[00:03:54]
[Call to Order: Invocation, Rev Don Reynolds, Calvary Baptist Church of Denton; Pledge of Allegiance; Agenda Review]
WHICH IS NOW IN ORDER. THIS MORNING WE HAVE OUR INVOCATION BY REVEREND DON REYNOLDS OF CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF DENTON, AND THAT'LL BE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OF EVERYONE.PLEASE RISE, REVEREND. LET US PRAY. FATHER, WE THANK YOU THIS MORNING THAT WE CAN COME INTO YOUR PRESENCE WITH PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING FOR YOU BEING SUCH AN AWESOME, FAITHFUL, AND HOLY LORD.
WE KNOW THAT NOTHING CATCHES YOU BY SURPRISE, AND YET, LORD, WE ARE ON A JOURNEY AND LORD, WE NEED YOUR HELP. WE ASK FOR THAT. SO I PRAY TODAY AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PAST BLESSINGS.
SO YOU YOU'VE INVITED US IN YOUR WORD TO ASK OF YOU.
[00:05:04]
TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT WOULD NOT ONLY BE GOOD NOW, BUT ALSO IN THE FUTURE, AND WOULD BRING GLORY AND HONOR TO YOU. LORD, I DO KNOW THAT SOMETIMES WE FALL SHORT IN THIS.I ASK, LORD, YOU WILL FORGIVE US, BUT LORD, THIS IS A NEW DAY FILLED WITH OPPORTUNITIES.
I KNOW THERE'S A LOT ON THE AGENDA AND I PRAY YOUR VERY BEST.
YOU WOULD BLESS US, LORD, WE ASK FOR BLESSING ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD.
IT'S FROM YOU FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS DO FLOW.
HELP US TO IDENTIFY THEM AND PRAISE YOU THROUGH THIS DAY.
I PRAY AND ASK THIS IN JESUS NAME. AMEN. AMEN.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THANK YOU, REVEREND. LET ME DIG THROUGH HERE AND FIND MY CLOSED SESSION.
REPORT OUT. SORRY. DOES ANYBODY HAVE THE BRIEFING ON HAND? I COULD READ FROM. I DO NOT SEE IT.
ALL RIGHT, BEAR WITH ME. I APOLOGIZE. IT'S ON HERE.
[President’s Closed Session Report Out]
PERSONNEL ISSUES AND THE HIRING PROCESS FOR AN AT-WILL COUNTY POSITION.THE ATTENDEES INCLUDED COMMISSIONERS BARTZ PORTER AND BREEDING KATHLEEN FREEMAN, DANIEL FOX, STEWART BARROLL JENNIFER REIBLY, AND HETTIE NELSON.
OKAY. FIRST UP, WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION AS JUNE 2025 AS PTSD
[Proclamation—June 2025 as PTSD Awareness Month for Veteran’s Treatment Court]
AWARENESS MONTH FOR VETERANS TREATMENT COURT, AND I BELIEVE STATE'S ATTORNEY FRANKLIN IS HERE TO RECEIVE THAT PROCLAMATION, WHICH I WILL READ INTO THE RECORD. CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND PROCLAMATION.POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AWARENESS MONTH, JUNE 2025.
WHEREAS POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER PTSD OCCURS AFTER A PERSON EXPERIENCES TRAUMA, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE STRESS OF COMBAT, ASSAULT, CHILD ABUSE, BOMBINGS, ACCIDENTS, AND NATURAL DISASTERS, AND AFFECTS APPROXIMATELY 8 MILLION ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES ANNUALLY AND WHEREAS PTSD IS CHARACTERIZED BY SYMPTOMS INCLUDING FLASHBACKS, NIGHTMARES, INSOMNIA, AVOIDANCE, HYPERVIGILANCE, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION, AND WHEREAS, RAISING AWARENESS OF THIS CONDITION IS NECESSARY TO REMOVE THE STIGMA AND TO ENCOURAGE THOSE SUFFERING TO SEEK PROPER AND TIMELY TREATMENT THAT MAY SAVE THEIR LIVES, AND WHEREAS THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES WHO PROUDLY SERVE THE NATION AND RISKED THEIR LIVES TO PROTECT OUR FREEDOM, DESERVE THE INVESTMENT OF EVERY POSSIBLE RESOURCE TO ENSURE THEIR LASTING PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, AND WHEREAS ALL CITIZENS SUFFERING FROM PTSD DESERVE OUR CONSIDERATION AND THOSE WHO ARE AFFECTED BY PTSD FROM WOUNDS RECEIVED WHILE PROTECTING OUR FREEDOM DESERVE OUR RESPECT AND SPECIAL HONOR.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND, HEREBY RECOGNIZE THE MONTH OF JUNE 2025 AS POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AWARENESS MONTH, DONE AND PROCLAIM THIS 10TH DAY OF JUNE 2025 BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND, SIGNED J. TRAVIS BREEDING, PRESIDENT.
LARRY C. PORTER, VICE PRESIDENT, AND FRANKLIN BARTZ, COMMISSIONER.
SO T HANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION, PUTTING THIS TOGETHER.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT PTSD AFFECTS MANY PEOPLE, NOT JUST THE MILITARY.
IT AFFECTS THE KIDS THAT WE DEAL WITH ALL THE TIME, WITH CHILD ABUSE AND CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.
[00:10:06]
BUT THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN AND HOW TO TREAT IT.SO WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THIS RECOGNITION.
WE DO HAVE A LOT OF VETS HERE IN CAROLINE COUNTY, AND WE TRY TO LOOK AT IT.
THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE LOOKS AT THAT. WE YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT THEY NEED, THE PROBLEM WE DON'T HAVE IS WE DON'T HAVE MEDICAL FACILITIES. WE DON'T HAVE A VA FACILITY HERE.
SO WE TRY TO GET TO THE PLACES THAT HAVE THEM.
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY JUST HAD LAST MONTH STARTED THEIR MENTAL HEALTH COURT.
SO THERE'S A GREAT PUSH TOWARDS MENTAL HEALTH TO TRY TO GET PEOPLE THE SERVICES THEY NEED, BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THIS.
THANK YOU. I FULLY SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION. I WOULD JUST ADD AS WELL, YOU KNOW, OVER THE YEARS, YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY WE IN ADDITION TO THIS, WE SHOULD INCLUDE OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AS WELL, FIRST RESPONDERS AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL BECAUSE, YOU KNOW WHILE IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN THE MILITARY, THEY SEE BAD THINGS EVERY DAY AND, YOU KNOW, IT HAS A TENDENCY TO STAY WITH YOU AS WELL.
SO MAYBE WE CAN WORK ON SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, SEPARATE FROM THIS AND DO THAT IN ADDITION.
SO THANK YOU. I DID NOT MEAN TO LEAVE THEM OUT.
NO, NO, NO I KNOW YOU DIDN'T. I KNOW YOU DIDN'T, BUT BUT I THINK WE MAYBE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT SEPARATELY, EARLY. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS ON THIS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.
[Robert Zimmberoff, Director, Caroline County Economic Development & Tourism]
WITH A SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO THE GRADUATES OF THE CAROLINE COUNTY ECONOMIC EDGE BUSINESS ACADEMY.I'M JUST GOING TO STAND FOR A MINUTE, IF YOU DON'T MIND. SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
WITH ME TODAY, I HAVE DOCTOR MICHELLE BOULDEN-HAMMOND.
MOMMA'S HEALING 4U . XAVIERA CURTIS, GINGERLY SUPPORTIVE HOME CARE.
PATRICE FLAMER SPIRIT AND MIND, INC. ROBYN RITTER WITH THE PAPERWORK PROS AND MORE.
TANYA TAYLOR OF I.C.E.D, MYISHA WALKER COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.
CRYSTAL WILSON, LOVED IN YOUR HOME, AND SAVANNAH WINSTON OF VANTECH BUSINESS SOLUTIONS.
WE ALSO HAVE WILL HOLMES, OUR INSTRUCTOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING OUT ACROSS THE BRIDGE TODAY, AND SCOTT WARNER, MID-SHORE REGIONAL COUNCIL, WHO FUNDED THIS AWESOME CLASS.
SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY, TOO. SO OUR GRADUATES PUT AN AWFUL LOT OF EFFORT INTO THIS CLASS.
EIGHT TUESDAY EVENING COURSES FROM 6 TO 9 P.M.
CONSULTANTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS, LAWYERS, HR PROFESSIONALS, MR. HOLMES HIMSELF, AND EVEN MORE HOMEWORK, INCLUDING CASH FLOW, CASH FLOW PROJECTIONS AND CREATING A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION.
IN ADDITION TO BEING BUSINESS OWNERS, ENTREPRENEURS AND RISK TAKERS, SOME OF OUR PARTICIPANTS ARE HOLDING DOWN FULL TIME JOBS AND OTHER JOBS AS WELL, AND ELECTED OFFICIAL MAYOR. WE HOPE THIS CLASS HELPS THESE HARD WORKING LADIES TO BE EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL.
I'M CONFIDENT IT WILL, I HAVE NO DOUBT, AND WE'RE VERY PROUD OF OUR FIRST COHORT HERE, OUR FIRST SET OF GRADUATES, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MR. WARNER, MR. HOLMES, TO HOPEFULLY HOST ANOTHER CLASS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
GOOD. THAT'S IT. GREAT DEAL. CONGRATULATIONS.
[00:15:05]
GOOD JOB PUTTING THE PROGRAM TOGETHER. IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE.YEAH, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS. THAT'S OUR MAJOR THING. WE'RE DOING IT FOR THE LOVE AND THE SERVICE OF OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY TO MAKE IT ALL BETTER IF WE ALL LIVE IN PEACE AND HARMONY. YEAH. GOOD. GOOD. THANK YOU. WANT ME TO HAND THEM OUT RIGHT QUICK? WE CAN. CONGRATULATIONS, AND THANK YOU FOR, YOU KNOW, THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM.
