[00:01:07]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER 28, 2025, CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING, WHICH IS NOW IN ORDER.
THIS MORNING, WE HAVE OUR INVOCATION BY REVEREND GREGORY BLACKTON OF GOD TRUT CHURCH OF DENTON, AND THAT'LL BE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> LET US PRAY. "HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME BEFORE YOU THIS DAY WITH GRATEFUL HEARTS.
THANK YOU YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR WISDOM, GUIDANCE, AND SOVEREIGNTY OVER ALL THINGS.
LORD WE ASK FOR YOUR PRESENCE TO REST UPON THIS MEETING.
GRANT THESE COMMISSIONERS AND LEADERS CLARITY OF THOUGHT, UNITY OF PURPOSE, AND COMPASSION AND EVERY DECISION MADE.
MAY THAT DISCUSSION BE MARKED BY FAIRNESS, INTEGRITY, AND SINCERE DESIRE TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF ALL CITIZENS IN THIS COUNTY.
ITS WORKERS, FAMILIES, AND NEIGHBORHOODS.
[Call to Order: Invocation—Rev, Gregory Blackston, In God We Trust Church of Denton; Pledge of Allegiance; Agenda Review]
LET PEACE D WELL WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES AND PROSPERITY FLOW FROM HONEST LABOR AND WIDE STEWARDSHIP.WE ASK YOUR BLESSINGS IN FAVOR UPON THIS MEETING AND UPON ALL WHO SERVE TODAY IN JESUS NAME, WE PRAY, AMEN".
>> I HAVE A PRESIDENT'S CLOSED SESSION REPORT OUT STATEMENT.
THE COMMISSIONERS MET IN CLOSED SESSION ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2025, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 11:45 A.M. AT 1:09 MARKET STREET IN DENTON, UNDER THE MARYLAND OPEN MEETINGS ACT, GENERAL PROVISIONS, ARTICLE 3 DASH 305B7 AND EIGHT, TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL AND DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS.
THOSE PRESENT INCLUDED COMMISSIONERS J TRAVIS BREEDING,
[President’s Closed Session Report Out]
LARRY C PORTER, AND AN FRANKLIN BARTS, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR KATHLEEN FREEMAN, DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR DANIEL FOX.COUNTY ATTORNEYS JESSE HAMICK AND STEWART BERYL, PLANNING COS DIRECTOR CRYSTAL DADS, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, JENNIFER BIBLEY, JUDGE HEATHER PRICE, STATE'S ATTORNEY SLOAN FRANKLIN, AND THE CLERK OF COURT, TERRY LORD.
VARIOUS TOPICS WERE DISCUSSED, OF ONGOING ZONING AND LEGAL MATTERS, COURTHOUSE SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS, AND AN UPDATE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
MOVING ALONG TO OUR FIRST AGENDA ITEM THIS MORNING, WHICH IS KEN COSELL, PRESIDENT OF UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH, AND LAURA WILSON,
[Ken Kozel, President, UM Shore Regional Health & Lara Wilson, Director, External Affairs & Community Liaison]
DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND COMMUNITY LIAISON WITH A UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH UPDATE. GOOD MORNING.>> I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE WITH YOU THIS MORNING. THANK YOU.
GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. HOW ARE YOU? THAT'S THE REVEREND SAID.
I'LL JUST START BY SAYING THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY.
IT'S AN HONOR AND I APPRECIATE OUR RELATIONSHIPS AND THE ABILITY TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY FROM A HEALTHCARE PERSPECTIVE.
>> WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WOULD DO TODAY IS JUST SHARE A SHORT POWERPOINT PRESENTATION WITH YOU AND GIVE YOU THE STATE OF THE STATE WITH WHAT'S GOING ON IN HEALTH CARE.
THEN IF WE DON'T COVER SOMETHING OR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT SOME THINGS THAT WE PRESENT, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK, AND WE'LL TRY TO GET OUT OF HERE WITH YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
AGAIN, WE'LL START AT A HIGH LEVEL.
I'D LIKE TO START AT 10,000 FEET AND WORK THE PLANE DOWN A LITTLE BIT TOWARDS GROUND LEVEL.
WE'LL START WITH SOME CONVERSATIONS AROUND RURAL HEALTHCARE IN THE COUNTRY VERY BRIEFLY, AND THEN WE'LL GET INTO WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.
[00:05:02]
THEN WE'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL SYSTEM, AND THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IS DOING TO HELP SUPPORT HEALTHCARE IN RURAL MARYLAND, LIKE THE MID SHORE.AND WE'LL GIVE YOU A QUICK UPDATE ON OUR REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROJECT THAT WE'VE GOT OVER ON ROUTE 50.
THEN WE'LL TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT CAROLINE COUNTY SPECIFIC THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON AS WELL.
WITH THAT, IF THAT'S OKAY WITH YOU, WE'LL START WITH THAT AGENDA.
>> I'LL JUST START WITH SAYING, YOU KNOW, THE ONE CONSTANT IN HEALTHCARE IS CHANGE.
AS LARRY AS YOU AND I HAVE BEEN IN THIS SEAT IN THESE SEATS FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS, I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT THAT'S THE STANDARD IS CHANGE IN OUR INDUSTRY ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT.
WHAT SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH HAS BEEN TRYING TO DO IS POSITION OURSELF IN ADVANCE OF THAT CHANGE, AND NOT ONLY SURVIVE THE CHANGES THAT ARE COMING THROUGH YEAR AFTER YEAR WITH PAYMENT MODELS OR WITH WORKFORCE CHALLENGES, BUT THRIVE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.
THIS SLIDE JUST TRIES TO GIVE YOU A QUICK SENSE OF WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL FOR RURAL HEALTH CARE IN THIS COUNTRY.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT HOSPITALS ARE CLOSING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
HOSPITALS ARE TAKING AWAY SERVICES THAT THEY'RE OFFERING THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND MORE OF THOSE SERVICES ARE AT RISK FOR CLOSING AS WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE.
THE SLIDE INDICATES THAT UP TO 600 RURAL HOSPITALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE AT RISK FOR CLOSURE, AND IT'S MAINLY RESULTING IN FINANCIAL PRESSURES.
IT'S THE FINANCE OF TRYING TO KEEP THE BUSINESS AFLOAT WITH VERY THIN MARGINS.
SO IF YOU'RE RUNNING A BUSINESS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND, YOU PROBABLY NEED 5,7,10% PROFIT MARGIN TO SUSTAIN YOUR BUSINESS AND TO GROW.
HOSPITALS TYPICALLY RUN A PROFIT MARGIN ABOUT ONE TO 1.5%.
THAT'S VERY, VERY TIGHT MARGINS, AND WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THESE HOSPITAL SYSTEMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IT'S VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO SUSTAIN OPERATIONS THERE.
BUT WHAT WE LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU IS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO HELP TRANSITION HEALTH CARE INTO THE FUTURE.
MARYLAND IS STILL A UNIQUE STATE THAT OFFERS THE ONLY PAYMENT SYSTEM IN THE STATE IN THE COUNTRY, THAT'S UNIQUE.
AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS WORKING WITH MARYLAND ON TRYING TO ADVANCE THIS PAYMENT MODEL.
THE NEW MODEL IS CALLED THE AHEAD MODEL.
WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW IS FINALIZING THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
OUR HOPE IS THAT THIS NEW AHEAD MODEL IS SIGNED BY THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR, SO JUST WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH MONTH AND A HALF OR SO, AND IT WILL TAKE EFFECT, AND IT WILL RUN THROUGH 12/31/35.
A TEN YEAR PLAN AND A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE STATE OF MARYLAND AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT ARE COMING ABOUT AS A RESULT OF THE NEW MODEL IS THAT IT REALLY FOCUSES US ON TAKING CARE OF PREVENTATIVE HEALTH, PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE, FOCUSING ON PRIMARY CARE IS A BIG SOURCE TO OUR COMMUNITY SO THAT YOU GET THE IMMEDIATE ACCESS YOU NEED FOR HEALTH CARE WITHOUT NECESSARILY USING THE EMERGENCY ROOM OR THE INPATIENT UNITS, WHICH ARE THE MOST EXPENSIVE PARTS OF HEALTH CARE IN OUR REGION.
IN ADDITION TO PREVENTATIVE HEALTH THROUGH PRIMARY CARE, THEY ALSO WANT US TO FOCUS ON IMPROVING OUTCOMES.
MAKING SURE THAT WE FOCUS ON THOSE CHRONIC DISEASES THAT PATIENTS HAVE AND IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THOSE PATIENTS, AND THEN REDUCE SPENDING OVERALL, IF THE GOVERNMENT LOOKS AT THEIR SPENDING CAPABILITIES, THEY RECOGNIZE THAT WE NEED TO CUT BACK ON COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH HEALTH CARE ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.
THAT'S THE FOCUS. IT'S CALLED THE HEAD MODEL.
YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO HEAR A LOT ABOUT IT WITHIN THE NEXT 30 DAYS OR SO, AND OUR INTENT IS AS A STATE IS TO SIGN THAT MODEL.
BUT AS YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD ABOUT THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, YOU MIGHT NOT BE AWARE, BUT WITHIN THAT BILL, THERE IS A $50 BILLION ALLOCATION TO RURAL HEALTHCARE.
THAT'S PART OF THAT BILL. THIS NEXT SLIDE TRIES TO JUST WALK YOU THROUGH THE TWO COMPONENTS OF THIS BILL AND HOW IT COULD IMPACT HOSPITAL SYSTEMS LIKE SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH ON THE SHORE.
THE NEXT SLIDE FOCUSES ON TWO FACTORS.
ONE TO THE LEFT IN RED IS REALLY A BASELINE AMOUNT OF FUNDS.
THEY'VE TAKEN THAT 50 BILLION, DIVIDED IT IN HALF AND SAID 25 BILLION WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO STATES WHO APPLY AND WHOSE APPLICATION IS ACCEPTED AND APPROVED, AND THEY WOULD GET AN EVEN ALLOCATION OF THAT MONEY.
SO GIVE OR TAKE, WE COULD EXPECT $100 MILLION OVER THE COURSE OF A FIVE YEAR PERIOD.
WHEN YOU SHIFT TO THE RIGHT THOUGH, THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL 25 BILLION.
IF YOU HAVE TO APPLY TO IT AT THE STATE LEVEL, YOU HAVE TO QUALIFY FOR WHAT THE STATE IS LOOKING TO IMPROVE IN RURAL HEALTHCARE, AND THEN THE STATE HAS TO GET THOSE FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND ALLOCATE THEM LOCALLY.
THERE'S A LITTLE MORE WORK IN THAT ONE TO DO, BUT I SHARE THIS WITH YOU BECAUSE THE STATE OF MARYLAND IS IN THE PROCESS AS WE SPEAK OF FINALIZING OUR APPLICATION FOR THESE FEDERAL FUNDS.
THEY'VE DONE A LOT OF ROAD SHOWS IN COMMUNITY AREAS IN THOSE RURAL AREAS ACROSS THE STATE.
THEY'VE ASKED THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY WHAT WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT, RURAL HEALTHCARE TRANSFORMATION IN THE STATE, AND WE'VE GIVEN THEM THE FEEDBACK TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION.
[00:10:03]
SO THAT PROCESS IS UNDERWAY NOW.THE APPLICATION, I BELIEVE, IS EXPECTED TO BE SUBMITTED BY NEXT WEEK.
THEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL DECIDE BY THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR,WHAT FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED ACROSS THE COUNTRY FROM THIS $50 BILLION ALLOCATION.
SO A LOT OF TIMELINESS AND CHANGE COMING AS A RESULT OF THAT, BUT WE ARE AT THE FOREFRONT WITH THE STATE OF MARYLAND TRYING TO REQUEST SOME OF THESE FUNDS FOR USE LOCALLY.
>> WELL, THIS NEXT OF EXAMPLES OF THINGS ARE YOU APPLYING FOR?
>> GREAT SEGUE. THE NEXT SLIDE HERE TELLS YOU EXACTLY WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SAYING IS IMPORTANT TO THEM IN IMPROVING HEALTHCARE.
APPLICATIONS, THINGS THAT WE'LL BE SUBMITTING OR THAT WE'VE SHARE WITH THE STATE OF MARYLAND THAT WE NEED HERE ON THE SHORE IS INCREASED ACCESS.
INCREASED ACCESS TO PRIMARY CARE AND INCREASED ACCESS TO SPECIALTY CARE.
WHAT THE NON HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY RESIDENTS MIGHT NOT REALIZE IS, WHEN WE ADD A CARDIOLOGIST TO SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH, AND WE EMPLOY THAT CARDIOLOGIST.
TYPICALLY, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THAT CARDIOLOGIST CAN MAKE THROUGH BILLING BY SEEING PATIENTS, TREATING PATIENTS, ETC, IS LESS THAN THE COST OF PROVIDING THAT CARDIOLOGIST TO THE REGION.
HOSPITAL SYSTEMS LIKE US SUBSIDIZE THOSE PROVIDERS.
IT'S HARD FOR US TO KEEP SUBSIDIZING YEAR AFTER YEAR, BUT WE NEED ACCESS.
THESE FUNDS WILL HELP US IMPROVE ACCESS FOR PRIMARY CARE AND SPECIALTY CARE WITHIN OUR FIVE COUNTY REGION.
THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE ASKED FOR.
SUSTAINING THOSE PROVIDERS THAT EXIST TODAY.
THAT'S ANOTHER CHALLENGE, BUT WE NEED TO KEEP THEM IF WE'VE GOT THEM HERE.
STRENGTHENING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.
WE'RE GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DOCTOR BRUCE DARRELL AND SOME OF THE WORK THAT HE IS DOING TO BRING PROVIDERS, PHYSICIANS, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, TO RURAL AREAS LIKE THE MID SHORE OF MARYLAND.
HAVING PROGRAMS LIKE THAT AND STRENGTHENING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION ARE JUST SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT WE'RE SUGGESTING THAT BE PART OF THAT APPLICATION FOR US.
THEN CREATING INNOVATIVE MODELS LIKE THE MIC PROGRAM.
WE'VE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT HERE, AND LAURA'S GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE.
JUST INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS THAT BRING HEALTH TO THE RESIDENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY AS OPPOSED TO HAVING THEM HAVE TO COME TO THE ER OR COME TO THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM FOR THEIR CARE.
THOSE ARE THE INNOVATIVE MODELS THAT WE'VE SUGGESTED TO THE STATE WOULD WORK UNDER THIS NEW AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND WE'VE PUT FORTH THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS.
NOW, SUE REGIONAL HEALTH ISN'T APPLYING.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION.
THIS IS A ONE APPLICATION PROCESS THAT'S CONTROLLED BY THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
THEY'RE GATHERING ALL THE INFORMATION AND THEY'RE GOING TO SUBMIT THAT APPLICATION NEXT WEEK.
THEN THEY WILL BE THE REGULATOR OF ANY FUNDS THAT WE RECEIVE AS A PART OF THIS BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE WITH THIS, MORE TO COME, BUT THIS IS GOING TO RESOLVE ITSELF, I BELIEVE, BY THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR.
SO AGAIN, IT'S A TEN YEAR PROGRAM, SO IT WILL BE THE RULES OF THE ROAD THAT WE'LL DEAL WITH FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS IF WE GET THIS SIGNED.
>> IT'S MAINLY SALARY, AUGMENTATION, ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO HIRE MORE STAFF, NOT NECESSARILY FACILITIES.
>> IT'S VERY STRICT WITH REGARD TO FACILITY EXPANSION, SERVICE LINE EXPANSION, VERY, STRICT.
AGAIN, MDH IS GOING TO BE THE GATEKEEPER OF WHAT WE SUBMIT VERSUS WHAT QUALIFIES AND THEN MAKE SURE THAT ANYTHING THAT WE SUBMIT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT QUALIFIES UNDER THEIR DIRECTION AS TO WHAT THESE FUNDS COULD BE USED FOR.
>> HOW MUCH INPUT DID YOU HAVE IN THIS APPLICATION PROCESS?
>> PERSONALLY, SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS AT ARMS TO DEVELOP AN APPLICATION.
AND WE REALLY HAD TWO OF OUR SYSTEM HOSPITALS PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS.
CHARLES REGIONAL IS ANOTHER HOSPITAL SYSTEM DOWN IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND.
THAT'S TECHNICALLY CONSIDERED RURAL.
THAT'S PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SYSTEM.
CHARLES REGIONAL AND SHORE GOT TOGETHER WITH OUR CORPORATE EXECS.
WE COMPLETED GAVE THEM A TON OF INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON AND WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO MOVING FORWARD.
AND THEN THE CORPORATE OFFICE CONSOLIDATED THAT AND SUBMITTED TO THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
A LOT OF INVOLVEMENT, LOT OF ENGAGEMENT, AND REALLY JUST TRYING TO REPRESENT THE NEXT TEN YEARS FOR OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM MOVING FORWARD.
THIS SLIDE JUST REMIND YOU A LITTLE BIT OF BRINGING THE PLANE DOWN AGAIN.
THIS IS THE STATE OF MARYLAND WHERE YOU SEE THE GREEN COUNTIES, THAT'S WHERE THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL SYSTEM HAS A PRESENCE IN THOSE COUNTIES, AND YOU CAN SEE THE FIVE COUNTIES EARMARKED ON THE MID SHORE THAT IS SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH PRIMARY SERVICE AREA.
I SHARE THIS WITH YOU BECAUSE THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND IS EVOLVING AS WELL.
WHEN I TALKED ABOUT CHANGE, IT'S NOT JUST IN THE EXTERNAL WORLD, IT'S IN OUR INTERNAL WORLD AS WELL.
HOSPITAL SYSTEMS LIKE OURS, NEED TO EVOLVE AND NEED TO BE AND ACT MORE LIKE A SYSTEM, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND IS FOCUSING ON.
SO WHAT YOU SEE TODAY IS A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT HOSPITALS OFFERING A LOT OF SIMILAR SERVICES IN THEIR SERVICE AREA.
WE'RE ASKING OURSELVES TODAY, DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
[00:15:03]
DO WE NEED NINE HOSPITALS FOCUSING ON CARDIAC CARE? DO WE NEED NINE HOSPITALS FOCUSING ON ORTHOPEDIC CARE, CANCER CARE? OR IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE? STILL PROVIDING EXCELLENT CARE AND SERVICES, BUT MAYBE STREAMLINING THAT AND BEING MORE EFFICIENT AS A LARGE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM? THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS WE'RE ASKING OURSELVES NOW AT THE UMS LEVEL, SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH IS PARTICIPATING IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS.TO SHARE THIS LARGER PICTURE WITH YOU SO YOU GET A SENSE OF THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL SYSTEM.
WE REPRESENT 25% OF ALL OF THE HEALTHCARE THAT'S PERFORMED IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
WE'RE A BIG PLAYER ALONG WITH HOPKINS AND MEDSTAR.
AS WE TALK ABOUT THESE CHANGES, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, MY BOSS, DOCTOR SANTA IS AT THE TABLE WITH THE GOVERNOR INFORMING HIM AND HIS TEAM ABOUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT IN MARYLAND AND WHAT'S IMPORTANT FOR RURAL HEALTHCARE.
THE NEXT SLIDE JUST BRINGS THE PLANE DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND TALKS ABOUT THE NEED FOR WORKFORCE HERE ON THE MID SHORE.
THAT IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES.
THAT IS WHAT WE SPEND A LOT OF OUR RESOURCES, OUR TIME AND RESOURCES ON.
AND DOCTOR GERALD, WHO IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE, CAROLINE COUNTY RESIDENT, REALLY IS LEADING THE WAY AND HELPING US PROVIDE MORE PROVIDERS ON THE MID SHORE AND IN RURAL AREAS ACROSS THE STATE.
WITH DOCTOR GERALD'S ASSISTANTS, HE'S CREATING THE MARYLAND RURAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM.
THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT ADDS TEN SLOTS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINES, MEDICAL SCHOOL.
THOSE TEN ADDITIONAL SLOTS THAT HAVE BEEN DEFINED, ARE FOR RURAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.
THOSE ARE FOR, MEDICAL STUDENTS WHO WANT TO COME BACK WHEN THEY GRADUATE AND PERFORM HEALTHCARE IN RURAL AREAS.
THE UNIQUENESS IS THAT THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FILL THESE SLOTS, BUT THEY ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR TUITION PAID FOR, FOR FOUR YEARS.
YOU'RE PROBABLY TALKING ABOUT 200 TO $250,000 IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THESE STUDENTS, AND WHEN THEY GRADUATE AND WHEN THEY FINISH THEIR TRAINING, THEY MAKE A FOUR YEAR COMMITMENT TO COME BACK TO RURAL AREAS LIKE THE MID SHORE, AND PROVIDE HEALTHCARE.
WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT OVER THAT FOUR YEAR PERIOD, WHEN THEY GET TO THEIR DESTINATION, THEY TYPICALLY STAY IN THE REGIONS THAT THEY SERVE.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF STRATEGY FOR ADDING PROVIDERS TO RURAL AREAS LIKE THE SHORE THROUGH THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND THROUGH OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH DOCTOR BRUCE GERALD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE.
IT'S NOT JUST FOR PHYSICIANS, IT'S ALSO FOR NURSING AS WELL.
THE SCHOOL OF NURSING IS GOING TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS AS WELL.
IT'S EXCITING, IT'S A WAY THAT WE CAN NOT ONLY BUILD A NEW HOSPITAL, BUT PROVIDE THE WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE FOR THAT FACILITY AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL. NEXT SLIDE.
>> AGAIN, JUST BRINGING THE PLANE DOWN, THIS IS OUR FIVE COUNTY SERVICE AREA.
JUST A REMINDER, WE COVER ABOUT 2,000 SQUARE MILES, AND THE 2020 CENSUS WAS ABOUT 172,000 RESIDENTS.
I LIKE TO COMPARE OUR PRIMARY SERVICE AREA TO THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
WE'RE ABOUT THE EXACT SAME SQUARE FOOTAGE OR SQUARE MILES.
I'M SORRY, AS THE STATE OF DELAWARE IS.
LARGE GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD, BUT VERY, VERY LOW POPULATION.
OTHER THING THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE ON THIS SLIDE IS JUST THE PERCENTAGE OF MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PATIENTS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR REGION.
IT'S ALMOST 50% OF THE POPULATION THAT WE SERVE AS MEDICARE AND MEDICAID WHEN YOU COMBINE THOSE TWO NUMBERS.
AS WE TALK ABOUT CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AND AS YOU HEAR ABOUT CHANGES IN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM AND THE DECISIONS THAT ARE BEING MADE TO LIMIT ACCESS TO MEDICAID FUNDS, AND THOSE ARE HAVING AN IMPACT ON PLACES LIKE SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH WITH THAT HIGH GOVERNMENT PAYER PERCENTAGE.
NEXT SLIDE. YOU'VE SEEN IT BEFORE, BUT THIS HAS JUST BEEN OUR EFFORTS OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS TO REALLY TRY TO BE AHEAD OF CHANGE IN THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY, LOOKING AT OURSELVES, COUNTY BY COUNTY AND TRYING TO DEFINE WHAT'S THE BEST SOLUTION FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN EACH COUNTY, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY TRYING TO INTEGRATE THEM INTO ONE SYSTEM.
THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN FOCUSING ON.
YOU SEE IN THE CENTER THE FINAL PUZZLE PIECE IN THIS PUZZLE IS THE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER THAT WILL PROVIDE REGIONAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR THE FIVE COUNTY SYSTEM.
YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE AROUND THAT CENTER CIRCLE THAT WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON.
THIS IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON, AND I THINK THIS HAS POSITIONED US VERY WELL FOR THE CHANGES THAT ARE ABOUT TO COME WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND SOME OF THE STATE FUNDING SOURCES. NEXT SLIDE.
CAROLINE COUNTY, AGAIN, WE'VE FOCUSED SOME EFFORTS HERE AND THE FACILITY IN DENTON IS REALLY DOING VERY, VERY WELL.
WE'VE GOT A VERY STRONG PRIMARY CARE BASE HERE IN DENTON.
WE'VE GOT A VERY STRONG SUPPORT SERVICES WITH REHAB WITH ANCILLARY TESTING IN THE BUILDING.
IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART AND COMPONENT OF OUR SERVICES AS IS THE URGENT CARE CENTER.
[00:20:03]
LAURA, AGAIN, IS GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT, BUT THESE ARE CRITICAL PIECES TO THE CONTINUUM OF CARE THAT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. NEXT SLIDE.LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER.
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT, BUT IT'S BEEN A YEAR SINCE WE HAD THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY.
BUT WE'VE GOT SOME PICTURES HERE TO SHARE WITH YOU.
THIS IS THE PROGRESS THAT WE'RE MAKING ON THE SITE JUST OVER THE LAST YEAR.
YOU CAN SEE UP IN THE UPPER LEFT THE JULY FOOTPRINT, NOT MUCH GOING ON, PRETTY MUCH A GREEN FIELD.
AS YOU GO ACROSS TO DECEMBER, YOU CAN START TO SEE SOME WORK DONE.
YOU CAN START TO SEE THE LOOP ROAD ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THAT PICTURE, TAKE SHAPE WHERE THE ROUNDABOUT WILL BE LOCATED.
THAT'S THE FRONT ENTRANCE TOWARDS THE HOSPITAL AND THEN YOU CAN SEE IN MAY, REALLY STARTING TO DO SOME MAJOR CONSTRUCTION ON THE PROJECT ITSELF.
THIS OCTOBER PICTURE WAS JUST TAKEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WHERE YOU CAN SEE COLUMNS GOING UP, FOOTERS ARE COMPLETELY LAID, AND NOW WE'RE STARTING TO RAISE THE BUILDING FROM THE COLUMNS PERSPECTIVE.
THE NEXT SLIDE GIVES YOU A SENSE OF WHAT WE EXPECT THE FACILITY TO LOOK LIKE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS FROM NOW, WE WILL HAVE PRETTY MUCH THE FOOTERS LAID AND THE STRUCTURE FOR THE MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING, WHICH IS ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SLIDE IN ORANGE, AND YOU'LL START TO SEE ADDITIONAL FLOORS GO UP ON THE STRUCTURE ITSELF.
SO MAKING PROGRESS ON THE CONSTRUCTION SIDE.
I THINK THE OTHER THING YOU CAN SEE ON THIS SLIDE ARE THE TWO LARGE CRANES, WHICH I CAN ALMOST SEE THEM FROM MY HOUSE A COUPLE OF MILES AWAY.
THESE ARE THE BIGGEST CRANES, I THINK I'VE EVER SEEN ON THE MID SHORE, BUT THEY ARE IN PLACE NOW AND READY TO BUILD THE STRUCTURE UP MOVING FORWARD.
I THINK WITHIN BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, YOU WILL SEE THE FULL STRUCTURE OF THE HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTED.
PROGRESS IS BEING MADE ON THE CONSTRUCTION SIDE.
WHITING TURNER MAHOGANY IS OUR CONSTRUCTION VENDOR, AND WE'RE TRYING TO USE AS MANY OF THE SUBS AND LOCAL SUPPORT AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
WE'VE GOT GOALS AND TARGETS OF USING MINORITY BUSINESSES AND LOCAL BUSINESSES AS PART OF THIS PROJECT, AND I'M PLEASED TO SAY THAT WE'RE ACHIEVING THOSE GOALS SO FAR THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT.
SO VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND VERY IMPORTANT TO US. QUICK TIMELINE.
AGAIN, YOU'LL SEE THE CONSTRUCTION PIECES GO THROUGH.
THIS IS ABOUT A THREE YEAR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
WE'RE JUST STILL IN THE VERY EARLY STAGES OF THIS.
BUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS WHEN WE GET THE BUILDING TURNED OVER TO US, WE'RE GOING TO NEED ABOUT 15, 16 WEEKS TO PREP THAT BUILDING AND GET IT READY FOR PATIENTS, AND WE EXPECT TO OPEN IN LATE 2028.
NEXT SLIDE. JUST AS A REMINDER, A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST ASK AND WE'D JUST LIKE TO KEEP IT ON TOP, HOW BIG IS THE HOSPITAL? IS IT BIGGER, IS IT THE SAME SIZE AND WHAT EXISTS TODAY? IT'S ACTUALLY A LITTLE BIGGER THAN WHAT EXISTS TODAY IN EASTON, WERE LICENSED FOR 118 BEDS AND THE NEW FACILITY WILL BE 147 BEDS.
THE STATE REGULATES THE SIZE OF THE FACILITIES THAT WE'RE ALLOWED TO BUILD.
WE HAVE PUSHED THE ENVELOPE WITH THE STATE GIVEN THAT WE'RE THE ONLY REGIONAL SYSTEM WITHIN MILES, AND THE STATE HAS BEEN ACCOMMODATING TO US BY ALLOWING US TO ADD 29 BEDS.
YOU'LL NOTICE MOST OF THOSE BEDS ARE OBSERVATION BEDS.
THAT'S THE LINE ABOVE THE YELLOW LINE THERE, WHERE YOU SEE ADDITIONAL BEDS AT 25.
THAT'S REALLY GOING TO HELP US WITH OUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT THROUGHPUT.
YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD AND EXPERIENCED SOME CHALLENGES WE'VE GOT WITH GETTING PATIENTS WHO ARE IN THE ED UP TO A BED.
THIS NEW FACILITY IS GOING TO HELP US BECAUSE WE'LL HAVE DESIGNATED BEDS RIGHT OFF THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE SOME BEDS AROUND.
WE'VE GOT LICENSERS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF BEDS.
WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE SOME OF THOSE SO THAT WE CAN USE MORE MED SURGE BEDS AND MORE TELEMETRY BEDS.
AGAIN, THAT'S THE BULK OF WHAT WE DO.
WE'LL BE ABLE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF THOSE BEDS AND ALLOW US FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE FLOW AND EFFICIENCY MOVING FORWARD.
WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THAT IN THE EXISTING HOSPITAL TODAY WITH THE LIMITATIONS WE HAVE, BUT THE NEW FACILITY WILL REALLY HELP IMPROVE OUR FLOW AND THROUGHPUT OPPORTUNITIES.
JUST AN ARTIST'S RENDERING OF THE FACILITY, WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE ON ROUTE 50 OUT NEAR THE COMMUNITY CENTER.
AGAIN, YOU'LL SEE THIS STRUCTURE PRETTY MUCH TAKING SHAPE BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR. NEXT SLIDE.
THAT'S THE 30 FOOT, 20 FOOT, 10,000 FOOT VIEW OF WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE FEDERAL STATE AND MIDSHORE LEVEL.
NOW, LAURA IS GOING TO WALK US THROUGH A LITTLE BIT ABOUT CAROLINE COUNTY AND SOME OF THE THINGS SHE AND OUR COLLEAGUES AT SHORE ARE DOING TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE POPULATION WE SERVE HERE.
>> THANKS. I'M JUST GOING TO REINTRODUCE MYSELF.
I'M LAURA WILSON, SO I'M THE DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND COMMUNITY LIAISON.
I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN WITH SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH FOR ABOUT 4.5 YEARS, BUT I'VE BEEN WORKING MOSTLY IN THE CHESTERTOWN HOSPITAL, WORKING ON SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT WERE HAPPENING THERE.
STARTED IN THIS NEW ROLE IN MAY.
THIS SLIDE HERE, THIS TALKS ABOUT THE NUMBERS FOR THE LAST FISCAL YEAR ACROSS SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH.
POINTING TO ADMISSIONS, ABOUT 7,500, EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS ACROSS OUR FIVE COUNTIES, 71,000.
[00:25:01]
THAT NUMBER THAT 45,000 REPRESENTS ALL THREE URGENT CARES THAT WE HAVE ACROSS OUR MID SHORE.REALLY JUST WANT TO ALSO POINT TO THE IMAGING PROCEDURES.
WE HAVE MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, INCLUDING THE CENTERS HERE IN DENTON, AND WE PROVIDE LOTS OF DIFFERENT SERVICES, X RAY, CT, PET CT, ULTRASOUND, NUCLEAR MEDICINE, IR, AND BREAST AND MR. JUST REALLY A BREADTH OF SERVICES FOR BEING A RURAL COMMUNITY, PROVIDING A LOT OF SERVICES TO OUR PATIENTS.
WANT TO NOTE TOO, WE HAVE A LOT OF OVER 1,300 COMMUNITY MEMBERS WERE REACHED IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR FOR CANCER OUTREACH, REALLY MAKING A FOCUS ON THAT, AND WE'LL WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE HAVE WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, EMS, AND ALSO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE PUSH RIGHT NOW WITH CHALLENGES THAT OUR COMMUNITY, OUR STATE, AND OUR COUNTRY ARE FACING.
