[00:03:44]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE NOVEMBER 18TH, 2025 CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING, WHICH IS NOW IN ORDER.
THIS MORNING, WE HAVE OUR INVOCATION BY REVEREND KING DANIEL OF BETHLEHEM WESLEYAN CHURCH.
THAT'LL BE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
[Call to Order: Invocation—Rev, Ken Clendaniel, Bethlehem Wesleyan Church; Pledge of Allegiance; Agenda Review]
REVEREND, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING THIS MORNING.>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, AND JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTY. APPRECIATE YOU GUYS.
LORD, WE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY, AND WE JUST OFFER OUR THANKS AND OUR PRAISE TO YOU.
LORD, WE'RE JUST SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR MANY BLESSINGS, FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR US, AND THAT YOU GIVE TO US, AND WE JUST ARE THANKFUL.
LORD, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE DON'T HAVE WHAT WE WANT, WE'RE THANKFUL THAT YOU PROVIDE FOR OUR NEEDS.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR NEEDS, THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY, WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD JUST SPEAK INTO THEIR LIVES.
LORD, ADD TO THEM WHAT THEY NEED, GIVE TO THEM WHAT THEY NEED.
LORD, TODAY, WE JUST COME BEFORE YOU AND WE ASK FOR WISDOM, FOR STRENGTH, FOR GUIDANCE, FOR DIRECTION.
LORD, MAY YOU JUST OPEN THE COMMISSIONER'S EARS AND EYES, AND HEARTS TO BE ABLE TO SEE AND HEAR WHAT IS NEEDED.
LORD, WE JUST PRAY THAT YOU GIVE THEM THE WISDOM, GUIDE THEM, FATHER, TO MAKE THE DECISIONS FOR THE COUNTY AND FOR CITIZENS THAT IS BEST.
[00:05:04]
AGAIN, WE PRAISE YOU. WE THANK YOU, AND WE JUST ASK AND SEEK YOUR WISDOM TODAY.WE PRAY IN CHRIST'S NAME, AMEN.
>> THANK YOU, REVEREND. ON NOVEMBER 4TH, 2025, THE COMMISSIONERS MET IN CLOSED SESSION UNDER AUTHORITY OF GENERAL PROVISIONS, ARTICLE 3-305(B)7,8, AND 3, TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL FOR LEGAL ADVICE, DISCUSS POTENTIAL LITIGATION, AND CONSIDER MATTERS RELATED TO THE ACQUISITION OR DISPOSAL OF REAL PROPERTY.
DURING THE SESSION, THE BOARD RECEIVED UPDATES FROM STAFF AND LEGAL COUNSEL ON A PROPERTY MATTER, DISCUSSED POTENTIAL LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING OUTSIDE PARTIES, AND REVIEWED A REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION INVOLVING COUNTY PROPERTY.
OUR FIRST AGENDA ITEM THIS MORNING IS A DISCUSSION REGARDING PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO THE DOG LICENSING REQUIREMENT.
[Discussion Regarding Proposed Legislative Changes to Dog Licensing Requirements]
I BELIEVE JESSE'S HERE.HAMMOCK HAS TAKEN A LOOK AT THIS, AS WELL AS STEWART.
STEVE WISE, ONE OF THE COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES IN ANNAPOLIS, ALSO LOOKED AT THIS AND CIRCULATED SOME PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE REQUESTS TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
JESSE, IF YOU DON'T MIND, COULD YOU GIVE US AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT THE PROPOSAL IS?
>> CERTAINLY, COMMISSIONERS, GOOD MORNING.
>> THANK YOU. SECTION 13-116 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE CONTAINS CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS CURRENTLY THAT THE COMMISSIONERS MUST UNDERTAKE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS WITH REGARD TO DOG LICENSING.
MR. WISE HAS PUT TOGETHER A PROPOSED AMENDMENT THAT WOULD GIVE THE COMMISSIONERS MORE DISCRETION WITH REGARD TO THE LICENSING AND VARIOUS OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES PERTAINING TO DOGS IN THE COUNTY.
THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE FOR MR. WISE TO PROVIDE THIS TO THE COUNTY'S DELEGATION FOR INTRODUCTION AT THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAD A BRIEF DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS AND BELIEVE A COUPLE OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS.
BEFORE I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH STEVE WISE ABOUT PUTTING IN THE LEGISLATIVE REQUEST, I JUST WANTED TO GET ONE FINAL CLEARANCE AND APPROVAL FROM THE BOARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE ALL IN AGREEANCE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.