SO WE APPRECIATE. YEAH. SCOTT. THANK YOU, AND I DON'T SEE HE'S BACK HERE.
OKAY. STAND UP, SCOTT. NO, I SEE SCOTT. THANK YOU FOR FOR YOUR HELP WITH WITH ALL THIS THESE, YOU KNOW, THESE THESE FUNDS ARE, YOU KNOW, DESIGNATED AND TO BE USED FOR THIS TYPE OF THING.
GOOD JOB. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I HAD THE LUXURY OF SERVING ON THE MITCHELL REGIONAL COUNCIL, AND I HEAR A LOT ABOUT THIS THROUGH SCOTT. HE'S ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT ALL THESE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, AND I'D LIKE TO SEE I'M GLAD TO SEE IT COMING BACK INTO CAROLINE COUNTY.
YOU KNOW, I GET I OFTEN GET ASKED BY PEOPLE SAYING, HEY, WHERE DOES MITCHELL REGIONAL COUNCIL.
WHERE DOES THAT MONEY COME BACK INTO THE COUNTY? SO I'M GLAD TO SEE IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S RIGHT HERE.
SO THANK YOU, SCOTT. WE HAVE A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP.
HE'S DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB. MITCHELL REGIONAL COUNCIL.
SO GREAT JOB ON EVERYTHING. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, MR. HOLMES. THANK YOU. YES, YES, THANK YOU FOR I GUESS INSTRUCTING PART OF THE CLASS AND COORDINATING SO VERY IMPORTANT, YOU KNOW, HELP, HELP MAKE THESE BUSINESSES SUCCESSFUL AND, YOU KNOW, CONTINUE TO, TO DELIVER SERVICES IN THE COUNTY.
SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. ROBYN, DID YOU HAVE TO TAKE A SEPARATE COURSE FOR EACH BUSINESS YOU HAVE? BECAUSE IF YOU DID. I T WAS HARD TO NARROW DOWN WHICH ONE TO USE.
WELL, I KNOW YOU'RE A BUSY PERSON, BUT I GUESS IS IT DOWN FRONT PICTURE? YEAH.
[Special Recognition to Graduates—Caroline County Economic Edge Business Academy]
ARE WE ON SCHEDULE TO DO THE THIRD READING? DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME THAT WAS ADVERTISED?[00:20:05]
WAS IT ADVERTISED? IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE OKAY BECAUSE IT'S NOT A PUBLIC HEARING.[Third Reading and Potential Amendment/ Enactment]
2025-006. SO DO I HEAR A MOTION TO GO INTO LEGISLATIVE SESSION? SO MOVED. MOTION, AND SECOND, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.AYE . ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THE AYES HAVE IT. MR. BARROLL. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. WE ARE HERE FOR LEGISLATIVE BILL 2025-006, WHICH WOULD PROVIDE FOR A NEW ARTICLE ONE OF OUR CODE. POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD, ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGING COMMITTEE AND TRIAL BOARDS OF NEW CHAPTER 20 POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE CODE OF PUBLIC LOCAL LAWS OF CAROLINE COUNTY. THIS IS AN ACT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING A POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD, DEFINING CERTAIN TERMS, PROVIDING FOR THE COMPOSITION AND TERMS, AND REMOVAL OF MEMBERS OF THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD, PROVIDING FOR A CHAIR OF THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD, PROVIDING FOR THE MEETING STANDARDS, TRAINING, BUDGET AND STAFF, AND RECORD KEEPING STANDARDS OF THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD.
REQUIRING ANNUAL REPORTS BY THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD.
ESTABLISHING AN ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGING COMMITTEE PROVIDING FOR THE STAFFING, POWERS, DUTIES AND APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGING COMMITTEE AND ESTABLISHING TRIAL BOARDS. THIS BILL WAS FIRST READ ON MAY THE 20TH.
THE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING WAS PUBLISHED ON THE 24TH IN THE STAR DEMOCRAT OF MAY.
SOME AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT HAD BEEN PROPOSED BY THE PAB ITSELF, SOME BY THE ACC, AND SOME BY THE OFFICE OF LAW, AND WE WENT THROUGH EACH OF THOSE INDIVIDUALLY, AND THE COMMISSIONERS VOTED TO MAKE THE AMENDMENTS AS PROPOSED.
THOSE WERE INCORPORATED INTO A SUBSEQUENT DRAFT, WHICH WERE WHICH, EXCUSE ME, WAS CIRCULATED BACK ON JUNE THE 3RD OR FOURTH, WHATEVER IT WAS, AND IT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE COUNTY SINCE THEN.
SO THE AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN OF PUBLIC RECORD.
THE VERSION YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU IS THE VERSION WHICH INCORPORATES THE AMENDMENTS THAT YOU ALL APPROVED AT OUR LAST MEETING, AND AT THIS TIME, YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO AMEND IT FURTHER OR TO ENACT IT.
OR OBVIOUSLY, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO POSTPONE AND REVISIT THIS ON ANOTHER OCCASION.
OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THIS LEGISLATIVE BILL? I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S IN OUR PACKETS. I DON'T SEE IT.
DO YOU KNOW WHO SENT THAT? STEWART. DID IT COME FROM KIM OR? IT WAS SENT TO JEN. OKAY, AND I'M SORRY I WAS NOT READING YOUR PACKET BECAUSE WE THOUGHT WE HAD AN EDIT.
OH, THAT WAS MY FAULT. T OOK IT OUT AND THEN DIDN'T GET IT BACK IN.
ALL RIGHT, THAT'S FINE. I MEAN, I READ THROUGH THE EMAIL.
IT INCORPORATED ALL THE CHANGES THAT I RECALL DISCUSSING AT THE LAST MEETING. THE ONLY THE ONLY, I GUESS A COUPLE THINGS WAS, I KNOW EARLY ON THERE WAS SOME ISSUE WITH THE ACTUAL TIME FRAME OR DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPORT ITSELF. THAT DOESN'T NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE LEGISLATION.
DRAFTING OF THE REPORT AND THEN A DATE FOR THE VOTE PRIOR TO THE JANUARY 1ST DEADLINE, OR SHOULD THAT BE? I THINK IT'S A MATTER OF THE STATUTE AT THE STATE LEVEL.
DOESN'T IT REQUIRE ON OR BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR? SO IT'S ALREADY BY STATUTE. OKAY. IN THE STATE STATUTE.
SO SO THAT TIMELINE CAN BE GENERATED BY THE PAB ITSELF AND ITS RULES AND PROCEDURES.
WE DON'T NEED TO ADDRESS IT. YES. AS LONG AS THAT'S ADDRESSED THERE.
THE OTHER THING WOULD BE. YOU KNOW, WE ADDED THE DEFINITION OF POLICE MISCONDUCT TO THE LANGUAGE IN OUR ORDINANCE, AND ANOTHER THING I WOULD ASK THAT IN THE RULES AND
[00:25:03]
PROCEDURES THAT THEY THE NUMBER ONE STEP IN EVALUATING A COMPLAINT WOULD BE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMPLAINT ITSELF OF DID MEET ONE OF THOSE THREE CRITERIA THAT IS LAID OUT AS POLICE MISCONDUCT.SO I WOULD ASK THAT BE INCORPORATED. I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO ADD THAT INTO THE LEGISLATIVE BILL, BUT I WOULD BE VERY CURIOUS TO SEE THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, YOU KNOW, WHICH HAVE TO COME TO US FOR APPROVAL.
YEAH. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. DID ANYONE ELSE WHAT'S THE TIMELINE ON THE POLICY PROCEDURES? TO GET THAT, WE WANTED TO GET THE ORDINANCE ESTABLISHED, APPROVED, AND THEN THAT WOULD BE OUR NEXT STEP.
OKAY, I'D SAY WE CAN START WORKING ON THAT IMMEDIATELY, AND WILL THAT BE IN PAB, OR WOULD THAT BE DONE TO THE OFFICE OF LAW? OR EVERYBODY CAN BE WHO WILL BE INVOLVED IN THAT.
THE PAB CURRENTLY HAS A RULES OF PROCEDURE THAT I THINK WE NEED TO GO THROUGH AGAIN.
SO I BELIEVE THEY WOULD BE INVOLVED IN IT, BUT ULTIMATELY IT WOULD FOLLOW THE ORDINANCE.
IT WOULD COME TO YOU ALL FOR APPROVAL. WHAT DO YOU THINK? STEWART. YES. WELL, THAT'S THE THAT IS THE PRESCRIBED PROCEDURE.
I THINK HE WOULD WANT THEIR COMMENTS JUST LIKE WE DID LAST TIME FOR THIS ORDINANCE BUT ULTIMATELY, YOU ALL HAVE TO APPROVE WHAT THEY HAVE SUGGESTED.
SO I WOULD NEED TO MAKE A MEETING WITH BOTH BOARDS OR THE BOARD AND THE COMMITTEE SEPARATELY, AND THEN LET THEM GO OVER WHAT WE INITIALLY ESTABLISHED, JUST LIKE WE DID HERE, AND GET THEIR FEEDBACK ON IT AND THEN PRESENT IT TO YOU ALL.
OKAY. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, AND WITH THAT, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ENACT LEGISLATIVE BILL 2025-006. SECOND. OKAY. MOTION, AND SECOND.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THE AYES HAVE IT. OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
OKAY. ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CLOSE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
SO MOVED. SECOND. MOTION, AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THE AYES HAVE IT. MOVING ON TO OUR ACTION AGENDA.
[Action Agenda]
WE HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS. RESOLUTION NUMBER 2025-015, WHICH IS THE FISCAL YEAR 2026.CAROLINE COUNTY GOVERNMENT FEE SCHEDULE AND RESOLUTION 2025-016, WHICH IS ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS. SO MR. FOX, DO YOU WANT TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS? STACY, [INAUDIBLE] . WE'LL SIT IN FRONT, HAVE A BRIEF OVERVIEW, AND THEN ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS.