THIS SHOWS, I KNOW, KEN TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CHALLENGES WITH HAVING TO SUBSIDIZE PROVIDERS.
BUT DESPITE THOSE CHALLENGES IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, 21 NEW PROVIDERS WERE HIRED AS PART OF OUR TEAM, AND YOU CAN SEE ALL THE DIFFERENT SPECIALTIES.
OBVIOUSLY, PRIMARY CARE IS A FOCUS.
THERE'S SIX THERE, BUT JUST ACROSS THE DIFFERENT SPECIALTIES, MAKING SURE THAT OUR RURAL HEALTH PATIENTS ARE GETTING THE BEST ACCESS WE CAN FOR BOTH PRIMARY CARE, BUT ALSO MANY SPECIALTY SERVICES AS WELL.
HERE'S JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS.
OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S A PICTURE OF THE URGENT CARE HERE IN DENTON.
IN LAST YEAR, JUST THE DENTON LOCATION HAD 15,700 VISITS, WHICH IS REALLY GREAT.
WE'RE REALLY SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
IT ALSO HAS TELEMEDICINE ACCESS, WHICH IS REALLY GREAT.
CAROLINE COUNTY HAS LED OUR REGION FOR THE ALTERNATE DESTINATION PROGRAM, WHICH IS THE PARTNERSHIP.
YOU PROBABLY ARE AWARE, PARTNERSHIP WITH EMS, WHERE YOU CAN TRIAGE PATIENT.
DETERMINE WHETHER THEY NEED TO GO TO THE ER, WHETHER THEY COULD BE SEEING THE URGENT CARE.
AGAIN, CAROLINE'S LEADING THE PACK ON THAT.
IT'S REALLY HELPING THE PATIENTS HAVE THE RIGHT CARE AT THE RIGHT TIME.
DO THEY NEED TO GO AND HAVE THE HIGH COPAYS GOING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, OR CAN THEY JUST GO TO THE URGENT CARE AND GET THE CARE THAT THEY NEED IT'S QUICKER, IT'S FASTER.
IT'S MORE AFFORDABLE FOR THEM.
EASTON IS TRYING TO USE CAROLINE COUNTY AS A PILOT THE PROGRAM HERE IN DENTON AND TRY TO MIRROR THEM AND DO THAT AGAIN. THAT'S EXCITING.
ALSO JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE NEAT THINGS HAPPENING HERE IN DENTON.
WE HAVE A PROGRAM HERE WITH OUR PRIMARY CARE THAT'S PARTNERING WITH THE COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TO REALLY HELP WITH THE BEHAVIOR HEALTH PATIENTS AND DO A WARM HANDOFF BETWEEN THE TWO PRACTICES.
ALSO HIGHLIGHTING, AGAIN, PARTNERSHIPS ARE SO IMPORTANT, LAW ENFORCEMENT.
THE PROBLEM SOLVING COURTS AND OVERDOSE RESPONSES, OUR TEAM AT SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH IS PARTNERING WITH THE PROGRAMS HERE ALREADY IN CAROLINE COUNTY AND TRY TO MEET THE PATIENTS WHERE THEY ARE.
I KNOW KEN MENTIONED THIS AS WELL.
THE FIRST THING IT SAYS MOBILE INTEGRATED HEALTH.
SOMETIMES IT'S CALLED MOBILE INTEGRATED COMMUNITY HEALTH.
YOU CAN CALL IT A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
OBVIOUSLY, I SEE ROBIN HERE IN THE ROOM, AND WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HERE IN CAROLINE COUNTY, AND THAT PROGRAM IS REALLY GOING TO START TAKING OFF AND OUR TRANSITIONS PHARMACIST FOR SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH IS GOING TO BE PROVIDING IN KIND CARE AND DOING THE PHARMACY SERVICES, TELEPHARMACY, ALL THESE THINGS.
MEDICATION REVIEWS VIA TELEHEALTH.
REALLY HELPING AND MEETING WITH EACH PATIENT INDIVIDUALLY AND TRYING TO HELP WHEN THEY GET DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL.
WHAT ARE THE MEDICATIONS THEY NEED? HOW ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO TAKE THEM? HOW ARE THEY GOING TO ACCESS THEM? HOW ARE THEY GOING TO GET TO THEIR FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENTS? ALL OF THOSE WRAPAROUND SERVICES.
WE CAN HELP KEEP PATIENTS HEALTHY IN THE COMMUNITY AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.
AGAIN, HERE IT MENTIONS THAT, SO OUR FARM D WILL JOIN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S TEAM IN JANUARY OF 26, AND THAT'S REALLY, REALLY EXCITING.
>> ABOUT 50% OF THE PATIENTS THAT COME BACK TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER THEY'VE BEEN DISCHARGED, COME BACK TO US BECAUSE OF MEDICATION MISMANAGEMENT.
HAVING THAT FARM D ACCESS WITH THE PATIENTS DIRECTLY TO HELP MANAGE THAT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE PATIENTS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL AS BEST WE CAN.
JUST AS ANOTHER ASIDE, HOSPITALS LIKE OURS GET PENALIZED FOR EVERY ONE OF THOSE PATIENTS THAT COME BACK WITHIN 30 DAYS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY LEFT FOR AND REGARDLESS OF WHY THEY CAME BACK.
IT'S AN IMPORTANT INVESTMENT THAT WE'RE MAKING IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO PREVENT.
I'M NOT SURE. I JUST HEAR THESE THINGS ANECDOTALLY, BUT A LOT OF OUR AMBULANCE CALLS, I BELIEVE, ARE RELATED TO TRANSPORTING PEOPLE BACK TO THE HOSPITAL DUE TO MEDICATION MISMANAGEMENT.
IT ALSO SAVES THE COUNTY A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESOURCES IF WE CAN CUT DOWN ON THAT. YOU TRANSPORTS.
>> OBVIOUSLY, MOST PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROGRAM IN QUEENS COUNTY, AND THERE'S A PROGRAM IN TALBOT COUNTY,
[00:30:02]
AND SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED THAT IT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING IN CAROLINE COUNTY BECAUSE THE NUMBERS SHOW HOW IMPACTFUL THESE MIH OR MICH PROGRAMS CAN BE FOR THE RESIDENTS.JUST ALSO GOING TO NOTE OUR POPULATION HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT POPULATION HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ACROSS REGIONAL HEALTH, BOTH IN OUR PRIMARY CARE SETTING, BUT ALSO AT OUR HOSPITAL.
GETTING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, GETTING AROUND CAROLINE COUNTY, YOU CAN SEE EITHER GOING TO FEDERALSBURG, AND DENTON, FOR THE SENIOR CENTERS, GOING TO GREENSBORO, FOR THE PROJECT CHESAPEAKE MEN'S RECOVERY HOME, REALLY TRYING TO BE A PRESENCE AND GO OUT AND MEET WITH THE PATIENTS.
WE ALSO HAVE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS GOING TO HIS HOPE MINISTRIES, WORKING ON HELPING PATIENTS COMPLETE THEIR ADVANCED DIRECTIVES, WORKING AT GOING TO THE CAROLINE COUNTY FAMILY FUN DAY AND GOING TO THE LIBRARIES.
REALLY TRYING TO ENGAGE PATIENTS, HELP THEM WITH ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND CONNECTING TO SERVICES.
JUST ALSO WANT TO MENTION JUST A COUPLE OF THE PARTNERSHIPS.
WE WORK REALLY CLOSELY WITH CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE, AND CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE HAS THE SAME FOOTPRINT.
THEY COVER OUR SAME FIVE MID SHORE COUNTIES.
WE ACTIVELY RECRUIT NURSES, SURGE TECHS, LAB TECHS, RAD TECHS, AND PHLEBOTOMIST FROM THOSE PROGRAMS TO HIRE THEM AND KEEP THEM WORKING CLOSE TO THEIR FAMILIES WORKING HERE IN THE MID SHORE.
>> I WANT TO THANK YOU ALSO FOR YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE BECAUSE WE EMPLOY ABOUT 2,000 EMPLOYEES AT SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH ALONE, AND THE COLLEGE IS A WORKFORCE PIPELINE FOR US IN ALL OF THOSE AREAS.
CLIFF AND THE TEAM ARE DOING AN AMAZING JOB AND THAT PARTNERSHIP IS STRONG, BUT IT'S ENABLED THROUGH YOUR FINANCES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE COLLEGE.
>> JUST HIGHLIGHTING A COUPLE OTHER FEW THINGS HERE.
WE HAVE THE H PROGRAM, WHICH IS THE INTRODUCTION TO CAREERS AND HEALTHCARE, AND THAT'S REALLY A MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
EACH OF OUR COUNTIES WE HAVE A DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE.
FOR CAROLINE COUNTY, STEVE EISMAN, WHO IS OUR DIRECTOR OF RESPIRATORY CARE, HE'S THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THE STUDENTS IN CAROLINE COUNTY, AND THAT'S AGAIN, REALLY TRYING TO INTRODUCE OUR STUDENTS, OUR YOUTH TO CAREERS AND HEALTHCARE.
THAT'S A REALLY NEAT PROGRAM THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.
THEN I KNOW ABOUT A YEAR OR SO AGO, THE RIPKEN STEM PROGRAM GAVE A DONATION OF, I THINK IT WAS $40,000 WORTH OF STEM KIDS FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS AT LOCKERMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
THAT'S JUST A REALLY GREAT PARTNERSHIP THAT'S ALSO THROUGH OUR CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS UP AT MIH TO REALLY TRY TO PROVIDE THOSE FUNDS TO THE COMMUNITIES HERE THAT WE SERVE.
THEN JUST ALSO GOING TO MENTION BOTH OUR REHABILITATION AND RESPIRATORY PROGRAMS. AGAIN, WE DO A LOT OF TRAINING.
WE HAVE PATIENT OR STUDENTS COME TO OUR PROGRAM AND TRAIN THEM WITH THE HOPES THAT THEY'LL STAY AND WE CAN HIRE THEM.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE REALLY FOCUSING ON TO CREATE THAT PIPELINE TO NOT ONLY RECRUIT STUDENTS FROM ALL DIFFERENT JOB DESCRIPTIONS, TO COME HERE, TRAIN WITH US, AND THEN ONCE THEY GRADUATE, COME BACK AND WORK WITH US.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN REALLY FOCUSING ON. THAT'S IT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR LOCAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM HERE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR ORGANIZATION AND THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.
WITH THAT, THAT WAS OUR PRESENTATION JUST TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE.
WE TALKED ABOUT CHANGE BEING THE ONE CONSTANT.
THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE, NO DOUBT, BUT [OVERLAPPING].
>> DON'T SHUT THAT OFF YET. I WANTED TO GO BACK TO A SLIDE.
>> NO, I WAS TRYING TO SAVE IT, BUT IT [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER].
>> SORRY. YES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU. MR. BURKS, DO YOU HAVE ANY?
>> THANK YOU, KEN LORD FOR COMING IN TODAY.
GIVE US AN UPDATE. JUST A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR TELEHEALTH.
I KNOW IT'S IN THE EARLY STAGES, BUT ARE WE SEEING A RETURN ON THE EFFECTS OF IT? IS IT REALLY BENEFITING THE COMMUNITY? I DON'T SEE WHY IT WOULDN'T, BUT CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THE SUCCESS OF THE TELEHEALTH?
>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
DURING THE COVID CRISIS PANDEMIC, IT WAS REALLY EXPONENTIALLY USED MUCH MORE THAN WHAT IT HAD BEEN BEFORE.
POST COVID, QUITE HONESTLY, THOUGH, IT'S TAILED OFF.
IT'S MAINLY FOR PRIMARY CARE AND SOME BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, BUT WE'RE NOT USING IT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT THAT WE SHOULD.
PART OF THE RESOURCES THAT WE COULD GET FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS REALLY FOR THOSE INNOVATIVE TYPES OF CARE, AND TELEHEALTH IS ONE OF THOSE.
OUR GOAL IS TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO EXPAND OUR TELEHEALTH COVERAGE.
WHAT WE FOUND THOUGH IS SOME PATIENTS DON'T WANT IT.
THEY REALLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TELEHEALTH SERVICES, THEY WANT TO SEE THEIR PROVIDER IN PERSON AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
BUT FOR THOSE THAT DO, WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO INCREASE THOSE.
IT IS PART OF THE STRATEGY FOR THIS WORKFORCE CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE FACING HERE.
>> WE'RE JUST TRY TO SAVE ON THE RESOURCES OF OUR EMS,
[00:35:03]
AMBULANCE SERVICE, STUFF LIKE THAT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A REGIONAL HOSPITAL HERE.I DID TAKE THE TOUR DOWN TO CAMBRIDGE WHEN WE HAD THAT MEETING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
DO YOU EVER WANT TO EXPAND HERE AT CAROLINE COUNTY? WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY TYPE OF FOOTPRINT LIKE THAT.
BUT IT WAS A VERY NICE FACILITY.
I UNDERSTAND YOUR REASONING FOR THE OBSERVATION BEDS DOWN THERE.
IT'S STRICTLY FINANCIAL IS THE STRESS THERE, AND I UNDERSTAND YOUR REASONING THERE.
BUT I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH WITH YOUR OUTPUT.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND TAKING THAT TOUR WITH US.
IT'S JUST AGAIN, ANOTHER INNOVATIVE WAY TO TRY TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH CARE CHALLENGES AND STILL BE ABLE TO MAKE A PROFIT TO REINVEST BACK IN OUR COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR CAROLINE COUNTY.
AS THE POPULATION GROWS, MAYBE WE'RE ALWAYS HERE WAITING TO EXPAND.
YOU CAN ADD IT FOR OUR CITIZENS, SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> YOU AND I WERE YOUNG WHEN THIS ALL STARTED. [NOISE]
>> LARRY, I DIDN'T PUT MY GLASSES ON BECAUSE I WAS STARTING TO FEEL A LITTLE OLD.
>> RIGHT, BUT I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THERE'S BEEN ONE CONSTANT THROUGH THIS, AND IT'S BEEN YOU.
I MEAN, I REMEMBER ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO, YOU AND I MET AND WE SAID WE WOULD ALWAYS TELL EACH OTHER THE TRUTH.
WE WOULD FIGHT, BUT WE WOULD ALWAYS BE HONEST.
YOU HAVE CERTAINLY HELD UP YOUR END OF THE DEAL AND I THINK THINK THE OTHER PERSON IS DR. GERALD, WHO HAS, FROM DAY 1, BEEN A VERY STRONG ADVOCATE.
HE GREW UP IN A HOUSE ABOUT WHERE I USED TO BE ABLE TO THROW A BASEBALL FROM WHERE ROBIN LIVES RIGHT NOW.
BUT I RECALL HOWARD SOLID, DO YOU REMEMBER HOWARD, SAYING, "DO YOU KNOW ANYONE AT EMS? I SAID, "I KNOW BRUCE GERALD." HE SAYS, "NO, YOU DON'T." I SAID, "YES, I DO." BUT BRUCE HAS BEEN THERE FROM THE START, AND WE ARE SO PROUD OF HIS AFFILIATION WITH US AND THE WORK HE'S DONE.
I THINK YOU ANSWERED MY QUESTIONS.
I HEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE HOSPITAL, SO I THINK WE'VE COVERED THAT.
THE URGENT CARE CENTER, IT HAS BEEN A GOD-SEND TO US HERE AND THE PAVILION AS WELL.
AT THE TIME WE STARTED THIS, THERE WAS NOWHERE IN THIS COUNTY, YOU COULD GET X-RAY.
THERE WAS NOWHERE, WHICH WAS AMAZING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.
I THINK WE'VE MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES.
THE EMERGENCY ROOM, WE GET A REPORT EVERY WEEK ON THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS THAT WERE TRANSFERRED AND THE TRANSFER OF TIMES, AND CERTAINLY WE WANT TO KNOW TRY TO IMPROVE THOSE.
BUT I THINK I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU KEN FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP AND YOUR SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT HOSPITAL THERE.
I'M GOING TO ASK YOU A TRICK QUESTION HERE.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR THE CURRENT HOSPITAL BUILDING YET?
>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION. YES, WE DO.
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF WORKING TO SELL THAT FACILITY.
>> WHEN THE NEW HOSPITAL OPENS, WE ARE GOING TO RELOCATE ALL OF THE SERVICES OUT OF THE HOSPITAL, SO NOTHING WILL STAY BEHIND.
WITH THAT, WE'RE JUST STARTING TO WORK WITH A NATIONAL BROKER TO HELP US SELL THE HOSPITAL.
THEY'VE PRODUCED A LOT OF MARKETING MATERIAL AND ALL OF THE ESSENTIAL FACILITY INFORMATION THAT ANY DEVELOPER WOULD WANT TO KNOW BEFORE THEY PURCHASED THE PROPERTY, AND THAT'S BEEN DISTRIBUTED, AS OF OCTOBER 7TH, THAT'S WHEN THE CLOCK REALLY STARTED WITH SELLING THE HOSPITAL.
ALL THAT MARKETING MATERIAL IS GOING OUT TO NATIONAL DEVELOPERS.
THEY'RE ACCUMULATING THAT INFORMATION.
WE'LL LIKELY GET A HANDFUL, MAYBE A DOZEN BIDS, AND THEN WE'LL CHOOSE THE TOP THREE, AND THE EMS BOARD WILL DECIDE WHICH DEVELOPER WE GO WITH.
IT'S MY HOPE THAT WE CAN MAKE THAT DECISION BY THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR, WHICH IS FOR US, JUNE 30TH, 2026, AND AT LEAST HAVE AN OPTION FOR THE EMS BOARD TO CONSIDER AT THAT TIME.
BUT WE WON'T SETTLE ON THE SALE UNTIL WE RELOCATE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.
IDEALLY, WE'LL KNOW WHO THE BUYER WILL BE, AND WE'LL WORK ON THE SETTLEMENT ONCE WE RELOCATE.
BUT THAT IS IN PROCESS AS WE SPEAK.
>> OKAY. I'M SURE THERE HAVE, DO WE HAVE A GUESS HERE ABOUT THE TRANSPORT TIMES TO THE NEW HOSPITAL AS OPPOSED TO THAT HOSPITAL? I MEAN, I KNOW THAT BACK IN MY OLD FIRE COMPANY DAYS I KNOW THAT WHEN YOU REACHED A CERTAIN AREA, YOU HAD TO TURN THE SIRENS OFF AND THAT TYPE OF THING, BECAUSE OF THE SURROUNDING HOUSES.
BUT HAS THERE BEEN, DO WE KNOW IF THERE'S AN INCREASE IN TRANSPORT TIME TO THE NEW FACILITY?
[00:40:02]
>> I DO NOT. NOT ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN RESEARCH AND GET BACK TO YOU ON.
>> I MEAN, THE TRAFFIC PATTERN IS CERTAINLY GOING TO BE DIFFERENT THAN GOING THROUGH THROUGH TOWN, BUT I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY THE GOAL IS TO GET PEOPLE THERE FASTER AND SAFER.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT MAY BE INTERESTING FOR OUR EMS PEOPLE, TO MAYBE MAKE A SOME TRIAL RUNS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, TO SEE WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE.
>> AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND FRIENDSHIP, WE'LL SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN, SOON, I'M SURE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU, LARRY.
>> KEN, I'VE BEEN HEARING A LOT RECENTLY THROUGH THIS SHUTDOWN ABOUT THE FEDERAL SUBSIDIES TO HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS, AND THEN YOU ALSO TOUCHED ON THE TYPE PROFIT MARGIN THAT HOSPITALS OPERATE UNDER.
WHAT'S THE MAIN DRIVER BEHIND? IS IT THE LACK OF ABILITY TO CHARGE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT YOU CAN CHARGE FOR HEALTH CARE OR?
>> AS FAR AS WHY OUR PROFIT MARGINS ARE SO LOW?
>> THE STRUGGLE TO ENTICE PROVIDERS TO COME TO RURAL AREAS.
I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY, IT'S MONEY.
I MEAN, YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TO RECEIVE THE EDUCATION, YOU NEED TO BE FAIRLY COMPENSATED.
IF THE PAY IS NOT THERE IN THE RURAL AREAS, AND THAT'S SOUNDS LIKE ONE OF THE MAJOR HINDRANCES THAT ARE CHALLENGES THAT YOU'RE FACING?
>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT. THE COUNTRY IS NOT GOOD AT REIMBURSING PROVIDERS.
THEY TYPICALLY DON'T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY FOR THE CARE THAT THEY PROVIDE.
THE STATE OF MARYLAND IS AMONG THE WORST STATES IN THE COUNTRY FOR REIMBURSING FOR PHYSICIAN SERVICES.
WE'RE ALREADY AT THE BOTTOM OF THAT SPECTRUM.
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT RURAL HEALTH CARE, ON TOP OF THAT, THAT'S EVEN WORSE.
WITH ALL THREE OF THOSE FACTORS WORKING AGAINST US, THE COMPENSATION LEVEL FOR PROVIDERS REALLY ISN'T ENOUGH TO KEEP THEM IN THEIR OWN PRIVATE PRACTICE.
TYPICALLY, YOU GO BACK IN HISTORY, THAT'S WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO.
YOU COME OUT OF SCHOOL, YOU START YOUR OWN PRACTICE, YOU RUN YOUR PRACTICE, YOU ADD PROVIDERS TO IT, AND THEN YOU RETIRE WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT.
THAT MODEL HAS BECOME LESS AND LESS USED OVER TIME BECAUSE YOU CAN'T MAKE IT AS A PRIVATE PHYSICIAN ANYMORE BECAUSE THE REIMBURSEMENT RATES ARE SO LOW.
THAT'S WHEN EMPLOYMENT BECOMES AN OPTION FOR A LOT OF PROVIDERS, EITHER COMING OUT OF SCHOOL OR THOSE THAT EXIST IN THE COMMUNITY TODAY.
BUT WITH THAT EMPLOYMENT, THEY'RE EXPECTING FAIR COMPENSATION FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO, AND THERE'S NATIONAL BENCHMARKS THAT SAY WHAT EACH TYPE OF PROVIDER SHOULD EARN.
WE TRY TO BE VERY, VERY COMPETITIVE WITH THAT BECAUSE IF YOU'RE NOT, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET PROVIDERS TO YOUR REGION.
THAT HIGHER PRICE, THAT PREMIUM FOR THAT SERVICE WITH LOWER REIMBURSEMENT RATES CAUSE A GAP BETWEEN WHAT WE PAY AND WHAT WE EARN.
THAT GAP IS FOR EVERY TYPE OF PROVIDER.
AGAIN, IT'S NOT UNIQUE TO SHORE, IT'S NOT UNIQUE TO MARYLAND.
THIS GAP EXISTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
BUT BUT HOSPITALS LIKE US NEED TO INVEST IN THOSE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE THE CARE THAT WE HAVE TO PROVIDE.
>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST EXPERIENCE THE INCREASE IN INSURANCE PREMIUMS EVERY YEAR, AND THEN WE HEAR ABOUT THE FEDERAL SUBSIDIES THAT ARE BEING, POTENTIALLY SUN SETTING, AND THOSE PREMIUMS AND PREMIUMS COULD GO UP EVEN MORE THAN THE COST OF CO-PAYS.
IT'S JUST CONCERNING THAT WITH ALL OF THAT SUBSIDY AND ALL OF THAT FINANCIAL INFLUENCE IN THE MARKET, THAT IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE WE'RE KEEPING UP.
>> IT DOESN'T, AND IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO CHALLENGE OUR BOTTOM LINE, AND IT'S GOING TO FORCE US TO LOOK AT HOW WE PROVIDE CARE IN THE REGION, NOT JUST AT SHORE, BUT AT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AND AT THE ENTIRE STATE OF MARYLAND.
I THINK AGAIN, BACK TO THE SLIDE, WITH THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST, WE WERE A THREE HOSPITAL SYSTEM WHEN I GOT HERE.
WE FOUND THOUGH THAT WE JUST CAN'T SUSTAIN THAT LEVEL OF CARE IN THIS SMALL REGION WITH THE LOW POPULATION THAT WE HAVE.
WE HAD TO MAKE THE CHANGES THAT WE HAD TO.
UNFORTUNATELY, WITH THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE ON THE HOSPITAL SIDE, AND WITH ADDING URGENT CARE FACILITIES AND FREE STANDINGS, THAT'S HELPED US SUSTAIN OURSELVES AND REALLY HELP US DRIVE AS TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
BUT THERE'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE PRESSURES ON US FINANCIALLY, AND IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO PROVIDE BETTER CARE, MORE EFFICIENT CARE, HIGHER QUALITY CARE.
AS AN EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE REALLY FOCUSING ON IS THE AMOUNT OF TIME PATIENTS ARE IN OUR HOSPITAL.
WHAT'S THE LENGTH OF STAY THAT THEY HAVE FROM THE TIME YOU GET INTO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND YOU DETERMINE YOU NEED A BED TO THE TIME YOU GET DISCHARGED IDEALLY BACK HOME? THE BETTER WE CAN MANAGE THAT LENGTH TO STAY AND REDUCE THAT NUMBER,
[00:45:02]
THE LESS RESOURCES WE NEED TO CARE FOR THAT PATIENT.LESS NURSES, LESS PROVIDERS, LESS SUPPLIES, LESS EQUIPMENT.
JUST BY CUTTING THAT TIME BY MAYBE HALF A DAY OR A DAY, YOU CAN SAVE SIGNIFICANT DOLLARS IN HOW WE PROVIDE CARE.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE DONE RECENTLY THAT WE DIDN'T MENTION, BUT WAS ON ONE OF THE SLIDES IS WE CONTRACTED WITH A NEW HOSPITALIST GROUP.
HOSPITALIST ARE THOSE DOCS THAT ARE IN THE HOSPITAL 24/7 THAT PROVIDE THE BULK OF CARE FOR YOUR INPATIENTS.
THAT NEW GROUP IS A NATIONAL FIRM THAT HAS RESOURCES THAT'S GOING TO HELP US REDUCE THAT LENGTH OF STAY.
IT'S THOSE THINGS IN ADDITION TO THE FACILITY STREAMLINING THAT WE'VE DONE BY BRINGING IN THOSE TYPES OF PROVIDERS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP US REDUCE COSTS.
THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO CONSTANTLY DO IS FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE PREVENT RE-ADMISSIONS.
HOW DO WE IMPROVE LENGTH OF STAY? HOW DO WE PREVENT HARM IN OUR FACILITIES, WHICH COST MONEY.
SOMEBODY SLIPS ON THE FLOOR AND FRACTURES THEIR LEG WHILE THEY'RE AN INPATIENT ON US.
THAT'S AN ADDITIONAL COST TO US, BUT IT'S A BURDEN TO THE PATIENT AND WE TRY TO AVOID THOSE AND GET TO ZERO FOR THOSE OCCURRENCES.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON IN ADDITION TO THE BIG STRATEGY, THINGS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT TODAY TO REALLY MAKE US MORE EFFICIENT, MAKE US MORE COST EFFECTIVE AND HELP US SUSTAIN THE LEVEL AND ACCESS TO SERVICES THAT WE HAVE.
>> THAT THAT'S WHAT I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT WITH THE $50 BILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THAT'S A TEMPORARY FIX, A TEMPORARY SUBSIDY, IF IT'S ALL BEING USED FOR JUST SALARY AUGMENTATION.
>> YOU'RE RIGHT. IT'S FIVE YEARS.
THE OTHER PIECE ON THAT SLIDE SAID THAT IF WE DON'T MEET METRICS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE FUNDS, THAT NOT ONLY WILL THEY STOP, BUT THEY COULD CLAW THEM BACK, AS WELL.
IT'S A FIXED AMOUNT OF MONEY. THAT'S THE OTHER THING.
WE CAN SOLICIT THOSE FUNDS, BUT WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO SUSTAIN THE DRIVER SERVICES WHEN THE FUNDS DRY UP.
IT'S A A LOT OF CAUTION TOWARDS THAT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING NOT ONLY TODAY, BUT FOR THE FUTURE.
>> I KNOW THE INCENTIVE MODELS THAT WERE USED, FOR EXAMPLE, BY CHOPTANK COMMUNITY HEALTH, WAYNE POWERS, MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS.
I MEAN, IT WAS LET'S BRING THE NEW DOCTORS IN.
LET'S HAVE THEM MAKE A COMMITMENT TO PRACTICE HERE.
THE PROBLEM WAS, WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THEY LEFT?
BECAUSE THEN YOU HAD PATIENTS WHO WHO WERE USED TO AND I KNOW.
I CAN TELL YOU, PEOPLE LIKE THEIR DOCTORS AND THEY WANT TO STAY WITH THE SAME DOCTOR.
WHILE SOME OF THEM STAY, SOME OF THEM DIDN'T.
NOW WE'VE GONE TO THE CONCIERGES DOCTORS WHERE YOU PAY THE PERSON TO BE YOUR DOCTORS.
BUT YEAH, I MEAN, THERE ARE A LOT OF PUZZLE PIECES HERE THAT HAVE TO BE FIGURED OUT.
>> ONE OF THE EARLY SLIDES, JANE, HAD THE POPULATION.
>> SURE. THOSE ARE PATIENTS THAT WE ARE REQUIRED TO TREAT.
TYPICALLY, THEY COME INTO OUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, AND THEY HAVE NO INSURANCE, BUT LAW STATES THAT WE HAVE TO CARE FOR THOSE PATIENTS.
>> THAT GREATLY AFFECTS THE BOTTOM LINE.
>> IT DOES. YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBERS AND I THINK IT WAS SOMEWHERE NORTH OF 8,000.
>> I JUST SAW IT. [OVERLAPPING] YEAH.
PEOPLE IN OUR REGION DON'T HAVE INSURANCE.
>> EVEN ALL THESE YEARS LATER AFTER OBAMA CARE.
>> THEY STILL DON'T HAVE INSURANCE, BUT THEY NEED TO BE TREATED.
WHEN THEY COME IN, WE AT LEAST NEED TO DO A MEDICAL SCREENING WHEN THEY COME INTO OUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT BY LAW.
WE HAVE TO. NOW, FORTUNATELY, THE STATE OF MARYLAND THROUGH OUR CURRENT RATE SETTING SYSTEM OFFSETS SOME OF THAT LOSS.
THAT'S WHY WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SUSTAIN A LOT OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE, BUT THAT'S CHANGING.
THAT A HEAD MODEL IS GOING TO CHANGE A LITTLE BIT, AND THAT MAY CHALLENGE OUR ABILITY TO CARE FOR, OUR ABILITY TO OFFSET SOME OF THIS COST.
WE'RE STILL GOING TO CARE FOR THOSE PATIENTS, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE MORE OFFSET.
>> ULTIMATELY, IT TRANSLATES INTO SERVICE AND THINGS THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE?
>> ABSOLUTELY. BECAUSE THE MARGINS ARE SO THIN AND WE'RE SO GEOGRAPHICALLY DISPERSED, WHERE WE NEED THOSE SERVICES IN THOSE KEY AREAS IN THE FIVE COUNTIES.
BECAUSE TRANSPORTATION IS AN ISSUE, ACCESS IS AN ISSUE.
>> HOW DOES THE URGENT CARE CENTER HERE IN CAROLINE FAIR FINANCIALLY, IS IT?
>> FINANCIALLY IT'S DOING WELL BECAUSE TYPICALLY WE GET PAID FOR THOSE SERVICES, IT'S UNREGULATED.
UNLIKE THE HOSPITAL WHERE WE GET A FIXED AMOUNT OF REVENUE FROM THE STATE, AND THE MORE PATIENTS WE SEE, WE DON'T GET ANY ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR THOSE PATIENTS.
TRY BALANCING THAT AS A BUSINESS.
URGENT CARE IS DIFFERENT. AS WE SEE A PATIENT, WE GET TO BILL FOR THAT PATIENT AND WE RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR THOSE VISITS.
FINANCIALLY, IT'S DOING VERY WELL, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE AREAS THAT THERE'S
[00:50:01]
THE REGULATED SIDE AND THERE'S THE UNREGULATED SIDE OF HEALTHCARE.UNREGULATED SIDE LIKE URGENT CARE, DOCTORS OFFICES, LABS, IMAGING, ARE DOING VERY WELL, AND THAT HELPS SUPPORT THE REGULATED SIDE WHERE WE DON'T SEE ADDITIONAL REVENUE.
BUT ALL OF THAT COMBINED STILL GIVES US A MARGIN ABOUT ONE, 1.5%.