JUST A QUICK OVERVIEW ON TOP OF WHAT JESSE SAID, IS CURRENTLY WE ARE REQUIRED BY STATE LAW TO ISSUE A DOG LICENSE FOR EVERY DOG IN THE COUNTY OVER SIX MONTHS OLD.
I BELIEVE THERE'S ABOUT A NUMBER WAS FLOATED TO ME THAT THERE'S 100 INDIVIDUALS WITH DOG LICENSES IN THE COUNTY.
I'M SURE THERE ARE MANY MORE DOGS THAN THAT.
AS OPPOSED TO CONTINUING ON WITH THE REQUIREMENT THAT WE ISSUE THE LICENSE, THE LEGISLATIVE REQUEST BASICALLY IS ASKING THEM TO CHANGE IT FROM SHALL TO MAY, SO THAT WE MAY ISSUE LICENSES IF WE SO ELECT.
I GUESS IT'S IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE?
>> IT'S IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE.
IT REQUIRES THAT YOU DO IT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
OTHER COUNTIES, FOR EXAMPLE, KENT COUNTY AND QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY, IT IS DISCRETIONARY, AND IT CAN BE DONE ONCE, AS OPPOSED TO EVERY YEAR.
>> I'M FINE. I THINK THERE'S MORE THAN THAT ON MY STREET. [LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, THANK YOU. I WILL SEND AN EMAIL BACK TO MR. WISE DIRECTING HIM TO REACH OUT TO OUR LEGISLATURE OR LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS AND TRY TO PUSH THAT ALONG.
>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE THE COMPENSATION REVIEW COMMITTEE WITH A PRESENTATION OR REVIEW OF THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR COMPENSATION OF THE NEXT BOARD.
I BELIEVE THERE ARE A FEW MEMBERS HERE.
CINDY, TOWER? YOU WANT TO COME, OR DO YOU WANT TO WAIT? [OVERLAPPING] WE'LL MOVE ON THEN AND WAIT FOR THE CHAIRMAN TO GET HERE. THANK YOU.
SORRY. JEN TOLD ME TO DO THAT, AND THAT SHOWS YOU HOW MUCH ATTENTION I'VE PAID TO WHAT JEN TELLS ME. [LAUGHTER] SORRY.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE A DISCUSSION OF THE CREATION OF A DETENTION CENTER DESIGN COMMITTEE.
[Discussion of Creation of Detention Center Design Committee]
[00:10:08]
LAST WEEK, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FREEMAN AND I WENT TO A SEMINAR THAT WAS PUT ON BY AN ARCHITECT AND A CONSULTING FIRM THAT SPECIALIZES IN THE DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT OF DETENTION CENTERS.AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, WHEN THIS BOARD WAS INAUGURATED AND WE CAME INTO OFFICE, THE COUNTY WAS VERY CLOSE TO INITIATING AN $8 MILLION RENOVATION OF THE EXISTING DETENTION CENTER.
WE DID SOME INVESTIGATING INTO WHAT THE PROPOSED RENOVATIONS WERE GOING TO ENTAIL AND FOUND THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO ADDRESS ANY OF THE EXTERIOR CONDITIONS OF THE BUILDING.
WE WEREN'T TOUCHING AGE SOFFIT, ROOFS, OR THE EXTERIOR IN ANY WAY.
IT WAS BASICALLY JUST A RENOVATION OF ABOUT A THIRD OF THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF THE EXISTING DETENTION CENTER, OF WHICH THE ENTIRE FACILITY NEEDS EXTENSIVE RENOVATION.
THAT WAS NOT OBVIOUSLY A PRESSING ISSUE DURING THE CAMPAIGN.
I DON'T THINK IT CAME UP ONCE IN THE ENTIRE CAMPAIGN PROCESS.
BUT IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT AS CORRECTIONS HAS EVOLVED THROUGH THE YEARS TO NOW, INCLUDING REHABILITATION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ADDICTED TO DRUGS.
ALSO PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, THAT IT'S NO LONGER JUST A FACILITY THAT'S USED TO DETAIN PEOPLE WHO HAVE BROKEN A LAW.
THERE'S NO ROOM FOR EXPANSION.
IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO RENOVATE IT.
I THINK WE COULD STILL GO BACK AND POTENTIALLY LOOK AT, MAYBE INVESTIGATE, RENOVATION OF THE EXISTING FACILITY.