GOOD MORNING STACY. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.
THERE WAS CREATION OF A NEW PRE-CCPN REVIEW FEE THAT GOES THROUGH OUR PLANNING AND CODES OFFICE.
I BELIEVE A MINOR CHANGE FOR SOME OF THE REVIEW THAT'S BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE SOLAR AS WELL.
SOME CLEANUP OF SOME OF THE LIQUOR FEES THAT WE REALIZED WERE NOT PUBLISHED IN THIS, BUT WERE CALLED OUT ELSEWISE, AND THEN A SMALL CHANGE TO THE JONESTOWN WATER SERVICE FEE, WHICH IS PUT INTO A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND.
SO AS FAR AS THE FEE SCHEDULE GOES, THOSE ARE THE SMALL CHANGES THAT YOU SEE HERE.
FOR THE MOST PART, AGAIN, 99% IS UNCHANGED FROM PRIOR.
THE SECOND RESOLUTION IS THE RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE COUNTY OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET.
SO FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, THE OPERATING BUDGET IS LOOKING TO FINISH IN ABOUT $79,208,471, AND THEN AS FAR AS CAPITAL, YOU'RE LOOKING AT $22,443,227. HAPPY TO SAY THIS YEAR'S OPERATING BUDGET INCLUDES HOLDING
[00:30:09]
ALL TAXES, WHETHER THAT BE REAL PROPERTY, PERSONAL PROPERTY DIFFERENTIALS AT THE SAME AMOUNT AS THE PRIOR YEAR.I THINK WE WERE GOING ON EITHER THE NINTH OR 10TH YEAR IN A ROW NOW WITH 98 CENT PROPERTY TAX RATE, WHICH TO ME IS AMAZING TO THINK WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO HOLD THAT FOR SO MANY YEARS CONSISTENTLY NOW.
I KNOW WE HAVE THE EAB REP HERE TODAY. A LOT OF THE EMPLOYEES ARE LISTENING.
SO IN THE END, IT'S BEEN, LET'S SAY 5 OR 6 MONTHS OF CHANGES, BUT WE'RE TO THIS POINT.
SO IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, WE WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ADDRESS THOSE OR ANSWER THAT.
WELL, THANK YOU BOTH FOR ALL YOUR WORK ON ON PUTTING THIS BUDGET TOGETHER AND WORKING WITH THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT HEADS TO, YOU KNOW, TO GET EVERYTHING TOGETHER, AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BOND UPGRADE AS WELL.
THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR WORK IN PRODUCING THE INFORMATION THAT THE RATING AGENCY NEEDED TO INCREASE OUR BOND RATING FROM A AA- TO A AA. YES. SO JUST FOR EVERYBODY'S INFORMATION THAT'S LISTENING OR IN THE ROOM.
SO AS A COUNTY, WE ARE SCORED ALMOST LIKE A CREDIT SCORE BY THERE'S REALLY THREE MAJOR INSTITUTIONS, BUT THE ONE THAT COMMISSIONER BREEDING IS REFERRING TO IS S&P, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST ONES.
THE COUNTY HAS HAD A MINUS RATING AND THAT'S WHAT THEY SCORE WHEN WE GO TO BOND OR BORROW MONEY.
ESSENTIALLY TRYING TO JUSTIFY TO THEM WHY WE'RE BETTER THAN THE CURRENT OR WHAT WAS THE CURRENT SCORE? SCORE, AND THEY CAME BACK END OF LAST WEEK AND ARE DOING A PUBLIC PRESS RELEASE OF INCREASING OUR RATING TO AA.
SO A GREAT THING FOR THE COUNTY AND SOMETHING THAT WE'RE BOTH VERY PROUD OF TO BE A PART OF, AND IT SHOULD MEAN A LOT GOING FORWARD IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE A LOT OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ARE SEEING REDUCED CREDIT RATINGS.
WE HAVE MANAGED, YOU KNOW, TO SEE AN INCREASE HERE, AND YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S A TESTAMENT TO STAFF'S TIGHT BUDGETING AND MANAGING EVERY DOLLAR TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS USED APPROPRIATELY.
I THINK IT'S A CREDIT TO THIS BOARD AND PREVIOUS BOARDS FOR FINANCIAL PRUDENCE AND BEING VERY RESPECTFUL WITH THE TAX DOLLARS, AND IT'S A, YOU KNOW, IT'S IT GOES TO THE CITIZENRY AS WELL WHO HAVE SEEN MASSIVE INCREASES IN PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS AND INCOME, YOU KNOW, WAGE GROWTH THAT HAS, I'M SURE, SHOWN THESE CREDIT AGENCIES THAT CAROLINE COUNTY DOES HAVE THE ABILITY TO RAISE REVENUE. SO I'M SURE THAT FACTORS IN TO THE RATE IMPROVEMENT, BUT THANK THANK YOU ALL.
I THINK IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT AND VERY GOOD STEP FOR THE COUNTY AND IT SHOULD, SHOULD GIVE THE CITIZENS A LOT OF FAITH IN THEIR GOVERNMENT THAT THESE CREDIT RATING AGENCIES, LIKE I SAID, IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ARE BEING DOWNGRADED, WE RECEIVE AN UPGRADE.
SO YEAH. COMMISSIONER PORTER. YEAH. THANK YOU ALL FOR FOR ALL THE WORK YOU'VE DONE.
I MEAN, IT'S INCREDIBLE THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND, YOU KNOW, NUMBERS THAT ARE CRUNCHED TO GET HERE, BUT YOU KNOW, AND I THINK THAT INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET IS NOT ONLY EXPENSES AND REVENUE, BUT THEY'RE ALSO POLICIES THAT WE'VE TRIED TO PUT INTO PLACE.
SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFICULT DECISIONS AND DISCUSSIONS ABOUT GENERATING REVENUE OTHER THAN TAXES AND THOSE, YOU KNOW, LIKE THE LANDFILL, FOR EXAMPLE. THOSE ARE OFTEN DIFFICULT DISCUSSIONS AND DIFFICULT YOU KNOW, DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE, BUT I THINK AS WE, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CRYSTAL BALL IS GOING TO SAY AS FAR AS MOVING FORWARD, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT I DON'T SEE ANYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT IS GOING TO DO ANYTHING BUT MAKE THIS MORE DIFFICULT AS
[00:35:09]
YEARS GO BY. I MEAN SO I JUST THINK IT'S A REAL FEATHER IN YOUR CAP TO COME UP WITH THIS AND TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THIS PROPERTY TAX RATE.ALL I HEAR PEOPLE DON'T WANT THEIR TAXES RAISED, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT AS SERVICES AND MANDATES CONTINUE AND POLICIES OFTENTIMES POLICIES THAT ARE, I THINK, RIDICULOUS AND INEPT AT THE STATE LEVEL, LEGISLATIVE LEVEL, ALL THAT DOES IS MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT HERE, AND , YOU KNOW, THE REALLOCATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES FOR STATE DEPARTMENTS, YOU KNOW. I DON'T SEE THAT. I JUST SEE THAT ARE INCREASING AS TIME GOES ON.
EVERY AY WHEN I HEAR, YOU KNOW, MACO PUTS OUT THEIR PODCAST AND EVERY, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY, I HAVE YET TO FIND ANYBODY THAT'S EVER BEEN ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND TALK TO ME AND TELL ME THAT THEY THINK THE BLUEPRINT IS A GOOD IDEA.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE THAT THINK IT IS.
I CAN'T FIND THEM, BUT AGAIN, THE BUDGET DISCUSSION AT THE STATE LEVEL STARTED OFF THIS YEAR WITH THE WITH THE STATEMENT THAT WE'RE NOT TOUCHING THE BLUEPRINT, AND I THINK THAT'S THE BIGGEST DRIVER OF DEBT FOR THE STATE, AND IT'S GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST DRIVER FOR DEBT FOR THE COUNTIES, AND UNTIL I SEE SOME TANGIBLE RESULTS THAT TELL ME THAT THIS MONEY IS BEING SPENT AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND, AND DOING WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO. I'M NOT A BELIEVER, AND SO BUT WE HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, TAKE THOSE SHOTS AND WE CAN ARGUE ABOUT THEM. WE CAN BE MAD, WE CAN BE POUTY AND UPSET, BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, WHEN THESE MANDATES COME DOWN, WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DO IT AND SO ONE QUESTION THAT I HAD AND I'M IN READING THROUGH THE INFORMATION, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, WAS THERE A WAS THERE A BILL THAT WAS PASSED THIS YEAR REGARDING THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR CONSTANT YIELD THE PRIOR YEAR, PRIOR YEAR? YES.
SO IT CHANGES THE WAY IT HAS TO BE ADVERTISED.
CORRECT. SO THE PRIOR YEARS FOR US TO HOLD THE 98 CENT TAX RATE, WE HAD TO DO A PUBLIC ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISING THAT WE WERE INCREASING TAXES BECAUSE COLLECTION WAS GOING UP, EVEN THOUGH THE RATE WAS STAYING THE SAME. THE STATE DID AWAY WITH THAT.
SO THE ONLY TIME YOU HAVE TO ADVERTISE IS IF YOU WANT TO ACTUALLY INCREASE THAT 98 RATE.
SO FOR US WE DID NOT HAVE TO DO WE STILL HELD THE HEARING AND PUBLIC ADVERTISEMENTS LIKE PRIOR, BUT LEGALLY, TECHNICALLY SPEAKING, WE DO NOT HAVE TO ANYMORE.