>> I KNOW AT ONE POINT WHEN WE FIRST YEARS AGO, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS ABOUT 35% OF THE PATIENTS AT THE HOSPITAL WERE FROM CAROLINE COUNTY.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE WE ARE WITH THAT? I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO TELL US, BUT I MEAN, I JUST WAS CURIOUS AS TO WHETHER THAT HAD.
>> I DON'T KNOW THAT PERCENTAGE OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT WE CAN FIND THAT OUT OF THE 7,000 ADMISSIONS, AND WE CAN DETERMINE HOW MANY OF CAROLINE COUNTY ZIP CODES ARE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION.
I'M ALSO ELATED TO HEAR THAT THE ALTERNATIVE DESTINATION PROGRAM IS GOING WELL.
I'M GLAD THAT MARK SHERIDAN AND HIS TEAM, KJ OVER AT DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT PROGRAM, BECAUSE IT REALLY DOES HELP US KEEP MILES OFF THE AMBULANCES, KEEP THESE UNITS.
AMBULANCES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE, AND WE WANT TO KEEP THEM IN OPERATION AS LONG AS POSSIBLE, AND TRY TO KEEP THEM IN THE COUNTY.
ALSO, AS COMMISSIONER PORTER STATED ABOUT THE WAIT TIMES FOR.
>> GET THEM BACK IN THE COUNTY.
WE APPRECIATE YOU WORKING ON THAT.
I NOTICED I THINK LAST WEEK IT WAS 15 MINUTES.
[OVERLAPPING] WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE THAT.
GETTING THOSE UNITS BACK IN THE COUNTY ARE CRITICAL FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE GOOD RESPONSE TIMES WHEN SOMEONE CALLS 911 AN EMERGENCY.
THE LAST THING I HAD WAS, DO YOU HAVE ANY DETAILS YOU COULD SHARE WITH US AS FAR AS THE POSSIBLE YOUTH CRISIS CENTER POTENTIALLY IN CHESTER TOWN AT THE HOSPITAL?
>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT AS THE STATE LOOKS AT HEALTHCARE AND THE WAY WE PROVIDE HEALTHCARE, ONE OF THE SHINING OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE AT THE STATE LEVEL AND AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.
WHEN WE DID OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT, THAT CAME BACK AS THE COMMUNITY'S NUMBER 1 AREA OF CONCERN FOR HEALTHCARE IN THE FIVE COUNTY REGIONS.
IS THE LEVEL OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES THAT WE OFFER.
AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, IF YOU'RE AN ADULT, THERE'S A WHOLE CONTINUUM OF CARE THAT WE PROVIDE FOR AN ADULT PATIENT WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THAT INCLUDES INPATIENT UNITS, WHICH WE HAVE AS PART OF SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH.
WE HAVE SOME FRONT END CARE, WE HAVE SOME POST DISCHARGE CARE AS WELL.
LOTS OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS HELP SUPPORT THAT CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR THE ADULT SIDE.
FOR THE CHILD ADOLESCENT SIDE THAT YOU'RE SPEAKING OF, WE HAVE EVEN LESS LEVELS OF CARE FOR CHILD ADOLESCENTS.
WE'LL DEFINE THEM AS LET'S JUST SAY 18-YEARS-OLD OR LESS IS CONSIDERED A CHILD ADOLESCENT.
WITH SOME ELECTED OFFICIALS INTEREST AND SUPPORT IN THE FIVE COUNTY REGION, WE'VE LOOKED INTO THE ART OF THE POSSIBLE? WHAT COULD WE PROVIDE AS SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH FROM THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE FOR CHILD ADOLESCENTS? WE'VE REACHED OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE MID SHORE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, OUR HEALTH OFFICERS IN THE FIVE COUNTIES.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE STILL IN THE INVESTIGATIVE STAGE ABOUT WHAT WE COULD DO.
BUT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS A VARIETY OF SERVICES, BOTH ON THE FRONT END AND BACK END.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT CLINICS THAT WE COULD PRODUCE FOR CHILD ADOLESCENTS, MAYBE A BRIDGE CLINIC THAT BRIDGES YOU FROM YOUR INPATIENT STAY UNTIL YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR PROVIDER.
BUT WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT WHAT IF WE CREATED A CHILD ADOLESCENT INPATIENT UNIT WITHIN THE MID SHORE.
WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE BED CAPACITY IN CHESTER TOWN.
THERE'S EMPTY BEDS FROM WHEN IT WAS A LARGER FACILITY AND WE'VE NOW MADE IT MARYLAND'S FIRST CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL.
IT'S MEETING THE COMMUNITY NEED, BUT NOW WE'VE GOT SOME EXCESS BEDS.
WE'RE ASKING OURSELVES, ARE THOSE BEDS APPROPRIATE FOR CHILD ADOLESCENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES? WE'VE BROUGHT IN SOME EXPERTS, BOTH FROM WESTERN MARYLAND WHO OFFER CHILD ADOLESCENT INPATIENT BED SERVICES AND FROM SHEPHERD PRATT, OUR NATIONAL EXAMPLE FOR HOW WE CARE FOR BEHAVIORAL PATIENTS.
THEY'RE GIVING US ADVICE AND COUNSEL ON WHAT WE CAN DO.
BUT WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT THAT AS A POSSIBILITY TO SEE IF WE COULD USE THOSE BEDS FOR THAT PURPOSE.
IF NOT, BECAUSE, AGAIN, YOU'RE GOING TO PROBABLY RUN A NEGATIVE MARGIN FOR THOSE BEDS, AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE TO GO FROM CONCEPT TO STATE APPROVAL TO RENOVATING THAT UNIT FOR THOSE PATIENTS TO OPENING THE DOORS, YOU'RE TALKING YEARS IN PROCESS.
[00:55:01]
IS THIS TRULY THE SERVICES THAT WE SHOULD BE USING OUR RESOURCES FOR AND ALSO LOOKING AT THOSE OUTPATIENT TYPES OF SERVICES AS WELL.NO DEFINITIVE ANSWER YET, BUT REALLY TAKING A HARD LOOK AT THIS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COVERAGE, ESPECIALLY FOR CHILD AND ADOLESCENT, AND THE FACT THAT IF YOU ARE NEEDED, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO ACROSS THE BRIDGE OR INTO DELAWARE FOR THAT CARE AND SERVICES.
THE NUMBERS ARE LOW THOUGH FROM AN INPATIENT SIDE FOR CHILD ADOLESCENCE, YOU'RE PROBABLY ONLY LOOKING AT 100-125 ADMISSIONS A YEAR FOR THAT UNIT.
YOU'VE GOT TO STAFF THAT UNIT 247365 WITH SPECIALISTS IN THAT AREA.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE'RE LOOKING AT.
TIMELINE. I'D LIKE TO HAVE SOME SENSE OF DIRECTION BY THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, WHICH IS AGAIN, JUNE 30T OF NEXT YEAR, SO WE SHOULD HAVE SOME DIRECTION AND SOME SENSE BY THEN.
BUT IT'S IMPORTANT, AND I STARTED AND I'LL END WITH THE IMPORTANCE AND VALUE OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
WE CAN'T BE ALL DO ALL AS THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM HERE, WE RELY ON OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND ESPECIALLY WHERE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IS CONCERNED, CHOP TANK, MATURE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS ARE REALLY COMING TO THE TABLE WITH US AND HELPING US TRY TO FIGURE THIS OUT.
>> WE HAVE A MINIMAL NUMBER OF EXPECTED ADMISSIONS HERE.
THE 100 NUMBER THAT YOU JUST SAID WAS JUST THE FIVE COUNTIES THAT WE SAVE.
BUT STATEWIDE, THERE IS A MAJOR SHORTAGE IN THOSE BEDS.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. THE QUESTION BECOMES, CAN WE CAPTURE ALL OF THOSE PATIENTS LOCALLY AND USE THEM IN OUR SERVICE? NOT EVERYBODY'S GOING TO COME TO SHORE, YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO GO TO SHEPHERD PRATT OR THEY'RE GOING TO WANT TO GO TO SOME OF THE LARGER FACILITIES IN DELAWARE.
HOW MUCH CAN WE CAPTURE WITHIN OUR PRIMARY SERVICE AREA AND THEN WILL PATIENTS COME TO US FROM CHEFS HARFORD COUNTY OR OTHER PLACES LIKE THAT.
WE KNOW WHERE THE BEDS ARE, WE KNOW WHO'S MAXED OUT, WE KNOW WHERE SOME OF THE CAPACITY IS, AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE COMING UP WITH ABOUT 100 AND 125 WOULD GET US TO MAYBE AN AVERAGE DAILY CENSUS OF SEVEN PATIENTS A DAY AND IS THAT ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN OPERATIONS? IF NOT, LET'S NOT CLOSE THE DOOR ON THIS CONVERSATION? LET'S TALK ABOUT ANCILLARY THE OTHER ENDS OF THE CONTINUUM THAT DON'T INVOLVE INPATIENTS, BUT HOW CAN WE SUPPORT SOME OF THE OUTPATIENT CARE FOR THESE PATIENTS AS WELL? STAFFING AS WELL.
>> STAFFING AS WELL. YES, SIR. IT ALL COMES TOGETHER.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO FILL THESE POSITIONS AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO RETAIN THE STAFF?
>> WELL, KEN THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE.
REALLY APPRECIATE IT VERY INFORMATIVE, LAURA.
THANK YOU FOR THE, THE FACILITIES YOU HAVE IN CAROLINE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF TIME YOU'VE SHARED WITH US TODAY, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHTFUL QUESTIONS.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR ENGAGEMENT.
>> LET'S TAKE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS HERE.
[01:03:37]
CALCO MEETING BACK TO ORDER.>> A MOVE RECONVENE AS A BOARD OF HEALTH.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED. YEAH, AYES HAVE IT.
NOW WE HAVE ROBIN KAY HALL AND JESSICA TOOL WITH THE CAROLINE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING US. THAT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION BY KIM AND LAURA AND I GREATLY APPRECIATED IT.
THE FIRST THING ON OUR AGENDA FOR OUR BOARD OF HEALTH UPDATE, I'VE ASKED JESSICA TOOL, WHO IS OUR LOCAL ADDICTIONS AUTHORITY AND
[Robin Cahall, Health Officer]
OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIRECTOR TO GIVE A REPORT OUT ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FOR, I THINK WE DID FY 25.>> I'M GOING TO SAY. I TRIED TO DO A BIT OF AN INFO GRAPHIC JUST SO THAT YOU CAN REALLY SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS.
THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS THAT WE SERVED AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WAS 1006 CLIENTS.
[Board of Health Update]
THEN I HIGHLIGHTED SOME OF THE PROGRAMS. I THINK LAST TIME WE TALKED ABOUT THE YOUTH SUBSTANCE YOUTH PROGRAM THAT IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHARLYN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.WE TOOK OUR FIRST MOBILE TREATMENT VAN, THE OLDER ONE THAT WE HAD HAD FOR A LONG TIME, AND WE'VE TAKEN IT IN THE PAST YEAR TO BOTH HIGH SCHOOLS.
[01:05:02]
THEN THIS YEAR WE'VE EXPANDED TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS, AND AT THIS POINT, WE'VE SERVED OVER 36 YOUTH IN THAT PROGRAM.THEN OUR SCHOOL BASE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM, WE SERVE THE FIVE SCHOOLS IN THE NORTH HALF OF THE COUNTY, AND WE'VE SERVED OVER 269 STUDENTS WITHIN THOSE SCHOOLS.
THOSE SCHOOLS HAVE FULL TIME THERAPISTS IN ALL OF THOSE SCHOOLS AT THIS POINT.
OUR DETENTION CENTER PROGRAM, WE'VE SERVED 48 INMATES THROUGHOUT THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR.
BUT SINCE INCEPTION, WE'VE SERVED 208 INMATES, AND WE'VE ACTUALLY SERVED 52 IN JUST THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
IN FY 26, I JUST DID THE REPORT, AND WE'VE SERVED 52 JUST IN THIS FIRST QUARTER, AND LAST YEAR, THE WHOLE YEAR WE SERVED 48, SO IT'S INCREASING AS WELL.
OUR MOBILE TREATMENT UNIT, WE'VE SERVED 155 CLIENTS OVER THE YEAR, AND THOSE WERE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE FAR MOBILE TREATMENT UNIT, AND THAT IS FOR ADULTS.
PRIMARILY. IN OUR CLINIC BASED SERVICES, WE SERVED OVER 300 CLIENTS AND THEN FOR CLINIC BASED SUBSTANCE USE, 190. GO TO THE NEXT.
>> WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING THE SERVICES THAT PEOPLE WANT AND PEOPLE NEED, AND SO WE'VE DONE OUR CLIENT SURVEYS IN A MULTITUDE OF DIFFERENT WAYS.
WE'VE IMPLEMENTED A MEASUREMENT BASED CARE SYSTEM.
WHAT IT DOES IS IT TEXTS OR EMAILS CLIENTS AT THE FIRST INITIAL INTAKE.
THEN DEPENDING ON THE ASSESSMENT, IT WILL GO EVERY FOUR WEEKS, EVERY SIX WEEKS.
BASICALLY, WHAT IT DOES IS IT MEASURES IF OUR PROGRAM IS DOING WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO.
FOR JUST DEPRESSION ALONE, 93% OF CLIENTS REPORTED LESS DEPRESSION FROM THEIR FIRST ASSESSMENT TO THEIR MOST RECENT, SO WE FEEL LIKE THAT'S A HUGE SUCCESS.
OVER 127 CLIENTS RESPONDED, AND THEN OVER 84% OF CLIENTS REPORTED THAT THEY WERE SATISFIED WITH THE SERVICES THEY RECEIVE.
WE DID THIS THROUGH OUR MEASUREMENT BASED CARE AS WELL AS WE JUST GAVE OUT CUSTOMER SURVEYS AS WELL.
WHAT WE DID WAS WE JUST CALCULATED THEM AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR AND JUST PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER.
ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY OF THAT, THAT'S JUST A SNAPSHOT OF THE SERVICES WE DO, HONESTLY.
>> HOW ARE YOU PROVIDING THE SERVICES AT THE DETENTION CENTER? IS THAT VIRTUAL OR IN PERSON?
>> IT IS IN PARTNERSHIP, OBVIOUSLY WITH THE DETENTION CENTER AS WELL AS UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CONTROLS THE PHYSICIANS, AND THEY DO TELEHEALTH.
BUT WE HAVE A COORDINATOR THAT GOES IN ONCE A WEEK, AS WELL AS A SUBSTANCES COUNSELOR AND A PEER.
THEY ALL GO OUT THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.
>> IN PERSON, AND THERE'S LIMITED SPACE FOR THAT?
>> THERE IS VERY LIMITED SPACE.
>> IS IT THE LOW TYPICALLY SEALING ROOM.
>> THEY TYPICALLY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE VISITORS ACCESS, SO THERE'S THE GLASS AND EVERYTHING.
>> THE VISIT THE OLD VISITORS ACCESS THERE?
>> JESSICA, VERY QUICKLY, GIVE ME A VERY GREENSBORO VERSION.
A SCHOOL BASED INTERACTION. WHAT HAPPENS?
>> OBVIOUSLY, IT'S IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOLS, AND THE SCHOOL PERSONNEL ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REFERRALS.
WELL, SO WHAT THEY USUALLY HOW WE'VE TRIED TO STREAMLINE IT A LITTLE BIT IS THROUGH GUIDANCE COUNSELORS AND ADMINISTRATION.
THEY FILL OUT A VERY DETAILED REFERRAL, IT GOES TYPICALLY TO OUR CLINICAL SUPERVISOR.
SHE SCREENS THOSE REFERRALS BECAUSE SOMETIMES THE REFERRALS THAT WE'RE RECEIVING MAY ACTUALLY QUALIFY FOR A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF CARE THAN WHAT WE CAN PROVIDE.
IN THE SCHOOLS, IT'S VERY LIKE A PRESCRIBED WAY OF TREATING CLIENTS.
WE CAN'T DO HARDCORE TRAUMA AND THEN SEND THE KID BACK TO CLASS.
THAT'S JUST IT'S NOT HELPFUL FOR THE TEACHERS, EITHER.
WE SEE A LOT OF DEPRESSION, A LOT OF DIVORCE, A LOT OF SOCIAL ISSUES, BULLYING, THAT THING, ANXIETY.
ANYWAY, ONCE WE RECEIVE THAT REFERRAL, WE ASSIGN THE CLINICIAN THAT IS IN THAT SCHOOL.
THEY CONTACT THE PARENT, THE PARENT USUALLY COMES IN FOR THE INTAKE.
IF THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO COME IN FOR THE INTAKE, THEY FIGURE THAT OUT OF HOW THE PAPERWORK IS GOING TO BE FILLED AND THEN THEY PULL THE KID FROM FROM THE CLASS.
TYPICALLY, DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF SEVERITY,
[01:10:03]
A KID IS SEEN ONCE A WEEK, EVERY OTHER WEEK, THAT THING.THEY DO LUNCH BUNCHES AS WELL FOR KIDS THAT HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES.
IF THERE'S A LOT OF KIDS WITH ANXIETY IN FOURTH GRADE, THEY'LL PULL THEM IN FOR A LUNCH BUNCH.
WHEN I WAS COVERING ONE OF THE SCHOOLS, I DID A LUNCH BUNCH AROUND DIVORCE AND SEPARATION OF PARENTS AND THAT THING. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?
>> IT DOES, AND THIS REALLY ACTUALLY COVERS FIRST GRADE ON.
>> KINDERGARTEN ON, SO IN THE YOUNGER STUDENTS, I WOULD GUESS THAT MAYBE THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO EXPRESS IT, SO WOULD THIS BE BASED ON A TEACHER'S OBSERVATION? COULD IT WORK THAT WAY.
>> IT'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT OBSERVATIONS.
IF A TEACHER SEES SOMETHING, OBVIOUSLY, THEN THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO KNOW.
GUIDANCE USUALLY IS THEIR FIRST GO TO OF, HEY, I THINK THIS KID'S HAVING AN ISSUE.
THE GUIDANCE COUNSELORS USUALLY MAKE ALL OF THOSE REFERRALS.
IT JUST REALLY DEPENDS, SOMETIMES IT'S I WOULD SAY A LARGE MAJORITY IS PARENT REFERRED AS WELL.
>> I GUESS AND WE SHOULD PROBABLY ADD THAT THE SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED, IT'S NOT RESTRICTED BASED ON COMMERCIAL INSURANCE, LIKE WE'LL TAKE WHOEVER IN TERMS OF THAT SITUATION.
>> WE DO NOW WE USED TO ONLY TAKE MEDICAID AND MEDICARE FOR A LONG TIME.
WE DO NOW TAKE PRIVATE INSURANCES, AND SO WE OBVIOUSLY WOULD DO THAT FIRST, BUT IF THERE'S A INSURANCE WE DON'T TAKE, WE SEE EVERYONE.
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THEIR ABILITY TO PAY OR NON.
I WILL SAY THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME AND EVERY TIME I SAY THIS, NOT GOING AWAY BECAUSE THE FIRST TIME OUR AGENCY IS FULLY STAFFED AND SO VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT.
>> OVER THE LAST YEAR YEAR AND A HALF, MAYBE TWO YEARS, WE'VE WORKED REALLY HARD FOR THAT CREDENTIALING ASPECT SO THAT WE CAN BILL PRIVATE INSURANCE.
THAT WAS A HEAVY LIFT FOR OUR SMALL ORGANIZATION, BUT WE DID IT.
TO THE EXTENT THAT WE'VE BRANCHED OUT A LITTLE BIT, AND NOW WE CAN BILL SOME PRIVATE INSURANCE OR PRIVATE PAYERS FOR IMMUNIZATIONS AS WELL.
THAT'S BEEN ONE OF OUR SUCCESSES FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO IT'S CREDENTIALING.
>> I WOULD IMAGINE THAT LIKE THIS IS A TOUGH JOB.
I WOULD IMAGINE YOUR STAFFING IS THE TURNOVER IS PRETTY IT'S GOT TO BE TOUGH TO DEAL WITH THESE THINGS EVERY DAY.
>> IT IS WE HAVE TO REALLY BALANCE THAT WITH OUR STAFF.
WE ALL NEED THEM SOMETIMES, WE ALL NEED TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AS WELL.
IF YOU DON'T TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, YOU CAN'T TAKE CARE OF ANYONE ELSE, AND SO WE REALLY DO TRY TO RETAIN OUR WORKFORCE.
I'VE BEEN VERY LUCKY IN RETAINING MOST OF MINE.
BUT AS WE'VE ADDED NEW PROGRAMS, WE'VE HAD TO SHIFT AND MANEUVER AROUND.
>> ANYTHING ELSE ON THAT ONE? YOU GUYS GOOD?
>> I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION. WELL, IT MAY BE A SO YOU'RE JUST IN A CAROLINE COUNTY YOU DO SOUTH COUNTY AS WELL.
>> FOR OUR YOUTH SUBSTANCE YOUTH USE VAN, WE DO COLONEL MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL FOR JUST FOR YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE.
WE DO THE NORTH COUNTY SCHOOLS PRIMARILY FOR ALL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, BUT IN THE SOUTH, THAT'S THE ONLY TWO SCHOOLS THAT WE DO PERSONALLY.
THE SCHOOL CONTRACTS WITH CHOP TANK AS WELL TO DO THE SOUTH COUNTY.
>> I KNOW WE COULDN'T ASK FOR TWO MORE PEOPLE THAT CARE MORE THAN YOU DO UP HERE, I UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT THE PRIVACY ASPECT OF IT FOR A STUDENT.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT, HOW DO WE PROTECT THEM.
WE'RE GOING TO PULL A KID OUT OF CLASS? HOW DO WE SAY, HEY, WE'RE GOING TO PULL THIS KID OUT OF CLASS, BUT LIKE KEEP IT LIKE, OH, WELL WHAT I MEAN?
>> YES, SO WE DO IT VERY DIFFERENTLY IN EACH TYPE OF SCHOOL.
MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL, IT'S BY APPOINTMENT, AND THE STUDENTS KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THEY'RE COMING DOWN.
THERE'S AN ELECTRONIC APPOINTMENT THING THAT THE TEACHER EVEN KNOWS WHAT TIME THEY HAVE TO GO DOWN AND SO THAT'S HOW WE MAINTAIN THAT.
WE ALSO GET CONSENTS FOR THE SCHOOL REGARDLESS OF BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO KNOW THAT THIS KID IS IN THERAPY FOR ME TO PULL THEM? IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT? IN OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN INTEGRATING OURSELF INTO THAT SCHOOL.
[01:15:03]
IF I'M IN THAT SCHOOL, I WAS IN GREENSBORO FOR A LITTLE BIT FILLING IN AND IF I'M IN THAT SCHOOL, THE GOAL IS THAT I WALK INTO A CLASSROOM AND EVERYBODY, OH, MISS JESS, I WANT TO GO WITH YOU.THAT'S THE POINT BECAUSE IT SHOULDN'T BE A PUNISHMENT, IT SHOULD NEVER BE A REWARD OR A PUNISHMENT, EITHER WAY.
WE ARE A NEUTRAL PARTY, BUT THEY SHOULD BE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT COMING.
INTEGRATING YOURSELF IN AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND INTEGRATING YOURSELF IN A MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL IS VERY DIFFERENT.
IN AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IS OUR THERAPIST DO BUS DUTY.
THERAPISTS HELP KIDS GET DRESSED FOR THE HALLOWEEN PARADE.
OUR KIDS GO INTO THE CHRISTMAS PARTIES, THAT THING, SO THAT THEY INTEGRATE THEMSELVES IN THE SCHOOL.
I LIKEN IT TO HOW WE DID SROS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, HOW THEY INTEGRATED THEMSELVES INTO THE SCHOOL, AND THAT THEY'RE NOT SOMEBODY TO BE AFRAID OF.
>> I ALSO THINK THE EFFORT TO REMOVE STIGMA BEHIND, GETTING TREATMENT OR GETTING CARE, ESSENTIALLY, HAS PLAYED A BIG PART IN THAT AS WELL, AND WE'VE DONE SOME WORK ON THAT AVENUE, TOO.
>> GOOD, I KNOW YOU GUYS CARE.
I'VE HAD CONVERSATION WITH YOU BOTH, AND YOU GUYS ARE SO CAROLINE COUNTY BENEFITED SO MUCH BY YOU GUYS ARE BORN AND RAISED HERE AND STAY HERE AND DO GOOD WORK.
>> WE'RE DEFINITELY COMMITTED.
>> ON PROGRAM I COMPLETELY FORGOT WAS THE CONSORTIUM.
WE ACTUALLY WAS THE FIRST PEER TO GO INTO CAROLINE COUNTY SCHOOLS.
SHE'S PART OF THE YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE VAN AS WELL, BUT SHE ALSO WHEN SHE'S NOT ON THE VAN, SHE GOES INTO BOTH MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ABOUT USE.
BECAUSE BOTH OF OUR PEERS THAT, ARE PART OF OUR PROGRAM, THEY'RE THE ONES THAT CAME UP WITH THAT IDEA IN GENERAL IS TO GO TO BOTH MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS BECAUSE BOTH OF THEM SHARED WITH US THAT THEY KNOW THE EXACT BATHROOM THAT THEY STARTED USE IN CAROLINE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
IT WAS SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT, AS WELL.
>> GOOD, I'M GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFFING.
AS JESSICA MENTIONED, WE'VE HAD SOME REALLY GOOD SUCCESS LATELY WITH OUR POSITIONS THAT WE WERE RECRUITING FOR.
WE ONLY HAVE TWO OPEN POSITIONS RIGHT NOW THAT WE'RE RECRUITING FOR AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
WE HAVE A STAFF OF 112 WE ACTUALLY WERE SUCCESSFUL, WE HAD TWO POSITIONS THAT OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS, THOSE TWO POSITIONS HAD BEEN OPEN FOR OVER TWO YEARS WE WERE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY FILL THOSE.
NOT, SURE IF YOU WERE AWARE, BUT A FEW MONTHS AGO, THERE WAS A HIRING FREEZE.
THE STATE HIRING FREEZE WENT INTO EFFECT, THAT DOES NOT APPLY LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE EXEMPT FROM THAT, WHICH I'M NOT SURE IF I ALMOST BELIEVE THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN REALLY GOOD FOR US BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN EVERY APPLICATION THAT WE'VE HAD OPEN.
WE'VE SEEN SOME GREAT CANDIDATES COME THROUGH.
IT'S MADE FOR SOME DIFFICULT CHOICES IN THOSE AREAS, BUT WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT HOW THINGS ARE GOING.
WE'VE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO INTERNALLY FOR FY 25.
WE WERE ABLE TO RECLASS OR DO CONTRACTUAL CONVERSIONS TO MAKING THOSE INDIVIDUALS MERIT.
WE'VE HAD 12 OF THOSE IN FY 25 AS A TOTAL FOR FY 26, AND WE'RE ONLY FIRST QUARTER IN WE'VE HAD 10, SO I FEEL LIKE WE'VE DONE REALLY WELL WITH THAT.
THE NEXT SLIDE, JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR BUDGET, I PROVIDED THE FY 25 AND FY 26.
YOU'LL SEE FOR OUR CORE FUNDING, WHICH INCLUDES THE COUNTY REQUIRED MATCH.
THERE'S A SLIGHT INCREASE FOR OUR BUDGET FOR FY 26, THAT ACCOUNTS FOR CLAS AND SALARY ADJUSTMENTS.
OUR GRANTS, WHICH ARE FEDERAL STATE AND SOME LOCAL, YOU'LL SEE A DECREASE, AND THOSE WERE EXPECTED DECREASES.
THOSE WERE GRANTS THAT WERE AT THE EXPIRATION.
I THINK WE HAD TWO OF THEM THAT WERE PRETTY BIG.
IT ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT, I THINK, A DIFFERENCE OF $860,000, BUT IT WAS EXPECTED.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT WE TAKE WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE SUSTAINED AND WE'VE BUILT IT INTO SOMETHING ELSE SO IT WORKS FOR US.
YOU HEARD KEN GIVE A BRIEF ABOUT THE WORLD HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM, I DO HAVE AN UPDATE.
HE PROVIDED SOME GREAT INFORMATION IN REFERENCE TO IT, AND HE GAVE YOU AN OVERVIEW.
ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS THAT I WANTED TO MENTION, HE MENTIONED AS WELL IS THE REQUIREMENT OF THE STATES WHO ARE APPLYING.
[01:20:05]
THEY HAVE TO MEET PERFORMANCE MEASURES.IF THEY DO NOT MEET THOSE PERFORMANCE MEASURES WITHIN THAT FIVE YEAR PERIOD OF TIME, YOU HEARD HIM SAY THAT EITHER YOU DO NOT GET FUNDING OR IT GETS CLAWED BACK SO THAT'S AN INTERESTING PIECE.
IN TERMS OF THE RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM, THE MEASURE OR THE STRATEGIES THAT THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT, I THINK IT'S THE NEXT SLIDE.
THESE ARE THE STRATEGIC GOALS, SO MAKING RURAL AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN, SUSTAINABLE ACCESS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, INNOVATIVE CARE, AND TECH INNOVATION.
MDH ENGAGED THE LOCAL HEALTH OFFICERS FROM RURAL JURISDICTIONS IN THE STATE IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, WHEN THIS CAME ABOUT, THERE WAS SOME INFORMATION THAT WAS PUT OUT.
THEY CONTACTED US, THEY WANTED TO HOLD LISTENING SESSIONS, AND THEY ALSO PUBLICIZED SURVEY WHERE ANYONE COULD GO IN AND GIVE IDEAS, AND THE MDH TOOK ALL OF THAT INFORMATION, AND THEY PUT IT TOGETHER.
THE MID SHORE HEALTH OFFICERS, BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH A TIGHT TURNAROUND, THE FIVE OF US, WE DECIDED WE NEEDED TO GO THROUGH OUR LOCAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT COALITION.
THAT WAS BEST THAT WAS OUR BEST BET TO GET THE INFORMATION TO DO THIS IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
TOGETHER, WE HELD ONE LISTENING SESSION AT TAMA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
I FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS WELL ATTENDED, THAT WAS ON SEPTEMBER 29TH.
THERE WAS A LOT OF INFORMATION COLLECTED DURING THAT SESSION.
MDH THEY HAVE TO SUBMIT THEIR THE STATE'S APPLICATION TO CMS BY NOVEMBER 5, WHICH IS NEXT WEEK.
THEN I ATTENDED THE ROYAL HEALTH CONFERENCE LAST WEEK, AND MDH GAVE A PRESENTATION ON THE FINDINGS FROM ALL THOSE LISTENING SESSIONS.
A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF IT WERE DEFINITELY NOT A BIG SURPRISE, ACCESS, TRANSPORTATION, ALWAYS BIG.
THE DRAFT PROPOSAL THAT MDH HAD PROVIDED.
IT INCLUDES A FOCUS ON NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN RURAL COUNTIES, AND THEY HAVE A PLAN FOR THOSE FUNDS TO GO SPECIFICALLY TO THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.
I FEEL AS THOUGH OUR STRONG PARTNERSHIPS, WITH OUR COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND PARTNER AGENCIES LIKE CAROLINE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PARKS AND REC, ARE GOING TO PROVIDE A REALLY GOOD FOUNDATION FOR US TO GET THOSE THINGS OFF.
THE OTHER MOBILE HEALTH SERVICE EXPANSION REGIONAL APPROACH, I WAS EXTREMELY HAPPY TO SEE THIS, AND IT WAS A THEME ACROSS THE ENTIRE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE WERE HOLDING.
WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT COMES OUT OF THAT.
THEN FUNDS TO IMPROVE CAPACITY AND A PROCESS FOR IMPROVING BILLING AND MAXIMIZING REVENUE GENERATION FOR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.
WE'VE ALREADY DONE A LOT OF THAT WORK, BUT HAVING SOME REALLY SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT IN THAT AREA IS GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL TO US.
EVEN THOUGHWE'RE SAFETY NET PROVIDER, THE SERVICES THAT WE SHOULD BE BILLING FOR WE NEED TO BE BILLING FOR SO THAT WE CAN SAY, WE'RE GENERATING SOME REVENUE TO BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN OUR WORK.
THAT'S EXCITING NEWS. WE'LL SEE WHAT COMES OF THAT.
STATE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
I'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES.
WITHIN THE STATE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN, THEY HAVE THERE'S FIVE PRIORITIES, CHRONIC DISEASE, ACCESS TO CARE, WOMEN'S HEALTH, VIOLENCE, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS TOWARDS PUBLIC HEALTH ACCREDITATION, AND WE CONTINUE THAT.