BUT I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE WAY FOR THE COUNTY TO MOVE FORWARD AND HAVE A LONG-TERM SOLUTION IS TO PURSUE BUILDING A NEW FACILITY SOMEWHERE IN THE COUNTY.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS SEMINAR WAS TO EDUCATE US ON THE DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS THAT NEED TO GO INTO CREATING A FACILITY THAT WILL BE LARGE ENOUGH AND BE ABLE TO SERVE THE COUNTY FOR, HOPEFULLY, GENERATIONS TO COME OR AN EXTENDED TIME FRAME.
WE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS, THAT THEY ARE VERY COMPLICATED STRUCTURES TO BUILD.
PRIMARILY BECAUSE WHEN A LOT OF US THINK OF PRISONS OR JAILS, YOU THINK OF THE STATE PRISONS THAT HOUSE ONE CLASS OF OFFENDER.
IT'S MAYBE MALES WITH A HIGHER SECURITY REQUIREMENT, AND THEN YOU MAY HAVE FACILITIES FOR STRICTLY FEMALES OR STRICTLY JUVENILES.
UNFORTUNATELY, LOCAL DETENTION CENTERS, JAILS, HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO HOUSE JUVENILES, FEMALES, MALES, ALL OF VARIOUS CLASSES OF OFFENSES THAT THEY HAVE COMMITTED, AND YOU CAN'T HOUSE ALL OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS TOGETHER.
JUVENILES CAN'T EVEN COME WITHIN SIGHT OR SOUND OF ADULTS.
THINK OF AN AGE FACILITY THAT DID NOT HAVE THOSE TYPES OF REQUIREMENTS WHEN IT WAS DESIGNED AND BUILT, AND THINK OF THE CHALLENGES THAT THAT PRESENTS TO OUR CORRECTIONS STAFF TO HAVE TO ADDRESS ALL OF THOSE VARIOUS CONCERNS.
I THINK THAT WAS VERY ENLIGHTENING.
ONE OF THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CAME OUT OF THE SEMINAR WAS THAT THE FIRST STEP TO REALLY MOVING FORWARD WITH THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OR ANALYSIS OF A NEW DETENTION CENTER IS TO ESTABLISH A DESIGN COMMITTEE TO START TO REVIEW POLICIES, PROCEDURES IN THE DETENTION CENTER, AND HOW THAT TRANSLATES INTO EITHER A RENOVATION OR A NEW FACILITY.
[00:15:05]
A COUPLE OF THINGS.I THINK WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS AND GET APPROVAL FROM THE BOARD IS TO GO AHEAD AND ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE, PRETTY MUCH PRIMARILY OF ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES, KEY COUNTY EMPLOYEES, TO START THIS DISCUSSION.
THEN, IF WE AGREE TO DO THAT, WE ALSO NEED TO DISCUSS INVOLVEMENT OF THE TOWN OF DENTON.
I THINK IT MAKES SENSE FOR ONE OF US OR SOME REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE COUNTY TO REACH OUT TO THE TOWN AND START THE DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM ABOUT WOULD THEY RATHER SEE US RENOVATE AND STAY WHERE WE'RE AT, OR WOULD THEY BE AMENABLE TO US GOING OUT TO THE INDUSTRIAL PARK AND BUILDING A NEW DETENTION FACILITY BEHIND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND DES? I THINK WE HAVE TO INVOLVE THEM BECAUSE IF WE WERE TO GO TO DOUBLE HILLS, IT WOULD REQUIRE THE TOWN OF DENTON AND THE COUNTY TO WORK OUT A DEAL TO CONNECT THE DES FACILITY AND THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT, AND POTENTIALLY THE NEW DETENTION CENTER TO MUNICIPAL UTILITIES.
POTENTIALLY EVENTUALLY, MAYBE HAVE IT ANNEXED INTO TOWN, MAYBE NOT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BENEFITS THERE ARE.
BUT THOSE ARE THE TWO ISSUES THAT I WANT TO PLACE BEFORE YOU GUYS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ALL IN AGREEANCE THAT THESE ARE THE NEXT STEPS MOVING FORWARD. COMMISSIONER PORTER.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO GO TO THAT.
I KNOW IT'S MORE TIME AWAY FROM HOME TRAVELING, BUT I THINK IT WAS CERTAINLY WORTHWHILE.
I THINK ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT IN ADDITION TO EVERYTHING ELSE, IS THE CHANGES IN SENTENCING GUIDELINES.
I KNOW OVER THE YEARS IT USED TO BE IF YOU COMMITTED A CRIME, YOU WENT TO JAIL.
