LET ME ASK YOU A SERIOUS QUESTION.
WHEN YOU FIRST CAME INTO OFFICE HERE, IT SEEMED LIKE THERE WAS A LOT OF TRUST ISSUES, TEMPERAMENT ISSUES.
HAS THE TEMPERAMENT CHANGED A LITTLE BIT? DO PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY CAN TALK MORE?
>> ABSOLUTELY. WHEN I CAME IN AS THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, THE EAB WAS A DISTANT THOUGHT.
IT JUST WASN'T VERY WELL COMPOSED.
TO YOUR POINT, I WAS VERY PERSISTENT AND IN GETTING MS. KATHLEEN AND MR. DANNY BACK HERE AND MS. SHERRY INVOLVED IN ACTUALLY PUTTING THIS BOARD BACK ON TRACK TO WHERE IT'S ACTUALLY FUNDAMENTAL IN ITS MISSION.
AS FAR AS STAFF GOES IN MY DEPARTMENT, COMMUNICATION IS A LOT BETTER AS FAR AS WHAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT, AND THEY FEEL MORE SUPPORTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS THROUGHOUT THEIR CAREER NOW.
BUT AGAIN, I THINK MORE MEETINGS LIKE THIS OR MORE COMMUNICATION LIKE THIS FROM STAFF TO YOU GUYS WOULD BIND THAT GAP AND WE SEEK TO DO THAT.
>> WE'VE TALKED NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT THE MERIT STEP THING.
I PREACHED THIS FROM THE BEGINNING.
COLA SEPARATES PEOPLE TOO MUCH OF A GAP, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.
THAT IS ON THE TABLE, I THINK.
WE WERE DISCUSSING THAT WITH DANNY A LITTLE BIT AND TRYING TO TAKE THAT APPROACH SO WE CAN GET THAT IN PLACE.
>> WE WOULD CERTAINLY. ABSOLUTELY.
>> YOU DID TOUCH ON IT. I THINK ONE OF THE LAST KEYS TO EMPLOYEE RETENTION IS THE HEALTHCARE FOR RETIREES.
THAT'S A VERY HARD UNDERTAKING FOR THE COUNTY.
>> WE CONTINUE TO WORK, WE'LL GET THERE.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST FOR THE PERIOD OF TIME THAT I GOT REMAINING, I DON'T FORESEE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO HEALTHCARE BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE RETIRING AT 55.
I JUST DON'T SEE THAT. THE SAME INFLATION FIGURES THAT YOU'RE USING WE'RE FACING AS WELL.
I WOULD BE HESITANT IF I WERE YOU TO START USING THE STATE AS ANY KIND OF A MEASURE IN THE STATE, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE JUST GOT INFORMATION THAT YOU'RE PROJECTING A $299 BILLION DEFICIT FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR AND UP TO $2.7 BILLION DEFICIT. DON'T USE THEM.
>> IT'S TOUGH. I APPRECIATE YOU PUTTING ALL THIS INFORMATION TOGETHER.
THE PRIVATE SECTOR NEEDS GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS PRIVATE SECTOR TO PAY THE TAXES TO ALLOW US TO OPERATE.
OUR POSITION IS VERY DIFFICULT HERE.
WE REPRESENT THE PUBLIC, WE REPRESENT THE EMPLOYEES.
WE HAVE TO FIND THAT BALANCE BETWEEN TAKING CARE OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND ALSO TAKING CARE OF
[00:45:02]
THE TAXPAYERS AND THE CONSTITUENTS OF THE COUNTY.I THINK WE'VE DONE A GOOD JOB AT THAT SO FAR.
IT'S A CHALLENGE. DO WE ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT? I'M NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND SAY I'M PERFECT, AND I GET EVERYTHING RIGHT, BUT WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS AND APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING IT TOGETHER AND BRINGING IT BEFORE US.
WE'LL WORK TO BALANCE THOSE THINGS AS BEST WE CAN, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CITIZENS ARE GETTING THE SERVICES THAT THEY DESERVE AND THE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THIS INFORMATION AND HAVE THE INPUT OF THE EMPLOYEES, SO IT'S GREATLY APPRECIATED.
>> WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT. WE THANK THE COMMISSIONERS.
>> NEXT UP, ROBIN EATON, DIRECTOR OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
DISCUSSION OF ROAD REORGANIZATION.
[Discussion of Road Reorganization]
I DON'T THINK IT'S A REORGANIZATION, ROADS DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION.>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. WE'RE NOT REORGANIZED, WE'RE NOT REDOING MOVING ANY ROADS.
>> MY SHORT TIME HERE, I GUESS, YOU GUYS, I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EVALUATE EACH DIVISION IN THE DEPARTMENT.
THE OTHER THREE AT THIS POINT ARE NOW FULLY STAFFED AND OPERATING SMOOTHLY.
ON THE ROAD SIDE, THERE ARE SOME WANTS AND NEEDS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS AND MORE SUPPORT AND FUNDING FOR VARIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE THINGS.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE JUST WERE APPROVED RECENTLY FOR 100% FUNDING FOR TWO BRIDGES, SMITHVILLE AND LONG SWAMP.
HAVE THREE MORE IN THE PIPELINE TO HOPEFULLY GET SOME FUNDING FOR.
WE HAVE SOLAR FIELDS GOING IN, WHICH HAVE DRIVEWAY ENTRANCES THAT WE NEED TO APPROVE.
YOUR COMMITMENT TO TURNING A LOT OF THE DIRT ROADS IN THE COUNTY INTO TAR AND CHIP IS ANOTHER PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING ON.
A BIG PUSH OF THIS REORGANIZATION IS TO CREATE A PROJECT MANAGER POSITION, WHICH YOU'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THAT STRUCTURAL CHANGE.
CURRENT STAFF MEMBER WHO'S VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.
THE BRIDGE PROCESSES WITH THE STATES TO MOVE TO THAT POSITION, OPENING UP A VACANCY FOR OUR SUPERINTENDENT OF THE ROADS.
OUR ORIGINAL STRUCTURE ALSO HAS THREE CREW LEADERS.
DOING AWAY WITH ONE OF THOSE CREW LEADER POSITIONS AND CREATING AS A PROJECT INSPECTOR/UTILITY LOCATOR.
A LOT OF WORK GOING ON IN THE COUNTY RECENTLY WITH THE CHOP TANK FIBER, THAT WAS QUITE A BIT OF AN UNDERTAKING FOR THE UTILITY LOCATOR.
AGAIN, WITH THESE PROJECTS THAT ARE COMING UP, WE NEED SOMEONE ON SITE MANY OF THESE TO MAKE SURE THINGS ARE GOING THE WAY WE WANT THEM TO GO AND NO SHORTCUTS ARE BEING TAKEN.
THAT REDUCES DOWN TO TWO CREW LEADERS.