WE FINALIZED OUR POLICY AND PROCEDURES, WHICH WAS SOMETHING THAT WE WERE IN DIRE NEED OF, WE'RE IN THE FINAL PHASE OF ORGANIZING THOSE AND GETTING IT SO THAT WE CAN DO ALL THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN FOR THAT TO BE SUSTAINABLE.
OUR NEXT INITIATIVE IS STRATEGIC PLANNING.
ALIGNING OUR PRIORITIES WITH THE STATE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
THROUGH PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE, GRANT FUNDING, WE WERE ABLE WE'VE HAD THESE COORDINATED CALLS AND CONVERSATIONS ABOUT LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS CHOOSING ONE OF THE STATE PRIORITIES AND BEING ABLE TO MEASURE THAT.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CHOSE, THE PRIORITY WILL BE CHRONIC DISEASE, AND WE'RE REALLY GOING TO FOCUS ON BY 2026, REDUCING THE RATE OF EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS FOR ASTHMA AMONG CHILDREN.
WE FEEL AS OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM, WE FEEL THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN REALLY TACKLE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
WITH THAT, I WANT TO HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT IS BY PARTNERING,
[01:25:04]
I THINK GET'S THE NEXT SLIDE, JEN, PLEASE.NO, THERE IT IS. WE'RE GOING TO WE PARTNERED WITH DORCHESTER COUNTY.
DORCHESTER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ALREADY HAS A VERY ROBUST ASTHMA HOME VISITING PROGRAM.
THE STATE CAME TO US AND TALBOT COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND SAID, WE HAVE MONEY TO EXPAND THE DORCHESTER COUNTY PROGRAM, BUT WE DON'T HAVE FUNDING TO PROVIDE FOR YOU TO HAVE YOUR OWN PROGRAM.
WHAT ABOUT IF WE ALL THREE COME TOGETHER, WE PARTNER WITH DORCHESTER ON THIS HOME VISITING.
WE'VE HAD MEETINGS. THIS IS GOING TO WORK FOR US. IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT.
DORCHESTER COUNTY'S TEAM WILL ACTUALLY DO THE WORK, BUT IT'LL BE A COORDINATED EFFORT WITH OUR TEAM AT OUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
WHAT HAPPENS IS THERE ARE REFERRALS MADE EITHER THROUGH THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
THEY ACTUALLY GET SOME DATA OUT OF A SYSTEM CALLED CHRIS THAT THEY PULL THAT INFORMATION. THEY CAN LOOK AT IT.
THEY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE HOME OR THE PARENTS.
ASK, ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THIS PROGRAM? IF THEY ARE, THEN THEY DO A HOME VISIT.
THEY LOOK AT THINGS WITHIN THE HOME, THEY PROVIDE WHAT THEY CALL DURABLE SUPPLIES, WHICH ARE LIKE A HEPA VACUUM CLEANER, HEPA FILTERS, PILLOW CASES THAT REDUCE ALLERGENS, ALL THESE THINGS THAT ARE FOUND TO REDUCE, COMPLICATIONS TO ASTHMA.
THE OTHER THING THAT WE KNEW NEEDED TO HAPPEN WAS WORKING WITH OUR SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS IN RELATION TO THIS BECAUSE THEY ALREADY HAVE THE SCHOOL BASED WELLNESS CENTERS.
THEY HAVE A PERFORMANCE MEASURE THAT THEY HAVE TO MEET IN RELATION TO CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA.
THAT COLLABORATION IS GOING TO HELP THEM AS WELL.
WE'RE EXCITED TO GET THAT OFF.
HOPEFULLY, FY 27, I THINK IS WHEN THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
THEN, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CHRONIC DISEASE, THIS IS ANOTHER AREA.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE WE PARTNERED WITH OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE EASTERN SHORE AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER TO TRAIN COMMUNITY MEMBERS UTILIZING THE NATIONAL DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM MODEL TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH PRE DIABETES TO REDUCE THEIR RISK OF DEVELOPING TYPE 2 DIABETES.
THEY HAD TWO IN PERSON PROGRAMS. THEY WERE THROUGH OUR LOCAL GREATER NEW HOPE CHURCH AND MINISTRIES AND AARON'S PLACE.
THEN THERE WAS A VIRTUAL THAT WAS MANAGED BY THE EASTERN SHORE A H. WE ALSO RECEIVED SOME FUNDING FOR A PROGRAM OVERWEIGHT OBESITY AND DIABETES PROGRAM.
OUR PARTNERSHIP INCLUDED CHAPTER 10 COMMUNITY HEALTH, CAROLINE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THE CULINARY CENTER, PARKS AND REC, FELSBURG JUDY CENTER, AARONS PLACE, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION OFFICE, AND ZEN DENTON YOGA.
WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE PRODUCE BAGS, SLASH RECIPES, AND PRODUCE GIFT CARDS DISTRIBUTED TO 500 PLUS CHILDREN ATTENDING SUMMER CAMPS.
IT ALSO PROVIDED TO TWO HEALTHY RETREATS.
THEY WERE HELD FOR YOUNG FAMILIES AND PREGNANT WOMEN.
WE HAD 35 IN ATTENDANCE TO THAT AND EDUCATION WAS PROVIDED.
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DIAGNOSED WITH DIABETES INCUR ANNUAL MEDICAL EXPENSES AT APPROXIMATELY 2.6 HIGHER THAN THOSE WITHOUT DIABETES.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE REALLY FOCUSED ON.
THEN WE CONTINUE WITH OUR CANCER SCREENINGS.
FOR FY 25, FOR BREAST, WE HAD 239 CERVICAL CANCER SCREENINGS 57, COLORECTAL 20.
WE SUPPORTED 20 COLONOSCOPIES AND ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS 13.
OUR TOBACCO CESSATION PROGRAM CONTINUES.
WE'VE HAD FY 25 SAW 26 INDIVIDUALS SERVED, AND WE CONTINUE WITH TOBACCO ENFORCEMENTS.
THEN WITHIN OUR MNIH PROGRAM, WHICH IS MOBILE INTEGRATED HEALTH, TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE.
BUT WE BUILT PREVENTION STRATEGIES WITHIN THAT MODEL AS WELL.
FOR FY 26, AGAIN, I MENTIONED THAT ASTHMA HOME VISITING.
ANOTHER THING THAT WE'D LIKE TO SUSTAIN WOULD BE, WE DO NOT HAVE A DEDICATED VIOLENCE PREVENTION TEAM AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
UTILIZING OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER THROUGH MID SHORE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, WHO DOES HAVE ONE HAS THAT TYPE OF PROGRAM.
WE WERE ABLE TO ACQUIRE FUNDING THROUGH THE STATE TO PROVIDE SOME EDUCATION AND SOME SUPPLIES FOR FIREARM SAFE STORAGE.
WE WERE AWARDED IN FY 25 AWARDED A LITTLE OVER
[01:30:01]
$22,000 DOLLAR FOR FIREARM SAFE STORAGE INITIATIVE.WE PARTNERED WITH MID SHORE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
WE PROVIDED 200 SMALL FIREARM SAFES THAT WERE DISTRIBUTED TO 136 BY JUNE 30, 2025.
ALSO INCLUDED 1,500 RAT CARDS AND FLYERS.
WE'RE HOPING TO BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THAT PROGRAM AND GET FUNDING AGAIN FOR THAT.
THAT WAS THE PARTNERSHIPS ON THAT WERE PRETTY AMAZING.
MID SHORE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HAD CONTACTS WITH THE LOCAL FIRE COMPANIES THAT WERE HOLDING FUNDRAISING EVENTS THAT WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE THE GUN SAFES GUN LOCKS AND SOME EDUCATION THERE.
THE OTHER THING, SO WE HAVE A F THE CHILD FATALITY REVIEW TEAM AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND EACH JURISDICTION IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A CHILD FATALITY REVIEW TEAM WITHIN THE STATE.
IT'S A MULTI DISCIPLINARY TEAM AND IT CONSISTS OF LOCAL PROFESSIONALS ACROSS AGENCIES, AND THE PURPOSE IS TO REVIEW CASES OF CHILD FATALITY TO DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE CAUSES AND INCIDENTS IN AN EFFORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS.
THE REVIEW TEAM DETERMINED A NEED TO EXPAND THE COLLABORATION TO FURTHER PREVENTION EFFORTS.
WITH THAT, AND WE TOOK HAVE A WE DO A LOT OF WORK WITH CAROLINE BETTER TOGETHER IN TERMS OF COLLECTIVE IMPACT.WE WERE ABLE IN ORDER FOR US TO GET A NEW CAMPAIGN OFF THE GROUND AND RUNNING, I CAN'T EVEN I CAN BARELY EXPLAIN THE HOW COLLECTIVE IMPACT HELPED US WITH THIS.
WE WERE VERY WE RECOGNIZED THAT SOMETHING NEEDED TO HAPPEN.
WE NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, AND WE WERE ABLE TO ACT AND ORGANIZE VERY QUICKLY BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAD THOSE ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH COLLECTIVE IMPACT.
OUT OF THAT CAME A FATALITY PREVENTION ACTION TEAM.
WITH THAT, THERE IS A WATER SAFETY CAMPAIGN THAT WE WORKED ON.
WE'RE GOING TO UTILIZE THE NATIONAL DROWNING PREVENTION ALLIANCE TOOLKIT, AND IT'S GOING TO BE A CAMPAIGN THAT WILL RUN FROM MAY TO AUGUST.
IT INCLUDES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH EVENTS.
THERE'LL BE A CONTEST, AND THERE'LL BE SOME SOCIAL MEDIA.
I MEAN, IT WAS LITERALLY, MAYBE TWO E MAILS THAT WE PUT OUT TO OUR PARTNERS THROUGH COLLECTIVE IMPACT.WE WERE ABLE TO GET A MEETING ESTABLISHED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND REALLY GET THAT OFF THE GROUND AND RUNNING.
WE'RE WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MOBILE INTEGRATED HEALTH.
>> ROBIN, CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION REAL QUICK.
SOME YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A PROGRAM, I THINK, THROUGH PARKS AND RECREATION WHERE WE SET UP WATER SAVING STATIONS ALONG THE RIVER WHERE WE PROVIDED LIFE PRESERVERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE HAD DISCUSSION ABOUT.
WE'VE THIS LAST MEETING THAT WE HAD, IT INCLUDED, IT INCLUDED JAMIE.
EMS. GREAT IDEAS ARE COMING OUT OF IT.
THE CAMPAIGN THE CAMPAIGN IS ESTABLISHED IN TERMS OF, WE'VE ALREADY SIGNED THE CONTRACT.
BUT THE COMMUNITY EVENTS, THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SAYING, WE CAN DO THIS AND WE CAN DO THIS AND FIGURING IT OUT.
I IMAGINE THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S IN THE WORKS AS WELL.
WE HAVE MUNICIPALITIES THAT DO, LIKE THE FISHING DERBY.
THERE'S AN EVENT SOON IN FELLOWSBURG, LIKE AT THE MARINA THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
WE'RE PARTNERING WITH THEM SO THAT WE CAN GET IN THERE TO PROVIDE THE EDUCATION AND PROVIDE SUPPLIES.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, LIFE PRESERVERS.
GOSH, THERE'S A WHOLE GAME OF THINGS THAT THEY MENTIONED.
BUT LOTS OF OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WE'RE ON THE CHOP TANK, RIGHT.
>> IT ALSO CAME ABOUT AS A RESULT OF THE CHANGE IN LEGISLATION WHEN IT CAME TO SWIMMING LESSONS BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE PAST, USED TO USE PRIVATE POOLS TO DO SWIMMING LESSONS.
THEN WHEN THE LEGISLATION REQUIRED THERE TO BE HANDICAPPED ACCESS.
OF COURSE, MANY PEOPLE JUST DIDN'T DO THAT.
I MEAN, BUT I KNOW THAT PROGRAM CAME ALONG WHERE WE ALONG THE RIVER, THERE WERE PERIODICALLY LIFE SAVING STATIONS.
[01:35:02]
THE LAST TWO MAJOR INCIDENCES OR UNFORTUNATE EXTREMELY UNFORTUNATE INCIDENCES THAT I'M AWARE OF HAVE HAPPENED IN PRIVATE PONDS.>> WE'VE BEEN VERY FOCUSED ON IT BEING A WATER SAFETY CAMPAIGN.
WE'RE TEACHING WATER SAFETY AND ALL ASPECTS OF THINGS, LIKE, FROM BOATING TO BEING ALONG THE RIVER TO BEACH SAFETY, ALONG WITH SWIMMING POOL SAFETY.
>> I THINK. IT WAS BOTH ENDS OF THE SPECTRUM TOO, AND AGE.
>> YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED AT THE NUMBER OF ADULTS WHO DO NOT KNOW HOW TO SWIM OR, BASIC LIFE SAVING SWIMMING SKILLS.
WE'RE HOPING THAT IT EXPANDS NOT JUST WITHIN CERTAIN AGE GROUPS, BUT OVERALL.
>> THAT ACTION TEAM, THOUGH THERE'S SWIM INSTRUCTORS THAT ARE OFFERING THEIR TIME, AS WELL.
>> I MEAN, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE COLLABORATION IS PRETTY EXTREME.
THE SWIMMING INSTRUCTORS WHO HAVE EXCELLENT PROGRAMS THAT ARE OFFERING WE CAN DO THIS PIECE.
WE'RE STRUGGLING A LITTLE BIT WITH WE'RE KEEPING AT THE FOREFRONT TRANSPORTATION.
WE KNOW THAT EVEN THOUGH WE CAN OFFER FREE THINGS, AND WE CAN DO THAT, BUT HOW DO WE GET THE PEOPLE THERE.
JAMIE HAS BEEN VERY VOCAL ABOUT THE NEED FOR THAT, AND HOW WE GO ABOUT THAT.
>> WELL, THERE WAS A TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM, I THINK, TAKING KIDS TO THE Y.
>> THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE REALLY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE Y HERE.
>> WELL, AGAIN, IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AS WELL, PARTNERING WITH THEM SO THAT THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE EDUCATION PIECES THERE AS WELL.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE I GO ON TO MOBILE INTEGRATED H? BECAUSE I HAVE GREAT NEWS. REALLY GOOD NEWS.
>> WE GOT PASSED OVER FOR GRANT.
>> TWO GRANTS. WE GOT PASSED OVER.
I FELT AS THOUGH THEY WERE VERY WELL WRITTEN.
WE MOVE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION WHICH PROBABLY IS A BLESSING THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT.
WE AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS ACTUALLY HIRED A COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE THAT WILL BE DESIGNATED TO MOBILE INTEGRATED HEALTH.
THAT PERSON'S START DATE IS NOVEMBER 12.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO GET THEM ON BOARD.
OUR PARTNERSHIP HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS.
WE WILL BE BACK HERE AGAIN IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS WITH EES TO HAVE A FULL LONG REAL CONVERSATION ABOUT MOBILE INTEGRATED HEALTH.
BUT I DID WANT TO GIVE YOU SOME UPDATES.
NOT ONLY DOES THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAVE THE CHN ON BOARD.
OUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN FINALIZED.
THEY'RE JUST AWAITING SIGNATURE.
>> KJ WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING OUR PROTOCOLS APPROVED BY THE MARYLAND INSTITUTE OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE, THAT THOSE HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
WE HAVE ALSO BEEN AWARDED FUNDING THROUGH THE CAROLINE FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT SOME OF THIS.
BECAUSE OUR SMALL SCALE EFFORT IS BEING BUILT INTO OUR CORE FUNDING AND WE WERE ABLE TO HIRE THAT COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE WITH CORE FUNDING, 50% OF IT, AND THEN THE OTHER 50% IS OUR BABIES BORN HEALTHY PROGRAM.
I THINK ARLENE AND I BOTH THOUGHT THAT THIS WOULD BE A GOOD COORDINATION THERE.
WE HAVE AN ANTICIPATED START DATE FOR OUR MOBILE INTEGRATED HEALTH.
WE'RE LOOKING AT TAKING OUR FIRST CLIENTS ON DECEMBER 1ST.
OUR AGREEMENTS WITH SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH FOR FARM D SUPPORT IS BEING REVIEWED BY THEIR ATTORNEYS.
THAT'S BEEN A GREAT COLLABORATION AS WELL.
OUR GOAL IS TO START THIS REALLY SMALL SCALE.
WE'RE LOOKING AT REFERRALS EXCLUSIVELY FROM EMS, AND THERE ARE SOME CRITERIA THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS WILL MEET.
WELL, AGAIN, TALK MORE ABOUT THAT IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
BUT OUR GOAL WOULD BE TO EVENTUALLY EXPAND TO BE ABLE TO TAKE REFERRALS FROM SHORE REGIONAL HEALTH AS WELL FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
>> INITIALLY, IT'S JUST PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL.
>> HIGH UTILIZERS AT THE SYSTEM.
>> YES. KJ REVIEWS THAT INFORMATION, AND THAT'S HOW THAT REFERRAL WILL COME TO US.
>> AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME, THAT WOULD BE SOMEONE WHO, HOPEFULLY, WE WOULD HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE THEY COULD HAVE A REMINDER ABOUT MEDICATION.
HAVE YOU GOT YOUR PRESCRIPTION FILLED? DIABETES, I THINK IS PROBABLY WHAT I'VE ALWAYS HEARD ABOUT
[01:40:02]
IS THE CRISIS ILLNESS WHERE YOU HAVE THAT DISEASE, BUT YOU REACH NOTHING YOU DON'T FEEL ANYTHING TILL YOU GET TO A CRISIS.IF WE CAN MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THEIR MEDICATIONS UP TO DATE, THEY'RE FILLED.
THEY HAVE A WAY TO GET THE PRESCRIPTIONS REFILLED, WE MAY BE ABLE TO REDUCE SOME OF THE FREQUENT FLIERS.
>> THE CASE MANAGEMENT ASPECT OF THIS IS SIGNIFICANT.
I MEAN, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE AND A PARAMEDIC GOING THERE TO MANAGE AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CASE MANAGEMENT.
THEY'RE BEING CONTACTED ON A REGULAR BASIS, LOTS OF FOLLOW UP, MAKING SURE THEY'RE LINKED TO A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN, ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
I THINK THE FACT THAT WE'RE DOING THIS ON A LOCAL LEVEL HAS GIVEN US THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR SERVICE TO BE BROAD AND TO MEET THE NEED.
THAT INDIVIDUAL, THEY'RE GOING TO GET LOTS OF EDUCATION ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR CHRONIC DISEASE NUTRITION, A PIECE OF THAT AS WELL, AND LOTS OF FOLLOW UP.
>> I THINK, SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE, WE USED TO HEAR THAT 75% OF OUR AMBUS CALLS WERE GENERATED BY ABOUT 50 PEOPLE.
I MEAN, AND IF WE CAN KEEP THOSE PEOPLE NOT ONLY FOR THEIR BENEFIT, BUT FOR OURS AS WELL, OUT OF THE CRISIS SITUATION BY JUST KEEPING AN EYE ON.
I KNOW YOU RUN INTO HIPAA PROBLEMS. I UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN VERY IMPORTANT WHEN WE STARTED TALKING YEARS AGO ABOUT OUR HEALTH ACCESS HERE IN COUNTY. THAT IS GOOD NEWS.
>> I MEAN, WE TALK ABOUT TRANSPORTATION THE ACCESS.
LIKE, WE STRUGGLE WITH GETTING PEOPLE WHERE THEY NEED TO GO FOR CARE. LET'S GO TO THEM.
WE AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, CAROLINE FOUND, I THINK IT WAS 21, FUNDED FOR US TO HAVE A MOBILE WELLNESS UNIT.
WE NEED TO UTILIZE THAT AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS GOING TO BE UTIL.
>> I THINK PART OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT WAS UTILIZING THE URGENT CARE CENTER, FOR EXAMPLE, TO EVALUATE WHETHER THE PERSON NEEDS TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.
THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS, ONCE YOU TAKE THAT PERSON TO THE URGENT CARE CENTER, IF THEY DON'T NEED TO BE TRAINED, HOW DO THEY GET HOME AND SPEAK THE PROBLEM? I MEAN, BECAUSE IF YOU SAY, YOU DON'T NEED TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, WHERE DO THEY GO FROM THERE? I MEAN, UNLESS THEY'VE GOT SOMEONE WHO CAN COME PICK THEM UP.
THAT WAS THE BACK END PROBLEM.
>> I THINK ALTERNATIVE DESTINATION, LIKE YOU HEARD, LIKE, IT IS A SUCCESS.
BUT ONE OF THE PIECES OF THAT IS THAT WHEN THEY'RE TAKING THAT INDIVIDUAL TO THAT ALTERNATIVE DESTINATION, THEY HAVE TO HAVE A WAY BACK HOME.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE CONVERSATION ABOUT WITHIN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND IT'S PROBABLY A LONG TIME FROM NOW, BUT HOW CAN WE SUPPORT THAT? IS THERE A WAY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THAT? WE HAVE SOME IDEAS, BUT AGAIN, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A MINUTE FOR US TO GET THAT TOGETHER.
I DID WANT TO MENTION TWO THINGS IN TERMS OF MY POSITION.
OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO TALK IN TERMS OF ADVOCACY FOR OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND FOR CAROLINE COUNTY.
I HAVE SAT ON THE LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A HEALTH DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE THERE.
BUT I TOOK THE PRESIDENT POSITION.
I WAS AWARDED THE PRESIDENT POSITION JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO, SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THAT COLLABORATION IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND TO THE MISSION OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AS TO HOW WE'RE WORKING WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
THEN ALSO, I BECAME A BOARD MEMBER ON THE EASTERN SHORE ADULT HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER.
THERE'LL BE SOME REPRESENTATION THERE FROM CAROLINE COUNTY WITH ME BEING THERE.
THEY ARE A REAL DRIVER FOR SOME OF OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PIECES, AND ALSO A GREAT PARTNER WHEN IT COMES TO OUR PREVENTION PROGRAM, THINGS LIKE THAT.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THOSE TWO THINGS COMING.
THERE'S NO WAY THAT I COULD, I REALLY STRUGGLE WITH PUTTING SLIDES TOGETHER BECAUSE THIS IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG IN TERMS OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
ONE OF THE THINGS YOU WILL SEE ON THIS SLIDE SHOW WAS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH.
WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF OUR WORKSHOP CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FEE SCHEDULE, AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE DEDICATED TIME TO GIVE THAT INFO TO YOU.
BUT WE'VE SEEN SOME SUCCESS WITH THE TRANSITION TO LAMA.
I'LL BE EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT THAT TOO.
I'LL BE BACK IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS. YOU'LL SEE ME A LOT IN NOVEMBER.
[01:45:01]
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON GOING PURPLE.
WE HAD A REALLY, REALLY SUCCESSFUL PURPLE MONTH. THANK YOU.
>> IT WAS GREAT. WE CANNOT THANK PARKS AND REC ENOUGH FOR THE SUPPORT THAT THEY OFFERED US WITH THE PURPLE PADDLE.
THAT WAS JAMIE'S IDEA, IT WAS AMAZING.
ALL THE EFFORT THAT HAS WENT INTO THAT HAS BEEN GREAT.
>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR COMING IN AND GIVING US AN UPDATE AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO.
>> BEHIND THE SCENES I KNOW YOU ONLY GET A FEW MINUTES TO EXPRESS.
HOW MUCH IS GOING ON TO US THANKS.
>> A BIG HEALTH DAY, BUT IT SOUNDS EVERYTHING SOUNDS GOOD.
>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE JESSE HAMICK AND JAKE ANDREWS WITH THE CAROLINE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
>> WE HAVE TO COME OUT BEFORE.
>> I WOULD MOVE. WE GO BACK TO OPEN SESSION.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY,.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE AYES HAVE IT.
WE'RE BACK IN REGULAR SESSION. THANK YOU.
I WANTED TO GOUGE MY EYES OUT ONCE I GOT DONE.
>> BUT IT WAS EQUALLY EXCITING TO DRAFT IT.
>> TWENTY SIX PAGES OF ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE. THANK YOU.
>> WELL, LIEUTENANT ANDREWS AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS ALONG WITH THE OFFICE OF LAW STEWART AND KIM, AS WELL AS THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS, MOST IMPORTANTLY, FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS.
WE WANTED TO COME BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING FIRST TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHY WE'RE DOING THIS, WHAT WE'RE DOING.
WHAT WE'VE DONE TO DATE, AND THEN WHAT'S NEXT? AS YOU MAY BE AWARE, THE WHY WE'RE DOING THIS IS THAT THERE ARE REALLY TWO THINGS.
NUMBER 1, AS I SAID TO LIEUTENANT ANDREWS BEFORE WE CAME UP, IT'S BEEN ABOUT 28 YEARS SINCE YOUR ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE WAS COMPLETELY REVAMPED.
THERE HAVE BEEN AMENDMENTS OVER THE LAST 28 YEARS, BUT THERE REALLY HASN'T BEEN A FULL COMPREHENSIVE BRING TO DATE.
AND THE REASON TO DO THAT NOW IS TWOFOLD.
NUMBER 1, MOST IMPORTANTLY, IS THAT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS IN THE OFFICE AND IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL WELFARE AND CONTROL ORDINANCE HAS SHIFTED TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
OUR SHERIFF AND LIEUTENANT ANDREWS, WHO IS GOING TO BE, I BELIEVE, OUR CHIEF ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER HAVE REAL.
>> THEY'VE BEEN SERVING IN THAT CAPACITY. I APPRECIATE THAT.
I THINK IT'S IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE THAN UNDER THE DETENTION CENTER IN THE WARDEN.
I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THAT ON.
>> I APPRECIATE IT. YEAH, THEY HAVE A GOOD HOME WITH US AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
>> AS PART OF THAT TRANSITION, THEY HAVE ALSO REALLY TAKEN THE CHARGE IN TRYING TO REVAMP THE ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE, AS WELL AS THE FORMS AND THE PROCESSES THAT YOUR ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS IMPLEMENT EVERY DAY IN NOT ONLY PROTECTING THE ANIMALS,
[Discussion of Animal Welfare and Control Ordinance]
BUT PROTECTING THE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY WITH REGARD TO THE ANIMALS.IN ADDITION TO THE TRANSITION IN OVERSIGHT TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THERE'S ALSO THE NEED, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER TO BRING YOUR ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE UP TO DATE.
THE ANIMAL CONTROL LAWS IN THE COUNTY ARE IN LARGE PART, A PRODUCT OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL LAWS AT THE STATE LEVEL.
A LOT OF OUR LAWS AT THE COUNTY LEVEL ARE AS A RESULT OF THAT, THERE ARE REALLY TWO ASPECTS TO IT.
THERE IS WHAT WE CALL PUBLIC GENERAL LAWS IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TITLE.
THEN THERE ARE PUBLIC LOCAL LAWS THAT APPLY SPECIFICALLY TO CAROLINE COUNTY.
THE STATEWIDE LAWS HAVE CHANGED OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 28 YEARS AS HAVE SOME OF THE PUBLIC LOCAL LAWS, AND NOT ALL OF THOSE CHANGES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN OUR ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE.
WITH STEWART'S ASSISTANCE AND LEADERSHIP AND GUIDANCE, WE COLLECTED RESOURCES.
FORTUNATELY, THERE ARE A LOT OF COUNTIES THAT HAVE RECENTLY UPDATED THEIR ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCES, SO THERE'S NO NEED FOR US TO REINVENT THE WHEEL AND WE CAN AVOID THAT.
ALSO, THERE'S THE INTERNATIONAL MUNICIPAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION, WHICH PUBLISHES ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE GENERAL GUIDELINES THAT WE CAN FOLLOW.
WE'VE TAKEN THOSE RESOURCES, REVIEWED THE MARYLAND CODE FOR THE CHANGES IN MARYLAND LAW AND UPDATED OUR CAROLINE COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE.
THAT'S AND THE FORMS THAT THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS USE.
I'VE MET WITH LIEUTENANT ANDREWS AND THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS A NUMBER OF TIMES OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS AND THEY'VE GIVEN INVALUABLE FEEDBACK, WHAT HAPPENS EVERY DAY, WHAT THEY ENCOUNTER EVERY DAY,
[01:50:01]
AND HOW WE CAN STREAMLINE THE PROCESS OF NOT ONLY PROTECTING THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO ENFORCING THE LAWS IN THE COURTS OR THROUGH THE ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD.WE HAVE DONE THAT, BUT WHAT WE HAVEN'T DONE YET, THERE WERE REALLY TWO PARTS TO THIS.
THERE'S THE ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE, AND THEN THERE'S ALSO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING THAT THE COUNTY HAS WITH THE HUMANE SOCIETY, BECAUSE IT'S A UNIQUE STRUCTURE IN THAT YOU HAVE BOTH THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND THEN THIS PUBLIC PARTNER THAT WORKS WITH THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICE, AND WE HAVE A CONTRACT, THE COMMISSIONERS HAVING MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE HUMANE SOCIETY THAT WE ALSO NEED TO UPDATE.
IN SPEAKING WITH THE HUMANE SOCIETY'S COUNSEL, PAT PALMER OUT OF CENTERVILLE, WE THOUGHT IT MADE SENSE FIRST TO GET THE ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE UP TO DATE BEFORE WE TRY TO MODIFY THE MOU TO BRING IT UP TO DATE.
THE FIRST STEP IN THAT PROCESS WAS TO GET THE ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE UPDATED BASED ON STATE LAW AND THE PRACTICE THAT THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS SEE EVERY DAY AND WE'VE DONE THAT.
WE'VE GOTTEN THE FORMS UP TO DATE.
FIRST, WE WANTED TO BRING THIS BEFORE YOU, AND THEN THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE TO GO TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY AND WORK WITH THE HUMANE SOCIETY TO GET THEIR INPUT TO FINALIZE THE ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE.
AT WHICH POINT WE CAN BRING IT BACK TO YOU.
BUT BEFORE WE TOOK THAT NEXT STEP, WE WANTED TO PUT THIS BEFORE YOU AND GET YOUR INPUT, YOUR APPROVAL BEFORE WE MOVE ON.
>> DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE, SIR?
>> I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, BUT THAT'S WHERE WE ARE NOW AND WHERE WE'RE GOING NEXT AFTER TALKING TO YOU IS TO MEET WITH THE H HUMANE SOCIETY.
>> DID YOU HAVE OTHER THING AT THIS POINT? COMMISSIONER BARBS.
IN THE ORDINANCE THAT WAS GIVEN TO US IS OUR EXISTING CODE, THEN, CORRECT? YOU WANTED COMMENTS ON THAT.
THESE DIFFERENT CLASS CIVIL OFFENSE VIOLATIONS.
CAN SOMEONE GET US A LIST OF WHAT THOSE ACTUALLY MEAN? IT'S A G, AG, BC.
THAT IS FOREIGN LANGUAGE TO ME?
>> SOMETHING THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.
WHAT THAT IS IS THERE'S DIFFERENT PENALTIES FOR DIFFERENT THINGS.
IT MIGHT BE A $50 FINE, AND MIGHT BE A $100 FINE.
THE PROBLEM THAT WE RAN INTO WHEN WE TOOK IT OVER IS THAT THE FINE SCHEDULES HAVEN'T CHANGED AT ALL IN THE COUNTY.
IT MIGHT BE A $15 FINE FOR SOMETHING OR A $20 FINE AND SO THAT'S THE SCHEDULE THAT WE'RE WORKING ON ACCOUNT.
>> THAT'S REFERENCING THE SCHEDULE.
UNDERSTANDING WHAT EACH ONE OF THOSE PENALTIES WOULD BE WOULD BE HELPFUL.
THE ENTIRE SECTION AND REFERENCES TO A DOG LICENSE.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS FALLEN TO THE WAYSIDE OVER THE PAST YEARS.
THE REASON FOR THE DOG LICENSE IS WE USED TO ISSUE A DOG LICENSE FOR $3, AND THEN $3 WOULD BE GOOD FOR THREE YEARS, AND THAT WOULD GET YOU YOUR TAG.
THE REASON FOR THE DOG LICENSES IS SO WE CAN KEEP TRACK OF THE DOGS THAT HAVE ACTUALLY RABIES.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE AVERAGING 1-2 DOG BITES A WEEK.
IF IT'S A DOG THAT WE CATCH, AND JUST GOT DONE BITING SOMEBODY AND IT'S GOT COLLAR ON, WE CAN ACTUALLY SAY, HEY, HE'S GOT HIS READY VACCINE, HE'S GOOD TO GO, SAVES US THE TEN DAY QUARANTINE AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
THAT'S THE REASON WHY THAT IS.
WHAT HAPPENED IS IS IT FELL TO THE CAROLINE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY.
THAT WAS WHEN THEY WERE PUSHING IT REALLY HARD.