NOW, WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF SENTENCING GUIDELINE CHANGES ABOUT HOME DETENTION AND OTHER THINGS, WHICH I THINK HAS ACTUALLY EFFECTIVELY REDUCED OUR POPULATION IN THE FACILITY.
I THINK WHEN WE CAME INTO OFFICE THIS TIME, I THINK IT WAS A WISE DECISION TO NOT SPEND $8 MILLION TO RENOVATE ABOUT 20% OF THE JAIL.
I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH APPOINTING A COMMISSION.
DID THEY MAKE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT WHAT SKILLS PEOPLE ON THE COMMISSION SHOULD HAVE? ARE WE LOOKING FOR BUILDERS OR CORRECTIONAL?
>> I THINK WE WOULD START WITH A STAFF COMMITTEE, SO DETENTION CENTER, FINANCE, GRANTS, MYSELF, PROBABLY OFFICE OF LAW, MAYBE INCLUDES EMERGENCY SERVICES TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY WAY GRANT FUNDING OR INTEGRATING SOMETHING FROM THERE.
WE TALKED ABOUT INCLUDING LESLIE.
SHE HAS SO MUCH EXPERIENCE ALSO WITH USDA GRANTS BECAUSE THERE'S A POSSIBILITY FOR USDA FUNDING.
>> YES. I THINK PUBLIC WORKS [OVERLAPPING] FACILITIES.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. [LAUGHTER] PUBLIC WORKS.
>> TALKING WITH CHARLES, I KNOW YOU'VE HAD DISCUSSION.
HOW MANY BEDS FACILITY WOULD YOU-
>> THE WARDEN'S ESTIMATE IS ABOUT 100 BED FACILITY IN ORDER TO MEET ALL THE CLASSIFICATIONS.
I BELIEVE, POPULATION HOVER SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 40 AND 60 CURRENTLY BUT TO COMMISSIONER PORTER'S POINT, SENTENCING GUIDELINES CAN CHANGE.
IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAVE EBBS AND FLOWS IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
WE TRY NEW THINGS, WE TRY TO REHABILITATE PEOPLE, OR WE TRY TO ALLOW PRETRIAL RELEASE AND HOME DETENTION, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
THEN IF THE TREND SEEMS TO NOT IMPROVE RESULTS, THEN WE REVERT BACK TO INCARCERATION.
WE'VE GOT TO BE PREPARED FOR BOTH.
THE TRICK IS JUST, WHAT I LAID OUT, IS THAT INSIDE OF EACH GENDER AND AGE GROUP, JUVENILE MALE, FEMALE, YOU HAVE THREE CLASSIFICATIONS OF CRIMINALS THAT ARE INCARCERATED, AND YOU CAN'T HAVE A MINIMUM SECURITY INDIVIDUAL LOCKED UP WITH A MAXIMUM SECURITY INDIVIDUAL.
THEY HAVE TO HAVE FLEXIBILITY.
ONE THING THAT WE'RE SORELY LACKING NEXT DOOR IS PROGRAMMING SPACE FOR THE MEDICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENT, FOR THE PEER RECOVERY SERVICES,
[00:20:01]
FOR MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION.>> FOR ANYONE WHO'S BEEN IN THERE, THE PROGRAM SPACE IS ONE ROOM ABOUT HALF THE SIZE OF THIS ROOM, AND THE CEILING IS ABOUT THIS HIGH WHEN I STAND UP.
I HAVE TO WALK THROUGH THERE WITH MY HEAD TILTED, AND THERE'S COLUMNS THAT SUPPORT THE STRUCTURE ABOVE.
THAT'S ALL WE HAVE FOR PROGRAM IN SPACE.
>> I TALKED TO PASTOR DON, THEY USE IT AS A SANCTUARY. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THEY USE IT FOR EVERYTHING, SOCIAL SERVICES.
THAT ONE ROOM IS THE ONLY THING WE'VE GOT.
THEY ARE LITERALLY IN A CLOSET.
THEY'VE GOT AN EXAMINATION TABLE AND A COUPLE OF DESKS IN WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY A CLOSET. WE'RE IN A TOUGH SPOT.
>> I THINK WE'RE FACING THE SAME SITUATION THAT WE DID WHEN WE BUILT A NEW SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
ANYONE WHO HAD EVER BEEN IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO GO, YOU DIDN'T GO.
WHEN WE BUILT THE NEW SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, WE FACED THE SEPARATION OF MINORS AND FEMALE.