I KNOW WORKING WITH YOU THAT, WE'RE PUTTING FUNDING INTO DIRT ROADS, AND THE DIRT ROADS IN THE PAST HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED AT TIMES.
THEY'RE THE LAST ONES TO GET MOWED, THEY GET SCRAPED, WHEN WE'VE GOT ENOUGH STAFF.
I TOOK A DIRECTION TO CREATE A DIRT ROAD CREW THAT WILL BE DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ROADS, AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITY WILL BE TO BUILD UP DIRT ROADS, MORE DIRT ROADS, SCRAPE DIRT ROADS, ANYTHING RELATED TO DIRT ROADS, DITCHES, TREES BACK, AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO GET THEM ALL TARN SHIPPED.
>> CAN I INTERRUPT YOUR REAL QUICK?
>> THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION IN YOUR PACKET, AND I THINK THIS IS MY FAULT, IS NOT THE MOST REVERSION.
IN YOUR PACKET, THE PROPOSED ORGANIZATION HAS THE TWO CREW LEADERS WITH POSITIONS UNDERNEATH OF IT? AFTER ROBIN AND I DISCUSSED THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THOSE GROUPS THAT, FOR SUPERVISION AND THAT BEING A LARGE GROUP TO SUPERVISE.
FOUR PEOPLE WERE REMOVED AND PUT DIRECTLY UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ROADS IS CALLED THE DIRT ROADS CREW.
OUR SEWER HAS A COPY, IF YOU WANT TO.
>> COLOR CODED AND EVERYTHING FOR YOU.
>> I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. THAT'S MY FAULT. SORRY.
[00:50:03]
YES. TWO UNDER CREW LEADERS AND ONE DIRT ROAD CREW WITH FOUR EMPLOYEES UNDER THE ROAD SUPERINTENDENT.
>> THAT'S KATHLEEN SAYS. THAT MAKES IT A MORE MANAGEABLE TWO CREWS FOR THOSE CREW LEADERS.
A LOT OF THOSE DIRT ROAD THINGS ARE PROBABLY MORE BIGGER PROJECTS, THAT MYSELF AND THE SUPERINTENDENT WILL BE HIGHLY INVOLVED IN PLANS AND DESIGNS AND CONTRACTORS.
AND AS WELL, LIKE I SAID, THAT THEY'LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AS LONG AS THERE ARE DIRT ROADS FOR MAKING SURE THEY ARE MOWED, MAKING SURE THEY'RE SCRAPED, MAKING SURE DITCHES ARE OKAY, DRIVING THOSE DIRT 80 MILES OF DIRT ROAD THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE TO KEEP THEM AS SAFE, PASSABLE AND AS INFRASTRUCTURE SOUND AS ALL OF OUR OTHER ROADS.
WITH THAT, I MEAN, THAT'S CLEAR.
>> ACCORDING TO OUR PERSONNEL RULES AND REGULATIONS, ROBIN AND MY AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, OUR NORMAL PROCESSES, WE WOULD RECOMMEND THE REORGANIZATION TO YOU AND IT'S SUBJECT TO COUNTY COMMISSIONER APPROVAL.
ROBIN AND I ARE SEEKING YOUR APPROVAL ON THIS REORGANIZATION.
>> ANY QUESTIONS? YOU GET ANY DONE?
>> NO. I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ROADS DIVISION.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> JUST SO YOU'RE AWARE TO THERE'S TWO VACANCIES ON AND THOSE ARE THE ONLY TWO VACANCIES IN MY DEPARTMENT, THE SUPERINTENDENT, WHICH WE HAVE TWO INTERVIEWS FOR TOMORROW.
AND THEN A CREW LEADER, WHICH I SHALE AND MYSELF ARE WORKING ON POSTING IN OUR NEW GO GOV SYSTEM TODAY.
>> YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF PENDING HIRES FOR CREW WORKERS, ACTUALLY? MEMBERS?
>> NO. I WANTED TO GET THESE TWO POSITIONS SHOOK OUT FIRST AND THEN THE FILL FILL BACKFILL OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE.
I WANT TO GOT YOU GET TO THE POINT WE CAN'T MOVE THINGS AROUND.
>> NEXT UP, DISCUSSION OF COURTHOUSE SECURITY.
[Discussion of Courthouse Security]
I BELIEVE DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR DANIEL FOX HAS GOT THIS ONE.>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, AND I'LL HONESTLY BE REALLY SHORT WITH THIS.
I JUST RECEIVED A MESSAGE THAT WE'RE GOING TO TABLE THIS AND ACTUALLY DEFER IT TO NEXT TUESDAY.
JUDGE PRICE IS GOING TO COME IN AND SPEAK TO THE THREE OF YOU TO TALK ABOUT SECURITY.
ESSENTIALLY, THEY ARE SEEKING A GRANT TO REPLACE THE WINDOWS, NOT REALLY REPLACE, BUT APPLY A BULLETPROOF WINDOW ON A BACKING OF THE CURRENT WINDOWS, AND IT NEEDS THE BOARD'S APPROVAL TO DO THAT, AND I THINK SHE HAS A COUPLE OF OTHER ITEMS SHE WANTS TO TALK THROUGH.
SHE SHOULD BE BACK NEXT WEEK AND WE'LL ADD IT TO TUESDAY'S AGENDA TO TALK IN PERSON.
>> IN YOUR DISCUSSIONS? YES. WE'VE GOT TO INCORPORATE IN THIS DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT DOOR OR FIXING UP THE FRONT DOOR? THE THE DOOR IS PART OF THE DISCUSSION.
>> I BELIEVE IT IS ALL OF I'M GOING TO SAY ENTRY POINTS, DOORS, WINDOWS ON THE FRONT AS WELL AS THE I BELIEVE THE FIRST COUPLE OF ROOMS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE COURTHOUSE.
>> DOES IT I MEAN, IT'LL HANDLE A NEW DOOR, THAT'S YOUR IMPRESSION?
>> THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE SEEKING.
IS THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO GET A DOOR.
I KNOW THE DOOR HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BIGGEST TOPICS.
WE'RE NOT PUTTING SOME TYPE OF MODERN DAY LOOKING AT THE DOOR THAT DOESN'T MATCH THE CONCERN HAS BEEN REPLACING IT WITH SOMETHING THAT IS PERIOD CORRECT AND THAT LOOKS LIKE A FITS TO THE COURTHOUSE.
IF THE GRANT ALLOWS THAT TO GO THROUGH, YES.
IT'S A GRANT TO THE AOC THROUGH THE STATE, SO IT'S ALL SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL AND FUNDING.
>> BUT THE GRANT IS GOING TO HAVE TO APPROVE THAT AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.
I HAVE TO. WE'RE NOT GOING TO STICK SOMETHING OUT THERE JUST GOING TO.