EVERY TOWN AT THEIR OFFICES WOULD ACTUALLY HAVE LITTLE GUIDEBOOK.
YOU COULD GO AND PAY YOUR $3, GET YOUR DOG TAG, AND YOU WERE GOOD TO GO.
WELL, THAT STOPPED AND THAT HAS STOPPED SINCE WE'VE BEEN WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SINCE ANIMAL CONTROL AGE.
THE HUMANE SOCIETY STILL DOES IT WHEN THEY KNOW, ISSUE OUT THEIR DOGS, AND THEY KEEP TRACK OF IT ON THEIR OWN COMPUTER SYSTEM.
I CALLED HER YESTERDAY, ACTUALLY, BECAUSE I SAID, I'M JUST CURIOUS.
HOW MANY DO WE ACTUALLY HAVE REGISTERED IN CAROLINE COUNTY? SHE SAYS, GET BACK TO YOU.
WELL SHE GOT BACK TO ME. IT WAS ONLY 100 THAT WE HAVE ACTUALLY REGISTERED IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
I KNOW WE HAVE MORE THAN $100 IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE WANT TO PUT ANOTHER BURDEN.
I MEAN, I KNOW IT'S ON THE BOOKS NOW, BUT WHAT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE IS THAT REMOVED.
MAYBE WE COULD COME UP WITH SOME TYPE OF ONLINE REGISTRATION PORTAL OR SOMETHING.
BUT I MEAN, UNLESS IT'S IN STATE LAW THAT WE HAVE TO IT IS.
>> EVERY DOG IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A LICENSE?
>> YES. PURSUANT TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE.
THERE ARE DIFFERENT SECTIONS THAT APPLY TO DIFFERENT COUNTIES.
THE SECTION THAT APPLIES TO CAROLINE COUNTY DOES REQUIRE DOG LICENSING.
[01:55:04]
YOU GOT TO REGISTER YOUR FARE.
>> IF IT'S OVER SIX MONTHS A DOG.
>> BUT YOU'RE A RISK OF LOSING YOUR ANIMAL IF SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN WITHOUT A DOG LICENSE, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
>> I DO NOT WANT GOVERNMENT MAKING EVERY DOG OWNER IN THIS COUNTY IS SOMETHING ELSE TO DO.
I GOT TO GET A BOAT RAM STICKER, AND I GOT TO GET MY TAGS, AND I GOT TO HAVE A DOT PHYSICAL AND I MEAN, I JUST WON'T QUIT WORKING AND JUST GO AROUND TO GET LICENSES.
I MEAN, EVERY DOG HAS GOT TO HAVE A LICENSE.
>> I DON'T KNOW. I JUST STACK TO [OVERLAPPING]
>> A LOT OF OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE AND THEY GET TO RABIES TAKE DO THEY DO THE RIGHT THING.
>> YOU TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER STAFF PERSON, TOO? I MEAN, $3 IS NOT GO TO PAY FOR ANOTHER PERSON A [OVERLAPPING]
>> WAY TO INTEGRATE WITH, HEY, I'M GOING TO KNOW ON THE DOG LIST.
>> THIS NEEDS TO BE A LEGISLATIVE REQUEST.
MAYBE THIS NEEDS TO BE A LEGISLATIVE REQUEST TO GET THIS REQUIREMENT REMOVED AT THE STATE LEVEL.
>> MOST PEOPLE KEEP RECORDS LIKE WHAT THEIR ANIMALS RESPONSIBLE OWNERS.
>> THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE IN EVERY.
>>I AGREE WITH THAT. THEY'RE TOO MUCH NOW.
IS THAT THE ONLY ANIMAL THAT ARE GOING TO GET RABIES?
>>NO, WE HAVE RABIT CAT COLONIES THAT WE DEAL WITH.
>> SO WHY DON'T WE HAVE TO HAVE A LICENSE FOR FELINES?
>> YOU WOULD HAVE TO ASK THE STATE OF MARYLAND ON THAT ONE.
>> I'M JUST SAYING WE'RE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST CATS.
>> DON'T WORRY, THEY'LL FIND A WAY [OVERLAPPING]
>> THEY HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF THAT [LAUGHTER]
>> I MEAN, ONE OF THE VERY INTERESTING THINGS IS I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM A GENTLEMAN AT THE STATE OF MARYLAND THAT WAS ASKING ME ABOUT OUR KENNEL LICENSE AND OUR BREEDER LICENSES. MM HM.
AND I SAID, BREEDER LICENSES, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? THEY'RE LIKE, WELL, THAT'S MANDATORY EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT A BREEDER'S LICENSE.
SO I PUT IT ON MY LITTLE CALENDAR.
BUT YEAH, THEY WANT TO KNOW EXACTLY BECAUSE IT'S ANOTHER WAY OF HOW TO TAX.
>> I CAN UNDERSTAND WITH THE BREEDERS AND, MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT RUNNING A PUPPY BILL.
>> THAT'S PROBABLY MORE PUPPY BILL RELATED.
>> YES, I CAN I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT I JUST FEEL LIKE LICENSING EVERY DOG IN THE COUNTY IS GOING TO BE A HEAVY LIFT.
AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE.
I MEAN, IT'S JUST IT'S SOMETHING ELSE TO REMEMBER TO DO.
HOW IS I MEAN, AS AN ANIMAL OWNER, ARE YOU GOING TO REMEMBER TO GO IN AND RENEW YOUR LICENSE EVERY I MEAN, IT'S EVEN WORSE IF IT'S EVERY THREE YEARS.
>> WELL, IT'S FOR THE RABIES, LIKE I SAID.
SO WHEN YOU GET YOUR RABIES SHOT, YOU A LICENSE. I MEAN, YOU SEE WHAT I'M SAYING?
>> ONE THING, IF I REMEMBER, ON THE DOG'S BIRTHDAY, IF I REMEMBER THE DOG'S BIRTHDAY EVERY YEAR, I'VE GOT TO GO GET HIS LICENSE RENEWED, BUT EVERY THREE YEARS.
>> BIRTHDAY CARD I LIKES [LAUGHTER].
I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO GET A LICENSE ON BIRTH.
I DON'T KNOW. I JUST FEEL LIKE THIS IS I DON'T [OVERLAPPING]
>> I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING TO GET IT DONE REGARDLESS. I DON'T THINK.
>> NO, I BELIEVE IT IS STATEWIDE, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND TELL YOU THAT ALL 24 COUNTIES HAVE THE SAME LANGUAGE THAT CAROLINE COUNTIES CODE DOES.
I'M SORRY. CAROLINE COUNTY'S LAW IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE.
>> RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE HEALTH DEPART OR TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY.
>> THEY'RE THE ONES TO KEEP TRACK OF IT ON THEIR SYSTEM.
>> I DON'T THINK THIS I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE ENFORCED FOR ONE.
>> WE HAVE TO IF WE HAVE TO DO IT, IT NEEDS, IN MY OPINION, IT SHOULD JUST BE A PORTAL THAT YOU CAN GO ON ONLINE AND FILL IT OUT EVERY SO OFTEN, AND MAYBE SCAN IN SCAN IN SOMETHING FROM YOUR VETERINARIAN WHEN THE SHOT WAS ADMINISTERED OR SOMETHING.
>> I THINK A $0 SERVICE AS LONG AS YOU GET YOUR RABIES, IT SHOULD BE HANDED OUT WITH THE RABIES SO WE CAN KEEP TRACK OF IT.
BUT THAT DOESN'T FALL ON US BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT'S THE HUMANE SOCIETY THAT'S PURCHASING THE TAGS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
>> THAT INTEGRATION OR CHANGE IN MODEL WOULD HAVE TO BE PART OF THE MOU DISCUSSION ITEM?
>> AS LONG AS IT'S CONSISTENT WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ISN'T A REQUIREMENT THAT AT THE STATE LEVEL, THERE ARE CERTAIN VIOLATIONS OF THE STATE ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE THAT WE HAVE TO
[02:00:01]
IMPLEMENT THAT HAVE THEIR OWN FINES AND PENALTIES ATTACHED TO THEM.I WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS ISN'T ONE OF THE MANDATORY FINES.
>> I MEAN, THERE'S 100 DOGS AND PROBABLY HALF A DEN.
>> WELL, THAT WAS THAT ONE REALLY CAUGHT MY EYE, SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET CREATIVE FOR THAT.
>> WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THAT NO PROBLEM.
>> A PERSON OR ENTITY THAT KEEPS OR HARBORS FIVE OR MORE DOGS OVER THE AGE OF FOUR MONTHS TO MAINTAIN A VALID MULTI DOG LICENSE AS DEFINED IN THIS ACT.
DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE A MULTI DOG LICENSE?
>> THAT WOULD BE ZERO [LAUGHTER]
EVERYBODY I KNOW THAT HAS MORE THAN FIVE DOGS.
>> DOG FANCIERS, I BELIEVE, IS WHAT THEY WERE REFERRING TO UNDER THE OLD ORDINANCE.
>> RETAIL PET STORES PROHIBITED?
>> IT'S NOT A RETAIL. IT'S NOT A PET STORE, LIKE I'M THINKING ABOUT. LIKE.
>> IT'S NOT. I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT A PETSMART NEEDS IT, AND HOW IS IT THAT THEY'RE RIGHT.
>> HOW IS THERE. THAT'S SOME CRAZY DEFINITION.
>> MOST OF IT IS FAIRLY ANTIQUATED AT THE STATE LEVEL, TOO.
A LOT OF THESE STATE CODE PROVISIONS ARE OLD TO SAY THE.
THEY DON'T GET A LOT OF ATTENTION.
>> I DID NOT SEE ANY REFERENCE HERE TO IF A DOMESTICATED ANIMAL, LIKE A LIKE LET'S SAY, A DOG GETS LOOSE AND IS ATTACKING LIVESTOCK OR HARASSING LIVESTOCK ON THE NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY, IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO ME THAT THE NEIGHBOR WHOSE LIVESTOCK IS BEING HARASSED OR POTENTIALLY ATTACKED CAN LEGALLY DO ANYTHING TO PREVENT THAT.
IS THERE A PROVISION? HOW DID YOU DID YOU READ ANYTHING? BECAUSE I THINK THAT WAS A RECENT CASE BEFORE WE HAD THAT CASE HAPPEN BEFORE THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TOOK OVER ANIMAL CONTROL, WHERE I BELIEVE A COUPLE OF DOGS HAD GOT LOSE WERE ASSAULTING SOMEONE'S GOATS AND ATTACKING GOATS AND THE PROPERTY OWNER TOOK CARE OF IT.
>> THERE IS A PROVISION IN HERE THAT ALLOWS PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS TO PROTECT THEIR PROPERTY, INCLUDING LIVESTOCK OR THEIR PERSONS ON THEIR PROPERTY FROM A DOG COMING IN.
WHERE IT IS EXACTLY IN THE? EIGHT PAGES.
I'M NOT SURE. I BELIEVE IT FALLS UNDER MAYBE A PUBLIC NUISANCE ANIMAL.
>> I WAS A. I WAS LOOKING AT SEVEN ON PAGE 13 SAYS SHOOT TO KILL OR MAIM ANY ANIMAL EXCEPT A, LEGALLY AUTHORIZED HUNTING ACTIVITIES.
B, EMERGENCY EUTHANASIA BY AN OWNER OR A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OR C, OR AS OTHERWISE PERMITTED BY THIS ACT OR STATE LAW, AND OWNER HAS THE BURDEN OF PROOF TO SHOW THAT A TRUE EMERGENCY EXISTED JUSTIFYING EUTHANASIA.
IT IS A CLASS A CIVIL OFFENSE TO VIOLATE THIS SUBSECTION.
BUT I DIDN'T SEE ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE ACT THAT WOULD PERMIT YOU TO DEFEND YOUR YOUR OWN OTHER ANIMALS.
>> COMMISSIONER I'LL FIND THAT FOR YOU AND SEND YOU THAT REFERENCE, BUT.
>> I RECALL THAT BECAUSE ORIGINALLY THERE WAS LANGUAGE THAT ALLOWED YOU TO KILL IN DEFENSE OF YOUR LIVESTOCK, BUT HAD DISSIMILAR LANGUAGE WHEN IT CAME TO A DOG LOOSE ATTACKING HUMANS.
AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU HAD AT LEAST AS MUCH, RIGHT TO PROTECT YOURSELF AS YOU DO.
>> IT'S ADDRESSED. OKAY. WELL, THAT WAS THAT WAS THOSE WERE THE ONLY MADE OKAY.
HERE WAS ONE JUMPED OUT OF ME. I'M SORRY.
I CIRCLED ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS.
PAGE 23, SUBSECTION 7812.1D SUBPOENA POWER.
DO WE WANT OUR ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD TO HAVE SUBPOENA POWER? AND IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN EVEN ISSUE TO AN ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD OR.
[02:05:01]
>> YOU CAN'T EVEN I MEAN, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LET DCC DO SUBPOENA POWER, YOU'RE GOING TO LET ANIMAL BOARD DO SUBPOENA POWER.
>> HISTORICALLY, THE ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD HAS HAD THAT POWER, SO I WOULD SAY THAT IS A POWER THAT IS CARRIED OVER FROM THE OLD ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE.
IT WASN'T AS PERHAPS WELL DEFINED IN THE OLD ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE.
>> BUT I DO KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD IN THE PAST.
BECAUSE OF THE TIGHT TIME LINES THAT THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH, BRINGING WITNESSES IN AND ACTUALLY HAVING THE HEARING WITHIN IT, I THINK IT'S FIVE DAYS OR TEN DAYS OR.
YES. I WILL DEFER TO THE COMMISSIONERS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT TO GIVE THAT BOARD SUBPOENA POWER, BUT IT HAS HISTORICALLY HAD IT.
>> I MEAN, I'M LEANING TOWARDS NO.
>> WHAT IS LIKE, HOW MANY PEOPLE IS THE ANIMAL PATROL BOARD DESIST OF OR IS IT?
>> IT'S ME AS THE CHIEF ANIMAL PATROL OFFICER.
WE HAVE SOMEBODY FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
WE HAVE NORMALLY A VET ON STAFF.
>> TWO OTHER MEMBERS. WE POINT.
YEP. AND WHAT WE DO IS IF THERE'S A DOG BITE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
AND WE DEEM THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE ANIMAL PATROL HEARING BOARD BECAUSE THE OWNER DOESN'T WANT TO RENDER THE DOG FOR BEING VIOLENT, SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.
THEN WE'LL SEIZE IT. THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO COME IN.
IF YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T GO THEIR WAY, THEY CAN ACTUALLY TAKE IT TO THE CIRCUIT COURT.
>> IN WHAT CASES WOULD YOU HAVE TO SUBPOENA, LIKE, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE TO SUBPOENA FROM THE OWNER? LIKE?
>> NORMALLY, THEY THEY WANT TO COME IN BECAUSE IT'S THEIR DOG, BUT IT WOULD BE MORE OF, LIKE, NEIGHBORS, STUFF LIKE THAT, IF IT WAS LIKE A NUISANCE ANIMAL, SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES, AND THEY DON'T WANT TO COME TO COURT.
>> IT'S ALMOST AN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS IF YOU HAVE A BARKING DOG NEXT DOOR THAT BARKS DAY AND NIGHT, AND YOU WANT TO STOP IT.
INSTEAD OF GOING TO COURT AND FILING LITIGATION, YOU CAN FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD.
THE ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD THEN HAS TO HOLD A HEARING, AND IN ORDER TO GET THE NEIGHBOR WITH THE BARKING DOG THERE, THEY HAVE TO HAVE SOME ABILITY TO COMPEL THEM TO APPEAR.
>> OR A DOG RUNNING LOOSE, CONTINUING THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> THERE ARE ALSO INSTANCES WHERE A WITNESS DOES NOT WANT THE DEFENDANT TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE WILLINGLY APPEARING, SO THEY SAY, SUBPOENA ME.
AND THEN BASICALLY, I CAN SAY I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO APPEAR AND TESTIFY. I HAVE A SUBPOENA.
>> WHO IS ISSUING THE SUBPOENA? IT'S NOT COMING FROM A JUDGE, A CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE.
IT'S COMING FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THE BOARD.
>> SIGNED BY THE CHAIRMAN. AND WHAT HAPPENS?
>> WHAT'S THE PENALTY FOR NOT APPEARING?
>> WELL, MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT IF SOMEONE FAILS TO APPEAR FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING PURSUANT TO ADMINISTRATIVE SUBPOENA, THAT WHAT THE BOARD HAS TO DO IS FILE A MISCELLANEOUS CASE IN CIRCUIT COURT, ASK THE COURT TO ISSUE THE SUBPOENA AND SHOW CAUSE FOR WHY THIS PERSON SHOULDN'T WELL, THEY GOT TO BE HAULED BEFORE THE CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE AND ANSWER FOR WHY DIDN'T YOU SHOW UP FOR THE ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD HEARING, WHICH, BY THE WAY, YOU'RE NOW UNDER ORDER TWO FOR THE NEXT SCHEDULED ONE, YOU'RE GOING.
I MEAN, IT'S CLUMSY. IT IS NOT PRETTY.
IT'S NOT SMOOTH LIKE A REAL JUDGE ISSUING A SUBPOENA OR CLERK OF COURT.
>> TO YOUR POINT, IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN ANIMAL THAT'S GOING TO BE EUTHANIZED, THAT HAPPENS RELATIVELY RAPIDLY.
THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A DEB WOULD BE A QUICK PROCESS.
>> WE'LL HAVE TO GIVE THAT ONE SOME THOUGHT.
BUT IF YOU COULD COME UP WITH ANOTHER WAY OTHER THAN SUBPOENA POWER, THAT WOULD MAKE ME FEEL A LOT BETTER.
>> BECAUSE I MEAN, ULTIMATELY, THE THREE OF US ARE WRITING THE CHECK FOR THAT SUBPOENA TO BE ISSUED RIGHT THROUGH THE ACCOUNTING.
I MEAN, WE'RE NOT WRITING IT, BUT EVERYBODY WHO COMPLAINS THAT THEIR TAXES IS TOO HIGH TO US IS WRITING IT.
I MEAN WE DON'T JUST DON'T WANT TO BE DRUG INTO AN EXPENSIVE TIME CONSUMING PROCESS, EITHER WITHOUT SOME INPUT, SO.
>> THE LEGISLATIVE CHANGE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD FORGET ABOUT DOING.
THE CITATION IS LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE SECTION 13-116 ENTITLED CAROLINE COUNTY, AND IT IT HAS ALL THAT MANDATORY LANGUAGE THAT JESSIE WAS REFERRING TO.
I MEAN, FOR US TO GO FORWARD WITH THIS VERSION,
[02:10:03]
I WOULD SUSPECT THAT WE SHOULD ASK FOR A CHANGE IN THE LEGISLATION AT THE STATE LEVEL.>> OR IF WE HAVE TO DO IT, WE JUST MAKE IT AS AS EASY AS POSSIBLE AND COST AS MINIMAL AS POSSIBLE.
>> YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO CHANGE THE SHAPE OF THE DOG TAG EVERY YEAR.
>> RIGHT HERE NO, IT'S IT'S QUITE TO READ.
>> IS ANYBODY DOING THAT? COUNTING STATE LAW? [LAUGHTER]
>> I MEAN, THERE'S SOME PEOPLE THAT'S GOING TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
I MEAN, THEY JUST DON'T WANT ANY PROBLEMS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? WHEN THEY HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, THE RABIES CLINIC EVERY YEAR, ALL THAT.
>> I GUESS, IT'S MOSTLY PEOPLE THAT ARE GETTING INITIAL RABIES VACCINATIONS.
THEY GET THE LICENSE WITH THE INITIAL RABIES VACCINATION.
AND THAT'S THE LAST TIME THEY GET A LICENSE.
>> THROUGH THE HUNT. THEY CHECK TO HUNT.
THEY GET THE RABIES SHOTS BECAUSE IF THEY LOSE THEIR ANIMAL.
>> THANK YOU FOR HARD WORK ON THIS ONE.
THIS IS A LOT OF WORK IN [OVERLAPPING]
>> NOW, WE HAVE A SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARING FOR ACTUALLY TWO SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR THE CDBG GRANT FOR ST. MARTIN'S HOUSE AND BARN.
I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE CDBG GRANT AND ST. MARTIN'S FOR ST. MARTIN'S HOUSE AND BARN.
>> THE AYES HAVE IT. DANNY, DID WE HAVE STAFF THAT ARE.
MR. BARREL, YOU WANT TO READ THE.
>> THERE WAS A NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER THAT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE STAR DEMOCRAT OCTOBER THE 11TH AND OCTOBER THE 18TH.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, CDBG GRANT, GREENSBORO, JUDY CENTER AND BENEDICTINE CAMPUS RING ROAD.
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE PROGRESS OF MARTIN HOUSE AND BARN ENHANCING ESSENTIAL CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR HIGH NEEDS FAMILIES IN A YEAR ROUND SHELTER,
[• CDBG Grant for St. Martin’s House & Barn]
WHICH WAS FUNDED UNDER THE MARYLAND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM, WHICH IS A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ASSIST GOVERNMENTS WITH ACTIVITIES DIRECTED TOWARD NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOUSING REVITALIZATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND IMPROVED COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES.THE HEARING WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 28TH, 2025, BEGINNING AT 9:15 A.M. CAROLINE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 109 MARKET STREET, DENTON, MARYLAND.
TO SUBMIT COMMENT IN WRITING, EMAIL INFO AT CAROLINEMD.ORG VISIT WEBSITES GIVEN OR MAIL TO 109 MARKET STREET, ROOM 123, DENTON, MARYLAND 21629 BY OCTOBER 23, 2025.
MEETINGS ARE BROADCAST LIVE ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE ADDRESSES GIVEN.
EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO ACCOMMODATE THE DISABLED AND NON ENGLISH SPEAKING RESIDENTS WITH THREE DAYS ADVANCED NOTICE TO THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AT 4:10 4790 660 OR VIA THE MARYLAND RELAY SERVICE FOR PERSONS WITH A HEARING OR SPEECH DISABILITY AT 711.
>> WITH US THIS MORNING IS DEBORAH FROM ST. MARTIN'S.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR HER OR SHE ANY COMMENTS YOU WANT TO MAKE ON?
>> YES. SURE. ABSOLUTELY, DEBORAH.
>> JOHNNY, WAS ANY COMMENT RECEIVED?
>> I DON'T HOPE YOU OR ANYONE TO SIGN UP.
>> I JUST WANTED TO FIRST SAY THANK YOU AND THE COUNTY FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT THROUGH THIS CDBG GRANT PROGRAM.
THE PARTNERSHIP HAS ALLOWED US TO STRENGTHEN OUR CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS HERE IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
THROUGH THIS GRANT, WE WERE ABLE TO HIRE SAMANTHA BARAUSKAS, OUR FULL TIME CASE MANAGER, WHO BEGAN PROVIDING SERVICES IN THE SPRING.
SHE HAS BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR TEAM OFFERING CONSISTENT INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT TO FAMILIES FACING SERIOUS CHALLENGES, SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS, DISABILITIES, TRAUMA, AND CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS.
MANY OF THE FAMILIES WE SERVE ALSO FACE BARRIERS LIKE LIMITED TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESS TO CARE.
HAVING SAMANTHA ON SITE EVERY DAY HAS MADE A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE IN THEIR ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD.
I'M PLEASED TO SHARE THAT JUST EIGHT MONTHS INTO THE TWO-YEAR GRANT PERIOD.
WE'VE ALREADY SERVED 56 BENEFICIARIES, PUTTING US WELL ON TRACK TO MEET OR EXCEED OUR GOAL OF 100 CLIENTS.
EACH OF THOSE NUMBERS REPRESENTS A FAMILY, PARENTS AND CHILDREN,
[02:15:01]
FINDING STABILITY, AND HOPEFULLY BEING ABLE TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES.JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT LAST FISCAL YEAR, MARTIN'S HOUSE AND BARN PROVIDED 12,439 BED NIGHTS TO FAMILIES IN CRISIS.
63% OF THOSE SERVED WERE CAROLINE COUNTY RESIDENTS.
OUR CURRENT SHELTER POPULATION IS AT 78% OF OUR CLIENTS ARE FROM CAROLINE COUNTY. THESE ARE OUR NEIGHBORS.
FAMILIES WHO LIVE AND WORK AND GO TO SCHOOL RIGHT HERE IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE'RE ALSO PREPARING RIGHT NOW TO HIRE A PART TIME GRANT MANAGER, WHICH IS THE OTHER PART OF THE CDBG GRANT TO HELP ENSURE THE LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF THESE SERVICES.
JUST A LITTLE OVERVIEW, BEYOND THE SHELTER, OUR FOOD PANTRY CONTINUES TO SERVE APPROXIMATELY 350 FAMILIES OR ABOUT 1,500 INDIVIDUALS EACH MONTH, PROVIDING ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD.
THIS PROGRAM NOT ONLY HELPS FAMILY STAY IN OUR SHELTER, BUT ALSO HUNDREDS OF CAROLINE COUNTY HOUSEHOLD WHO RELY ON US FOR BASIC NUTRITION.
I JUST ALSO WANTED TO ADD THAT I'M EXCITED I WAS ASKED TO BE ON THE HUMAN SERVICES COUNCIL BOARD, AND SO I'M EXCITED TO HAVE THAT COMMUNITY COLLABORATION.
I'M ALSO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH CAROLINE BETTER TOGETHER, TRYING TO PARTNER WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY'S CAPACITY TO REDUCE POVERTY AND SUPPORT FAMILIES IN ACHIEVING LASTING STABILITY.
JUST, AGAIN, I'M JUST GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU, DEBORAH. YOU GUYS HAVE ANYTHING?
>> I MEAN, NORMALLY, WHEN WE HAVE THESE GRANTS, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, I ALWAYS LOOK AT THEM AND SAY, YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPORTING AND MAKING SURE THAT ALL THE COMPLIANCE ISSUES ARE MADE.
WE'VE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS I KNOW OVER THE YEARS WITH THIS ORDER.
>> WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE GRANTS OVER THE YEARS BACK TO THE PSG AWARDS WITH ST. MARTIN, AND I'VE ALWAYS DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB WITH GETTING OUR REQUIRED REPORTING TO STACY AND OFFICE OF FINANCE.
>> THANK YOU. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF OUR ABILITY TO ADMINISTER THESE GRANTS.
WE'RE ALWAYS HAPPY TO WORK WITH DANNY AND STACY.
>> WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY WRITTEN TESTIMONY, AND NO ONE HAS SIGNED UP.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE CDBG GRANT FOR ST. MARTIN'S HOUSE AND BARN? I DO NOT SEE ANYONE, SO I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CDBG GRANT FOR ST. MARTIN'S HOUSE AND BARN.
>> ALL OF THOSE OPPOSED. AYES HAVE IT.
NEXT, WE HAVE THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS PUBLIC HEARING.
MR. BARROLL, WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THAT?
>> YES, SIR. THIS WAS PUBLISHED ALSO OCTOBER 11 AND OCTOBER 18, 2025 IN THE STAR DEMOCRAT OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING.
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS THE CAROLINE COUNTY OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS, FROM THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES AND DISTRIBUTORS.
THESE FUNDS ARE AIMED AT SUPPORTING INITIATIVES THAT PREVENT OPIOID MISUSE, EXPANDING TREATMENT, AND STRENGTHEN RECOVERY SERVICES, REFERENCED IN EXHIBIT E, FROM THE STATE OF MARYLAND, WHICH IS A LIST OF OPIOID REMEDIATION USES.
THE HEARING WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 28, 2025, BEGINNING AT 9:15 A.M. CAROLINE COUNTY COURTHOUSE 109 MARKET STREET, DENTON, MARYLAND.
TO SUBMIT COMMENT IN WRITING EMAIL INFO@CAROLINEMD.ORG, VISIT, THE ADDRESS IS GIVEN OR MAIL TO 109 MARKET STREET ROOM 123, DENTON MARYLAND 21629 BY OCTOBER 23/25.
MEETINGS ARE BROADCAST LIVE ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE, ADDRESS IS GIVEN.
EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO ACCOMMODATE THE DISABLED AND NON ENGLISH SPEAKING RESIDENTS WITH THREE DAYS ADVANCE NOTICE TO THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AT 410-4790-660 OR VIA THE MARYLAND RELAY SERVICE FOR PERSONS WITH A HEARING OR SPEECH DISABILITY AT 711.
>> JUST START OFF. THE PUBLIC HEARING THAT WE'RE CONDUCTING TODAY IS REQUIRED AND PART OF OUR STATE AGREEMENT TO BE A RECIPIENT OF THE RESTITUTION FUND.
STACY HAS PUT TOGETHER A BRIEF POWERPOINT TO GO OVER THE FUNDS, THE ALLOWABLE USES, AND REALLY OUR RECOMMENDATION OF NEXT STEPS WITH THIS MONEY.
>> MORNING STACY [OVERLAPPING].
>> SO AS HE STATED, THIS IS ABOUT THE [INAUDIBLE] RESTITUTION FUNDS.
OUR AGENDA IS TO BASICALLY COVER THE TYPE OF FUNDS THAT WE HAVE, DISCUSS THE LOCAL BASEMENT PLAN BRIEFLY, THE EXHIBIT E, AND THE COUNTY GRANT APPLICATION THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO, AND THE FUNDS WE'VE RECEIVED TO DATE.
[02:20:04]
SO BASICALLY, THERE'S TWO TYPES OF FUNDS.FIRST ONE IS THE LOCAL SETTLEMENT FUNDS.
THESE FUNDS COME DIRECTLY TO THE COUNTY AND ARE 25% OF THE TOTAL SETTLEMENTS.
SO WHEN THEY WENT TO SETTLEMENTS, IT BROKE DOWN DIFFERENT WAYS OF HOW THE FUNDS WOULD BE RECEIVED.
THESE ARE FUNDS THAT GO DIRECTLY TO ANY COUNTY THAT APPLIED TO BE PART OF THE SETTLEMENT THING.
THEY COME DIRECTLY TO US ON A YEAR-TO-YEAR BASIS FROM THE DIFFERENT DISTRIBUTORS, WALGREENS, WALMART, ETC.
THE SECOND BATCH OF FUNDS IS THE BIGGER POT OF MONEY, AND THEY'RE THE TARGETED ABATEMENT FUNDS.
THEY'RE RECEIVED BY THE STATE AND THEN AWARDED TO THE COUNTIES IN A NON COMPETITIVE GRANT THAT MAKES UP 45% OF THE TOTAL SETTLEMENT.
SO THERE WAS A BIG PART OF LOCAL ABATEMENT TAG FUNDS THAT THEY'RE REFERRED TO.
THEY GO TO THE STATE OF MARYLAND, STATE OF MARYLAND CREATED THEIR OWN PORTION OF FUNDS FROM HERE TO COVER THE MORE OFFICE AND DIFFERENT OTHER THINGS THERE AT THE STATE LEVEL.
THEN EACH COUNTY THAT WAS IN THE SETTLEMENT, HAD TO THEN CREATE A LOCAL ABATEMENT PLAN TO APPLY FOR THE NONCOMPETITIVE FUNDS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THEM.
SO THOSE ARE THE TWO DIFFERENT FUNDS.
WE'LL GO IN A LITTLE MORE DETAIL AS WE GO THROUGH THINGS.
SO LIKE I SAID, THE TARGETED ABATEMENT FUNDS OR THE TAG FUNDS AS ARE REFERRED TO, EACH COUNTY IS REQUIRED TO FILE A LOCAL ABATEMENT PLAN TO RECEIVE THESE FUNDS.
WE WORKED WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT JESSICA ROBIN, WHO ARE INTEGRAL IN HELPING US GET OUR PLAN TOGETHER, AND OUR PLAN WAS ACTUALLY APPROVED ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2024, AND IT IS GOOD FOR FIVE YEARS.
SO EVERY FIVE YEARS, WE WILL HAVE TO REDO OUR PLAN.
THE PLAN STATES, THE COUNTY WILL CREATE A GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS FOR INTERESTED PARTIES TO APPLY FOR THE TAG FUNDS AND THEN ALL GRANT APPLICATIONS MUST ALIGN WITH ONE OF THE STATEMENT OF THE STRATEGIES LISTED IN EXHIBIT E. I'VE PROVIDED YOU ALL WITH A COPY OF EXHIBIT E. THERE ARE SOME UPFRONT HERE, IF ANYONE, WE WOULD LIKE A COPY OF THOSE AS WELL, THAT'S WHAT THE STATE HAS THEN.
IT TOOK THEM WHILE TO DETERMINE HOW THEY WERE GOING TO SEE HOW THESE FUNDS WERE GOING TO BE USED AND WHAT PROJECTS WOULD BE APPROVED FOR THAT.