WE WENT THROUGH THAT WHOLE PROCESS.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT MY FIRST THOUGHT ABOUT THIS IS IF THERE'S ANY WAY POSSIBLE THAT WE CAN DO IT THERE, THAT WOULD BE MY PREFERENCE, RATHER THAN HAVING TO GO THROUGH WORKING OUT AT DOUBLE HILLS AND GO THROUGH WHAT WE WOULD HAVE TO DO.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S FEASIBLE. I JUST DON'T KNOW.
[NOISE] BUT I THINK THE OTHER CONSIDERATION WOULD BE WE'VE ALL SEEN THE PROJECTED FINANCIAL FORECAST FOR THE STATE.
IF YOU WANT TO STAY UP AT NIGHT, READ THOSE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE THINK THE STATE WILL PICK UP WITH WHAT'S SHARED TODAY.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BY THE TIME WE GET READY TO DO THIS FACILITY.
WHO KNOWS WHAT THE COST SHARE IS GOING TO BE.
I DON'T KNOW. I'VE HEARD A NUMBER OF 32 MILLION SOMEWHERE.
I THINK THAT'S THE OTHER CONSIDERATION, BUT I WOULD CERTAINLY AGREE WITH FORMATION OF A INITIAL COMMITTEE.
IF WE HAVE TO HAVE COMMITTEES BEYOND THAT, THAT'S FINE.
BUT MY STRONG PREFERENCE WOULD BE TO KEEP THAT FACILITY WHERE IT IS AND DO WHATEVER WE HAVE TO DO THERE. THAT'S ALL FROM ME.
>> BUT TO GET BACK TO YOUR QUESTION, 100 BEDS.
I ASKED THE QUESTION AT THE SEMINAR, AND THEY SAID ABOUT 400 SQUARE FEET PER BED.
WE'RE LOOKING AT A 40,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY AT AN ESTIMATED $800 PER SQUARE FOOT RIGHT NOW, SO THAT GETS US AT 32 MILLION.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WHAT WAS THE TARGET?
WE COULD GET CREATIVE, AND THAT'S ALL JUST STRUCTURE COSTS.
THAT'S NOT MOVING, THAT'S NOT SOFTWARE, FOR THE SECURITY, ALL THE OTHER THINGS.
I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY IT'S PROBABLY A $40 MILLION.
I THINK WE SHOULD PLAN ON 40 MILLION.
THE STATE, SUPPOSEDLY, RIGHT NOW, PICKS UP 50% OF THAT.
THE COUNTY'S ON THE HOOK FOR THE OTHER 50, SO WE'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT A $20 MILLION CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
>> AS FAR AS COMMITTEE GOES, HOW MANY MEMBER COMMITTEE DO YOU THINK?
>> WELL, I THINK WE START OFF WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, A PLANNING CODE REPRESENTATIVE, SOMEONE FROM FINANCE, FOR GRANTS, PUBLIC WORKS, AND CORRECTIONS AND ANYBODY ELSE THAT WE THINK TO START LOOKING FOR FEDERAL SUPPORT IN FUNDING, START THE CONVERSATION ABOUT GETTING IN LINE FOR THE STATE PORTION OF THE FUNDING AND THEN INVESTIGATE.
REALLY QUICKLY, I DID THE NUMBERS.
IF YOU DO THE NUMBERS, EIGHT MILLION FOR ABOUT A THIRD OF THE FACILITY, YOU'RE AT 24 MILLION.
THEN IF YOU SPEND A COUPLE MILLION ON THE EXTERIOR, YOU'RE PROBABLY AROUND 26-28 TO RENOVATE NEXT DOOR.
IT'S AN OCCUPIED RENOVATION, SO IT'S MORE COSTLY.
IT'S GOING TO DRAG THINGS OUT.
IF WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE POPULATION GROWTH IN THE COUNTY, ULTIMATELY, THERE'S NOT REALLY ANY AREA OVER THERE TO EXPAND THE FACILITY.
WHAT YOUR FINAL PRODUCT, THAT'S THE ONE DRAWBACK WITH STAYING THERE IS YOUR FINAL RENOVATED PRODUCT IS IT.
YOU CAN'T GO UP BECAUSE THE FOUNDATION IS NOT THE DESIGN TO SUPPORT ANYMORE.
[00:25:01]
YOU'RE ON THE RIVER AND YOU CAN'T GO OUT ANYWHERE.>> CERTAINLY, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S WORTH LOOKING AT, BUT I REALLY THINK WE PROBABLY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO MOVE.
>> FROM WHAT I'M HEARING OVER HERE IS THEY'RE HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES.
IT'S WAY MORE THAN JUST THE COSMETIC PHYSICAL.