>> CERTAINLY. I GUESS WHAT I'M HINTING AT, WHAT WE'RE HINTING AT IS LET'S ASK THOSE QUESTIONS UP FRONT.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO VOTE TO ACCEPT A GRANT THAT'S GOING TO MAKE US PUT SOME UGLY DOOR OUT FRONT HERE.
>> NO. WE'LL HAVE THOSE ANSWERS OR I BELIEVE THEY ALREADY HAVE THE ANSWERS FOR IT, BUT AND TALKING TO THE AOC.
I'VE BEEN OUTSIDE OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS..
>> WELL, THAT'S MY MAIN CONCERN WITH THE AESTHETICS, THE HISTORICAL LOOK OF THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING,
[00:55:03]
THE WINDOWS, DOORS, EVERYTHING.>> I CAN PASS THAT ON TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THAT KNOWLEDGE BEFORE TUESDAY.
THANK YOU. GUYS STILL GOOD? KEEP GOING? CONSENT AGENDA.
IS IT AN ACTUAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION? DO WE NEED TO GO INTO LEGISLATIVE SESSION?
>> DO I HEAR A MOTION TO GO INTO LEGISLATIVE SESSION?
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
FOR OUR LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS MORNING, WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE CAROLINE COUNTY CABLE FRANCHISE RENEWAL.
[Legislative Session: Public Hearing]
[Caroline County Cable Franchise Renewal]
THIS PUBLIC HEARING OF THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE REGARDING CABLE FRANCHISE RENEWAL WITH COMCAST.THE PUBLIC HEARING IS BEING HELD PURSUANT TO SECTION 626 OF THE FEDERAL CABLE COMMUNICATIONS POLICY ACT AND SECTION 90-12 OF THE CAROLINA COUNTY CODE OF PUBLIC LAWS, BOTH OF WHICH SET FORTH THE PROCESS FOR FRANCHISE RENEWAL.
THE COUNTY'S CURRENT FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH COMCAST EXPIRED EARLY THIS YEAR.
THE COUNTY IS UNDERGOING THE PROCESS OF RENEWING THE FRANCHISE.
THIS PUBLIC HEARING IS A PART OF THE ASCERTAINMENT PHASE OF THE FRANCHISE RENEWAL IN WHICH THE COUNTY REVIEWS THE CABLE OPERATORS PAST PERFORMANCE AND IDENTIFIES THE COUNTY'S FUTURE CABLE RELATED COMMUNITY NEEDS.
ONCE THE ASCERTAINMENT PHASE IS COMPLETE, THE COUNTY WILL PREPARE A PROPOSED FRANCHISE AGREEMENT AND ENTER INTO DISCUSSIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF COMCAST TO COMPLETE THE AGREEMENT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COUNTY.
THE COUNTY HAS ENGAGED TWO FIRMS, TO COHEN LAW GROUP, AND CBG COMMUNICATIONS TO ASSIST WITH THIS PROCESS.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PUBLIC HEARING IS TO HEAR FROM ANY CITIZENS WHO WISH TO SPEAK REGARDING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING THREE SUBJECTS, NUMBER 1, THE PAST PERFORMANCE OF THE CABLE OPERATOR UNDER THE CURRENT FRANCHISE AGREEMENT.
THIS COULD INCLUDE COMMENTS REGARDING COMCAST CABLE TECHNOLOGY, ITS CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ANY OTHER PERTINENT ISSUE.
TWO, WHETHER OR NOT IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COUNTY AND ITS RESIDENTS TO RENEW COMCAST CABLE FRANCHISE WITH THE COUNTY.
NUMBER 3, THE COUNTY'S FUTURE CABLE RELATED COMMUNITY NEEDS TO USE AS GUIDANCE FOR THE COUNTY IF IT ENTERS A NEW FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH COMCAST.
FRANCHISE RENEWAL IS THE BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ASCERTAIN THEIR RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO THEIR CABLE OPERATOR AND TO OBTAIN IMPORTANT BENEFITS IN RETURN FOR GRANTING THE CABLE OPERATOR THE LEGAL RIGHT TO USE THE COUNTY'S PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAYS.
THESE BENEFITS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING STRONG CUSTOMER SERVICE STANDARDS, A STATE OF THE ART CABLE SYSTEM NOW AND IN THE FUTURE, LEGAL PROTECTIONS OF THE COUNTY'S PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAYS, FRANCHISE FEES, AND FRANCHISE FEE ACCOUNTABILITY.
FREE OR REDUCED SERVICES TO COUNTY, SCHOOL, OR OTHER PUBLIC FACILITIES, A RESERVED PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OR GOVERNMENT CHANNEL, PEG CHANNEL.
BETTER REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ON THE CABLE OPERATOR PERTAINING TO CONSTRUCTION IN THE COUNTY, CUSTOMER SERVICE ISSUES, ETC, AND MECHANISMS TO ENSURE THAT THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT IS ENFORCEABLE.
THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE FRANCHISE RENEWAL WITH COMCAST.
CITIZENS MAY ADDRESS THESE ITEMS OR ANY OTHER CABLE RELATED ITEM THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE CABLE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT? I DON'T SEE ANYONE. [LAUGHTER]
>> COMMENT? I HAVE A QUESTION.
>> THEY TALK IN THERE ABOUT A GOVERNMENT CHANNEL? I KNOW QUEEN ANNE COUNTY HAS ONE.
HOW DO WE WHO DO WE WORK THROUGH TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT? DO YOU KNOW? WOULD IT BE ONE OF THESE LAW FIRMS?
>> WE CAN CERTAINLY SPEAK TO COHEN ABOUT THAT AS WELL AS THE COMCAST CONTACT THAT WE'RE DEALING THROUGH
[01:00:03]
THROUGH THE NEGOTIATION AND TALK ABOUT HOW THE SPECIFICS OF ACCESSING THAT AND WHAT WE WOULD NEED TO PROVIDE TO DO THAT.I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO THAT AND I'M NOT PREPARED TO HAVE THE COUNTY SPEND ANY MONEY.
THEY SHOULD SPEND THEIR MONEY TO DO IT.
SO IF IT MEANS, YOU KNOW, ANY UPGRADE AS FAR AS SOFTWARE OR SOMETHING, THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE SHOULD PAY FOR.
>> WE COULD EVEN, PUT THAT PLACEHOLDER IN EVEN IF WE'RE NOT PREPARED TO USE SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
I MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO USE IT GOING FORWARD.
>> IF IT'S PART OF THIS AGREEMENT, WE SHOULD HAVE, THAT'S ALL. MR. BURKS? NO.
>> I JUST WISH I COULD GET IT.
>> STAR LINK, MAN. GET STARLINK NOW.
>> CHECK INTO IT. HOW ABOUT SHOP TANK FIBER.