SO THE STATE CREATED THIS EXHIBIT E WITH THE OPTIONS FOR WHAT THESE FUNDS CAN BE USED FOR.
SO THE PLAN IS THAT EVERYONE THAT APPLIES FOR A COUNTY GRANT TO USE THESE FUNDS WOULD HAVE TO MEET ONE OF THESE SUBCATEGORIES THAT ARE LISTED IN THE EXHIBIT E. EXHIBIT E CORE STRATEGIES.
I'M NOT GOING TO READ THEM LINE FOR LINE, YOU GUYS CAN ALL READ.
A BIG CORE STRATEGY IS TO HELP AVOID THE OPIOID AND HELP SUPPORT THOSE THAT HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH OPIOIDS IN HE PAST.
SO GOING OFF OF THE TAG PROCESS, BUT EVEN THE MONEY THAT WAS ALLOCATED TO THE COUNTY STILL HAS TO FLOW AND MEET THIS REQUIREMENT.
SO WHETHER IT'S TAG OR WHETHER IT'S THE DIRECT FUNDING TO COUNTY, WE HAVE A REQUIRED ANNUAL REPORT THAT ESSENTIALLY HAS TO REPORT OUT OF HOW WE'VE USED THIS FUNDING TO MEET THE CORE STRATEGIES.
FOR OUR MINDS AND THE WAY THE STATE IS LOOKING AT THE MONEY IS IN THE TWO SEPARATE POCKETS, AND WE ARE ALL ACCOUNTING FOR THOSE DIFFERENTLY ON THE BACK END OF THE FINANCE SYSTEM.
BUT AS STACY GETS INTO THE GRANT APPLICATION PIECE, THIS IS REALLY AN OVERARCHING PROCESS THAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING FOR ESSENTIALLY BOTH POTS OF MONEY BECAUSE THEY REALLY DO REQUIRE THE SAME PROCESSES AND REQUIREMENTS.
>> CORRECT. IT'LL SIMPLIFY THE PROCESS FOR EVERYONE AND NOT HAVE TO DETERMINE WHICH FUNDS THEY'RE APPLYING FOR OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT EITHER.
>> I'M SURE YOU DON'T HAVE THIS OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD, BUT IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR US TO KNOW HOW MUCH THE MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT PROGRAM AT THE DETENTION CENTER IS COSTING RIGHT NOW, AND HOW MUCH OF THAT IS REIMBURSED BY THE STATE THROUGH OTHER FUNDING SOURCES? BECAUSE I KNOW IT WAS 100%, AND THEN IT WENT TO 50%, I BELIEVE. IS THAT SAY RIGHT?
>> WE HAVE THOSE NUMBERS BETWEEN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND OURSELVES WITH THE MAP PROGRAM, AND THERE'S BEEN SOME CHANGES ON CERTAIN THINGS THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER NOW.
WE'RE GOING TO FIGURE OUT HOW.
>> ARE WE COVERING IT AT A GENERAL FUND?
>> SO RIGHT NOW AND [INAUDIBLE] PROBABLY KNOWS THIS BETTER THAN I DO.
THERE ARE CERTAIN MEDICATIONS THAT ARE NOT ALLOWABLE THROUGH THE MAP THAT WE ARE HAVING TO ESSENTIALLY FRONT FUND WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT THE DETENTION CENTER WILL BE PROBABLY AN AWARDEE OF THIS MONEY AND FUND THOSE TYPES OF COSTS.
BUT BETWEEN THE TWO OF US, WE CAN BREAK THAT DOWN OF WHAT'S BEEN COVERED AND THAT TRANSITION OF HOW MUCH
[02:25:03]
IS REALLY BEING FUNDED THROUGH MAP.>> SO THE RECOMMENDED GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS, WE'VE BEEN WORKING AND DRAFTED APPLICATION AND TRYING TO TEST IT.
CORRECTIONS WAS ACTUALLY THE DEPARTMENT THAT WE STARTED WITH SINCE WE KNOW THAT THEY'LL BE ONE THAT WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THESE FUNDS.
WE ALSO WORKED WITH LEGAL TO DRAFT A GRANT AGREEMENT AND OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS THAT WOULD BE NEEDED FOR THE AWARD, EVEN FOR INTERNAL DEPARTMENTS AS WELL, JUST SO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING ALL THE REPORTED INFORMATION WE NEED WOULD BE PART OF THE AGREEMENT SO THAT WE'RE GETTING THAT INFORMATION SO WE CAN REPORT EVERY OCTOBER TO THE STATE HOW THE FUNDS ARE BEING USED.
THE NEXT STEP WILL BE DETERMINED THE DESIRED GRANT PROCESS AND TIMELINE.
WE HAVE RECEIVED THE FUNDS NOW, SO NOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS WHERE WE CAN START LOOKING AT THAT.
IDEALLY, WE LIKE TO DO IT ON A YEARLY BASIS, FISCAL YEAR, THOSE TYPE OF THINGS BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY OCTOBER NOW.
I THINK WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND SQUEEZE ONE IN NOW, AND THEN HOPEFULLY GOING FORWARD, HAVE A SET YEARLY PROCESS WHERE IN THE SPRING, MARCH OR APRIL APPLICATIONS, WE DO GIVE US TIME TO DETERMINE THOSE SO THAT WE CAN AWARD THEM JULY 1 WITH OUR FISCAL YEAR EACH YEAR.
THEN SETTLEMENT FUNDS RECEIVED TO DATE.
SO LOCAL FUNDS, WE'VE RECEIVED $461,152.03.
THE TAG FUNDS, WE HAVE RECEIVED OVER 800,000, $808,265.62 SO FAR.
>> THE WAY THAT THE SETTLEMENTS ARE STRUCTURED, A LOT OF THESE ARE RECURRING PAYMENTS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.
>> IT'S SUPPOSED TO GO OUT TO 2038 WITH PAYMENTS TO US.
>> AS WE SIT HERE AND TALK ABOUT THIS PROCESS AND GO OVER, REALLY WHAT WE NEED TO ESTABLISH OR GET AHEAD OF.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A PROCESS OR SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO TAKE US SEVERAL YEARS INTO SPENDING OF THIS MONEY AND ESSENTIALLY NEW SETTLEMENTS.
I FEEL LIKE IT'S WHAT EVERY OTHER WEEK OR SO WE THINK IT'S ABOUT A NEW.
>> SO THERE'S NO WAY TO PROJECT HOW MUCH WE'LL HAVE COMING IN.
>> THE STATE PROVIDED US WITH A SPREADSHEET AND A BREAKDOWN BY YEAR, SUPPOSED TO START IN 2023-2038.
IT'S BEEN SLOW PROGRESSING, AND IT DOESN'T ALWAYS LINE UP WITH WHEN THE STATE SAYS, WE'LL RECEIVE THE FUNDS, BUT WE ARE STARTING TO SEE MORE CONSISTENT OF THOSE.
SO I THINK THEY'RE FINALLY ARE CATCHING UP ON WHAT THEY SHOULD BE.
SO WE HAVE A ROUGH ESTIMATE IN THE SPREADSHEET FROM THE STATE OF WHAT WE SHOULD RECEIVE, $3 MILLION.
>> ARE THE RECEIPTS PRETTY UNIFORM FROM YEAR TO YEAR TO YEAR, OR DO THEY FLUCTUATE?
>> SOME OF THE SETTLEMENTS, THEY'RE CONSISTENT. THEY VARY.
SOMETIMES IT'S A BIG ONE, THEN DROPS OFF TO SOME SMALLER ONES, THEN A BIG ONE AGAIN.
IT VARIES BASED ON THE DIFFERENT SETTLEMENT.
>> SO A LOT OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING ON THE BACK SIDE, JUDGE PRICES HERE, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WHO HAVE ALL BEEN ASKING OR LOOKING AT THESE FUNDS IS REALLY TRYING TO SET UP THE STRUCTURE, ESPECIALLY LEGALLY TO START GOING THROUGH THIS.
WE DON'T WANT TO OFFER A GRANT APPLICATION AND THEN NOT KNOW HOW THE DEPARTMENTS OR AGENCIES ARE GOING TO REPORT ON IT, NOT KNOW WHAT MOU WERE GOING TO USE OR EVEN WHAT PROCESS THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE.
HOW DO WE COUNT BENEFICIARIES? WHAT DOES THE STATE WANT TO SEE US DO? SO OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, IT'S BEEN A RE-OCCURRING TOUCHING BASE WITH MORE THE OFFICE AT THE STATE ABOUT THIS.
WE FINALLY FEEL LIKE WE'VE GOTTEN TO A POINT TO BRING THIS TO YOU, GO OVER THIS AND REALLY SEE WHAT YOUR DESIRE FOR NEXT STEP IS.
SO WE HAVE SAY, A DRAFT GRANT APPLICATION, A DRAFT MOU, A DRAFT REPORT THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO ROLL OUT FOR WHAT WE'RE GOING TO CALL PROBABLY A PRELIMINARY MINI GRANT, BUT REALLY SOMETHING THAT WOULD TAKE US FROM NOW TIL THE END OF JUNE.
REALLY GET INTO IT, TEST THAT, SEE HOW THE AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS ARE USING THE PROCESS, WHETHER THERE'S SOMETHING WE CAN CLEAN UP OR BETTER.
THEN IN FY 27 ROLL OUT A BIGGER PROCESS AND USE THEM HOPEFULLY FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO COME AS WE GO THROUGH THESE SETTLEMENTS.
>> THE MOORE'S OFFICE, AT STATE LEVEL HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL WITH THESE FUNDS AS OPPOSED TO SOME OTHER FUNDS THAT THE STATE IS PROVIDING WITH.
SO THEY'VE BEEN THERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
THEY'VE BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN TRYING TO ESTABLISH AND GET US MOVING FORWARD.
>> WAITING GAME HERE WITH CANNABIS, I ASSUME.
>> LAST I CHECKED LAST WEEK, WE WERE, YES.
[02:30:03]
WAS IT MID EARLY ON OCTOBER JUST ASKING FOR A MEETING TO HAVE A GENERAL UPDATE ABOUT THE GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS THAT THEY WOULD BE PUBLISHING.THE QUICK EMAIL I GOT BACK WAS THEY'RE NOT COMPLETE.
THEY KNOW THEY'RE BEHIND THE DUE DATE.
THEY STILL WANT TO MEET. MY ANSWER TO THEM WAS, WE WOULD LIKE TO MEET ONCE YOU COME UP WITH THE REGULATIONS.
THAT'S TOTALLY SEPARATE DIFFERENT RESTRICTIONS.
[OVERLAPPING] THAT'S TAX IS COLLECTED FROM THE SALE OF CANNABIS.
THIS IS SETTLEMENT FUNDS FROM PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES THAT ADMIT THAT THEY HAD A HAND IN CAUSING.
>> [INAUDIBLE] GRANT PROCESS. SO WHEN YOU FIRST START THE GRANT PROCESS, HAVE YOU DECIDED, IS IT GOING TO BE LIKE A CAP ON THE GRANTS THE FIRST START TO SAY, I'M JUST GOING TO USE AROUND $10,000.
YOU CAN'T EXCEED $10,000 ON THIS GRANT ON WHO APPLIES OR WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE.
>> I THINK OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR WHAT WE'LL CALL THE FIRST ROUND OF MANY GRANTS IS SETTING A CAP OF 15 OR $20,000 IN THAT PROCESS.
>> SEE HOW THE APPLICATIONS COME IN, WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING TO DO WITH THAT? THEN I THINK THE OTHER BIG QUESTION THAT WE HAD AND WANTED TO BRING TO YOU IS, WHO'S GOING TO BE THE EVALUATORS OF THE GRANT? OBVIOUSLY, FINANCE IS GOING TO BE ESSENTIALLY MANAGING THE PROCESS AND THE RECIPIENT.
WOULD ANY OF YOU LIKE TO SEE ALL THE GRANTS.
WOULD YOU LIKE A RECOMMENDATION BROUGHT TO YOU FROM FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION? THERE HAS TO BE SOME LEVEL OF REVIEW.
HONESTLY, FOR THE FIRST ROUND, I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH INTEREST WE'LL HAVE IN THAT?
>> [OVERLAPPING] YOU'D BE SURPRISED HOW MUCH INTEREST YOU HAVE?
>> I THINK HERE, COMES TO US WITH A RECOMMENDATION FROM STACY AND YOU.
>> MY BIGGEST CONCERN, ONE OF THEM IS GOING TO BE REPORTING?
>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE LEFT ON THE HOOK FOR SOMETHING THAT SOMEBODY GETS A GRANT, AND THEY DON'T DO WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO WE END UP.
>> CORRECT. OUR APPLICATION PROCESS, I MEAN, THEY CLEARLY HAVE TO OUTLINE WHAT PROJECT OR WHAT LINE FROM E ARE THEY USING? WHO ARE THEY GOING TO SERVE? IT'S VERY SIMPLE REPORTING FROM THE STATE LEVEL, SO WE'RE MAKING SURE THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS VERY CLEAR UP FRONT.
THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO REPORT ON.
THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO MEET.
IN THE AGREEMENT, THEY'LL ALSO BE STATED WHEN THEY HAVE TO SUBMIT THE REPORTS TO MAYA. MYSELF.
>> DO THESE FUNDS ALLOW THE COUNTY TO CHARGE A MANAGEMENT FEE FOR THE DISBURSEMENT? [OVERLAPPING] THIS IS A LOT OF WORK BEING PUT ON THE COUNTY.
>> THAT WAS A QUESTION THAT WE DISCUSSED WAS LAST WEEK WITH AVERY.
THEY ALLOW FOR ADMINISTRATION RELATED TO PROGRAMS. IF AGAIN, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT APPLIES FOR, SAY, $100,000, AND THEY'RE WANTING TO EXPAND ON A SERVICE, AND THEY NEED TO HIRE AN INDIVIDUAL TO DO THAT, THAT IS ALLOWABLE.
BUT FOR ME TO HAVE [OVERLAPPING] THE REPORTING DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A CLEAR CUT ALLOWABLE USE.
IT'S REALLY PROJECT AD AS OPPOSED TO OVERSIGHT.
>> THIS IS JUST ANOTHER THING PUT ON THE COUNTY, I KNOW IT'S ADDRESSING A PROBLEM, BUT IT'S SOMETHING ELSE A LOAD PUT ON THE COUNTY THAT'S NOT FUNDED.
>> TO A DEGREE. YES. THIS IS GOING TO BE EXTENSIVE PROCESS AND I'M SURE TAKE A BIT OF TIME FROM STACY AND MYSELF.
>> ESPECIALLY IF WE HAVE REPORTING ISSUES, GETTING REPORTING, SO WE'RE GOING TO BE REALLY CAREFUL TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S MADE CLEAR TO THE RECIPIENTS THAT THIS HAS GOT TO BE, THE PROPER INFORMATION IT'S GOT TO BE PROVIDED.
>> IT'S ONLY REPORTING ONCE A YEAR.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING HAS TO BE REPORTED [OVERLAPPING] OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
>> IT'S NOT A HEAVY REPORTING. CORRECT.
>> WE'VE TRIED OUR BEST TO ALIGN EVERY APPLICATION AND REPORT TO THE SAME TITLING AND SECTORS THAT THE STATE IS WANTED TO SEE.
UNLESS THEY CHANGE IT, WE SEEM TO BE BE.
>> THE OTHER COUPLE OF CONCERNS WOULD BE, IF WE DO HAVE TO TOTALLY FUND THE MEDICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENT PROGRAM, THAT THERE'S ENOUGH FUNDING THERE FROM THESE RESTITUTION FUNDS TO COVER THAT SO WE DON'T HAVE TO DIP INTO GENERAL FUND SUBSIDIES OF IT.
[02:35:02]
THEN THE OTHER THING IS GRANT RECIPIENTS UNDERSTANDING THE FUNDING LEVELS IN THE OUT YEARS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT BUILDING A PROGRAM THAT'S GOING TO NOT BE FUNDED.THAT'S THE REASON FOR MY QUESTION.
DO WE HAVE A PROJECTION ON HOW MUCH WE'RE GOING TO GET EVERY YEAR? BECAUSE I THINK IN THAT FIRST GRANT CYCLE, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT, HOW MUCH OF THIS IS SALARY, THAT'S REOCCURRING EXPENSE TO KEEP THE PROGRAM GOING, AND IS THERE GOING TO BE MONEY IN THE OUT YEARS TO COVER THAT? YOU GUYS FEEL THERE'S ENOUGH INFORMATION THERE TO FACTOR ALL THAT IN.
THE SETTLEMENTS TO STACY'S POINT ARE DICTATED OUT BY YEAR AND PAYMENTS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE.
WE HAVE TO THE 2038, WHAT'S BEEN SETTLED AS OF TODAY AND HOW MUCH WE SHOULD RECEIVE EACH YEAR.
>> I HAVE A FEELING THAT A GOOD AMOUNT OF THIS MONEY IS GOING TO BE USED AS GAP MONEY BECAUSE, IN FUTURE YEARS, I HAVE A FEELING THAT THE STATE IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO CUT BACK ON PROGRAMS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO FUND, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PICK UP THE DIFFERENCE.
>> HOPEFULLY THIS ADDRESSES THE ISSUE.
I THINK PRESCRIBERS HAVE TIGHTENED UP THE ISSUANCE OF PRESCRIPTIONS THAT HAVE LED TO THIS EPIDEMIC.
BUT, THE IDEA IS, I GUESS THAT WE MAKE IMPROVEMENTS, AND WE SOLVE A LOT OF THESE ISSUES THAT WERE COST.
>> BUT I MEAN IN PROGRAMS LIKE THE MAT PROGRAM, IF IT'S GOING TO 50, IT'S GOING TO GO LOWER.
I MEAN, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE UP THAT DIFFERENCE IN THE FUTURE. I THINK.
>> [OVERLAPPING] PLAN ON PAYING 100% OF WHATEVER THE MEALY ASSIST TREATMENT.
>> DON'T COME UP WITH NEW PROGRAMS AND EXPECT THAT THIS MONEY IS GOING TO BE THERE TO FUND THOSE PROGRAMS FOREVER BECAUSE THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
I BELIEVE A LOT OF IT'S GOING TO BE USED TO BE GAAP MONEY BETWEEN THE STATE.
>> I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER PORTER IS SAY, NO NEW PROGRAMS JUST SUPPLEMENT WHAT YOU HAVE IN THE GRANT PROCESS.
IF YOU DID FIND UP WITH A MATT, WHAT WE ARE COVERING ON MATT.
CAN YOU SET ASIDE THE FUNDS, SAY LIKE YEAR AND PUT IT ASIDE AND COLLECT INTEREST ON THAT.
WE'RE FUNDING FUTURE MATT PROJECTS?
>> WE CAN CERTAINLY STRATEGIZE HOW MUCH MONEY IS COMING IN EACH YEAR AND HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO SPEND OUT OF THAT JUST BECAUSE OF THE EBB AND FLOW.
IF YOU REALIZE MATT IS COMING IN AT THIS, I MEAN, YOU DON'T WANT TO SPEND EVERY DOLLAR YOU HAVE WHEN YOU GET IT, YOU CAN TABLE THAT.
FROM OUR UNDERSTANDING AND CONVERSATIONS WITH THE OFFICE, THERE'S REALLY NO STOP DEADLINE, IF YOU RECEIVED THIS MONEY IN 2026, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT DOLLAR SPENT BY 2028.
>> NOT THAT YOU NOT SAY YOU EVENTUALLY SELF FUNDED, BUT AT LEAST TAKE THE BURDEN OF THE FUNDING, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
>> WELL, I MEAN, THE REASON ALL THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT THE MEDICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENT PROGRAM IS THAT IT IS MANDATED IN STATE LAW THAT WE PROVIDE THAT IN OUR DETENTION CENTER.
IT IS AN ABSOLUTE COST THAT THE COUNTY WILL HAVE TO INCUR IF THIS WAS NOT HERE.
IF IT DOES GET TOTALLY SHIFTED OVER TO US. YOU GOOD.
WE NEED TO WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS.
>> MOTION SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE AYES HAVE IT.
JEN, HAVE WE RECEIVED ANY PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING THE SETTLEMENT FUNDS?
>> WE RECEIVED COMMENT FROM AVERY MEYER, THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF THE OPIOID FUND, AND SHE JUST STATED THAT SHE IS THERE AND HER TEAM FOR ANY QUESTIONS THAT THE COUNTY MAY HAVE IN THIS PROCESS AND THAT SHE'S JUST SUPPORTING US GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS. THAT IS ALL.
>> HAS ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK?
>> DID ANYONE IN ATTENDANCE WANT TO SPEAK? JUDGE PRICE?
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME.
I'M SURE IT'S NO SURPRISE TO ANYONE UP HERE THAT I'M INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT IF THE PROBLEM SOLVING COURT YOU ALL HAVE MET MICHELLE BETHKE, THE PROBLEM SOLVING COURT COORDINATOR BEFORE.
WE WANTED TO COME TODAY JUST TO FORMALLY EXPRESS OUR INTEREST
[02:40:01]
IN AND OUR QUALIFICATION FOR THE FUNDS.I KNOW THAT I HAVE PREPARED SOME COMMENTS.
I CAN EMAIL THEM TO JIM, BUT I DIDN'T DO THEM BEFOREHAND.
I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU WANTED TO ACCEPT THEM, BUT BASICALLY, YOU ALL KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS SOLVED IN COURT.
POST SENTENCING DIVERSIONARY PROGRAM THAT AFFECTS PEOPLE THAT WE DEAL WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE CO RECURRING.
SUBSTITUTE DISORDERS AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND THEY'RE INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE 15 PEOPLE IN OUR PROGRAM.
WE MEET THE REQUIREMENTS, THE CORE STRATEGIES THAT ARE IN IN THAT PARAGRAPHS E F AND I, AND WE ALSO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE APPROVED USES IN PARAGRAPH A, 1-10, B, 1-11, D, 2-7, AND E 1 AND 2, AND 6 AND 7.
I HAVE A THOROUGH EXPLANATION.
IT'S ABOUT 10 PAGES LONG OF WHAT WE DO AND HOW THAT CAN QUALIFY.
BUT NOT ONLY DO WE KEEP FOLKS FROM, ENGAGING MORE FREQUENTLY WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, BUT THAT ALSO INCLUDES LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE CORRECTION OFFICERS, AS WELL AS YOUR FIRST RESPONDERS, HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
IT'S REALLY THE COMMUNITIES THAT FOLKS LIVE IN, AS WELL AS THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.
IT'S REALLY A VERY HOLISTIC APPROACH THAT WE USE, AND WE TOUCH ALMOST EVERY FACET OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S LIFE TO GET THROUGH THE PROGRAM.
WE ARE CURRENTLY IN NEED OF FUNDS.
WE HAVE INCREASED OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO NOW 15, AND WE'VE ALREADY GOTTEN INTO A LOT OF RELATIONSHIPS IN THE COUNTY WITH ALLIED AGENCIES.
WE ARE IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH URGENT CARE RIGHT NOW THAT HELP US WITH OUR RANDOMIZED DRUG TESTING, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL FOR AN EFFECTIVE DRUG COURT.
WE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHESAPEAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE NOW, THE ARTS COUNCIL, THE CULINARY CENTER, PROJECT CHESAPEAKE.
WE BROUGHT BACK IOP HERE TO DO THAT FOR OUR PARTICIPANTS.
WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON, BUT WE HAVE NEEDS WITH REGARDS TO HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION.
AS YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF PROVIDERS IN COUNTIES, SO MOST OF OUR PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO GO OUT OF COUNTY, A LOT OF THEM DO FOR HOUSING AS WELL AS TRANSPORTATION.
WE HAVE PANTRY, THAT WE STOCK WHEN WE FIRST MEET INDIVIDUALS, THEY HAVE REAL HIGH NEEDS IN CERTAIN AREAS.
WE ALSO HAVE OUR PROBLEM SOLVING COURT THAT'S BEEN NATIONALLY TRAINED.
WE WOULD LIKE TO ALL OF US GO TO A NATIONAL TRAINING ONCE.
WE ONLY HAVE FUNDING FOR TWO OR THREE OF US AT A TIME.
WE ALSO NEED SOME MORE COMMUNITY OUTREACH MATERIALS, WE'RE THERE ANYTIME WE CAN, BUT WE ALSO HAVE AN IMMEDIATE NEED FOR INCENTIVES.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE WELCOME TO COME TO ANY OF OUR MEETINGS AND SEE HOW THEY ROLL, BUT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE 10:1 INCENTIVES TO SANCTIONS.
THE COMMISSIONERS ORIGINALLY GAVE SOME MONEY TO THE PROBLEM SOLVING COURT ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO, WHICH WE USED TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES, AND WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF THOSE NOW.
WHAT WE'RE DOING TO KEEP YOU FROM FUNDING THIS PERMANENTLY IN THE FUTURE IS WE'RE BUILDING A 501 C3 WITH AN ADVISORY BOARD.
WE HAVE THE ADVISORY BOARD ALREADY PICKED OUT.
WE HAVE MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY FOR WHICH YOU WOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH WHO THEY ARE, THAT HAVE AGREED TO BE ON THIS COMMITTEE, AND THE GOAL WOULD BE THEN TO INCORPORATE AS A NONPROFIT BOARD SO THAT THEY CAN RAISE FUNDS IN THE FUTURE SO THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE A PERMANENT TYPE OF ASK.
ON THE PART OF PROBLEM SOLVING COURT.
BUT AS YOUR PROGRAM IS, IS THAT'S GOING TO BE A BUILDING OF A PROGRAM, AND WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY SUPPORT THAT YOU COULD GIVE US IN DEALING WITH THE EXACT PEOPLE WHO ARE THE BYPRODUCT OF THIS CRISIS.
I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN TO CRUCIAL PORTER HAS BEEN TO A LOT OF OUR GRADUATIONS, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM IN GENERAL AND WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ACCESS TO SOME OF THESE RESTITUTION FUNDS.
WE'RE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE ABOUT US. THE PROGRAM.
>> NO, I MEAN, I FOLLOW YOU WHAT YOU SAY.
I HAVEN'T BEEN TO ANY GRADUATIONS.
>> BUT I'VE ALWAYS GOT SOMETHING GOING ON, AND I APOLOGIZE. THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
BUT, YOU KNOW, I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR THE PROBLEM SOLVING COURT AND BEEN, TRYING TO HELP THE COMMUNITY ON THAT.
I KNOW THESE FUNDS ARE PERFECT FOR YOU.
WHAT YOU NEED, AND I KNOW YOU HAVE EVERYTHING, ALL YOUR QUALIFICATIONS.
>> ABSOLUTELY. IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE IT'S SALARY POSITIONS, OR AT LEAST NOT A LOT OF SALARY POSITIONS.
IT'S JUST HELPING WITH THE PROGRAM.
THE FIRST THING WE'VE GOT TO DO IS MAKE SURE THERE'S ENOUGH MONEY FOR A MEDICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENT PROGRAM BECAUSE WE'RE STATUTORILY REQUIRED TO DO THAT.
[02:45:03]
BEYOND THAT, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE PROGRAM, FITS PERFECTLY TO TRY TO PREVENT RECIDIVISM AND STOP PEOPLE.I MEAN, ULTIMATELY, THAT'S WHAT WE WANT A CLEAN, SAFE COMMUNITY, AND IF THESE DOLLARS HELP ACHIEVE THAT, I THINK YOUR PROGRAM WOULD BE A GOOD USE FOR THAT.
>> CORRECTIONS IS A BIG PART OF OUR PROGRAM.
DEPUTY WARDEN SITS IN ON OUR TEAM, AND WE HAVE TO FACILITATE MATT TREATMENTS WHEN PEOPLE ARE COMING IN AND OUT, IF THEY GET SANCTIONED FOR WEEKEND IN JAIL.
IT'S ALWAYS A PART OF WHAT WE DO OR REPERTOIRE WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, MAT TREATMENT.
IT'S EXPANDED MY HORIZONS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THESE ISSUES GREATLY.
BUT CORRECTIONS HAS BEEN A GREAT TEAM MEMBER, LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THE TABLE AS WELL AS A TEAM MEMBER.
WE HAVE A REALLY WIDE RANGING HOLISTIC APPROACH TO THE ISSUE.
WE DO REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.
>> PROBLEM SOLVING COURT IS A GREAT PROGRAM, AND WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT.
>> IT'S OBSCURE, BUT THE NON COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR THE STATE MONEY ALLOWS MULTI JURISDICTIONAL, IN OTHER WORDS, PEOPLE CAN BAND TOGETHER.
I WAS JUST THINKING, YOU TALKED ABOUT TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING OUTSIDE OF CAROLINE COUNTY FOR SOME OF THESE FOLKS.
IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE SOMETHING OR SOME ENTITY THAT'S IN ANOTHER COUNTY THAT'S A JOINT APPLICANT WITH US TO THE STATE TO GET THAT NON COMPETITIVE MONEY.
IT'S NOT JUST YOUR COURT OR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON SOMETHING.
YOU CAN COLLABORATE WITH OTHER FOLKS AND DO A JOINT APP.
>> THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW. WE DO HAVE PROGRAMMATIC WISH LIST, BUT THERE ARE ALSO BIG IDEAS THAT WE DON'T HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY FOR WOMEN IN THIS COUNTY.
NONE. THERE IS ONE FOR MEN THAT WE PARTNER WITH NOW.
THERE ARE BIG THINGS THAT COULD BE DONE, BUT I KNOW THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE A LOT OF BIG THINGS THAT ARE IN THE POT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ALREADY.
BUT THESE PROGRAMMATIC NEEDS, IF WE COULD HAVE HELP BUILDING AND STORING THAT UNTIL WE CAN GET OUR OWN 501 C3 UP AND RUNNING.
>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR APPLICATION.
>> WE'LL BE READY WHENEVER THAT IS OUT.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK ABOUT THE OPIOID RESTITUTION FUND?
>> ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE AYES HAVE IT.
WE'LL TAKE FIVE MINUTE RECESS.
[02:52:29]
CALLED A MEETING BACK TO ORDER.THAT CONCLUDED THE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS THAT WE HAD SCHEDULED.
NOW WE CAN MOVE INTO OUR LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
DO I HEAR A MOTION TO GO INTO LEGISLATIVE SESSION?
>> SECOND MOTION. SECOND, ALLOS IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE AYES HAVE IT.
FIRST LEGISLATIVE BILL THAT WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA TODAY IS BILL NUMBER 202-5012 COMPLIANCE WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY ACT.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THIS BILL WAS INTRODUCED ON OCTOBER 14 WITH THE FIRST READING.
THE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING WAS PUBLISHED IN THE STAR DEMOCRAT ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 18.
THE SECOND READING IN THE PUBLIC HEARING TOOK PLACE LAST TUESDAY ON 21 OCTOBER.
WE'RE HERE FOR THE THIRD READING WITH THE POTENTIAL TO AMEND OR ENACT IT.
TODAY THIS BILL IS AN ACT CONCERNING SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS AND SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING STATIONS TO PROVIDE CONSISTENCY WITH STATE LAW KNOWN AS THE RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTAINTY ACT.
[• Legislative Bill #2025-012 Legislative Bill #2025-012, Compliance with Renewable Energy Act]
REQUIRED BY SENATE BILL 931 IN HOUSE BILL 1036, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADOPTING SUPPLEMENTAL USE REGULATIONS FOR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS, SMALL SCALE, AND SOLAR ENERGY GENERATION GENERATING STATIONS UTILITY SCALE IN CAROLINE COUNTY, DEFINING KEY TERMS FOR SUCH USES, IMPLEMENTING THE REQUIREMENT OF A PAYMENT OF A COMPENSATORY PRESERVATION CONTRIBUTION AS DEFINED IN CHAPTER 75 TO THE COUNTY WHEN SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING STATIONS AND ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES ARE DEVELOPED ON CERTAIN LAND.AND GENERALLY REGULATING ADDRESSING AND PROVIDING FOR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS SMALL SCALE AND SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING STATIONS UTILITY SCALE, AND TO AMEND THE CAROLINE COUNTY TABLE OF USES 175, ATTACHMENT THREE OF CHAPTER 175 ZONING, TO PROVIDE THAT SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS SMALL SCALE AND SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING STATIONS UTILITY SCALE ARE PERMITTED IN ALL ZONING DISTRICTS, SUBJECT TO SITE PLAN REVIEW, AND TO DELETE ALL REFERENCES TO THE TERMS RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND SOLAR POWER PLANT.