>> THE BOILERS, EVERYTHING INSIDE OF IT.
HERE'S SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE LEARNED FROM THE CONFERENCE, I DIDN'T EVEN BRING THIS UP, WAS AIR CIRCULATION.
IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY WITH TUBERCULOSIS OR SOME OTHER CONTAGIOUS DISEASE IN THAT FACILITY, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE NEGATIVE PRESSURE CELLS SO THAT STAFF MEMBERS AREN'T COMPROMISED OR OTHER INMATES AREN'T COMPROMISED.
THERE'S A LOT OF DESIGN THINGS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FACILITY.
I DON'T KNOW, FRANKLY, THAT WE CAN MEET ALL THE NECESSARY DESIGN CRITERIA IN THAT FACILITY.
>> PLUS TOO, ONCE YOU GET IN IT, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO REALLY GET.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO FIND.
YOU DIG DOWN TO TRY TO LOWER THE FLOOR IN THE PROGRAM ROOM DOWNSTAIRS.
NOW YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT FOUNDATION IS THERE SUPPORTING THE EXISTING STRUCTURE AND HOW MUCH WORK IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO RELOCATE ALL THAT STUFF.
THAT'S IT. ARE YOU GUYS OKAY IF I START TO TRY TO TALK TO THE TOWN AND FIND OUT, ARE THEY WILLING TO EXTEND? HOW BIG OF A DISPUTE ARE WE GOING TO HAVE EVER CONNECTING? [LAUGHTER]
>> THEY HAVE TO BE PARTNERS IN THIS.
I THINK THEY HAVE TO AGREE WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING.
IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO GET IT DONE, AND WE NEED TO GET IT DONE.
I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF CHOICE.
>> I'M FINE, TRAVIS. THANK YOU.
>> TWO THINGS, DEPUTY WARDEN DIXON HAS ALREADY SET UP A MEETING WITH JIM DUNKERSON FOR NOVEMBER 22ND BECAUSE ON TOP OF EVERYTHING WE LEARNED AT THE SEMINAR, OUR STATE HAS A SPECIFIC FUNDING PROCESS THAT WE ARE OBLIGATED TO GO TO.
THERE'S A MARCH 1 DATE, AND THEN ONE YEAR FROM THAT, THERE'S ANOTHER MILESTONE.
SINCE WE JUST PULLED OUT OF THE REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER EFFORT, WE'RE REGROUPING, AND NOVEMBER 22ND, WE HAVE A MEETING SET UP.
I'LL BE ATTENDING THAT MEETING, AND THEN I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, COMMISSIONER BREEDING, IF YOU WANT, I'LL CONTACT SCOTT GETCHELL AND GET A MEETING SET UP WITH HIM.
>> I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO INCLUDE EVERYONE WHO'S GOING TO BE NEEDED TO MAKE DECISIONS OR TO SIGN OFF, GO AHEAD AND START THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
>> IT'S GOING TO BE A HEAVY LIFT.
BUILDING SCHOOLS IS CONTROVERSIAL ENOUGH, [LAUGHTER] BUT BUILDING DETENTION CENTERS IS NOT.
>> IT'S GOING TO BE CONTROVERSIAL ANY LOCATION YOU WANT TO PUT IT.
>> I THINK IT'D BE CONTROVERSIAL IN ANY LOCATION.
>> IT IS, ABSOLUTELY. I'VE ALREADY HEARD ABOUT IT.
I BELIEVE MR. WILLOUGHBY IS HERE NOW, SO WE WILL MOVE ON TO
[Compensation Review Committee]
THE COMPENSATION REVIEW COMMITTEE WITH A REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF COMPENSATION, MR. WILLOUGHBY.>> GOOD MORNING, MR. WILLOUGHBY.
>> WE GOT ROOM, THE REST OF YOUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
>> THEY'RE LEAVING ME HANGING UP.
>> PRESIDENT BREEDING, COMMISSIONERS PORTER AND BARTZ, FIRST OF ALL, JUST PERSONAL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR FLEXIBILITY THIS MORNING.
OF COURSE, THERE WOULD BE A BOARD OF EDUCATION WORK SESSION, AND OF COURSE, I WOULD BE ON THE AGENDA AT THE SAME TIME, SO I DO APPRECIATE THAT.
THE COMPENSATION REVIEW COMMISSION HAS MET AND HAS A RECOMMENDATION BEFORE YOU.