IN THE TOWNS AS WELL, BECAUSE THAT WAS CONFUSING, BECAUSE IT WOULD SAY WE ARE NOT INCREASING THE PROPERTY TAX RATE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO COLLECT AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF MONEY, BUT WHAT THAT MEANT WAS THAT THE ASSESSMENTS INCREASED WHILE THE PROPERTY TAX RATE STAYED THE SAME, BUT I HAD PEOPLE SAY, WELL, YOU DID.
SO YOU INCREASED IT, IT SAID IT IN THE PAPER, AND I'M LIKE, WELL, YOU KNOW, BUT I THINK THAT'S ONE I'LL GIVE THE STATE CREDIT FOR THAT ONE THAT WAS MADE, THAT ACTUALLY MADE SENSE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, FOR THEM TO DO THAT, BUT MADE OUR LIFE A LITTLE EASIER TO CALCULATE THAT OUT. O KAY, WELL THANK YOU. THANK YOU. LIKE I'VE SAID BEFORE, THANK YOU.
DOESN'T SEEM, YOU KNOW ENOUGH F OR WHAT WAS DONE, BUT ANOTHER ANOTHER YEAR IN THE BOOKS.
I DO WANT TO CONGRATULATE ON THE STEP PROGRAM.
WE'VE ASKED THAT FOR SEVERAL YEARS, AND I'M GLAD EVERYBODY GOT TOGETHER AND PUT TOGETHER.
YOU'RE WORKING ON DIFFERENT INSURANCE. THAT'S ANOTHER. SO I THINK OVER THE YEARS WE MADE STRIDES TO SHOW EMPLOYEES THAT WE CARE. I THINK WE'VE DONE A GOOD JOB OF THAT, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY AND THE BOND RATING, THAT'S PHENOMENAL. I JUST DON'T WANT TO GO INTO IT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN COVERED ALREADY, BUT THAT 'S A GOOD ANOTHER GOOD STEP, BUT JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, AND IT WAS. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU KEEP ALL THIS STUFF STRAIGHT, DANNY, BECAUSE I COULD CALL YOU, LIKE, AND SAY, HEY, I NEED TO KNOW THIS, AND YOU JUST PULL IT RIGHT UP AND YOU KNOW THE ANSWER, BUT I'M AMAZED THAT WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU KEEP UP HERE AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
YES, SIR. THANK YOU GUYS , COMMISSIONERS, R EALLY, AND THANK YOU, STAFF AND DEPARTMENT HEADS, ALLIED AGENCIES FOR GOING THROUGH THIS, AND IT'S 5 OR 6 MONTHS OF BACK AND FORTH, AND IT'S NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT HAVING THE DEPARTMENT HEADS OR OUTSIDE AGENCIES BEING
[00:40:05]
RESPONSIVE, ABLE TO GIVE US THE INFORMATION. THERE'S A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH THAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES THAT JUST MAKES THIS A LOT EASIER AND REALLY TRANSPARENT AND SMOOTH THROUGH THE PROCESS. SO TAKE A WEEK OFF.IT'D BE TIME TO START AGAIN. IT'D BE TIME TO START SOON TO WORK ON THE NEXT ONE, BUT, ALL RIGHT.
THANKS. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-015, THE FISCAL YEAR 2026.
CAROLINE COUNTY GOVERNMENT FEE SCHEDULE. SECOND.
MOTION, AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THE AYES HAVE IT. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-016.
ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS.
I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
AYE. AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THE AYES HAVE IT.
RIGHT. THANK YOU. ANOTHER BUDGET DONE. UNDER CONSENT AGENDA, ANY
[Consent Agenda]
QUESTIONS CONCERNS, COMMENTS ABOUT ANYTHING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.I DID HAVE JEN MAKE SOME REVISIONS TO THE CLOSED SESSION MINUTES THIS MORNING.
JUST CLEAN SOME STUFF UP. I JUST A QUICK QUESTION ABOUT THE CONTRACT AGREEMENT ON THE PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAM. IS THIS A NEW POSITION? NO, JUST A JUST AN AGREEMENT TO RENEW A CONTRACT.
EXISTING CONTRACT. OKAY, AND AS LONG AS ONLY AS LONG AS WE HAVE THE GRANT MONEY.
OKAY. IT'S UNDERSTOOD IN THAT CONTRACT. ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THIS ONE? YES.
SO THAT IS FOR A CONTRACTOR TO DO THE INSPECTION OF THE CHOPTANK MARINA? NO, I WAS TALKING ABOUT THE CAROLINE COUNTY RECREATION AND PARKS PROGRAM.
OH, THE PROGRAM SPECIALIST. OKAY. OKAY. THAT ANSWERS.
OKAY. THANK YOU. OH. I'M SORRY. THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ALL RIGHT. I'LL MAKE A MOTION. WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR JUNE 10TH, 2025.
SECOND. MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THE AYES HAVE IT. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT.
[County Administrator’s Report]
I HAVE TWO ITEMS THAT I WANTED TO UPDATE YOU ON.SO THE FIRST ONE IS REALLY TWO PART REGARDING LOCKERMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
THE ED SPECS COMMITTEE WRAPPED UP ITS WORK ABOUT A WEEK AGO, AND THE BOARD OF ED IS MOVING ON TO THE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR LOCKERMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND A CONVERSATION WITH DOCTOR SIMMONS YESTERDAY ABOUT THAT PROCESS AND ABOUT THE PUBLIC MEETING THAT THEY HELD.
I THINK ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I WASN'T THERE. SO I ALSO HAD EMAILED YOU AS PART OF THIS PROCESS.
SOMETHING I RECEIVED FROM DOCTOR SIMMONS THAT WAS ALSO PUBLISHED ONLINE AND SENT TO, I BELIEVE, ALL THE PARENTS WHO WOULD BE IMPACTED BY THE NEW SCHOOL ABOUT THE LOCATION.
SO THERE'S TWO POTENTIAL, ACTUALLY, THREE POTENTIAL LOCATIONS.
I BELIEVE THE FIRST ONE HAS BEEN RULED OUT ALREADY.
SECOND AND THIRD OPTIONS WOULD BE DOUBLE HILLS ROAD ON A VACANT SITE STARTING FROM SCRATCH, AND THE THIRD OPTION WOULD BE THE ADDITION OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TO THE NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL PROPERTY.
SO WE DON'T HAVE THE RESULTS OF THAT SURVEY YET.
I DID RECEIVE SOME COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONER BREEDING, WHICH I FORWARDED ON.
SO THIS IS SOMETHING I THINK WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT FROM COUNTY GOVERNMENT, NOT THE BOARD OF ED, NOT FEEDBACK. THEY HAD QUITE A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITH THE LOCKERMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL EXISTING BUILDING.
THERE IS SOME DESIRE BY THE COMMUNITY THAT THE LOCKERMAN ASSOCIATION TO HAVE, I GUESS A PORTION OF THAT BUILDING, HOWEVER IT'S USED, IF IT'S USED FOR A COMMUNITY CENTER OR WHATEVER WE DO WITH THAT SET ASIDE FOR KIND OF A MINI MUSEUM.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION. SO APPARENTLY THAT HAS COME UP REPEATEDLY, AND , YOU KNOW, WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE SOME MORE CONVERSATIONS WITH THAT ASSOCIATION ABOUT THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH THE BUILDING, BUT THERE IS SOME COMMUNITY CONCERN ABOUT THAT. OKAY. THE SECOND ITEM.
[00:45:03]
WELL, KATHLEEN, BEFORE YOU MOVE OFF TO SCHOOL, HOW MUCH INFLUENCE DO THE COMMISSIONERS ACTUALLY HAVE OVER WHERE THE SCHOOL GETS CONSTRUCTED? I MEAN, AS A FUNDING, YOU KNOW, THE PART OF THE FUNDING OF THIS, YOU KNOW, WE HAVEN'T REALLY OTHER THAN A SURVEY, WE HAVEN'T REALLY BEEN CONSULTED.I MEAN, THE DOUBLE HILLS LOCATION, FROM WHAT I GATHER, IT SEEMED LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY PREFERRED THE DOUBLE HILLS LOCATION, BUT WITH DOUBLE HILLS, WE'VE GOT TO WORK OUT A TON OF DETAILS WITH THE TOWN OF DENTON.
AS FAR AS SEWER AND WATER ALLOCATION FOR THAT TO WORK, PUMP, POTENTIALLY PUMP STATION UPGRADES, THERE ARE TRAFFIC ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH 404 ESPECIALLY NEAR THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, LIKE WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW WITH WITH THE BEACH TRAFFIC ON THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS AND MONDAYS.
I MEAN, REALLY, IT'S ALL WEEK LONG ANYMORE, AND GETTING BUSSES TO AND FROM THAT SITE, AND IT'S NOT THAT MUCH LONGER FURTHER OF A DISTANCE FROM WHERE LOCKERMAN IS NOW, BUT IT'S STILL, YOU KNOW, FURTHER SOUTH FOR SOMEONE FROM MARYDEL TO HAVE TO RIDE A BUS ALL THE WAY THERE.
IT JUST TO ME, IT MAKES SENSE FOR IT TO GO ON THE NORTH CAROLINA CAMPUS.
I KNOW THERE'S RESERVATIONS ABOUT TRAFFIC FLOW THERE, BUT I THINK IF WE HAD TO DO ROAD IMPROVEMENTS TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE TRAFFIC ISSUES THAT MAY BE OUT THERE. I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE WILLING ALL OF THAT WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
SO, YOU KNOW, THINGS LIKE THE WATER AND SEWER CONNECTION, THE TRAFFIC FLOW.
I MEAN, I THINK YOU'LL HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF INPUT INTO THE PROCESS.
OKAY. SO WE HAVE SEWER CAPACITY IN NORTH CAROLINA.
YOU GOT I MEAN, THERE'S NOT THERE'S NOTHING STOPPING US FROM IMPROVING ANY ROADS THERE, RIGHT, TO MAKE IT FEASIBLE. YEAH THE FEASIBILITY STUDY WILL BE MUCH MORE DETAILED.