>> IT'S THERE. A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> SECOND. MOTION SECOND. AS IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> AYE. I HEAR A MOTION TO CLOSE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
>> SO MOVED. YOU CAN FIGURE THAT ONE OUT [LAUGHTER] MOTION SECOND.
>> NOW WE GO TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[Consent Agenda]
ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, COMMENTS, ANYTHING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? MR. REPORTER.>> WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY IN HERE FROM DES.
>> I'M JUST WONDERING IF WE'LL EVER REACH A POINT WHERE WE WON'T BE BUYING STRIKER STRIKERS.
WE SHOULD HAVE THEM OVER THERE. WE SHOULD HAVE 70 OF THEM OVER THERE, READY TO GO. THAT'S ALL.
>> THEY'RE NOT CHEAP EITHER. COMMISSION BARTS?
>> DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> FIRST AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS.
[County Administrator’s Report]
>> I HAVE SOME UPDATES FOR YOU ON YOUR PRIORITY PROJECTS, AND I THINK THAT AT SOME POINT, PROBABLY IN THE NEXT TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR, WE'LL REVISIT THE PRIORITY PROJECTS BECAUSE SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN ALL GREAT NEWS?
>> YOUR LIST OF PRIORITY PROJECTS.
THE COMMISSIONERS LIST. THE FIRST ITEM I HAVE IS REGARDING DAY SPRINGS APARTMENTS.
WE HAD I THINK I HAD RECEIVED AN E MAIL FROM PAM FERGUSON AT EAST COAST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT THAT WAS FORWARDED ONTO YOU JUST AN UPDATE OF THEIR PROGRESS ON SOME OF THE REPAIRS RELATED TO THE INSPECTION THAT OUR INSPECTION AGENCY DID.
SO ALL SMOKE DETECTORS WERE INSTALLED, I THINK, WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THEM RECEIVING THAT REPORT.
ALL ELECTRICAL ITEMS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED.
GLASS FOR WINDOWS THAT FOR THE FEW CRACKED WINDOWS HAD BEEN ORDERED FROM GO GLASS, MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED BY TODAY.
AS OF LAST WEEK, IT HAD BEEN ORDERED.
AND THEN THE LIST OF OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS WAS BEING ADDRESSED BY THE SITE MANAGER, SO PAM IS SUPPOSED TO SEND ME ANOTHER UPDATE THIS WEEK.
THERE WAS AT LEAST ONE VIOLATION NOTICE SENT OUT TO A TENANT REGARDING THE DRYER ISSUE, WHERE THE EVENT WAS CONNECTED TO COME BACK IN TO THE BUILDING.
THE DOOR REPLACEMENTS WHERE A COUPLE OF THE DOORS AND DOOR FRAMES WERE BROKEN, THOSE HAVE BEEN REPLACED.
AGAIN, SHE IS TO SEND ME ANOTHER UPDATE THIS WEEK.
REGARDING, AS YOU KNOW, SECRETARY DAY IS COMING TO VISIT IN EARLY DECEMBER, AND LAST WEEK, WE DISCUSSED, SENDING A LETTER TO SECRETARY DAY REGARDING OUR CONCERNS WITH THE FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF DAYSPRING APARTMENTS.
DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, DANNY AND I HAVE WORKED ON THAT, AND THAT'LL BE GOING OUT TODAY.
THAT'S IT FOR DAY SPRING, AND LET'S SEE WHAT ELSE I HAVE.
HOLD ON. TWO ITEMS, WE'LL TALK ABOUT SEPARATELY.
[01:05:03]
I HAVE REGARDING THE MISO REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER.OUR WARDEN AND DEPUTY WARDEN ARE CONTINUING TO MEET BI WEEKLY WITH THE CONTRACTOR WHO'S WORKING ON THE PLANES FOR THE REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER.
I'VE REACHED OUT TO THE TODD MON, QUITMAN COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, AND SHELLY HELLER, THE KENT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WITH OUR COMMENTS FOR THE REPORT.
I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT THAT LAST WEEK.
I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING BACK FROM THEM YET.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SHELLY HELLER HAS SENT SOME ADDITIONAL COMMENTS REGARDING SOME REQUIREMENTS FOR SHUTTERING THEIR DETENTION CENTER AND OUR DETENTION CENTER AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
I BELIEVE WE HAD ANOTHER UPDATE FROM LAMONT COOK LAST WEEK.
HOWEVER, WHAT I'M GOING TO CONSIDER OUR PRIMARY CONCERN, THE AGREEMENT VERSUS THE AUTHORITY.
WHICHEVER WAY WE GO AND HOW THOSE DETAILS END UP WORKING OUT HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED, SO I DON'T THINK WE CAN MOVE TOO FAST FORWARD WITHOUT HAVING THAT RESOLVED.
THERE IS A COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS MEETING IN EARLY DECEMBER WHERE I WILL SEE BOTH OF THEM.
AND I MAY BRING IT UP WITH THEM AT THAT POINT, OR ALSO WE'LL ALL BE TOGETHER AT WINTER MAKO AND WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION AT THAT TIME.
BUT IN THE MEANTIME, BOTH THE WARDEN AND THE DEPUTY WARDEN ARE CONTINUING TO MEET AND WORK ON THE REPORTS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION WITH THE CONSULTANTS.
I'M RELUCTANT TO BRING THIS UP, BUT I WILL.
WE DO HAVE A COST ESTIMATE FOR THE BUILDING RENOVATIONS ACROSS THE STREET, AND IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN I THINK WE EVER PLANNED ON.
THIS WOULD BE FOR THE ASHLEY INSURANCE BUILDING WHERE ECONOMIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM WOULD GO.
THE CURRENT COST ESTIMATE WE RECEIVED IS $200,000.
WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THAT, FIGURE OUT WHAT A PLAN B IS, MAYBE SCALE IT BACK.
BUT THAT'S LITERALLY, I THINK I GOT IT LAST NIGHT OR THIS MORNING, SO THAT IS SUPER HOT OFF THE PRICES.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
WHICH UNFORTUNATELY IS A LITTLE BIT OF A DELAY HERE TRYING TO GET INTO THAT BUILDING.
OH, ACTUALLY, NO, IT'S NOT. COURTHOUSE PARKING.
IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE MAY BE FUNDING FOR IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THERE WILL BE FUNDING FROM THE STATE FOR ANY OF THE PARKING PLANS OR THE EXPANSION PLANS THAT WE HAD FOR THE BACK OF THE BUILDING, THAT DID NOT IMPACT THE REST OF THE COURTHOUSE GREEN.
I DID ATTEND THE DENTON TOWN COUNCIL MEETING ON OCTOBER 21, WHERE THEY PROPOSED AN ORDINANCE TO GIVE THE COUNTY SOME ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES AROUND THE COURTHOUSE.
THEY ULTIMATELY DID PASS THAT ORDINANCE.