I WANT TO FIRST START BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, MR. ROWE, MS. TOWERS, MR. FARINA, MS. SIMMONS, AND MR. KIBLER, AND ALSO JUST BY PUBLICLY THANKING MS. REIBLY WHO HAS REALLY MADE SURE THAT WE HAD ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WE NEEDED.
OUR MEETINGS THAT WE HAD WENT VERY SMOOTHLY, AND IT WAS BECAUSE WE WERE ABLE TO PREP IN ADVANCE AND HAD A LOT OF THAT INFORMATION.
[00:30:02]
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK.[NOISE] AS WE STARTED TO LOOK, OF COURSE, COMMISSIONER COMPENSATION HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE 2009.
THE WORLD HAS CHANGED SINCE 2009.
YOU ARE UP HERE NOW DISCUSSING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW DETENTION CENTER.
YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SCHOOL.
YOU'VE ALREADY BUILT A SCHOOL SINCE THEN.
THE JOB OF THE COMMISSIONER HAS GREATLY CHANGED.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO WAS LOOK AT OUR PEERS ON THE EASTERN SHORE AND LOOK AT WHAT THEIR COMPENSATION IS, AS WELL AS LOOKING AT SOME EXAMPLES OF HOW YOU SPEND YOUR TIME IN OFFICE.
IT BECAME VERY CLEAR THAT IF YOU WERE TO JUST DO AN AVERAGE, CLOSE TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT OUR EASTERN SHORE COUNTIES ARE, ANYWHERE FROM A COUPLE THOUSAND OFF TO AS MUCH AS 10 OR 12,000 OFF JUST BY LOOKING AT AVERAGE.
WHAT WE HAVE PROPOSED IN THE RESOLUTION THAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU IS TO USE THE FOUR YEARS OF THE NEXT TERM TO MAKE THIS CORRECTION, STARTING WITH AN ADJUSTMENT AT THE BEGINNING AND THEN INCREMENTAL ADJUSTMENTS AS WE GO THROUGH.
WHAT WE SAW AS WE LOOKED AT, LIKE I SAID, THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE, THE ISSUES THAT ARE COMING BEFORE YOU, THE COMPLEXITY OF IT, WE RECOMMEND A TARGET COMMISSIONER COMPENSATION OF $30,000.
THE WAY WE WOULD PROPOSE TO DO THAT, BECAUSE BUDGETS ARE A THING, WE UNDERSTAND THIS IS A DELIBERATIVE PROCESS.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT ANYTIME YOU TALK ABOUT ELECTED OFFICIAL PAY, JAILS ARE CONTROVERSIAL, BUT SO IS ELECTED OFFICIAL PAY.
WE WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE START IN THE FIRST YEAR OR THE NEXT TERM AT 24,000.
THEN EACH SUBSEQUENT YEAR, INCREASE 2,000 UNTIL WE GET TO THAT TARGET OF $30,000.
AT THAT POINT, THE NEW BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WILL HAVE APPOINTED A NEW COMPENSATION COMMISSION AND THEY CAN LOOK AND REVIEW, DOES IT NEED TO GO FARTHER OR IS IT GOOD WHERE IT IS? IT IS A PRETTY DRAMATIC JUMP, BUT WE HAVEN'T DONE THIS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, AND THE JOB HAS CHANGED JUST AS DRAMATICALLY.
THAT IS HOW WE GOT TO THE NUMBER.
THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU, AND THAT IS OUR PROPOSAL FOR HOW WE WOULD GET THERE OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
>> WELL, THANK YOU ALL FOR VOLUNTEERING TO BE ON THE COMMITTEE.
ONE THING THAT I TRIED TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT WAS THE PERCENTAGE OF COMMISSIONER PAY RELATED TO MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME TO TRY TO KEEP IT IN LINE, AND MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME HAS JUMPED DRASTICALLY DUE TO INFLATION OVER THAT SAME TIME PERIOD.
BUT WE DO APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME AND COMING FORWARD WITH THIS VERY THOUGHTFUL RECOMMENDATION.
>> I THINK ONE THING THAT CAME UP IN OUR DISCUSSION WAS WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER A FAIRNESS ISSUE, AND YOU LOOK AT NUMBER OF COMMISSIONERS IN OTHER COUNTIES WE'RE THE FEWEST.
BASICALLY, THE WAY I LOOKED AT IT IS IF YOU WERE COMMISSIONERS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND WERE UNIONIZED, YOU'D HAVE BEEN ON STRIKE A LONG TIME AGO [LAUGHTER] BECAUSE WE GET AN AWFUL LOT FROM THE THREE OF YOU, AND WE KNOW THAT.