THEY HAD TWO ON EACH SITE. SO AND THEN ALSO YOU KNOW WOULD BE YEAH HOW MUCH INFLUENCE DO WE HAVE OVER THE DESIGN? I MEAN, WE DON'T WANT A SITUATION. I KNOW YOU KNOW WHERE WE'RE BUILDING SOMETHING THAT'S WAY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN IT NEEDS TO BE.
OR, YOU KNOW, MAKING IT AS FUNCTIONAL AS WE CAN AND IN KEEPING THE COST AS LOW AS WE CAN, AND SOMETHING THAT'S GOING AFTER THE GREENSBORO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITH SOME OF THE HIGH CEILING ISSUES, YOU KNOW, IN CONVERSATIONS WITH BILL MENGEL AND DOCTOR SIMMONS, THEY ARE, I THINK, VERY MUCH FOCUSED ON BEING PRAGMATIC AND PRACTICAL IN THE BUILDING AND NOT HAVING FEATURES THAT ARE GOING TO COST MORE MONEY OR BE HARD TO MAINTAIN.
YEAH, THAT'S DEFINITELY I THINK BOTH OF OUR CONVERSATIONS BEEN A FOCUS, PARTICULARLY OF BILL MENGEL.
YEAH. I MEAN, YOU GOT THE ATHLETIC FIELDS ALREADY THERE.
A LOT OF YOUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS OVER THERE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
I MEAN, AND IT DOES TOO. I KNOW WE HAVEN'T ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE, BUT YOU HAVE THE ISSUE OF, YOU KNOW, THE DETENTION CENTER. I MEAN, IF WE HAVE TO POTENTIALLY BUILD ONE, WHERE WOULD THAT GO? I'M JUST RIGHT IF WE PUT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL ON IT.
YOU DON'T WANT TO PUT A DETENTION CENTER NEXT TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL. RIGHT, EXACTLY. I MEAN, THAT'S THE ONLY PLACE WE REALLY COULD BUILD. DETENTION CENTER IS NOT A GOOD LOCATION. I'M JUST SAYING. I MEAN, I KNOW THAT'S WAY OUT THERE, AND HERE'S, YOU KNOW, I NOTICED ON A LOT OF THOSE CONCEPT DRAWINGS THAT THEY'RE SHOWING SOLAR PANELS TO MAKE THIS BUILDING CARBON NEUTRAL.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S A STATE REQUIREMENT, BUT ONE THING THAT REALLY JUMPED INTO MY MIND WHEN, WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT THE NORTH CAROLINE SITE WAS, I'M SURE THE COMMISSIONERS, WHENEVER THEY PURCHASED THAT PROPERTY, WHATEVER BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WAS HERE THAT DECIDED TO PURCHASE THAT PROPERTY, DID NOT BUY IT WITH THE THOUGHT, LET'S COVER IT WITH SOLAR PANELS. YOU KNOW, THEY BOUGHT IT TO BUILD SCHOOLS ON, AND NOW WE'RE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO JAM ANOTHER SCHOOL ON THAT CAMPUS BECAUSE WE COVERED IT IN SOLAR PANELS. SO I THINK THAT SHOULD BE A LESSON LEARNED THAT YOU KNOW, THESE PROPERTIES, ANY PROPERTY, BECAUSE THE COMMISSIONERS ARE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR PURCHASING THE PROPERTY THAT SCHOOL IS SITED ON IS WHAT MY UNDERSTANDING IS CORRECT.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE BUY THIS AND WE TURN IT OVER TO THE BOARD OF ED TO BUILD SCHOOLS ON IT, NOT TO COVER IT IN SOLAR PANELS AND, YOU KNOW, TO THE TO THE CAFETERIA. YOU KNOW, ALL THREE OF MY KIDS WENT TO GREENSBORO ELEMENTARY BECAUSE MY WIFE'S AN EDUCATOR THERE,
[00:50:05]
AND , YOU KNOW, MY PARENTS WERE ABLE TO EAT LUNCH WITH BOTH OF MY SONS BECAUSE IN THE OLD SCHOOL, BUT THE NEW SCHOOL, THE CAFETERIA WAS THE FOOTPRINT OF THE CAFETERIA WASN'T BIG ENOUGH THAT THE GRANDPARENTS COULD EAT LUNCH WITH THEIR GRANDKIDS, BUT THE CEILINGS 60 FOOT TALL.SO, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IT'S THOSE KINDS OF THINGS THAT WE DON'T.
WE WANT TO LEARN THOSE LESSONS, AND WE'VE ALSO HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT JUST WHATEVER, WHATEVER SITE IS SELECTED OR HOWEVER THE CONFIGURATION IS TO, YOU KNOW, TRY TO MAKE IT SO THAT IT CAN BE EXPANDED ON, LIKE IN GREENSBORO.
I KNOW THEY CAN'T ADD ON TO THAT. SO, YOU KNOW, TO HOWEVER YOU BUILD IT, MAKE IT SO THAT IF WE NEED TO, WE CAN ADD WITH POPULATION GROWTH. WELL, I THINK, YOU KNOW, THINKING BACK ON THE, YOU KNOW, THE EXPERIENCE OF BUILDING THE GREENSBORO SCHOOL, I DON'T R ECALL HAVING MUCH INPUT.
NO OF COURSE, THAT WAS A DIFFERENT KIND OF A DIFFERENT THING WHERE THEY WERE TEARING DOWN THE OLD SCHOOL BUILDING OR WHAT WAS THE NEW SCHOOL TO ME. UNFORTUNATELY, I'M OLD ENOUGH THAT WAS THE SCHOOL THEY TORE DOWN, STEVE, WAS THE NEW SCHOOL THAT THEY TORE DOWN, BUT THERE WASN'T MUCH INPUT FROM THE COMMISSIONERS ON THAT LOCATION.
I'M GOING TO TRY TO BE AS DIPLOMATIC AS I CAN HERE, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT HAVING BEEN THROUGH BUILDING A EMS BUILDING AND A SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OUT THERE. I'LL JUST PUT IT THIS WAY. ANY INVOLVEMENT BY ANOTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT REQUIRING COOPERATION IS GOING TO BE IN THE PAST HAS BEEN DIFFICULT. SO I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT, BUT I DON'T RECALL THAT THE THAT THE COUNTY HAD A LOT OF INPUT ON WHERE THE SCHOOLS WERE GOING TO GO.
WE GOT TO PAY FOR IT. WELL, I'M GOING TO DO MY BEST TO TRY TO KEEP OUR OPINIONS, YOU KNOW, IN THE FOREFRONT, AND I THINK THAT IF YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE AT LEAST THE PUBLIC MEETING COMPONENT AND INPUT INTO THE FEASIBILITY STUDY, THAT'S WHERE WE'LL HAVE THE BEST ABILITY TO COMMENT.
DO WE HAVE A GENERAL ESTIMATED COST OF THE LOCAL SHARE AT THIS POINT? I DON'T HAVE. NOT AT THIS POINT. OF COURSE, IT DEPENDS ON WHETHER IT'S 90/10 .
SO WE WERE CLOSER TO MORE LIKE A 70/30. SO I THINK IT ENDED UP BEING ABOUT 56 MILLION.
58 MILLION. YEAH. 56. I THINK THE LAST I HAD HEARD FROM BILL MENGEL WAS WE WERE STILL AT A 92, EIGHT SPLIT, WHICH IS VERY, VERY GOOD. WHAT A JUMP ON THAT ONE.
YEAH. SO BUT I THINK THAT'S REEVALUATED EVERY THREE YEARS.
FOUR YEARS, THREE YEARS? THREE. YEAH, RIGHT. SO YOU KNOW WHERE WE END UP IN THE NEXT CYCLE? WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE AGE OF THE BUILDING AND THAT KIND OF STUFF AS WELL.
SO ALL RIGHT. OKAY. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? I HAVE ONE OTHER THING TO BRING UP.
OKAY. THE SECOND ITEM IS REALLY RELATED TO PROPERTY DISPOSAL.
AS YOU'RE MAKING THE CORNER, TURNING AROUND THE BEND TO GO ONTO 404.
SO THERE'S THE PROPERTY WE OWN IS IN 2 OR 3 PARCELS, I THINK.
2 OR 3. TWO. OKAY. THERE'S A LARGER PIECE THAT WE HAVE SET ASIDE TO USE AS A FOREST CONSERVATION BANK, AND THEN THERE'S A SMALLER PIECE MAYBE TWO ACRES.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF IT'S TWO ACRES. ONE, IT'S SMALLER THAN THE OTHER.
I KNOW THAT A DEVELOPER IS INTERESTED IN ACQUIRING BECAUSE IT'S KIND OF LIKE A SLICE OF PIZZA IN A DEVELOPMENT THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT. SO THE HISTORY OF THIS PROPERTY IS WHEN THE STATE DID IMPROVEMENTS TO FRANKLIN STREET AND 404 WHEN THEY WERE DONE WITH THAT, THE COUNTY ACQUIRED THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC USE FOR $4,000.
WE ARE NOT ALLOWED. WE CAN'T SELL THE PROPERTY.
THE ONLY OPTION WE HAVE IS TO DONATE THE PROPERTY BACK TO THE STATE.
THE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS INTERESTED IN PURCHASING THE PROPERTY COULD THEN GO THROUGH A COMPETITIVE PROCESS WITH THE STATE, AND WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY AT MARKET VALUE FROM THE STATE.
SO THERE'S NOT IT WOULDN'T BE HERE. YOU CAN HAVE THIS FOR $4,000 OR WHATEVER.
WE WOULD NOT RECOUP THE $4,000 BACK THAT WE SPENT ON THE PROPERTY 20 YEARS AGO.