THE TOWN HAS VERY GRACIOUSLY GIVEN US WELL, I DON'T SAY GIVEN US.
PROVIDED FOR US TO HAVE BASICALLY NINE PARKING SPOTS AROUND THE COURTHOUSE AT A FEE OF $25 PER YEAR TO SOMEBODY WHO WANTS TO HAVE THAT PARKING PERMIT.
WE JUST HAVE TO FIGURE OUT ON THE BACKSIDE, HOW THAT GETS ALLOCATED.
IF WE IMPLEMENT OUR PARKING PLANS FOR THE PARKING LOT, IF THAT FUNDING COMES THROUGH, THAT, INCLUDING THESE NINE SPOTS WOULD PROVIDE PARKING FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY WHO WORKS IN THIS BUILDING.
THE TRICK IS GOING TO BE IF YOU DECIDE, I'LL JUST USE MYSELF.
I DON'T PLAN TO HAVE A PARKING PASS, BUT IF I DID, I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE NOT TO PARK BEHIND THE COURTHOUSE BECAUSE I'M ALREADY TAKING UP A SPOT OUTSIDE.
THOSE PARKING PASSES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE ASSIGNED TO SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS, SO IT'S NOT LIKE ANYBODY THAT WORKS IN THE COURTHOUSE CAN USE ONE OF THOSE PARKING SPOTS LIKE WE HAD ORIGINALLY HOPED FOR.
SO DANNY AND I ARE GOING TO WORK ON HOW TO HANDLE THAT.
THERE'S OTHER ASSIGNED PARKING ON ONE SIDE OF THE BUILDING FOR I GUESS THE STATE'S ATTORNEY OFFICE.
I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A BIGGER DISCUSSION ABOUT THESE PARKING PERMITS AGAIN AND HOW THAT WORKS, BECAUSE IF WE HAVE ASSIGNED PARKING OVER THERE, THEY SHOULDN'T BE PARKING BEHIND THE BUILDING EITHER, BECAUSE NOBODY ELSE CAN USE THOSE SPOTS.
THIS IS TO ME A REALLY MINOR ISSUE IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF EVERY ISSUE WE'RE WORKING ON.
THERE'S AMPLE PARKING IN THE MUNICIPAL LOT, SO I'M NOT TOO CONCERNED ABOUT IT, BUT I DO WANT TO BRING UP THAT THE TOWN OF DENTON.
HAS AGREED TO GIVE US THOSE ADDITIONAL PARKING PERMITS, WHICH IS A GOOD THING FOR OUR STAFF.
[01:10:02]
COMCAST FRANCHISE AGREEMENT.YOU JUST HELD YOUR PUBLIC HEARING FOR THAT, SO WE'LL MOVE THAT FORWARD.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING?
>> I DID NOT. YOU BROUGHT ACROSS THE STREET.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER URBAN DISCUSSION PERIOD.
>> JANE, CAN I MAKE A SUGGESTION HERE THAT PROBABLY ISN'T GOING TO WORK, BUT THE LEGISLATIVE BADGES THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER.
I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY THERE COULDN'T BE A REPRESENTATIVE AT WINTER MAKO.
FOR US TO TURN IN OUR BADGES AND GET THEM.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MOST OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT ARE GOING TO BE IN THAT LOCATION OR A LARGE MAJORITY OF THEM.
I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT PEOPLE FROM WAY.
IT'S A DRIVE FOR US, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE ASKED TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO COME GET THEM.
THERE SHOULD BE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM DLS THERE WHO CAN TURN THEM IN AND ISSUE NEW ONES WHILE WE'RE ALL IN ONE LOCATION.
>> WE DIDN'T HAVE TO GO PICK THEM UP LAST TIME WHEN WE GOT TO.
>> CAYLEE PICKED HIM UP, TO ASK PEOPLE TO HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO GO GET I'VE BEEN THROUGH THAT PROCESS BEFORE, IT'S RIDICULOUS.
I DON'T CARE IF I GET ONE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.
IF THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE ME ONE, THEY DON'T HAVE TO GIVE ME ONE, BUT LAST WEEK I WAS CONTACTED BY COMMISSIONER WILSON FROM QUITMAN COUNTY WHO HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE JOBS BEING CREATED BY THE SOLAR PROJECTS.
THEY'RE NON LOCAL. THEY'RE NOT LOCAL, AND SO I WANTED TO THANK CRYSTAL BECAUSE I GOT IN TOUCH WITH HER. SHE FORWARDED HIM.
WHAT INFORMATION SHE HAD ABOUT THE GENERAL CONTRACTORS THAT WERE DOING THE WORK.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S MANY LOCAL JOBS BEING BEING CREATED BY THAT.
THERE'S WORK GOING ON, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S LOCAL, SO THEY CAN SHOVE THAT ARGUMENT AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.
SOAR DISCUSSION WITH THIS AFTERNOON AT ONE O'CLOCK.
DO WE HAVE ANY, OR IS THERE ANY UPDATE ON THE LANDFILL? WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT THAT FOR A WHILE.
ARE WE STILL, I ASSUME WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF IT MOVING FORWARD, BUT THERE'S ALSO, WHILE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ROADS, THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME ROADS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DOING.
DO WE HAVE ANY SCHEDULE ON WHEN THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
>> YES. WHEN WE HAD OUR LAST QUARTER ADMINISTRATORS MEETING WITH THE OTHER COUNTIES AND MES, THEY HAD LAID OUT A SCHEDULE THAT I BELIEVE HAD THEM SPECKING AND DOING THE ENGINEERING THIS WINTER, AND THEN GOING OUT TO BID WITH THE INTENT TO AWARD SPRING AND SUMMER OF THIS UPCOMING 25.
I'LL DOUBLE CHECK THAT AND CIRCULATE IT.
AS FAR AS THE EXTENSION AND US RECEIVING THAT MONEY.
WE DID RECEIVE OUR FIRST QUARTERS REPORT WHERE THEY DISCLOSED THE TONNAGE THAT WAS COMING IN, THE CALCULATIONS THAT ESSENTIALLY CALCULATED TO US RECEIVING ABOUT $119,000 FOR THE FIRST QUARTERS PAYMENT.
I REVIEWED THAT. I TOLD THEM, PLEASE MOVE FORWARD WITH CUTTING THE CHECK, AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE ACTUAL FUNDING TO DATE.
WE DO HAVE A MEETING COMING UP, I BELIEVE, DECEMBER 3 THAT KATHLEEN HAD MENTIONED, SO I CAN BRING THAT UP AND ASK WHAT THE STATUS OF THAT PAYMENT IS AS FAR AS RECEIVING THAT.
>> CAN WE GET SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON WHAT ROADS AND WHAT AREAS OF THE ROAD WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SO WE CAN START LETTING PEOPLE KNOW.