BY AMENDING SUBSECTION B OF SECTION 1758 TERMS DEFINED TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL DEFINED TERMS, AMEND CERTAIN EXISTING DEFINED TERMS, AND DELETING CERTAIN EXISTING DEFINED TERMS. REPEALING AND RE ENACTING WITH AMENDMENTS, SUBSECTION A OF SECTION 175-46 SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS,
[02:55:01]
OF A NEW SUBSECTION J OF SECTION 175-46, AND ENACTMENT OF A NEW SECTION 175-46 0.1 SOLAR ENERGY GENERATED STATIONS, COMPLIANCE WITH THE MARYLAND RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTAINTY ACT.I GUESS WE HAVE ALREADY HAD OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THIS LEGISLATION, BUT I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME INTERESTED PARTIES IN ATTENDANCE TODAY.
BEFORE I OPEN IT UP TO ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.
DO EITHER ONE OF YOU GENTLEMEN WANT TO ADD ANYTHING? GOOD. IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK REGARDING THIS PROPOSED LEGISLATION? SIR? IF YOU DON'T MIND.
PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME.
>> THAT'S ONE BY ONE. I'LL CALL YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. I THINK IT'S AFTERNOON.
I WORK WITH THE ALAN AND LIBERTY COALITION IN MARYLAND.
WE ARE A PROJECT OF THE CONSERVATIVE ENERGY NETWORK.
WE HAVE THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE ONLY CENTER RIGHT CONSERVATIVE ADVOCACY GROUP THAT SUPPORTS RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSMISSION ENHANCEMENTS AND STORAGE.
I DID SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY, BUT I REALLY WANTED TO SUMMARIZE OUR CONCERNS WITH ONE ELEMENT OF THIS BILL.
THE RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTAINTY ACT HAS THE DISTINCTION OF NOT BEING LIKED BY ANYBODY EXCEPT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO SIGNED IT INTO LAW.
FARMERS, POULTRY PRODUCERS, GRAIN PRODUCERS, LAND PRESERVATION ACTIVISTS DO NOT LIKE THIS BILL.
UTILITY SCALE DEVELOPERS DON'T PARTICULARLY LIKE THIS BILL.
PART OF THE REASON IS IT OPENS UP A LOT OF THE SETTLED ISSUES AT THE COUNTY LEVEL THAT HAVE BEEN AT LEAST SETTLED SINCE THE PERENNIAL DECISION.
THE ELEMENT OF THE BILL THAT WE FIND TROUBLING IS THE MLP CONTRIBUTION, WHICH WE DO BELIEVE IS A TAX.
THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION EARLIER ABOUT THE RABIES FEE THAT I HAVE TO PAY AS A DOG OWNER, THAT BEING A TAX IF IT'S REQUIRED AS A CONDITION OF OWNING YOUR DOG TO TAX, AND WE BELIEVE THAT THE MLP CONTRIBUTION BEING A CONDITION OF A BUILDING PERMIT WOULD ALSO BE A TAX.
THE PURPOSE OF THAT FEE AND SIMILAR ONES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE BY TALBOT, I GUESS, A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO IN QUEEN ANNE'S THIS SUMMER AND IT LOOKS LIKE MAYBE HARFORD COUNTY PRETTY SOON IS TO KEEP SOLAR OUT AND STORAGE OUT, AND THAT'S CERTAINLY, THE OPINION AND THE RIGHT OF THE COUNTY TO TRY TO DO THAT.
WE BELIEVE IT'LL SUCCEED IN THAT.
WE BELIEVE IT'LL KEEP SOLAR AND STORAGE OUT.
THIS IS NOT AN EASY STATE TO DO BUSINESS.
THERE'S HIGH REGULATIONS, HIGH TAXES, LOTS OF HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH.
IT'S A HARD PLACE TO BUILD SOLAR JUST BECAUSE OF THE GEOGRAPHY IN MARYLAND DOWN ON THE EASTERN SHORE.
IF IT KEEPS THE SOLAR PROJECTS OUT, INCLUDING THE TWO THAT ARE, I GUESS, UNDER PROPOSAL BEFORE THE PSC, THERE WON'T END UP BEING ANY MLP FUNDS FOR THAT.
THERE ALSO WON'T BE ANY COUNTY REVENUES FOR THOSE PROJECTS IF THEY COME IN.
I UNDERSTAND THAT TWO BIG ONES.
ONE OF THEM IN PARTICULAR IS NOT VERY POPULAR, ARE VERY LARGE ONES, CHERRY WOODS AND, I GUESS WAYPOST.
WE THINK THERE'S A BETTER WAY.
GIVEN THE CURRENT LAW IN MARYLAND, GIVEN THE CONCERNS OF COUNTIES IN TERMS OF PRESERVING WHAT THEY CAN OF THEIR OWN RIGHTS TO CONTROL THE PROPERTY.
ALSO FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, THE RIGHTS OF A FARM OWNER TO RESPONSIBLY DEVELOP THESE ENERGY SYSTEMS ON THEIR OWN LAND, DOING IN A WAY WHERE IS TEMPORARY, WHERE YOU HAVE VERY RIGOROUS DECOMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS.
I SAW CHERRY WOODS IS $6.7 MILLION BOND FOR THE LANDSCAPING.
I HAD NO IDEA, THAT PROBABLY COSTS MORE THAN MAYBE THE PROPERTY.
BUT THE COUNTY IS PROTECTED, AND AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A RELATIVELY FEW NUMBER OF FARM FAMILIES WHO PERHAPS THEY JUST WANT THE MONEY, BUT IN A LOT OF CASES, WE'VE SEEN AROUND THE STATE AND OTHER STATES, TOO, THEY NEED THE MONEY.
EITHER THE KIDS DON'T WANT TO FARM, THEY NEED IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO MAKE FINANCIAL DECISIONS FOR THEIR OWN FAMILY.
THESE PROJECTS, IF THEY'RE NEGOTIATED WELL AND THE FAMILIES, GETS GOOD COMPETENT REPRESENTATION TO MAKE SURE IT'S NEGOTIATED, THEY'RE GOING TO GET A STEADY PAYMENT FOR A PRETTY LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
THEN THE DECOMMISSIONING KICKS IN AND THE NEXT GENERATION CAN DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO WITH THAT FARM.
DO THEY WANT TO FARM, TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE? DO THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING ELSE WITH IT? IT WOULD BE UP TO THEM.
WE THINK A BETTER APPROACH WOULD BE SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF A OF A PILOT,
[03:00:06]
PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES, WHERE YOU NEGOTIATE THIS WITH THE VERY FEW DEVELOPERS WHO MIGHT ACTUALLY BE INTERESTED IN COMING IN? THAT GIVES A COUNTY VERY PREDICTABLE REVENUE OVER THE LIFE OF THE PROJECT.IT ALSO GIVES A DEVELOPER A LOT OF PREDICTABILITY.
WHAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW IN WASHINGTON AND ANNAPOLIS, THERE IS NOT A LOT OF PREDICTABILITY WHEN IT COMES TO INCENTIVES WHEN IT COMES TO OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR CROPS.
THIS PROVIDES, WE THINK THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, THE COUNTY IS RECEIVING REVENUE.
THE PROPERTY IS PROTECTED AND WILL BE RETURNED TO AGRICULTURE, AND IT'S ALSO THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE PROJECTS TO COME IN AND WORK WITHIN THE STATE.
I GUESS THE FINAL THING, AND I'D ALSO BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT BESS SYSTEMS. THEY ARE THEIR OWN PARTICULAR THING.
CAROLINE COUNTY HAS DONE PROBABLY MORE THAN ANY OTHER COUNTY, AS FAR AS I CAN TELL TO PRESERVE ITS AGRICULTURAL LAND.
YOU'RE NOT SEEING WHAT'S HAPPENING IN HOWARD COUNTY, AND FREDERICK CUNTY, MONTGOMERY COUNTY WHERE MASSIVE DEVELOPMENTS ARE GOING IN.
A LOT OF COUNTIES HAVE TO DECIDE BETWEEN ONE USE AND MAYBE RESIDENTIAL.
IN THIS COUNTY, HAVING A LIMITED NUMBER OF SOLAR PROJECTS COME IN.
YOU HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS OF DEVELOPMENT, BUT WITHOUT ALL THE DRAWBACKS PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO WIND UP IN THE AMBULANCES THAT YOU NEED.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO WIND UP IN THE BACK OF A SQUAD CAR.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SOLAR PROJECTS, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAVE KIDS THAT NEED MORE CLASSROOMS AND THAT THING, AND MORE HEALTH CARE SERVICES, BUT THEY PAY FOR THESE THINGS., AMBULANCES, I JUST GOOGLED IT.
A AMBULANCE WILL COST $100-2300 THOUSAND DEPENDING ON HOW ADVANCED IT IS.
SOLAR? AGAIN, I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT.
I KNOW PEOPLE QUESTIONED THE REASONS FOR IT, BUT IT WILL HELP PROVIDE THESE THINGS WITHOUT REQUIRING THEM.
WITH THAT, I APPRECIATE THE TIME.
I HEARD COMMISSIONER PORTER'S COMMENTS ABOUT BATTERY SYSTEMS, AND YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.
THERE'S A LOT OF MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT THESE SYSTEMS. TESLA SET ON FIRE IN CALIFORNIA, IT'S NATIONAL NEWS.
YOU HAVE THESE BIG FIRES IN CALIFORNIA, AND IT'S NATIONAL NEWS FOR A REASON.
I THINK THE COUNTY HAS EVERY RIGHT TO DEMAND THAT, ANYTHING THAT IS BUILT, AND THE STATE TOO USES THE NEW TECHNOLOGY, NOT THE OLD LITHIUM MION TECHNOLOGIES.
WE'RE FOLLOWING A PROJECT IN DORCHESTER COUNTY, AND THAT COMPANY, ALONG WITH, WE THINK THAT THE NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY CENTER, WHICH IS IN I THINK HEMET BURG, MARYLAND.
THESE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE COMPANIES TO COME IN, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILLINGLY PAY FOR THE EQUIPMENT, BUT CERTAINLY RUN REAL WORLD TRAINING EXERCISES FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND FOR FIREFIGHTERS TO HELP YOU TACKLE THESE THINGS, IN ADDITION TO HELPING OUT WITH WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG ON A SOLAR, LARGE SCALE PROJECT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE TESLA POWER WALLS.
PEOPLE ARE INCREASINGLY USING CARS LIKE THE F150 LIGHTNING AS A BATTERY BACKUP FOR THE HOUSE.
THOSE ARE LESS STABLE SYSTEMS, BUT THAT WILL ALSO TRAIN YOUR FIRST RESPONDERS HOW TO KNOCK DOWN THOSE FIRES TOO.
AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THE TIME TO SPEAK BEFORE YOU, AND HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS TODAY OR IN THE FUTURE.
>> I CAN'T CLAIM THIS WELL, LET ME START OFF BY SAYING THIS.
I THINK COMMISSIONER PORTER WAS HERE WHEN THESE INITIAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SOLAR BEGAN.
I THINK THE ARGUMENT THAT YOU ARE MAKING OCCUPIED ONE HALF OF THE ROOM, AND THE ARGUMENT AGAINST SOLAR OCCUPIED THE OTHER HALF OF THE ROOM.
THE DEBATE IS AS LONG HAS BEEN GOING ON AS LONG AS SOLAR PROJECTS HAVE BEEN AROUND.
WITH THAT, I CAN'T CLAIM THAT THIS WAS MY THOUGHT THAT CAME UP, BUT IT WAS POINTED OUT TO ME A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO THAT BECAUSE I REALLY STRUGGLE WITH THE PERSONAL PROPERTY RIGHTS SIDE OF THINGS AS WELL.
WHO AM I TO TELL A LANDOWNER WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN'T DO ON THEIR PROPERTY.
BUT THE POINT WAS MADE TO ME THAT THE PROPERTY OWNERS DO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A REDUCED ASSESSMENT.
IT IS AN AGRICULTURAL PREFERRED AGRICULTURAL ASSESSMENT.
YES, THE TAX RATE IS THE SAME AS EVERY OTHER PROPERTY OWNER IN THE COUNTY.
BUT THE ASSESSMENTS ARE LARGELY DEFLATED.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, I THINK CAPPED AT AROUND 500 AN ACRE WHEN AG LAND IS BEING SOLD FOR TEN TO 12,000 AN ACRE NOW.
YOU AS A LAND OWNER, DON'T JUST GET TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT ASSESSMENT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN SAY WHAT? I WANT A RETIREMENT FUND NOW I'M NO LONGER GOING TO CARE ABOUT THE AGRICULTURAL,
[03:05:03]
THE OVERALL IMPACTS OF THE ON THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY IN CAROLINA COUNTY, NOW I'M JUST GOING TO CASH IN AND HAVE MY RETIREMENT FUND.I THINK THIS BALANCE, I THINK PEOPLE SITTING IN THIS CHAIR FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO NAVIGATE TO A REASONABLE POINT.
>> WITH THE RECENT PASSAGE OF THE STATE LEGISLATION THAT BASICALLY STRIPPED COUNTIES OF ALL SITING AND ZONING AUTHORITY OVER SOLAR, THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY A GUT PUNCH TO LOCAL AUTHORITY.
IT MAKES US QUESTION, WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES TO US RUNNING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE, PUTTING OURSELVES OUT THERE, SITTING IN THESE CHAIRS JUST TO HAVE EVERYBODY THAT WE REPRESENT.
THINK WE HAVE ALL THIS POWER WHEN ACTUALLY, WE DON'T HAVE, AND YOU CAN'T ARTICULATE THAT VERY WELL TO A PERSON WHO BUILT THE HOUSE A HALF A MILE OFF THE ROAD IN THE EDGE OF WOODS AND EXPECTED THIS SECLUDED LIFESTYLE TO THEN HAVE SOLAR PANELS AND A CHAIN LINK FENCE THRUST UP RIGHT INTO THEIR FRONT YARD WITH NO SCREENING, WHICH HAS HAPPENED.
YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN TO A PERSON WHO'S DEALING WITH THAT.
THEY WERE STARING AT A CORNFIELD, NOW I'M STARING AT AN INDUSTRIAL SOLAR COMPLEX.
>> I APPRECIATE YOUR COMING TODAY.
IT HAS BEEN A LONG ONGOING DISCUSSION.
I THINK TO COMMISSIONER BREEDING'S POINT, CAROLINE COUNTY, I BELIEVE IT WAS BACK IN 2017.
WE ACTUALLY INTRODUCED A SOLAR ORDINANCE THAT WHERE IN CONJUNCTION WITH FARMERS WHO OWN LAND, FARMERS WHO DID THE TILLING ON RENTED FARMS AND THE SOLAR COMPANY.
I THINK THE SOLAR COMPANY AT THAT TIME WAS A COMPANY CALLED NEW ROADS SOLAR.
WE FORMED A WORK GROUP, AND BASED ON THE TRANSMISSION ABILITY, WHAT WOULD BE THE LOGICAL NUMBER OF ACRES THAT WE WOULD ALLOW, WE WOULD COMMIT TO SOLAR? AT THAT POINT, THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SOLAR WORK GROUP WAS 1,900 ACRES.
WE INCLUDED THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION IN THOSE HEARINGS AS WELL.
WHAT WE TRIED TO DO WAS TO GET SOMETHING WHERE WE COULD SAY, WE WANT TO ADOPT THIS, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO ADOPT SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE'S GOING TO COME BACK AND OVERRULE US.
THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AT THAT TIME SAID, YOU DO WHAT YOU WANT, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO PROMISE YOU ANYTHING.
THEN WE COME ALONG TO SENATE BILL 931 AND HOUSE BILL 1036, WHICH PREEMPTED THE COUNTIES, DID AWAY WITH THAT ORDINANCE.
CAME ALONG AND SAID, WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW 5% IN EACH COUNTY, 5% OF YOUR PRIORITY PRESERVATION AREA TO BE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.
FIVE PERCENT IN THIS COUNTY IS ABOUT 8,800 ACRES.
THEY QUADRUPLED THE AMOUNT THAT WE HAD COME UP WITH IN A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO TRY AND NOT BE THE NAYSAYERS, TRY TO NOT SAY, WE DON'T WANT SOLAR, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE SOLAR.
WE DIDN'T DO THAT. COMMISSIONER BREEDING AND I WENT OVER AND WAITED NINE HOURS TO TESTIFY FOR TWO MINUTES IN FRONT OF THE JOINT DELEGATION AND SENATE.
I HAVE NEVER VILIFIED FARMERS.
THIS IS LIFE CHANGING MONEY FOR FARMERS.
PEOPLE WILL COME TO ME AND I SAY TO THEM, IF YOU OWN A FARM AND YOU GET THE CHANCE TO TAKE THIS MONEY, YOU TAKE IT.
IF YOU SAY YOU WON'T, I DON'T BELIEVE YOU. I OWN A FARM.
WE OWN 100 ACRE FARM, WE GET THINGS IN THE MAIL WEEKLY, $5,000 AN ACRE FOR 25 YEARS, $5,000 SIGNING BONUS, 5% INCREASE.
MY SONS PROBABLY WILL, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT BECAUSE MY CONCERN AND TO DISPUTE, I'M NOT LOOKING AT THIS COMPENSATION FEE AS A WAY TO KEEP SOLAR OUT.
I'M LOOKING AT IT AS A WAY TO PRESERVE FARM LAND.
>> CONTROL THE EXPANSION AND [INAUDIBLE].
>> YES. BECAUSE YOU PROBABLY ARE MUCH MORE FAMILIAR.
[03:10:01]
WHAT I SEE HERE IS THE STATE OF MARYLAND NOT ONLY IS PREEMPTING COUNTIES AND USING THIS LAND THROUGH THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.THEY'VE ALSO CUT BACK ON THE MOUTH PROGRAM.
BOTH WAYS, WE'RE GETTING GUT PUNCHED.
WE'RE SAYING, WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW THESE 8,800 ACRES TO BE DEVELOPED.
BUT ON THE SAME TOKEN, WE'RE NOT PROVIDING MONEY TO PRESERVE FARM LAND.
MY IDEA AND OUR IDEA WAS, IF THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT, THEN LET'S SET UP OUR OWN PROGRAM.
LET'S SET UP OUR OWN PROGRAM TO EITHER SUPPLEMENT WHAT THE STATE IS WILLING TO DO OR SET UP OUR OWN PROGRAM TO PRESERVE FARM LAND.
THERE'S A MACO LEGISLATIVE ZOOM MEETING TOMORROW.
MACO I THINK, HAS ALREADY TURNED INTO KEYS ON THIS THING.
I THINK THEY'VE ALREADY SAID, THEIR IDEA OF A WIN WAS FOR IT TO ONLY BE 5%.
IT'S NOT MY IDEA OF A WIN. IT'S NOT.
WE'VE HAD THESE DISCUSSIONS, WE'VE DONE THIS.
I JUST THINK THAT THE PRESERVATION OF FARM LAND, YOU MENTIONED THAT IT'S GEOGRAPHICALLY.
IT IS GEOGRAPHICALLY GOOD BECAUSE THAT'S WHY THEY'RE COMING HERE.
THEY CAN GET THIS LAND CHEAPER, NEGOTIATE CHEAPER PRICES ON THIS LAND THAN THEY CAN IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY OR MONTGOMERY COUNTY. WE ALL KNOW THAT.
TO ME, WE DON'T KNOW EACH OTHER.
IT IS REALLY NOT TO KEEP SOLAR FROM COMING.
IT IS TO TRY AND SAY WHAT MECHANISM DO WE HAVE THAT WE CAN GO TO OFFER A FARMER SOMETHING.
WHEN THAT SOLAR COMPANY COMES ALONG AND SAYS, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU THIS MONEY, WHAT DO WE HAVE TO SAY TO THAT FARMER? HOW ABOUT CONSIDERING THIS? HOW ABOUT CONSIDERING PRESERVING YOUR FARM LAND IN CONJUNCTION WITH EITHER WITH THE STATE OR INDIVIDUALLY.
IF WE CAN MAKE SOME OFFER TO YOU THAT MAY MAKE YOU WANT TO KEEP IT IN FARM LAND? THE IDEA THAT YOU CAN ENTER INTO A 25-YEAR EASEMENT AND THEN JUST TAKE THE PANELS OUT AND GO BACK AND FARM THE LAND.
THERE'S A LOT OF FARMERS AROUND HERE. MY FAMILY FARM.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S REALISTIC TO THINK ABOUT.
THAT'S THE POINT THAT I'VE TRIED TO MAKE TO PEOPLE.
THERE IS NO TAKING ANYBODY'S LAND.
YOU HAVE TO ENTER INTO THE AGREEMENT.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE EARLY ON THAT ENTERED INTO AGREEMENTS.
THEN THEY COME BACK AND SAY, WELL, THEY'RE OUT THERE STRIPPING THE TOP SOIL.
NOBODY FORCED YOU TO SIGN THE DEAL, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT.
WE HONESTLY DID SPEND A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO DEVELOP SOMETHING THAT GOT KICKED OUT FROM UNDER US.
IF YOU HAD COUNTIES THAT WERE JUST GOING TO TAKE THAT WE DON'T WANT SOLAR AND WE'RE NEVER GOING TO LEAVE IT HERE.
YOU DEAL WITH THEM. WE DIDN'T DO THAT.
LET'S TAKE, I ASKED THE QUESTION, THE MARYLAND ENERGY ADMINISTRATION SAID THEY NEEDED 15,000-30,000 ACRES IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND TO TRY TO MEET THE GOALS THAT THE GOVERNOR SIGNED IN HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER.
FIVE PERCENT OF THE PRIORITY PRESERVATION AREA IN JUST THE EASTERN SHORE COUNTIES IS OVER 100,000 ACRES.
THE QUESTION WAS, WELL, WHY DO YOU NEED ALL THIS? WE JUST DO. RESPECTFULLY THAT'S MY ANSWER TO YOU.
>> I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT. I WAS ACTUALLY IN THE HOGAN ADMINISTRATION WHEN THEY HAD, IT WAS AN AGRICULTURAL SOLAR COMMISSION.
I CAN'T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS.
I WAS PERSONALLY INVOLVED WITH IT.
BUT ONE OF THE NUMBERS THAT HAS COME OUT AND HAS REALLY STUCK IS THAT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN WHATEVER IT IS, 15, 18, 17,000 AND 20 SOMETHING THOUSAND ACRES.
WHAT PEOPLE CAME TO BELIEVE WAS THAT THAT'S WHAT THE STATE NEEDS.
THE WAY IT WAS ACTUALLY WRITTEN WAS, IF THERE WAS SOLAR ON THAT MUCH LAND, THEN THE STATE WOULD HIT ITS RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGETS AND SO THERE'S BEEN A BIG CONCERN OF PEOPLE SAYING, WE DON'T NEED EMINENT DOMAIN, AND WE WILL BE THE FIRST PERSON TO JUMP IN FRONT OF THAT BUS IF IT EVER CAME.
[03:15:07]
I THOUGHT OF THAT ONE. THE LAST THING WE WANT TO SEE IS THE STATE GETTING INVOLVED IN TAKING THE LAND LIKE THAT.>> LAST YEAR, THERE WAS A BILL INTRODUCED THAT WOULD NOT PROHIBIT THE STATE TO TAKE LAND THROUGH EMINENT DOMAIN, AND THE MARYLAND ENERGY ADMINISTRATION TESTIFIED IN OPPOSITION TO THAT BILL AND DID NOT SUPPORT IT.
THAT PUTS A LITTLE BUG IN MY MIND AND SAID, WAIT A MINUTE.
WHAT IF WE DON'T MEET THESE GOALS? WHAT IF ALL OF THE WILLING FARMERS WHO ARE WILLING TO SIGN THESE DEALS, WHAT IF ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE SIGN THEM, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE PEOPLE OUT THERE LIKE ME WHO SAY, I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT.
WHERE DO YOU GO THEN TO MEET THE GOALS? I THINK THAT'S THE LITTLE THING THAT'S BEEN IN PEOPLE IN MY MIND.
I WON'T SPEAK FOR ANYBODY ELSE, BUT THAT'S BEEN IN MY MIND.
WHAT IF YOU DON'T MEET THESE GOALS, WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP? ALL I EVER HEAR IS WASHINGTON COUNTY.
WE'VE GONE THROUGH THAT TRANSMISSION LINE WHERE THEY ARE PLANNING, I THINK PLAN WOULD BE TO TAKE LAND.
THAT'S IN THE BACK OF MY MIND AS WELL.
>> THAT LINE IS THE EXAMPLE OF HOW YOU DON'T DO SOMETHING.
I THINK THERE WAS A FEDERAL CASE RECENTLY SAID, NO, THE FEDS CAN'T ACTUALLY DECIDE WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO THERE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE BRING UP IN HEARINGS IN ANNAPOLIS, AND NOBODY LIKES TO HEAR IT IS, EVERYBODY ALWAYS SAYS, YOU ALWAYS HEAR MARYLAND IS A RENEWABLE ENERGY LEADER.
WE'VE HEARD THAT WELL FOR YEARS AND YEARS.
WE'RE NOT. IT'S LIKE SAYING WE'RE AN EDUCATION LEADER. WE'RE NOT.
WE'RE A LEADER IN TERMS OF OUR GOALS.
GETTING 50% OF OUR ENERGY FROM RENEWABLE IS 14.5% OF THAT IN STATE SOLAR.
ABOUT EIGHTH IN THE NATION FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IN TERMS OF HOW AMBITIOUS THAT GOAL IS.
WE'RE 38TH IN THE NATION IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT OF THE ELECTRICITY WE USE THAT COMES FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES.
A LOT OF THAT'S FROM OUT OF STATE, AND SO I DON'T THINK THE STATE IS GOING TO HIT THAT GOAL ANYTIME SOON.
THEY'RE CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO HIT 100% GOAL.
BUT IT IS ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT WE THINK ABOUT, NOT ONLY IN MARYLAND, BUT THE OTHER STATES IN WHICH WE WORK THAT WHAT IS GOING TO FLOW DOWN NOT UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION IN DC, BUT WHAT WOULD FLOW DOWN FROM A STATE CAPITAL TO THE COUNTIES IN TERMS OF MEETING THESE GOALS.
I DO THINK THAT WE DISAGREE WITH MACO ABOUT A LOT, BUT I THINK THAT'S ONE AREA WHERE WE WOULD BE 100% IN ALIGNMENT WITH THEM.
THEY MAY TAKE LAND FOR GAS IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO, NEW GAS PLANTS.
I DON'T SEE THEM EVER HAVING THE WILL TO DO THAT ON SOLAR.
THEY SHOULD USE THEIR OWN LAND FIRST, BUT I DO, AGAIN, BELIEVE THAT TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, FARM OWNERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO SO.
>> I AGREE. I THINK THE OTHER THING IS, WHAT I FEEL IS THAT SOLAR PROJECTS THAT GO ON NON-AGRICULTURAL LAND ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THIS.
AGAIN, PRESERVING FARM LAND IS THE GOAL FOR ME, AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE A SOLAR PROJECT.
WE'RE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A COMPANY DOING ONE ON AN ABANDONED LANDFILL.
THAT MAKES SENSE. BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU.
>> I APPRECIATE THE TIME. I KNOW I WASN'T HERE FOR THE 21ST, AND I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE.
>> WE WOULDN'T MAKE YOU SET YOUR TIME THAT OTHER STUFF [OVERLAPPING].
I WOULDN'T FEEL FAIR TO HAVE YOU SIT THERE AND GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY.
>> THE THREE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE, ONE THING THAT I HAVE FIGURED OUT IS WHEN IT COMES TO THE STATE OF MARYLAND, NEVER UNDERESTIMATE ANYTHING THEY SAY OR DO.
EMINENT DOMAIN I TELL YOU RIGHT NOW IS NOT OFF THE TABLE.
ONE STATEMENT THAT I THINK YOU DID SAY RETURN TO AGRICULTURE AND COMMISSION PORTER ALLUDED TO THAT.
THERE'S NO WAY THAT ANY OF THIS CAN BE RETURNED TO AGRICULTURE.
DO YOU HAVE A STUDY THAT SHOWS A SOLAR FARM THAT'S BEEN CONVERTED FROM SOLAR BACK TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION?
>> THERE ARE NO EXAMPLES IN THE US, AND THAT'S A REALLY BIG PROBLEM FOR ME MAKING THE ARGUMENT.
>> BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THERE EVER WILL BE.
>> THE ARGUMENT THAT WHAT THEY'VE SEEN IN OTHER AREAS, AND THEY'VE SEEN WHERE LAND HAS BEEN LEFT ALONE IS THAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE COMPACTION OF EQUIPMENT, THE SOIL COMPACTION OVER 25 PLUS YEARS, YOU DON'T HAVE THE PESTICIDES OF FERTILIZER AND THE GROUNDWATER BEING PULLED OUT, AND YOU'RE REQUIRED TO PUT IN NATIVE CROPS, THEN THE SOILS WILL HEAL THEMSELVES.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A STATE REQUIREMENT NOW, BUT MOST COUNTIES ALSO REQUIRE THAT THE TOP SOIL REMAIN ON SITE.
THE 125% DECOMMISSIONING SHOULD COVER ANYTHING IN CASE A COMPANY WALKS AWAY,
[03:20:07]
SO IT IS RESTORED BETTER THAN IT WAS BEFORE.ONCE YOU TAKE TOP SOIL OFF AND EVEN THOUGH YOU GOT IT IN A PILE AND YOU PUT IT BACK ON, IT'S NEVER THE SAME.
ANY FARMER WILL TELL YOU THAT IT'S NEVER GOING TO BE THE SAME BECAUSE IT'S A LIFE FORM. IT'S ALL THERE.
YOU STRIPPED IT OF THAT, AND IT'S JUST SITTING THERE.
IT'S ALL GOT TO WORK TOGETHER. IT'S ALL ORGANIC.
ANY FARMER COULD TELL YOU THAT IT'LL NEVER BE ALL THE COMPACTION UP IN GREENSBURG THAT'S GOING ON, ALL THE DISTURBANCE THAT'S THERE.
THAT WOULD TAKE YEARS AND YEARS.
IT'S JUST LIKE A GRAVEL PIT THAT THEY'RE SITTING THERE IN 100 YEARS FROM NOW TO BE WATERFRONT PROPERTY.
ONCE YOU TAKE ALL THE SAND OUT, 100 YEARS FROM NOW, THAT'S WATERFRONT. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? IT'S THE SAME THING WITH THE SOLAR FIELDS.
IT WOULD TAKE FOREVER JUST TO RENEW BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL SOURCE.
AS FAR AS THE MOUTH GOES, YOU DON'T THINK THAT WAS DONE ON PURPOSE TO CUT OUT THE MOUTH TO THE SOLAR FARMS?
>> YOU MEAN THE STATE CUTTING ONE?
WITH INCENTIVIZE, PEOPLE DO GO TO SOLAR.
>> I DON'T. I'LL TRY NOT TO BE POLITICAL EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS.
THERE'S A BAD BUDGET PROBLEM IN ANNAPOLIS THAT WASN'T THERE JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
THEY HAVE TAKEN $110 MILLION OUT OF THE STRATEGIC ENERGY INVESTMENT FUND AND PUT IT IN THE GENERAL FUND.
THEY ARE LOOKING FOR DOLLARS ANYWAY THEY CAN.
THERE'S BEEN FEE INCREASES, BEEN TAX INCREASES, ESPECIALLY HELP HURT PEOPLE WHO HAVE EQUIPMENT OR HAVE TRUCKS THEY USE FOR WORK.
>> I THINK THAT THEY'VE JUST GOT A BUDGET PROBLEM, AND THEY ARE TRYING TO CUT FUNDING ANYWHERE THEY CAN, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT I HAD NOT REALLY SPENT A LOT OF TIME THINKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF THE MOUTH AND THE LAND PRESERVATION CUTS TO COUNTIES, BUT IT'S SOMETHING I'M MAPPED TO A LOT MORE ABOUT [OVERLAPPING].
>> THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THAT COUNTY RELY ON THAT.
THEY'VE HAD APPLICATIONS IN FOR YEARS, AND FARMERS THAT IS THEIR RETIREMENT.
IS THAT NOW JUST HOPING THAT THEY GET THAT WHERE THEY CAN SET THAT ASIDE FOR THE FAMILIES, BUT I THANK, ADAM.
I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A JOB TO DO JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE DOES, AND I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ALL THIS WAY TO DISCUSS YOUR OPINION AND AGREEING, DISAGREEING ON THINGS.
THAT'S GOOD. WE CAN'T ALWAYS AGREE ON EVERYTHING.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I'M HAPPY TO HAVE THE BATTERY CONVERSATION IN TERMS OF WHAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO TO BRING TRAINING TO THE AREA.