[00:55:01]
I'M JUST BALLPARKING. YEAH, 90S, I THINK. RIGHT.NOW, THE BENEFIT, OF COURSE, IS IF THE DEVELOPMENT EVER COMES TO FRUITION, THEN, YOU KNOW, YOU'LL HAVE TAX REVENUE AND THAT AND THAT PROPERTY WILL BE BACK ON THE TAX ROLLS IF A PRIVATE CITIZEN PURCHASES THE PROPERTY.
SO I HAVE BEEN SPEAKING WITH THE PROPERTY ACQUISITION PERSON AT STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, AND THEY'RE WILLING TO IF WE WOULD LIKE TO PROCEED, THEY'RE WILLING TO GO AHEAD AND DRAFT THE MATERIALS THAT ARE NEEDED, THE DOCUMENTS THAT WE WOULD NEED TO SIGN TO DONATE THE PROPERTY TO THE STATE AND IN FACT, THEY'RE WORKING ON THAT RIGHT NOW.
SO BEFORE WE PROCEED, THOUGH, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS BOARD IS OKAY WITH THAT.
BECAUSE WE WERE NOT SURE PREVIOUSLY IF WE WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SELL THE PROPERTY AND GET THE $4,000 BACK, OR YOU KNOW HOW THAT WOULD WORK AND WE CAN ONLY DONATE IT TO THE STATE.
JUST THIS THE OTHER PARCEL THAT WE'RE NOW TRACKING, BUT OKAY SO THIS AND THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY, FROM WHAT I CAN REMEMBER, IS INVOLVED IN A NEW POTENTIAL LOCATION OF A BUILDING.
YEAH. IS THIS THE GAY STREET NEAR FRANKLIN STREET? WELL, FRANKLIN, YEAH. OKAY. YEAH. IT'S A PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT.
I MEAN, THAT IS CONNECTED WITH THE NEW PROPOSED SOCIAL SERVICES BUILDING THAT'S ACROSS THE STREET.
RIGHT. WELL, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SAME THING THERE, TOO.
OKAY. YEAH. SO THIS IS A FOR PROFIT DEVELOPMENT AND WHEN I SAY PROPOSED, THEY HAVE NOT APPLIED TO THE TOWN OF DENTON TO DO THIS YET. THIS IS IN THE VERY PRELIMINARY STAGES.
OKAY, I'M FINE WITH GIVING THEM ALL OF IT, EXCEPT FOR THE PART WITH THE TREE BANK ON IT.
GIVE GIVE THE REST OF IT BACK, AND IT'S NOT DOING THIS RIGHT.
NO, BECAUSE THERE IS A LITTLE PIECE THAT GOES OVER WHERE THE OLD TRUE VALUE WAS.
I THINK THERE'S A PIECE THERE, A VERY SMALL PIE SHAPED OR TRIANGULAR PIECE, AND I THINK THE SPOT IN THE MIDDLE BETWEEN WHERE GAYE AND FRANKLIN ARE THAT LITTLE WOODED SPOT MAY BE PART OF IT, AND THEN THERE'S A COUPLE CHOPPED UP.
YEAH, THERE'S A COUPLE PARCELS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FRANKLIN.
OKAY. YEAH. SO IF FOR SOME REASON, THE IF WE DONATE THE PROPERTY BACK TO THE STATE AND IF FOR SOME REASON IT'S NOT PURCHASED BY A CITIZEN, THEN ALL THAT REALLY HAPPENS IS IT SITS IN THE STATE'S HANDS AND THEY HAVE IT UNTIL THEY AUCTION IT.
THEY'LL AUCTION IT EVENTUALLY OR DO SOMETHING.
RIGHT, RIGHT. OKAY. THAT'S IT. ALL RIGHT. COUNTY COMMISSIONER, OPEN DISCUSSION PERIOD. COMMISSIONER BARTZ.
[County Commissioners Open Discussion Period]
I DON'T HAVE MUCH. OKAY. COMMISSIONER PORTER.YEAH. LAST WEEK I WAS DOWN IN CAROLINA, BUT MANAGED TO BE TRACKED DOWN ON MY PHONE A COUPLE TIMES.
I HAD A HAD A DISCUSSION WITH THE DIRECTORS OF THE URGENT CARE FACILITY.
I FORWARDED THE MINUTES OF THAT MEETING. SO YOU KNOW, BASICALLY WENT OVER THE SERVICES THAT THEY PROVIDE AND HAVE PROVIDED SINCE THEY OPENED, AND I 'M SATISFIED THAT THEY'RE DOING WHAT THEY SHOULD BE DOING.
I THINK THERE'S SOME MISCONCEPTION ABOUT, FOR EXAMPLE, PEOPLE GOING IN THERE TO JUST GET BLOOD WORK DONE OR X RAYS OR THAT HAS TO BE REQUESTED BY THROUGH A PROVIDER. SO I THINK AS PEOPLE, IT'S BEEN THERE FOR A WHILE, BUT I THINK PEOPLE SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, NEED TO BE REMINDED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE SERVICES ARE THAT ARE PROVIDED BY THE URGENT CARE CENTER.
WE HAVE THE PAVILION THAT DOES BLOOD WORK AND WALK IN X RAYS.
SO I'M I'M CONVINCED, AND I'LL CONVEY THAT INFORMATION TO THE PERSON THAT CONTACTED ME.
I WILL BE ATTENDING THE HEARING THURSDAY NIGHT, AND LESLIE AND CRYSTAL, I SENT YOU AN EMAIL ASKING IF I CAN HAVE IT, GET A COPY OF THAT ORIGINAL ORDINANCE THAT I CAN REFER TO.
I WANTED TO JUST MENTION BRIEFLY, THE SOLAR PETITION THAT WAS WORKED ON BY JAY FALSTEGG.
[01:00:05]
I WON'T GO INTO ALL THE DETAILS OF THIS, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME SIGNIFICANT CONFUSION.I'LL CALL IT HERE ON THE SUBMISSION DATES OF THAT OF THAT PETITION, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT WHAT WE WANT TO DO AS A FOLLOW UP, I THINK YOU PROBABLY HAD A CONVERSATION WITH JAY.
I DID TOO. I DON'T WANT TO. I DON'T WANT TO, YOU KNOW, ACCUSE ANYBODY OF ANYTHING BUT IT IS KIND OF DISAPPOINTING THAT WHEN SOMEONE TAKES THE TIME AND EFFORT TO PURSUE SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND THEY'RE GIVEN A DATE THAT IT HAS TO BE SUBMITTED, AND THEN THAT DATE GETS CHANGED DURING THE PROCESS.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THAT 'S FAIR. I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT WAS DONE ON PURPOSE, BUT I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT DISINGENUOUS TO DO THAT. SO I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME FOLLOW UP ON THAT TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN A SIMPLE MISTAKE OR I JUST DON'T KNOW, BUT I WANT TO COMMEND HIM FOR A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT THAT HE SPENT STANDING OUT IN THE RAIN AND, YOU KNOW, AND DRIVING AROUND.
I DON'T KNOW. I'M SURE HE PROBABLY DIDN'T REIMBURSE HIMSELF FOR ANY OF HIS COST IN DOING IT, BUT I THINK THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT INTEREST IN THAT, BUT I HAVEN'T TALKED TO HIM IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT HE WANTS TO DO AS FAR AS PURSUING WHATEVER ACTIONS HE HAS TO, TO, YOU KNOW, GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT HAPPENED, BUT SO I DON'T KNOW, I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH HIM ON THAT AND SEE, SEE WHERE WE ARE, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
ALL RIGHT. I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING EITHER.
SO I GUESS WE CAN MOVE ON TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? SURE YOU WANT TO COME FORWARD? NOT REALLY. [CHUCKLING] YEAH, I DON'T REALLY LIKE SITTING HERE EITHER.
I HAD YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER BEFORE AND I LOST IT, SO A NYWAY I GOT A COUPLE THINGS, TRAVIS.
[Public Comment]
YEAH. CAN YOU GIVE US YOUR--STEVE, CAN YOU GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD? GREENSBORO, MARYLAND. LIVED IN CAROLINE COUNTY ALL MY LIFE.YEAH. FIRST THING IS, LAST FALL, LAST WINTER, THE COUNTY OR WHOEVER, THEY TOOK OUT ALL THE KNIFE BOX ROAD. PUT A NICE BLACKTOP DOWN ON IT, AND I JUST MAYBE I DON'T UNDERSTAND, BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHY WE SPENT THE MONEY TO DO THAT, AND THEN WE WENT BACK OUT THERE THIS SPRING. THE LAST TWO WEEKS UNTIL OUR [INAUDIBLE] THE TOP OF THE BREAK IS THAT, AND IT DIDN'T DO IT ALL, BUT THEY DID LIKE TWO MILES OF IT WHERE IT WAS PATCHED UP.
NO, THIS WAS ALL NEW. ALL NEW, ALL NEW BLACKTOP.
I MEAN, WE HAD A NICE ROAD PUT OUT THERE. YEAH, THAT ROAD WAS TERRIBLE.
YEAH, I'M A FARMER. I COULDN'T EVEN DRIVE DOWN THAT ROAD ON A TRACTOR WITHOUT BEATING MY HEAD.
WHEN THEY PUT THAT ROAD IN, I THOUGHT, MAN, THIS IS NICE.
YEAH. SO LAST WEEK I WAS GOING OUT. THERE I GO, I FARM SOME LAND OUT TO HOBBS, AND I COME UPON.
THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN DO IT IS WITH ASPHALT. WHEN YOU DRAG THE PAVER SCREED ACROSS IT, IT ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, MAKES IT A SMOOTHER RIDE, AND THEY PROBABLY JUST FILLED RUTS, AND THEN IT WAS PROBABLY A THIN COURSE OF ASPHALT IN SOME AREAS.
SO THEY RE-COVERED IT WITH TAR AND CHIP JUST TO PROTECT THE SURFACE.