>> I BELIEVE A MAP AND ALL OF THAT WAS DISCLOSED IN THAT REPORT THAT THEY HAD GIVEN US AT THE LAST QUARTER, SO I'LL SHARE THAT WITH THE BOARD SO YOU GUYS HAVE THAT INFORMATION. THANK YOU.
>> GOD. THE STEWART, I'M JUST WONDERING, I THINK THE INFORMATION NORMALLY, AND THIS IS JUST A GENERAL QUESTION, THE YOUNG MAN WHO CAME BEFORE US IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
WHAT TYPE OF OF A RESPONSE DO WE HAVE TO SOMETHING? I KNOW WE DON'T GET INTO THE COURT SYSTEMS AND THINGS LIKE THAT,
[01:15:04]
BUT HE APPARENTLY IS COMING BEFORE US AND PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION, EXPECTING SOMETHING.DO WE PREPARE? IS IT YOU'RE SUGGESTING WE REPAIR OR PREPARE A RESPONSE TO HIM? I HATE TO JUST IGNORE PEOPLE WHO COME BEFORE US.
HE'S A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> WITHOUT SPENDING A LOT OF STAFF TIME DIGGING INTO THE DETAILS OF THE FACTS?
>> IT IS NOT YOUR BELL WIDTH REALLY TO GET INTO A CRITIQUE OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, I THINK, IN THIS SITUATION OR SOCIAL SERVICES OR THE COURTS.
I THINK PERHAPS PART OF THE MOTIVATION FOR COMING AND MAKING A STATEMENT LIKE THAT WAS TO PUBLICIZE IT TO PUT PRESSURE ON THOSE ENTITIES.
I DON'T THINK HE SERIOUSLY EXPECTED THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO INTERVENE IN ANY WAY.
IN A FACTUAL SITUATION SUCH AS HE DESCRIBED, SO IT COULD BE A BRIEF RESPONSE, AND YOU COULD SAY HOW MUCH STAFF TIME YOU WANT TO HAVE SOME BACKGROUND DEVELOPED BEFORE YOU DRAFT THAT RESPONSE, BUT WE DON'T HAVE A CONTACT FOR HIM.
>> WE DON'T HAVE AN ADDRESS TO RESPOND TO HIM, BUT I MEAN, I I JUST HATE TO HAVE IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO INTERVENE, WE SHOULD TELL HIM THAT, AND WE SHOULD LET HIM KNOW.
I DON'T THINK THAT WE HAVE ANY BUSINESS, ALTHOUGH WE DO HAVE REPRESENTATION ON THE SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD WHERE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES FALLS INTO IT, BUT I'M NOT LOOKING FOR BUT SOMEONE COMES IN, PREPARES A STATEMENT.
I JUST THINK WE SHOULD SAY, THANK YOU FOR LETTING US KNOW, BUT IT DOESN'T FALL UNDER ANY OF OUR JURISDICTION.
IF IT'S NOTHING MORE THAN THAT, THEN I'M FINE WITH THAT.
I JUST THINK WE JUST I DON'T I DON'T WANT TO SEE IT JUST GO IN GO IN THE RECORD AND HAVE IT BEING WORKED.
AT LEAST I DON'T LIKE TO NOT RESPOND TO PEOPLE.
MAYBE WE COULD GENERATE SOME TYPE OF A VERY SHORT RESPONSE, ACKNOWLEDGE HIS PRESENTATION AND JUST LET IT GO.
>> I CAN SEE JANE'S MIND WORKING ON LIKE I AM.
WE HAVE PHONE CALLS LIKE THIS A LOT.
SO TYPICALLY WHEN WE GET THAT, WE HAVE A GENERAL RESPONSE AND THEN WE REACH OUT TO DSS SAYING, HEADS UP, THIS HAS OCCURRED.
>> CAN YOU COMMUNICATE BACK WITH THE PERSON? WE CAN DO THAT WITH STATE'S ATTORNEY UPSTAIRS, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND DSS.
>> THAT'S ALL I HAVE. I'M SPEAKING BEFORE THE GREENSBORO LIONS CLUB TO LATE AT 6:30, SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.
>> THE LANDFILL, THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO ASK EARLIER, DO WE HAVE ANY SAY OVER OPERATIONS? I NOTICED THEY BOUGHT SOME NEW EQUIPMENT OUT THERE.
DID THEY ASK FOR APPROVAL FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS OR IS IT PRETTY MUCH THEY DO WHATEVER THEY WANT?
>> IT'S AN INTERESTING AGREEMENT.
>> YEAH. I CAN'T SAY DURING MY TENURE GOING TO THOSE MEETINGS OVER THE PAST PROBABLY TWO YEARS, THEY HAVE EVER BROUGHT FORWARD DECISION MAKING TO THAT CAPACITY AS FAR AS EQUIPMENT OR ASSETS.
>> DID THEY EVER ASK FOR ANY INPUT? BASICALLY WE'RE BEHOLDING TO MES, IS THE OPERATION OF THE LANDFILL, CORRECT?
>> WHAT ABOUT THE BUDGET, THEN?
>> YEAH. THERE'S REALLY NO INPUT TO THAT, WAGES, SALARIES.
I DON'T HAVE ANY OF THAT DISCUSSION OR SOMETHING.
>> CAN'T HELP IT GET CURIOUS IF THE PURCHASE PRICE FOR THE VEHICLES JUST MAKE UP A NUMBER $300,000.
HOW MUCH OF THAT IS? BECAUSE THE TITLE IS IN MES, RIGHT?
>> BUT IT'S BUDGETED AS AN EXPENSE OF THE LANDFILL.
>> YES. THE MATURE REGIONAL LANDFILL.
>> WHAT HAPPENS TO THE VEHICLE SUBSEQUENTLY? IS IT CARRIED ON THE BOOKS IN SOME WAY?
>> TO THAT AND YOUR QUESTION OF TITLING VERSE.
IT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION BECAUSE THEY, I DON'T WANT TO SAY THEY RUN TWO SETS OF BOOKS, BUT JUST LIKE US, THEY'RE RUNNING CUSTODIAL AND FIDUCIARY FUNDS INSIDE OF THEIR STATEMENTS TITLED MITCHELL REGIONAL LANDFILL.
IT'S CAPITALIZED, DEPRECIATED, AND THAT ASSETS SHOWS IT.
>> WHEN THEY DISPOSE OFF THEIR MONEY SHOULD GO BACK INTO THAT FUND INTO THAT ACCOUNT?
>> CORRECT. THAT WE TYPICALLY SEE BUT AS FAR AS TRULY HOLDING A TITLE, YES.
[01:20:02]
I WOULD ASSUME IT'S TITLED TO MES.BUT ACCOUNTING WISE AND GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES, THEY SHOULD RECORD THAT ALL UNDER MID SHORE AND ANY SALE SHOULD GO BACK TO MID SHORE.