>> I'M GOING TO BRING TWO O'CLOCK TO TALK ABOUT TRAINING OF FIRE COMPANIES WITH A SOLAR COMPANY, AND I THINK WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK THINGS OUT.
I'M JUST CONCERNED AS A OLD FIREMAN ABOUT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, BUT WE'LL FIGURE THAT OUT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE THAT.
>> NICE TO MEET YOU, SIR. YES, SIR.
>> PARDON ME. WE'RE ALL ON OUR PHONES. IT'S TERRIBLE.
WELL, FIRST OF ALL, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU.
MR. PRESIDENT, THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK, BRIAN SAYLOR.
I AM BASED IN ANNAPOLIS, AND I AM AN ADVISOR TO COMPANIES IN THE ALL OF THE ABOVE FROM EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE, FROM NUCLEAR TO GAS, TO EVERYTHING ALL THE WAY OVER TO CLEAN ENERGY.
I WORK ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY.
I HAVE ROUTES, OBVIOUSLY HERE IN MARYLAND.
I'VE BEEN VERY FOCUSED IN KEEPING AN EYE ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE COUNTY.
I DON'T MEAN TO SOUND REDUNDANT TO MR. DEBTSKI, BUT I'LL PROBABLY HIT ON SOME OF THE SAME THEMES, BUT I COME AT THIS AS A CITIZEN, AS A INDUSTRY EXPERT, AND SOMEONE WHO'S WORKING AROUND THE COUNTRY AND LOOKING AT PROJECTS AND HELPING THE SITE AND PERMIT THEM.
WHAT I SEE IS FIRST, THE COUNTY'S DONE A TERRIFIC JOB ON ITS PRESERVATION.
I'M A CONSERVATIONIST. I'M A HUNTER. I'M A FISHERMAN.
I COME TO THE FRESHERMAN'S EVENT EVERY YEAR.
I'VE GOT A FAMILY HERE IN THE COUNTY, AND I'M VERY ACTIVE, AND I'M ALSO NOT A BIG FAN OF THE STATE.
I'LL BE PARTISAN IN MY CONFERS, BUT I'M NOT A HUGE FAN OF THE DIRECTION OF THE STATE RIGHT NOW.
I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN ON THE RECORD, I WON'T SAY CONDEMNING, BUT CRITICIZING THE LEGISLATURE FOR CONTINUING TO PUSH AND PUSH THESE GOALS AND MOVE TIMELINES CLOSER AND CLOSER, BUT NOT ACTUALLY BEING ABLE TO ENACT AND IMPLEMENT MOST OF WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO.
I JUST WROTE A PIECE IN THE BALTIMORE SUN THAT CLOSED WITH THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO MAKE THE ORANGE CRUSH.
IT'S THE OFFICIAL DRINK OF MARYLAND, PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE MADE IT COOLED BECAUSE THEY WERE DRINKING THEIR OWN BULLET.
WE HAVE AN ENERGY CRISIS IN MARYLAND.
SOME SAY IT'S PERCEIVED, SOME SAY IT'S REAL, BUT EVERYBODY HERE KNOWS THEIR ENERGY BILL HAS GONE UP.
EVERYBODY HERE KNOWS THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS EVERYTHING WE WANT.
NOW, YOU MIGHT NOT WANT A WALMART,
[03:25:01]
YOU MIGHT NOT WANT A TOWN CENTER, BUT WE ALL WANT JOBS FOR PEOPLE AND WE ALL WANT TO KNOW THAT, BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO NOT ONLY COME HERE, BUT THOSE THAT ARE HERE CAN CONTINUE TO STAY OPEN.WE'RE SEEING BUSINESSES CLOSING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD ENERGY, AND THEY'RE GOING SOMEWHERE ELSE.
WE SEE BUSINESSES COMING INTO MARYLAND, AND THEY'RE LEAVING MARYLAND BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO BE HERE BECAUSE THE ENERGY IS SO BAD.
ENERGY IS THE COMMON DENOMINATOR.
WHERE I GO AND WHERE I WORK OUT IN INDUSTRY IS REALLY LOOKING AT ALL OF THE ABOVE, AND MARYLAND NEEDS FAST DISPATCHABLE ENERGY DELIVERY.
IF IT'S PART OF AN ENERGY SECURITY PLAN ON THE EASTERN SHORE, WORKING WITH DEL MARVA OR CHOP TANK OR WHOMEVER, FRANKLY, WE SHOULD BE DOING ANYTHING WE CAN TO STABILIZE ENERGY COSTS HERE.
I LOOK AT THIS AS THE FOUNDING PRINCIPLES, AND YOU KNOW WHERE I COME FROM, AND IT'S REAL SIMPLE.
IT'S FREE MARKETS, AND IF THEY CAN DELIVER AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE SUBSIDIES FOR SOLAR GO AWAY, BUT SOLAR IS NOW INEXPENSIVE ENOUGH THAT YOU CAN DO SOLAR AND BATTERY STORAGE AND MAKE IT ECONOMICAL, AND THAT'LL HAVE TO RELY ENTIRELY ON THE SUBSIDIES.
WE'RE SEEING THE FOUNDING PRINCIPLES OF JUST SIMPLE LIBERTY, AND YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT IT TODAY, WHICH IS FARMERS, THEY ARE LANDOWNERS.
THEY GROW THINGS THAT MAKE THEM MONEY AND BOLDS DEPENDENT ON WHAT MARKET PRICE IS.
IF YOU GOT SOY, YOU'VE GOT CORN, OR YOU GOT WHATEVER, AND YOU WANT TO GROW ENERGY AND IT'S MORE PROFITABLE, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GROW ENERGY.
THE REALITY IS I THINK WE ALL AGREE WITH THAT, WE FEEL THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO WITH THEIR PROPERTY WITH LIMITED GOVERNMENT.
WE'RE NOT BIG FANS OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
WE'RE NOT BIG FANS OF STATE GOVERNMENT TELLING US WHAT TO DO WITH OUR LANDS OR USING THEM IN THE DOMAIN.
I KNOW I'M BEING PONTIFFIC HERE, BUT I FEEL LIKE WHEN I SAW THIS RECENT PAYMENT THAT'S REQUIRED IN HERE, MUCH TO I GUESS WHAT MR. DEBTSKI WAS SAYING IS, I LOOKED AT AS A PENALTY FOR WANTING TO DEVELOP ENERGY.
IT HURTS FARMERS WHO ARE, I WOULDN'T SAY FARMERS, LANDOWNERS, LET'S JUST SAY, BECAUSE MANY OF THEM MAYBE LANDOWNERS AND NOT FARMERS, THEY MAY AT LEASE THEIR LAND TO A FARMER, WHICH IS THE MOST COMMON THING.
IF YOU CAN CARVE OUT 10% OF YOUR LAND AND YOU CAN FIND THE PLACES THAT ARE NOT THE MOST PRODUCTIVE.
THEY STILL MAY BE, THE TOP GRADE LANDS, BUT THEY'RE NOT THE MOST PRODUCTIVE AREAS AND PUT SOLAR IN, I FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD BE OBSTRUCTED TO DO THAT.
I THINK PUTTING A FEE LIKE THIS AT 75% IS A PRETTY ONEROUS HIT ON LAND OWNERS.
I FEEL LIKE MANY OF THESE DEVELOPERS COME INTO COMMUNITIES, THEY ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY, THEY TALK TO THE COMMUNITY, THEY LEARN ABOUT WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS ARE.
WE'VE GOT FIREHOUSES THAT NEED NEW TRUCKS, WE'VE GOT SCHOOLS THAT NEED TO WHATEVER.
WE'VE GOT FOLKS THAT ARE SETTING UP DRUG REHAB CLINICS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THESE DEVELOPERS LOOK TO THOSE PROGRAMS AND HELP FUND THOSE PROGRAMS ON A 20 OR 25 YEAR LEASE, CAN HELP UNDERWRITE THOSE SERVICES.
I URGE YOU TO THINK ABOUT THIS CPC AND PERHAPS GO BACK TO THE DRAWING TABLE AND THINK ABOUT MAYBE THERE'S A BETTER WAY TO DO THIS WHERE YOU CAN CONTROL THROUGH YOUR VARIOUS REGULATIONS AND ORDINANCES AND SITING PLANS, HOW YOU DO THESE PROJECTS AND SETBACKS AND MAKE IT TO THE NEIGHBOR IS NOT GOING TO BE LOOKING AT A WINDOW AND SEEING 200 ACRES OF SOLAR.
BUT I THINK, WHERE WE ARE TODAY AND LOOKING AT OUR NATIONAL ENERGY DOMINANCE AND WHERE WE'RE DEPENDENT ON OTHER THINGS, AND WE NEED TO CREATE MORE ENERGY IN MARYLAND, WE NEED THE SHORE TO BE ABLE TO POWER THE SHORE.
THAT'S MY TWO CENTS. I HOPE YOU'LL REALLY TAKE A STEP BACK FROM THAT, LOOK AT IT, AND THINK ABOUT PROPERTY OWNERS, THEIR RIGHTS.
IT'S HARD TO SAY IT'S A FEE, IT'S A TAX.
I SAW MY BOAT TAX GO FROM $20 TO $70 AND I'M IRATE.
GO REGISTER YOUR TRUCK RIGHT NOW, YOU'LL SEE THE SAME THING.
I'M ANGRY AT THIS STATE, BUT I JUST THINK AS COUNTIES, WE HAVE MORE CONTROL, AND WE HAVE SMARTER PEOPLE RUNNING LOCAL THINGS.
I HOPE YOU'LL TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.
>> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE? WE RECEIVED ONE OTHER EMAIL FROM THE FARMERS ALLIANCE FOR RURAL MARYLAND, WHICH STATED, WE APPLAUD THE CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S LONGSTANDING WORK IN PRESERVING ITS UNIQUE AND FINE AGRICULTURAL LANDS.
AS YOU KNOW AGRICULTURE IS MARYLAND'S LARGEST ECONOMY SECTOR AND SPANS ALL OF THE STATE'S 23 COUNTIES.
MARYLAND'S AGRICULTURAL LANDS ARE UNDER CONSTANT THREAT FROM A WIDE ARRAY OF DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS.
[03:30:01]
BALANCING THOSE THREATS WITH FAIR AND REASONABLE LEGISLATION THAT HELPS PRESERVE FARM LAND FOR THE FUTURE IS CRITICAL.THE FARMERS ALLIANCE FOR RURAL MARYLAND WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORTS ORDINANCE 2025-11, AND CONGRATULATES THE CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S EFFORTS AND THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE ON BEHALF OF THE FARMERS ALLIANCE FOR RURAL MARYLAND, SINCERELY J. FALSTAD, CC ROB DAVIS.
COMMISSIONER PORTER, WE HAVE HAD ANOTHER PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD NOW ON THIS BILL.
WE HAVE COMPLETED THE THIRD READING, AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY NOW TO TABLE, AMEND OR ENACT THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON ANYTHING?
>> I REALLY DON'T. I DO APPRECIATE YOU GUYS COMING IN AND IT'S GOOD TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS.
IT'S GOOD TO LISTEN TO DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS, BUT THIS HAS BEEN SINCE 2017, SO I DON'T HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.
>> I WOULD SAY THAT THE BOARD PRIOR TO COMMISSIONER BARTS AND I BEING ELECTED AND SITTING IN HIS CHAIRS, TOOK A VERY COMMON SENSE APPROACH AND DID A LOT OF RESEARCH IN ESTABLISHING A 2000, AND IT WAS A VERY CONTROVERSIAL DECISION TO ESTABLISH A 2000 ACRE CAP IN CAROLINE COUNTY FOR THAT LEGISLATION TO HAVE BEEN BASICALLY TOTALLY ERASED BY THE LEGISLATURE.
THAT CAP RAISED TO 8,800 ACRES OR WHATEVER IT IS BY FORMULA, AND TO ALSO HAVE ANY COMMON SENSE APPROACH WRITTEN INTO THE STATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD DIRECT SOLAR DEVELOPMENT ONTO LEAST PRODUCTIVE FARMLAND OR FARMLAND THAT PROBABLY ISN'T SUITABLE FOR AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES, AND TO JUST OPEN IT UP TO THE HIGHEST AND MOST PRODUCTIVE, MOST IMPORTANT FARMLAND, NOT ONLY TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY, BUT TO OUR STATEWIDE ECONOMY AND ALSO NATIONAL SECURITY.
LET'S FACE IT THAT FOOD SECURITY IS ALSO NATIONAL SECURITY.
WE RELY ON OTHER COUNTRIES TO FEED OURSELVES.
WE'RE OPENING OURSELVES UP TO MANIPULATION FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND FOREIGN ADVERSARIES.
I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO BALANCE ALL OF THESE THINGS.
I DO NOT LIKE FEES OR TAXES, BUT I LOOK AT THIS AS A REASONABLE CONTRIBUTION THAT A LAND OWNER WOULD HAVE TO MAKE TO GET OUT FROM THE PREFERRED AGRICULTURAL ASSESSMENT OF ABOUT $500 AN ACRE AND CASH IN ON A MAJOR CASH COW AND POTENTIALLY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY WHO ELECT TO CONTINUE WITH AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES THROUGH REDUCTION IN JUST THE EFFICIENCY OF DELIVERING SEED AND ALL THE OTHER INPUTS THAT GO INTO AGRICULTURE AND ALL THE OTHER SUPPORT SERVICE.
TO ME, I THINK LEGISLATION PROBABLY SHOULD SEE THROUGH HERE.
>> IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE SPECIFIED IN THIS ORDINANCE THAT THIS LAND WILL GO INTO A DESIGNATED ACCOUNT.
IT WILL BE USED FOR PRESERVATION.
IT'S NOT GOING INTO THE GENERAL FUND TO BE USED FOR ANYTHING ELSE.
IT WILL BE USED FOR PRESERVATION OF FARM LAND, AND IT IS ONLY LIMITED TO TIER 1 AND TIER 2 LAND, WHICH IS THE MOST PRODUCTIVE SOILS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS HAVE SEEN THIS OF THE CLASS 1,2 OF SOIL THAT'S ONLY AFFECTED BY THIS FEE SCHEDULE.
>> I WILL POINT OUT, IT'S IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT WE HAVE NOT REACHED, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE NOT REACHED THE 2000 ACRE GAP [OVERLAPPING].
[03:35:06]
I THINK WE'RE AT ABOUT 1,800.WITH ALL OF THOSE PANELS, AND BELIEVE ME, I DRIVE THROUGH THERE, I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GOING TO RUN FOR ELECTION AGAIN.
HONESTLY, I DON'T. I HAVE A FEELING IF I LOSE, IT'LL BE BECAUSE PEOPLE PERCEIVE ME AS BEING APPROVING OR ADVOCATING THESE SOLAR PANELS.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER WAS THAT WE KNEW COMING DOWN THE ROAD, WE SAW THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE REQUIRED TO ADOPT SOMETHING.
WE WEREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO SAY WE DON'T WANT SOLAR PANELS, THERE'LL NEVER BE A SOLAR PANEL IN THIS COUNTY.
THE AVERAGE CITIZEN DOES NOT SEE THAT.
ALL THEY SEE IS THOSE SOLAR PANELS UP THERE, AND WHEN THEY DRIVE BY, AND THE PERCEPTION OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY IS THAT THE THREE OF US CONTROL EVERY SINGLE THING THAT HAPPENS IN THIS COUNTY.
IF A LIMB FALLS OFF OF A TREE AND BREAKS SOMEBODY'S WINDSHIELD, IT'S OUR FAULT BECAUSE WE CAN CONTROL IT.
THAT'S THE PERCEPTION OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY, THAT WE ADVOCATE AND WE WANT SOLAR PANELS.
I'M NOT GOING TO FIGHT THAT ARGUMENT EVERYWHERE I GO, IN THE GROCERY STORE OR ANYWHERE ELSE, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO TRYING TO MITIGATE AND TRY TO ALLOW PANELS, BUT HAVE THEM BE SOMEWHAT CONTROLLED.
I SPOKE ABOUT FOOD SECURITY AS A NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE.
ENERGY IS AS WELL IN DATA STORAGE CENTERS.
WE HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DATA STORAGE TO COMPETE ON THE WORLDWIDE STAGE AS A NATION.
I BELIEVE ALL THREE OF US RECOGNIZE THAT, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT SOLAR PANELS, AT THIS FAR ALONG, IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT SOLAR IS NOT GOING TO KEEP UP WITH CURRENT DEMAND, MUCH LESS INCREASED DEMAND.
THE PROJECTIONS FOR HOW MANY ACRES IT'S GOING TO TAKE THE STATE TO MEET ITS RENEWABLE ENERGY GOALS ARE, I'M ASSUMING PROJECTIONS THAT ARE BASED ON THE HEARING NOW AND MAYBE DID NOT EVEN FACTOR IN ALL THE ADDITIONAL ENERGY REQUIREMENTS OF DATA STORAGE AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
I THINK WE WOULD ALL BE OPEN TO CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SMRS OR GAS PLANTS, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS IN OUR COUNTY THAT MAY BE CONTROVERSIAL, BUT AT LEAST WE COULD PRESERVE CAROLINE COUNTY.
PREVIOUS BOARDS HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF DOING THAT, AND THAT'S ULTIMATELY WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO CONTINUE ON WITH THAT LEGACY.
>> FINALLY, I THINK THE FEAR IN MY MIND IS, ADAM, YOU MENTIONED SUBSIDIES, WHEN THESE SUBSIDIES RUN OUT.
>> WHERE ARE WE GOING TO BE TEN YEARS DOWN THE ROAD IN A 25 OR 30 YEAR LEASE, IF THE SOLAR COMPANIES CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THAT PER ACRE AMOUNT.
WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE THE FARMER? I MEAN, I MEAN, WE HAVE THE DECOMMISSIONING, BUT IF THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY, WHO'S GOING TO PAY THE DE.
I MEAN, THAT'S THE FEAR THAT THERE ARE PROMISES.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT FROM THE TIME THAT WE HAD OUR HEARINGS, TILL THE TIME THAT WE ADOPTED THEM, SOME OF THE SOLAR COMPANIES HAVE BEEN SOLD THREE OR FOUR TIMES.
THE PEOPLE WHO WENT IN AND GOT THE ORIGINAL LEASE SOLD THOSE LEASES TO SOMEONE ELSE.
THEN THEY SOLD THOSE LEASES TO SOMEONE ELSE.
AND THAT'S WHY THE MOST RECENT BILL ADDRESSED STRIPPING OF TOP SOIL.
SO I WOULD HAVE FARMERS CALL ME AND SAY, THEY'RE OUT THERE STRIPPING MY TOP SOIL AND I SAID, WELL, WHAT DID YOUR AGREEMENT SAY? YOU DIDN'T BRING THIS AGREEMENT TO SHOW ME.
I'M NOT UNFORTUNATELY, NOT A LAWYER.
I MEAN, DID YOU GO TAKE THIS TO AN ATTORNEY? SO THAT'S GONE. THAT'S DONE.
THEN SOMEWHERE IN THE BILL LAST YEAR, SOMEBODY SAID, NO, YOU CAN'T TAKE OR YOU HAVE TO STOCKPILE IT AND ALL THIS STUFF.
TOP SOIL WAS NEVER ADDRESSED IN THE EARLY LEASES.
AND I MEAN, IT WAS A DEAL WHERE MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT GUYS PEOPLE WENT IN AND SET IN SOMEONE'S FARMHOUSE AND SAID, GO TO OFFER YOU THIS TODAY.
IF I LEAVE HERE TODAY AND YOU HAVEN'T SIGNED THIS, I'M NOT COMING BACK.
GOD, GIVE ME A PEN. I MEAN, SO IT WAS HARD.
I MEAN, THERE WAS A LOT OF SELLING GOING ON.
AND BUT AGAIN, WE DID THE BEST WE COULD
>> THEY WANT TO MAKE A MOTION ON THIS BILL.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ENACT LEGISLATIVE BILL 2025-WELL.
[03:40:04]
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, SAY AYE.
>> AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE AYES HAVE IT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE LEGISLATIVE BILL 2025-013, MR. BARREL.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. YES. THIS BILL WAS INTRODUCED ON OCTOBER 14 FOR THE FIRST READING.
[• Legislative Bill #2025-013 Legislative Bill #2025-013, Amend Wastewater Facility]
THE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING WAS PUBLISHED IN THE STAR DEMOCRAT ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18.LAST MEETING ON THE 21ST, WE HAD THE SECOND READING AND THE PUBLIC HEARING.
WE ARE HERE FOR THE THIRD READING WITH THE POTENTIAL TO AMEND AND ACT OR SHELVING.
THIS IS AN ACT TO AMEND SUBSECTION C OF SECTION 120-70-5209 WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES OF ARTICLE 5 SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS OF CHAPTER 175 ZONING OF THE CODE OF PUBLIC LOCAL LAWS OF CAROLINE COUNTY BY REPEALING AND REENACTING THE SAME WITHOUT SUB PARAGRAPHS 3 AND 4.
THUS ELIMINATING FROM SECTION 175-29, THE REQUIREMENTS THAT ONE, THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY AND THE GENERATING FACILITY IT SERVES BE OPERATED AND OWNED BY THE SAME PERSON OR ENTITY.
TWO, THE FACILITY IS NOT A SHARED FACILITY AS DEFINED BY EITHER SECTION 9-11 10A4 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE 0F THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND, OR COR 206-04-0501 FOR A NON ACCESSORY WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY TO BE PERMITTED IN THE R RURAL ZONING DISTRICT BY SPECIAL USE EXCEPTION.
I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO ENACT LEGISLATIVE BILL 2025-013.
NEXT UP LET'S CLOSE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION MOVES.
>> WE CLOSE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND RETURN TO OPEN SESSION.
>>> MOTION SECOND. AS IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THE AYES HAVE IT. MOVING BELONG TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, COMMENTS ABOUT ANYTHING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> I ASSUME THAT THE DEED OF EASEMENT AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS ON THE CHERRY WOOD SOFTWARE PROJECTS HAVE ALL BEEN APPROVED BY THE PLANNING AND CODES AND ARE ALL IN COMPLIANCE WITH WITH OUR REGULATIONS?
>> THE ATKINS ARBORETUM IS JUST A LETTER OF SUPPORT, THEY'RE NOT LOOKING FOR ANY CE LETTER OF SUPPORT.
I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
>> GOOD. MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
MOTION TO SECOND. ALLOYS IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE AYES HAVE IT.
>> COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT.
COUNTY DEPUTY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT.
[County Administrator’s Report]
BUT ESSENTIALLY STILL WAITING ON A RESPONSE.I WILL SAY I SEE THAT KING COUNTY IS MOVING FORWARD WITH DIRECTING THE MONEY TO THEIR LMB, AND POSSIBLY OFFERING GRANTS.
SO I JUST SAW THAT AS WE WERE SITTING HERE TODAY.
SO I'M GOING TO REACH OUT TO SHELLY AND SEE IF THEY'VE HAD ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH OSE.
THAT OFFICE HAS BEEN MOVED TO, I BELIEVE IT'S ANOTHER AKERMAN ACRONYM NOW, AND A NEW SECRETARY HAS BEEN APPOINTED OVER THIS AS A WEEK OR TWO AGO.
SO I'M SURE WE'LL SEE THE CHANGES THAT THAT WILL HAVE IN THE FUTURE.
WANTED TO SPEAK ON DOUBLE HILLS REAL QUICK.
HAVEN'T GIVEN AN UPDATE IN A WHILE ON THAT.
COTE EXCAVATING IS ON SITE NOW, DOING A LOT OF THE WORK, PREPPING FOR THE A ROAD AS WELL AS THE UTILITY EXTENSIONS THERE.
WORKING WITH IT TO PRICE OUT, ESSENTIALLY HAVING INTERDUCT LAID ALONG THE ROAD SIDE, ESSENTIALLY EXPANDING OUR FIBER.
IF THERE'S EVER COUNTY BUILDINGS THAT ARE PLACED OUT THERE, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO USE OUR OWN FIBER.
THEN IF PART OF THE PROPERTY WAS DEVELOPED AND ANYBODY WHO WANTED A PRIVATE UTILITIES SUCH AS COMCAST OR HOT TANK FIBER, THEY COULD ALSO HAVE THE OPTION TO USE THE INTERDUCT.
WITH THAT, ALL OF THE FUNDING FOR THAT PROJECT IS
[03:45:02]
COMING THROUGH THE RURAL MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND, BASED OFF THE LAST CONVERSATION WE'VE HAD, IT LOOKS LIKE EVERYTHING IS TIMING WELL.THEY ARE RUNNING INTO SOME SOIL ISSUES WITH ESSENTIALLY THE MOISTURE IN THE SOIL.
WORKING THROUGH THE ENGINEER ON GETTING THROUGH THAT AND STAYING COMPLIANT WITH WHAT THEY NEED FOR COMPACTION THERE THROUGH THE PROJECT.
I BELIEVE THOSE ARE THE TWO ITEMS THAT I HAD.
I BELIEVE KATHLEEN IS REPORTED AS WELL.
WE DO A NEW HR DIRECTOR THAT SHOULD BE STARTING I BELIEVE NOVEMBER 5.
WHEN SHE COMES IN, I'M SURE WE'LL HAVE HER COME TO A MEETING AND DO A FORMAL INTRODUCTION TO THE GROUP.
>> THANK YOU. COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF DISCUSSION HERE.
[County Commissioners Open Discussion Period]
>> THE ONLY THING I HAVE IS TOMORROW IS THE FIRST MEETING OF THE MACO INITIATIVES SUBCOMMITTEE WILL BE FROM 9:30-11:00.
OR SOMETHING. I SENT EVERYBODY THE, THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
SO IS THERE ANYTHING THAT ANYBODY SEES THAT THEY THINK WE SHOULD ADDRESS RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD?
>> THEM LOOK AT YOU LIKE. [LAUGHTER]
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK MACOS, DO YOU THINK THEY'RE SPEAR HITTING? HAVE YOU HAD ANY CONSENSUS ON THAT?
>> I THINK THAT THEY I THINK THAT THE INITIATIVES I THINK THEY'VE PUNTED ON SOLAR.
IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME THEY'RE MOVING THAT THE FOCUS ON THE INITIATIVES THIS YEAR IS HOUSING MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
BUT I HAVEN'T PUNTED ON SOLAR.
WE'LL SEE, BUT I MEAN, IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO TO GET, 14 OR 15 THINGS DOWN BEFORE.
BUT IT'LL BE A GOOD DISCUSSION.
AND IT'S I'M LIKE GOING TO SAY I TELL YOU, I LOOK FORWARD TO IT, BUT I MEAN, IT'S TIME TO IT'S TIME TO DO IT.
AND SO I'LL CERTAINLY TRY TO REPORT BACK, AS MUCH EVERY WEEK THAT I CAN TO TELL YOU WHAT'S GOING ON.
ROBIN, I DON'T KNOW IF I SENT IT TO YOU AS WELL.
DID YOU SEE ANYTHING THAT YOU THOUGHT?
>> I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD SO THE AOT, WHICH IS THE ASSISTANT OUTPATIENT TREATMENT.
YOU CAN KEEP AN EYE ON THAT ONE.
I MEAN, KERRIGAN DID A GOOD JOB PUTTING NOTES AND STUFF IN THERE.
WE'VE LOTS OF DISCUSSION, VERY COMPLEX TREATMENT PROGRAM AND IMPLEMENTATION.
WE ARE IN AGREEANCE ABOUT THE REGIONAL APPROACH WITH MIDSORE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TAKING THE LEAD FOR US ON THAT.
I MEAN, THERE ARE STILL LOTS OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS, I THINK IN REGARDS TO IT, JUST BECAUSE INITIALLY, THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS WERE ASKED, DO YOU GUYS WANT TO TAKE THIS ON OR DO YOU WANT, DO YOU WANT THE STATE TO TAKE IT ON OR, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO? AND WE ALL IT WAS CONSENSUS ACROSS THE BOARD THAT IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT THE STATE TAKES ON.
AND BUT STILL UNDERSTANDING WITH OUR LOCAL INPUT, AS WELL AS RELYING HEAVILY ON MID SHORE BECAUSE THEY ARE OUR REGIONAL REGIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
IT'S BEEN VERY, LIKE I SAID, VERY COMPLEX.
I'M HAPPY TO, IF YOU WANT TO GIVE ME A CALL AND TALK A LITTLE BIT FURTHER ABOUT ALL OF IT.
I DID SEE THE MAT STUFF IN HERE AND ON THE LIST, AND THAT I THOUGHT THAT LOOKED PROMISING.
THAT'S BEEN SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR A LONG TIME.
I THINK I BROUGHT IT UP A WHILE AGO ABOUT THE NEED FOR, NOT ONLY THE TRANSPARENCY, BUT THE KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT..
WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CORE FUNDING PIECE WITHIN LEGISLATION, LOOKS PROMISING AS WELL.
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.
WHEN A FEW YEARS AGO, THE STATE HAD A BIG BUMP IN TERMS OF SALARIES.
THE LOCAL MATCH WAS DRASTICALLY INCREASE.
WE WERE OKAY HERE BECAUSE WE HAD ALREADY BEEN A LITTLE BIT OVER MATCH WHEN YOU GUYS ARE FUNDING US, BUT THERE WERE OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT HAD TO REQUEST AN EXEMPTION FROM THE STATE, WHICH WAS I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO DO THAT.
WHEN I COME I COME IN FEBRUARY WITH A BUDGET REQUEST, AND THEN THE OTHER PIECE OF THE ISSUE IS THAT WITH THE STATE CORE FUNDING, WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT UNTIL WE GET UNTIL WE GET OUR FUNDING DOCUMENT, AND THAT'S AFTER I'VE MADE MY REQUEST TO YOU GUYS.
SOMETIMES IT'S AFTER YOU'VE APPROVED YOUR BUDGET.
>> THAT'S DIFFICULT. BEING ABLE TO REALLY DETERMINE WHAT
[03:50:05]
THOSE INCREASES MAY BE SO THAT WE CAN BUDGET APPROPRIATELY, I THINK IS IMPORTANT.I WAS GLAD TO SEE THAT WAS ON THERE AS WELL.
IT HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH AOT ALL.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ADDITIONAL TO ADD HAS.
THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, WE WANT IT.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S A PROGRAM THAT IS NEEDED AND THE BENEFITS OF IT, AND MARYLAND IS THE LAST STATE, I THINK, TO TRY AND IMPLEMENT SOMETHING.
IT'S JUST LOTS OF QUESTIONS AND ONLY 2 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR ITS STAT IT.
>> WE'LL HAVE TO GET TOGETHER.
YOU HAVE TO EDUCATE ME ON WHAT THAT?
>> COMMISSION PARKS? NO. THE ONLY THING I HAVE CAROLINE COUGARS REACHED OUT THERE WE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.
I'VE TALKED TO JAMIE. WE'VE GOT RIDGELY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
IF THEY DO LOSE THEIR PRACTICE IN FIELDS THERE AND RIDGELY BUY THE OLD METAPHAST, THEY COULD GO TO ORIGINALLY, WE MIGHT HAVE TO PUT A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY IN TO LEVEL IN THE FIELD UP BEHIND THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
ANY OTHER OPTION WOULD BE LIGHTED.
THE ONLY THING WE HAVE LIGHTED RIGHT NOW IS LOCKERMAN, SO THEY COULD GO TO LOCKERMAN TO PRACTICE THERE IF THEY NEEDED THAT.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE JUST THROWN OUT.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? SO WE'LL WORK SOMETHING OUT.
DO WE WANT TO DO A QUICK CLOSED SESSION ABOUT DAY SPRINGS? SURE. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT.
THANKS. I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION UNDER GENERAL PROVISIONS, ARTICLE 3 DASH 35B3 TO CONSIDER THAT'S ACQUISITION.
I'M SORRY. WHICH ONE DO I WANT? AS 14.
[Meeting Adjourns]
>> YEAH. UNDER 14 BEFORE A CONTRACT IS AWARDED OR OPEN TO DISCUSS A MATTER DIRECTLY RELATED TO A NEGOTIATING STRATEGY OR THE CONTENTS OF THE BID PROPOSAL, IF PUBLIC DISCUSSION OR DISCLOSURE WOULD ADVERSELY IMPACT THE ABILITY OF THE BODY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITIVE BIDDING OR PROPOSAL PROCESS.
>> ALSO TO CONSULT WITH STAFF AND COUNSEL.
YOU DO NOT WISH TO WAIVE THE ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE.
>> TO CONSULT WITH STAFF AND COUNSEL AND WE DO NOT WISH TO WAIVE THE ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE.
>> ROLL CALL VOTE. COMMISSIONER PORTER?
>> THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.