THREE LEVELS OF ASPHALT ON THAT WHOLE ROAD FROM GREENSBORO ALL THE WAY TO BIRDSVILLE.
OKAY. MADE A NICE ROAD, AND I DON'T KNOW. I'M NOT AN ENGINEER.
YEAH, YOU'RE A LOT MORE. YOU GUYS DO A LOT MORE OF THAT WORK, BUT IT JUST SEEMED TO ME LIKE, I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE. COULD HAVE BEEN SPENT ON A LOT OF ROADS SOMEWHERE ELSE.
I HAD THE SAME--I LIVE ON A DIRT ROAD. BEACH ROAD IS A ROAD I [INAUDIBLE] YOU TO HAVE IT FIXED.
LAST YEAR THAT ROAD'S IN VERY BAD DISREPAIR AGAIN.
GOT POTHOLES ALL IN IT? YEAH. I MEAN, I JUST SEEM TO THINK THAT MONEY THAT WE WENT BACK OUT THERE AND SPENT COULD HAVE BEEN PUT ON SOME OF THESE OTHER ROADS. I'M NOT [INAUDIBLE] .
[01:05:06]
YOU KNOW, SAME THING. SO AND I ACTUALLY REACHED OUT TO ROBIN ON SUNDAY, I THINK TO ASK.SO WE'LL FIND OUT. WE'LL GET AN ANSWER. WELL, IT'S I MEAN IT'S THE MONEY SPENT, BUT YEAH, IT JUST SEEMED LIKE A I THINK IT WAS I THINK IT WAS THIN.
IT WAS PROBABLY THIN IN AREAS, AND THAT'S PROBABLY WHY IT WAS DONE, BUT I'LL FIND OUT AND FOLLOW UP WITH YOU. I THINK I STILL GOT YOUR NUMBER. WHY DIDN'T WE MAKE WHOEVER LAID IT DOWN GO BACK AND FIX IT? BECAUSE WE PAY BY THE TON, AND WE IN ORDER TO STRETCH IT AS FAR AS WE COULD, WE PUT THE ASPHALT THIN TO FILL THE RUT WE DIDN'T MILL.
LOOK, STEVE, THE OPTION --WHAT? THEY MILLED THAT ROAD DOWN THE WHOLE WAY.
THEY DIDN'T MILL ANY OF IT. THEY DIDN'T. THEY PATCHED.
I THINK IT WAS JUST. THAT'S ALL BEEN TORN CHIP.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? THAT WHOLE STRETCH? FROM WHITE'S LANE, LIKE OUT TO FOLEY'S AND ON DOWN TO BIRDSVILLE.
MY GUESS IS THAT THEY DID ONE SHOT OF ASPHALT, PROBABLY AN INCH TO TWO INCHES THICK, AND IN ORDER TO PRESERVE IT, THEY PROBABLY TORE AND CHIPPED OVER TOP OF IT, BUT JUST TO KEEP IT FROM WEATHERING BECAUSE, I MEAN, YOU'VE SEEN ASPHALT, THE STATE HIGHWAYS, THEY LOSE.
THEY WHETHER THEY LOSE THAT ASPHALT THAT'S IN THE ACTUAL LIQUID ASPHALT THAT'S IN THE MIX WEATHERS AND IT BECOMES BRITTLE. SO IN ORDER TO KEEP IT FROM WEATHERING, WE PUT A THIN SHOT OF TAR CHIP ON IT.
IT'S PROBABLY WHAT IT WAS. SO THAT'S I MEAN THAT'S THE ANSWER PROBABLY, BUT I'LL FIND OUT.
I'LL CALL YOU. A COUPLE OTHER THINGS. I MEAN, IT WAS PRETTY NICE.
I WALKED IN HERE AND WE'RE SAYING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
I'M ALL FOR EVERYBODY HAS THEIR RIGHT TO BE WHO THEY WANT TO BE, AND THESE TEACHERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE WHO THEY WANT TO BE, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO PUSH THAT ON OUR CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN THAT ARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE, THAT ARE VERY IMPRESSIONABLE AND I PERSONALLY KNOW THIS TEACHER, AND FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, I'M GOING TO SAY SHE'S ABOUT AS WOKE AS YOU CAN GET.
NOW, I'M NOT AGAINST IT, BUT I DON'T WANT IT PRESSED DOWN.
MY GRANDDAUGHTER WENT TO THAT SCHOOL WHEN THIS SAME TEACHER PUSHED SOME OF HER WOKE AGENDA ON HER, AND IT TOOK ME AND MY FAMILY A COUPLE YEARS TO GET THAT OUT OF THIS, OUT OF THAT GIRL AND GET IT.
GET HER REPAIRED FROM THAT. THIS MAY NOT BE THE PLACE.
IT MAY BE THE BOARD OF ED, BUT I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE KNOWN.
I MEAN, IT'S THERE'S A LOT OF THAT GOES ON THAT WE DON'T NEED.
I'M NOT SAYING WE EVERYBODY DOESN'T HAVE A RIGHT.
EVERYBODY HAS THEIR RIGHT, BUT , YOU KNOW, IT'S THE SAME AS LETTING THESE KIDS COME TO SCHOOL AND PLAY LIKE THEY'RE CATS AND DOGS AND FURBIES. IT'S THERE'S A PLACE FOR THAT, AND IT'S NOT IN OUR SCHOOLS.
YEAH. THAT ONE, THAT ONE WOULD BE FOR THE BOARD OF ED.
I'M SURE IT IS. YEAH. YEAH. ALL RIGHT. NOW, THAT WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT OF A YEAH, I WANTED TO GET THAT OFF MY CHEST BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT, BUT ANYWAY. YEAH. THE OTHER THING, WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO BESIDES PUT IN A WORK ORDERS TO GET SOME ROAD WORK DONE IN THIS COUNTY. I PUT IN TWO WORK ORDERS OVER A YEAR AGO TO HAVE TWO DITCHES DUG OUT.
THEY ARE HOLDING WATER, AND I FINALLY MADE A PHONE CALL ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, BACK DOWN AND PUT IN ANOTHER WORK ORDER TO LT BLADES . OF COURSE YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING GOES TO VOICEMAIL.
HE FINALLY CALLED ME BACK, AND THEN HE TOLD ME THAT HE'S NOT IN CHARGE OF THAT DEPARTMENT ANYMORE.
HE'S HAD A, I GUESS A HE GOT A RAISE OR WHATEVER HE GOT GOT US, BUT ANYWAY, HE TOLD ME THE NAME OF THE GUY THAT IS NOW IN CHARGE OF IT, DAVID EDWARDS. HE SAID, I GAVE HIM YOUR NUMBER AND HE WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH YOU, AND IT'S LIKE I TOLD LT, I SAID LT, IT WAS OVER A YEAR AGO. I SAID, YOU CAME OUT AND MET WITH ME AT THE JOB.
WHEN WE PUT A NEW WE PUT A NEW ENTRANCEWAY INTO A FARM, AND ALL I WANTED WAS THE DITCH DUG OUT TO GET THE WATER AWAY FROM THE ROAD AND THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. I SAID YOU SHOULD HAVE MADE SURE THAT WAS DONE BEFORE YOU LEFT YOUR JOB OR WHATEVER.
HE SAID, WELL, I'M GOING TO HAVE IT TAKEN CARE OF.
[01:10:02]
SO I SAID, WELL, I'M GOING TO TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, I'M GOING TO THE COMMISSIONERS' MEETING TOMORROW MORNING. THAT WAS A WEEK AGO LAST MONDAY.YOU KNOW, I GAVE THEM A WEEK. I DIDN'T HEAR A WORD.
LIGHT HAD PUT IN. I'M SUPPOSED TO MEET HIM OUT THERE AT 1:00, BUT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS, YOU KNOW. I KNOW HOW IT GOES TO GET THE DIRT ROAD SCRAPED THAT WE ALL LIVE ON, THAT THE BUSSES TRAVEL ON.
YOU HAVE TO CALL IN AND PUT A WORK ORDER IN. IT'S USUALLY NOT A BIG DEAL, BUT WHAT DO WE HAVE.
I MEAN, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO COME HERE TO YOU GUYS.
I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO CALL YOU TO GET BATES ROAD FIXED.
LAST WINTER WHEN I COULDN'T EVEN DRIVE DOWN IT WITHOUT A VEHICLE UP.
I SAID WELL WHY IF YOU DON'T HAVE OPERATORS WHY DO YOU HAVE THE EQUIPMENT.
IF YOU DON'T, IF YOU CAN'T KEEP OPERATORS TO RUN THIS HIGH PRICE EQUIPMENT, SELL THE DAMN EQUIPMENT.
EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE. I'M SORRY. SELL THE EQUIPMENT AND HIRE THE WORK DONE RIGHT.
IT DOESN'T MATTER, BUT WELL, WE'RE WORKING THROUGH IT.
SINCE YOU'RE HERE, WHAT IS T HE DITCHES? ARE THEY ROADSIDE DITCHES SOMEWHERE ON BATES ? YEAH, THEY'RE BOTH ROADSIDE DITCHES, AND ONE HAS ACTUALLY THE ONE ON BILBOROUGH ROAD HAS A TILE THAT RUNS FROM A FIELD INTO THAT DITCH, AND WHEN THE DITCH FILLS IN, IT BACKS THE TILE UP, WHICH BACKS WATER UP ON THE FARM.
OKAY. WE'LL FOLLOW UP WITH IT. THAT WAS ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT WE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT LAST WEEK WAS ADDRESSING THE TAX DITCHES OR THE DITCHES THAT DRAIN OUR RIGHT OF WAYS. YEAH, AND WE'VE GOT A LOT OF THEM AROUND THE COUNTY WHERE THEY'RE NOT THE, THE, THE DITCHES THAT DRAIN THE RIGHT OF WAYS ARE NOT BEING MAINTAINED AND CLEARED OUT BECAUSE WE DON'T OWN WE DON'T OWN RIGHT OF WAYS TO THEM.