>> THOSE MEETINGS ARE TOTALLY JUST THEM INFORMATIONAL.
THEY ARE NOT ANY INPUT OR VOTES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT HAPPENING.
>> NOT SINCE I'VE BEEN TO ANY OF THE MEETINGS.
NO. THEY HAVE A POWERPOINT THEY TYPICALLY PRESENT THAT GOES OVER CURRENT OPERATIONS.
>> I WAS IN THERE THE OTHER DAY, THEY'VE GOT A NEW COMPACTOR AND IT'S SOME OFF THE WALL THING.
I'M NOT EVEN SURE IT'S NOT ELECTRIC.
I DON'T KNOW IT LOOKED TO ME LIKE IT MIGHT BE ELECTRIC. I DON'T KNOW.
>> SOME CRAZY LOOKING MACHINE BRAND THAT I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH SO.
>> WE DEFINITELY HAVE THE CAPACITY OR THE RIGHT TO INQUIRE AND ASK ON HOW THOSE DECISIONS WERE MADE AND WHAT WAS BOUGHT IF THAT I WANTED TO OCCUR.
>> ALL RIGHT. SO I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON A CONSTITUENT ISSUE LAST WEEK.
WE HAD AN APPLICANT WENT IN, WANTS TO PUT AN ADDITION ON HIS HOUSE, AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TOLD HIM TO HAVE A EVALUATION OF HIS EXISTING SYSTEM DONE AND THEY COULD HAVE PULLED THE FILE AND LOOKED AT THE FILE AND SAW THAT THE SEPTIC WAS FROM 1975, AND THERE WAS NO REAL RECORD OF IT.
WHETHER IT PASSED OR FAILED THE EVALUATION, IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE.
BUT YET THE CONSTITUENT STILL HAD TO GO DOWN THIS RABBIT HOLE, PAY THE CONTRACTOR TO DO AN EVALUATION.
THE CONTRACTOR SAID THAT THE SYSTEM WAS FINE, COMES BACK INTO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID, WELL, IT DOESN'T MATTER THAT IT'S FINE.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO PASS WATER AND SEWER VERIFICATION ANYWAY. WE'RE WORKING THROUGH IT.
I THINK THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO RELOOK AT THEIR STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
ANOTHER HOT TOPIC THERE IS A DEFINITION OF A BEDROOM.
THIS PERSON WANTS TO PUT ADDITION ON HER HOUSE.
IT'S TWO BEDROOMS AND THEY WANT TO TURN ONE OF THEIR EXISTING BEDROOMS INTO AN OFFICE DEN OR PLAY ROOM.
BASICALLY, IT'S A PLAY ROOM FOR KIDS.
THEY'RE NOT PLANNING ON HAVING ANY MORE CHILDREN.
BUT THEY WANT THE KIDS RIGHT NOW WHO SHARE ONE BEDROOM TO HAVE TWO INDIVIDUAL BEDROOMS. IT'S OPENED A WHOLE PANDORA'S BOX OVER WHAT THE DEFINITION OF A BEDROOM IS NOW AS WELL.
TRYING TO WORK THROUGH THEM WITH HOW DO WE DEFINE A BEDROOM.
IN COMAR, IT IS VERY VAGUE AS TO WHAT A BEDROOM IS.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE DOESN'T REALLY DEFINE A BEDROOM EITHER.
WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE THAT OUT.
THEN I HEAR PEOPLE WHO TAKE A GARAGE AT THEIR HOUSE AND CONVERT IT INTO TWO BEDROOMS, AND WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
TO ME, TELL THEM PUT A GARAGE ON, SAY IT'S A GARAGE, AND THEN TURN IT INTO A BEDROOM BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
BUT I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THAT LAST WEEK AND I DON'T WANT TO SAY IT'S THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THEM.
I THINK IT'S WITH STATE REGULATION COMAR, MDE, THE WHOLE CONVOLUTED SYSTEM THAT IS SET UP ON HOW ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IS ADMINISTERED.
IT'S STATE LAW WITH REGULATIONS IMPOSED BY MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, ENFORCED BY THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.
IT MAKES NO SENSE. IF MD IS GOING TO PASS THE REGS, WHY DON'T THEY DO THE ENFORCEMENT ON THE REGS? THEN THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT CAN'T GET CLEAR GUIDANCE.
APPARENTLY, THEY HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, NOT JUST OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT, BUT MULTIPLE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, PROBABLY EVERY IN THE STATE, HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR MDE TO DEFINE A BEDROOM, AND MDE WILL NOT DO IT.
NOW, TO ME, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR, BECAUSE THEY CAN COME BACK AND SAY EVERY ROOMS COULD BE CONSIDERED A BEDROOM. I DON'T KNOW.
IT WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE TO ME AND CRYSTAL PLANNING CODES OR PLANNING CODES DIRECTOR ACTUALLY SUGGESTED THIS THAT THE SEPTIC SYSTEM SIZE SHOULD BE BASED OFF THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF THE HOUSE, NOT A NUMBER OF BEDROOMS WHICH TEND TO AGREE WITH,
[County Commissioners Open Discussion Period]
[01:25:04]
BUT THAT'S A LITTLE TOO COMMON SENSE, I THINK.SO WORKING THROUGH THAT, I SENT ALL THE INFORMATION OVER TO ROBIN REGARDING THE HIGH SCHOOL BATHROOM PROJECT, GOT THAT, AND I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING SO I MUST HAVE BEEN DETAILED ENOUGH.
I THINK I LAID OUT WHAT OUR THOUGHTS WERE THERE.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE'RE STILL WAITING ON A SETTLEMENT DATE FOR THAT.
DID ALL OF US RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE CONCERNED CONSTITUENT ABOUT THE LIGHTS?
>> DO YOU GET THAT. WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A NEIGHBOR THROUGH THE WOODS THAT BACKS UP TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT THAT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT SPECIFICALLY THE LIGHTING OF THE FACILITIES PERSON ALSO DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT DEVELOPING IT INTO ATHLETIC FIELDS FIT THE PURPOSE OF PROGRAM OPEN SPACE, WHICH I THINK WE RESPONDED TO THAT AND CLARIFIED THAT IT ABSOLUTELY DOES FIT, AND THAT'S WHAT THE INTENT OF PROGRAM OPEN SPACE IS.
WE ARE WAITING ON 80% PLAN SET BACK FROM THE ENGINEER, AND WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THE DECEMBER 13 TOWN OF DENTON PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.
I WOULD EXPECT OPPOSITION FROM A NEIGHBOR OR TWO AT THAT MEETING SO WE MAY WANT TO BE PREPARED TO LAY OUT WHY IT MAKES SENSE YOU KNOW TO RELOCATE THE PARK FROM LOCKERMAN FIELD OUT AND IF WE DO MAKE THAT SUBMISSION DEADLINE OF DECEMBER 13, I BELIEVE THEY'RE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS ARE AT 6:00, BUT I HAVE TO CHECK ON THAT.
>> I THOUGHT HE WAS ALSO HAPPY THOUGH IF THERE WAS SOME PLAYGROUND ISSUES ADDRESSED.
>> WELL, THE TOWN IS PLANNING TO PUT A PLAYGROUND AT THE PORTION THEY'RE KEEPING. IT'S A MIXED BAG.
WITH ANY DEVELOPMENT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME PEOPLE WHO OPPOSE IT, BUT I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE EMAIL THAT LARRY REFERENCED EARLIER THAT WE RECEIVED.
APPARENTLY, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES PROJECTS A $299 MILLION DEFICIT IN THIS FISCAL YEAR.
SO THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, THEY'RE SHORT 299.
IF THE CURRENT LAW, SPENDING PROCUREMENT POLICIES THAT ARE IN PLACE STAY IN EFFECT, THAT'S GOING TO BALLOON TO $2.7 BILLION IN FY26, WHICH WOULD BE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
THE CALLS AS PRESENTED BY DLS, WAS A DECLINE IN ONE TIME REVENUE AND INCREASE IN SPENDING.
BY FY30, IF THEY STAY ON THE CURRENT TRACK, THE DEFICIT WOULD BALLOON TO 5.9 BILLION AND THE SPENDING IS MAINLY ON ENTITLEMENTS AND EDUCATION.
APPARENTLY, THE SOLUTIONS THAT WERE PRESENTED DURING THIS BRIEFING WERE TAKING MONEY OUT OF THE RAINY DAY FUND, WHICH WE'VE ALREADY DONE DISCONTINUING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RAINY DAY FUND, SO NOT ONLY RATING IT, BUT ALSO NOT REPLENISHING IT AND GOING FOR BONDS, BASICALLY BORROWING THE MONEY FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS AS OPPOSED TO PAYING FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS OUT OF CURRENT FUNDS.
THEN HE ALSO WENT ON TO LAY OUT CONCERNS WITH THE RECENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OR, I GUESS, NATIONAL ELECTION RESULTS WITH THE POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS TO THE ECONOMY OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND BY LAYING OUT THAT 8% OF MARYLAND TAXPAYERS RECEIVE A FEDERAL W2.
SO 8% ARE EMPLOYED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN SOME CAPACITY.
FEDERAL CONTRACTS FOR WORK PERFORMED IN MARYLAND TOTALS $42 BILLION AND MARYLAND RECEIVES ABOUT 19 BILLION IN FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT GOES INTO THE BUDGET FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
TOUGH TIMES MAY LAY AHEAD AS YOU POINTED OUT EARLIER.
[01:30:01]
>> WELL, I JUST THINK THAT THE REALIZATION HERE IS COMING VERY SOON THAT THE BLUEPRINT IS UNSUSTAINABLE.
I DON'T EVEN THINK IT'S PROBABLY JUST UNSUSTAINABLE FOR THE COUNTIES.
IT'S UNSUSTAINABLE FOR THE STATE.
AND SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE, SOMEBODY'S GOING TO HAVE TO ADMIT AND I DON'T KNOW WHO IT'S GOING TO BE OR WHEN IT'S GOING TO BE, SOMEBODY'S GOING TO HAVE TO ADMIT THAT THIS WAS A BAD IDEA.
WE'LL SEE HOW LONG THAT TAKES.
BUT UNTIL THAT IS DONE, I THINK WE'RE JUST GOING TO CONTINUE TO TRAVEL DOWN THIS ROAD AND AS THE VICE TIGHTENS AT THE STATE LEVEL IS GOING TO TIGHTEN EVEN MORE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL.
I THINK ALL OF THIS PLANNING THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING AND TRYING TO FIND OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE.
IT JUST MAKES ME EVEN MORE CONVINCED THAT WE'LL TAKE SOME CRITICISM OVER THE LANDFILL BILL, BUT WE'VE GOT TO START FIGURING OUT WAYS TO GENERATE REVENUE DIRECTLY TO THIS COUNTY BECAUSE I JUST HAVE A FEELING THAT THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF OF THE END.
IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY, VERY INTERESTING LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND WE'LL HAVE TO RIDE THE STORM.
BUT I MEAN, IT'S GOING TO BE BAD.
EVERYBODY THAT I TALK TO IS JUST SAYING BUCKLE UP BECAUSE IT'S GETTING BAD.
NOT BLAMING ANYBODY, I'M JUST SAYING THAT IT'S GOING TO BE BAD AND I THINK THE OTHER THING IS GOING TO BE THE UNREALISTIC GOALS THAT HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE COUNTY IS GOING TO REALLY TAKE A HIT BASED ON THE MOST RECENT NATIONAL ELECTIONS BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY THAT'S GOING TO COME FUNNELING DOWN TO THE STATES ANYMORE.
THAT SPIKE IS GOING TO GET SHUT OFF AS WELL.
>> HERE'S AN ARTICLE IN THE HILL.
I WAS GETTING READY ON THAT POINT IN THE HILL ON THEIR WEBSITE THIS MORNING, MANY REPUBLICANS ARE ALSO LOOKING AT RE-PURPOSING CLEAN ENERGY FUNDS APPROVED BY DEMOCRATS.
>> ONE OF TWO THINGS HAS TO HAPPEN.
THE GOALS HAVE TO BE RECONFIGURED OR RE THOUGHT.
OR IN ORDER TO MEET THOSE GOALS, THE STATE IS GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DOUBLE DOWN ON WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO SPEND AND WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO PUT ON OUR FARM LAND IN ORDER TO MEET THOSE GOALS.
THERE'S NO QUESTION IN MY MIND THAT SUBSIDIES ARE BEING USED TO MAKE THESE SOLAR PROJECTS WORK.
IF THOSE SUBSIDIES ARE NOT GOING TO BE COMING DOWN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE STATE'S GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO COME UP WITH THEM AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE CRUNCH IS GOING TO COME.
>> THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. THAT'S ALL I HAD.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK DURING THE CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? NONE SEEN.
[Public Comment]
I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO GO IN CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE APPOINTMENT,[Closed Sessions: Discussion of Appointment, Employment, or Assignment of County Employee: & to Consult with Counsel to Obtain Legal Advice: Authority: 2014 Md. Code, State Government 3-305 (b) (1) & (7)]
EMPLOYMENT OR ASSIGNMENT OF COUNTY EMPLOYEE AND TO CONSULT LEGAL COUNSEL TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON HER AUTHORITY, 2014, MARYLAND CODE, STATE GOVERNMENT 3-305B(1) AND 7.>> I NEED A ROLL CALL VOTE HERE, COMMISSIONER PORTER?
>> AYE.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.