SO YOU KNOW, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT AROUND THE COUNTY IN VARIOUS AREAS, BUT IF THESE ARE ROADSIDE DITCHES, WE CAN WE'LL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU. I'LL MAKE SURE I FOLLOW UP AS WELL.
IT SOUNDS LIKE PUBLIC WORKS HAS REACHED OUT TO YOU, SO JUST KEEP ME POSTED.
WHAT'S THE OTHER ONE? YEAH, BOTH OF THEM? NO, THE OTHER ONE'S ON HOBBS ROAD.
HOBBS. OKAY. ALL RIGHT, I'LL FOLLOW THE ROAD.
WE'VE GOT TREES GROWING INTO THE ROAD, I MEAN THEY NEED TO TRIM IT BACK.
IT'S TIGHT ENOUGH WITH THE BRIDGE AS NARROW AS IT IS I MEAN THERE'S STUFF GROWING UP OVER THE EDGE OF THE BRIDGE AND, BUT NOW THERE'S A TREE AND THE TREE'S BEEN HANGING THERE, BUT NOW IT'S GOT BRUSH GROWING ALL OVER HONEYSUCKLE OR WHATEVER, AND IT'S HANGING OUT IN THE ROAD. IT IS HARD TO GET AROUND WITH, WITH BIG TRUCKS AND THE FARM EQUIPMENT IN A LOT OF AREAS, AND WE PUT MONEY IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR FOR ADDITIONAL TREE TRIMMING TO TRY TO CATCH THAT UP.
SO. YEAH, I KNOW. I MEAN, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT HALF MILLION, THREE QUARTER MILLION DOLLAR PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT I MEAN, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO I'LL GO CUT THE STUFF DOWN, BUT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO.
NO, WE PUT WE PUT MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO ADDRESS IT.
SO IF I GO CUT IT OFF, THEN I'M PUTTING MYSELF IN A BAD.
ALL RIGHT. WE'LL GET ON IT. I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU.
I'VE GOT YOUR NUMBER, SO THANKS. STEVE. STEVE, YOU'RE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE GRANDCHILDREN.
I COACHED YOU IN LITTLE LEAGUE, I THINK, DIDN'T YOU? NOT THAT MUCH OLDER THAN I.
HEY, I WAS ONE OF THE GRANDFATHERS THAT WAS IN THE GREEN FOR SCHOOL WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND ENJOYED THOSE LUNCHES, BUT LIKE YOU SAY, YEAH, IT'S ONE OF THOSE PLACES YOU CAN'T GO, RIGHT? I GOT A 15 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER, AND I'VE GOT A FIVE MONTH OLD.
OKAY. GOOD SEEING YOU, STEVE. THANKS. YEP. ANYONE ELSE? JAY. I WAS JUST TALKING. I WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT YOU.
SO. YEAH, I HOPE IN A GOOD WAY, I WAS. YEAH.
I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE YOU THE COURTESY OF BOTH AS YOU, AS A COMMISSIONER AND ALSO YOUR CITIZENS ON THE PETITION DRIVE, AND ALSO JUST A COUPLE OTHER THINGS REGARDING SENATE BILL 931.
[01:15:05]
I DON'T KNOW, 5 OR 6 WEEKS. I'VE COVERED ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF AREAS OF CAROLINE COUNTY.I'VE COME TO LOVE YOUR COUNTY. I MET A BUNCH OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS THROUGH THAT ENTIRE TIME, AND THEY ALL CAME TOGETHER IN A WAY THAT WAS UNIQUE COMPARED TO SOME OF THE OTHER COUNTIES WE MET AT BALL FIELDS.
I GOT PETITIONS JUST DOWN THE ROAD. IT WAS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.
SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY YOU'VE GOT A GREAT GROUP OF CITIZENS IN THE COUNTY.
WHEN WE STARTED THE PETITION DRIVE, I HAD REACHED OUT TO THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS RECOGNIZING THAT MAY 31ST FELL ON A SATURDAY AND SO I VERY CLEARLY ASKED, SINCE IT FALLS ON A SATURDAY, WHAT'S THE FALLBACK DATE AND HAVE FROM THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS MONDAY, JUNE 2ND. SO DURING THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF US GATHERING SIGNATURES, WE WERE OPERATING ON THAT VERY TIGHT TIMELINE.
ON FRIDAY, THE DAY BEFORE THE 31ST, I GOT AN EMAIL LATE IN THE AFTERNOON.
I THINK I CALLED A FEW OF YOU AND THEY SAID, SURPRISE! WE'VE CHANGED THE DEADLINE TO THE 31ST AT 11:59.
THAT REQUIRED EVERYBODY THAT WAS GATHERING SIGNATURES TO THEN GO INTO HYPERDRIVE TO TRY AND GET IT.
I AM CONFIDENT, HAD WE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE DEADLINE THAT WAS ANNOUNCED TO US INITIALLY, WE WOULD HAVE MADE IT WE CAME IN JUST UNDER 20,000 SIGNATURES.
THE MOMENTUM WAS WITH US, AND WE NEEDED ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MORE.
I'M CONFIDENT WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN IT. WE DID END UP GETTING SIGNATURES FROM ALL 23 COUNTIES.
THE DOMINANT PART OF THAT NUMBER CAME FROM THE EASTERN SHORE.
CAROLINE COUNTY, I THINK, WAS NUMBER THREE IN TERMS OF TOTAL NUMBER OF SIGNATURES.
SO IT WAS AN IMPRESSIVE EFFORT, JUST NOT ENOUGH TO GET US OVER THE GOAL LINE.
THAT WAS ITEM NUMBER ONE. ITEM NUMBER TWO. I SAW RECENTLY THAT THERE'S A SMALLER COMMUNITY SOLAR PROJECT COMING UP IN FEDERALSBURG AND WE'RE FACING THE SAME THING IN QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY.
I WANTED TO YOUR COUNCIL WILL SURELY KNOW THIS, BUT ON PAGE 37 OF THE PERENNIAL SOLAR CASE, I URGE YOU TO READ THE FOOTNOTE OF THAT PARTICULAR CASE.
BECAUSE IN SPITE OF WHAT 931 SAYS RIGHT NOW, THE COURT WAS VERY CLEAR THAT COMPREHENSIVE PLANS MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S SORT OF A PREVAILING VIEW RIGHT NOW THAT THESE SOLAR COMPANIES CAN JUST COME IN AND GO WHEREVER THEY WANT AND DO WHATEVER THEY WANT.
THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE CASE, AND I THINK THERE'S SUFFICIENT LANGUAGE IN THE FOOTNOTE ON PAGE 37 THAT WOULD GIVE ALL COUNTIES ENOUGH TO RELY ON IN ORDER TO REJECT SOME OF THESE PROJECTS.
SO I URGE YOU TO CHECK THE FOOTNOTE ON PAGE 37 OF THE PERENNIAL LOWERCASE, AND VERY FINELY SOMETHING I'M SURE YOUR ATTORNEY ALSO KNOWS, I HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO READ THROUGH SOME OF THESE CONTRACTS, AND HERE'S ONE OF THEM THAT THESE SOLAR COMPANIES ARE PUTTING OUT AND ASKING PEOPLE TO SIGN. I'M GRATEFUL THAT CAROLINE COUNTY PUT OUT ITS WARNING NOTICE TO LANDOWNERS THAT ARE CONSIDERING THESE CONTRACTS.
I WOULD NOT LET MY WORST ENEMY SIGN ONE OF THESE AGREEMENTS, BECAUSE WHAT THEY ARE IS THEY ARE OPTIONS THAT ULTIMATELY CAN CONVERT INTO A CONTRACT, DENYING THE PERSON THAT MIGHT BE ENTERING INTO AN OPTION OF HAVING ANY NEGOTIATING POWER LATER ON AND IT REALLY IS, IN MY VIEW, ALMOST A BAIT AND SWITCH CIRCUMSTANCE, AND SO TO THE EXTENT CAROLINE COUNTY IS ABLE TO OFFER FURTHER WARNINGS AND GUIDANCE TO ITS CITIZENS, I WOULD URGE YOU TO CONTINUE PUTTING OUT THAT NOTICE, BECAUSE WHAT IS IN HERE CAN NOT ONLY DENY THE LANDOWNER CERTAIN RIGHTS OF GOING BACK AND TRYING TO GET SOME THINGS ADDRESSED, BUT IT WOULD DENY ALL OF THE SURROUNDING LANDOWNERS THE ABILITY TO DO THAT AS WELL,
[01:20:08]
AND SO THERE'S SOME PRETTY BAD STUFF IN HERE, AND I JUST URGE YOU TO CONTINUE PUTTING OUT THAT NOTIFICATION.SO WITH THAT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT.
ALL THREE OF YOU SIGNED THE PETITION WHICH I'M GRATEFUL FOR, AND WE'LL JUST KEEP GOING AT IT.
AS I'VE SAID ALL ALONG, THIS IS ONLY THE VERY FIRST STEP IN A LONG, LONG JOURNEY.
THIS IS NOT THE END. THERE'S A LONG WAY TO GO, AND I THINK WITH A FEW OF THESE THINGS, THERE'S A LOT MORE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE PUSHING BACK AGAINST THIS HOSTILE BILL. SO WITH WITH THAT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU, JAY. YEAH. THANK YOU.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. NO ONE ELSE SEEN.
[Closed Session: To Discuss the Employment, Appointment, Assignment or Personnel Matter.]
ASSIGNMENT OR PERSONNEL MATTER UNDER GENERAL PROVISIONS.ARTICLE 3-305 (B)(1), AND TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE UNDER SECTION SEVEN.
SECOND. OKAY. MOTION AND SECOND. ROLL CALL VOTE.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.