THAT'S WHY I THINK WE WERE CONVINCED THAT THIS NEEDED TO BE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE BECAUSE IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE.
IT WASN'T FAIR TO YOU AS COMMISSIONERS, TO THE FUTURE COMMISSIONERS AS A REPRESENTATION OF WHAT OTHER COUNTIES ARE GETTING FROM THE NUMBER OF COMMISSIONERS THAT THEY HAVE.
I THINK THE HIGHEST IN THE STATE IS 11 COMMISSIONERS.
OF COURSE, THAT'S MONTGOMERY COUNTY WITH A MUCH BIGGER TAX BASE AND A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, BUT WE ARE QUITE HAPPY WITH THE SERVICE THAT WE GET FOR WHAT WE'RE PAYING YOU, I BELIEVE, WE'RE EXTREMELY HAPPY.
>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT TO MS. RAEL'S POINT, BECAUSE THAT WAS A HUGE CONSIDERATION.
IT'S EASY TO LOOK AT IT AND GO 30,000 COMPARED TO WHAT YOU CURRENTLY GET, WHICH IS THE 15 AND THEN GO THAT'S 100%.
WE LOOKED AT IT AS COST OF GOVERNMENT SO 330S, THE $90,000 COST OF GOVERNMENT, $1,000 FOR THE PRESIDENT STILL 91,000 IS STILL MUCH MUCH LESS THAN WHAT OTHER COUNTIES ARE PAYING FOR COST OF GOVERNMENT IF YOU EXTRAPOLATE IT AGAINST THE NUMBER OF COMMISSIONERS THAT ARE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT THEY HAVE.
[00:35:03]
I LIKE THE IDEA THAT IT'S GOING TO BE REVIEWED EVERY FOUR YEARS NOW BECAUSE YOUR NEXT ONE MIGHT NOT BE AS DRASTIC AND IT SHOULDN'T BE, AND THAT'S GOOD.BUT THIS IS GOING TO TAKE A CORRECTION.
THAT'S WHY WE PROPOSE I SAID, THE UPFRONT AND THEN THE PHASE IN
>> I WILL SAY THAT NONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION DECLARED AS A CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY.
>> [LAUGHTER] [OVERLAPPING] NOT YET, ANYWAY.
>> I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING WHERE THE COMPLEXITY OF THE JOB FROM WHERE IT HAS BEEN TO WHERE IT IS NOW.
I WANT TO GIVE KUDOS TO COMMISSIONER BREDDY.
HE SPENDS A LOT MORE TIME THAN ME.
I THINK I SPEND A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TIME, AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER PORTER DOES A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TIME AS WELL, BUT IT'S SOMETHING EVERY DAY THAT I DON'T TALK TO STAFF OR TALK TO ANYBODY, CONSTITUENT OR SOMETHING WHEN THERE'S A PROBLEM.
JUST WHEN YOU THINK THAT YOU'VE HEARD IT ALL, SOMETHING DEMAR, OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH. THANK YOU.
>> AT ANY GIVEN TIME, TOO, YOU GENTLEMEN ARE 24/7.
THAT REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE TOO BECAUSE YOU'RE JUST NOT 9-5S THAT SETTLE IS.
>> I THINK THE LAST THING IN THE WORLD ANY OF US WANT TO DO IS SIT UP HERE AND TALK ABOUT GETTING MORE MONEY.
BUT I THINK, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE GOT A 15 YEAR WINDOW HERE THAT I CAN TALK ABOUT, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE JOB OF BEING A COMMISSIONER IS NOT THE SAME EVEN AS IT WAS IN 2010.
THEN YOU FACTOR IN THE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES, DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IT'S EVERY DAY.
BUT IT'S DIFFICULT TO COME IN AND GIVE YOURSELF AND SAY, I WANT TO RAISE.
I WANT MORE MONEY. THAT'S THE LAST THING WE WANTED TO DO.
THANK YOU FOR IT. I THINK THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO DO IT.
HONESTLY, IF YOU HAD COME BACK IN AND SAID, WE THINK IT SHOULD BE $200, I WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE.
I DON'T THINK ANY OF US ARE DOING THIS FOR A LIVING.
WE'RE NOT DOING THIS FOR LIVING.
>> IT HAS TO BE A LEVEL OF SACRIFICE.
>> DIDN'T TELL YOU THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO DO IT.
I HOPE THAT ANYBODY WHO HAS FILED TO RUN.
I HOPE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY THAT TODAY THIS MORNING IS THE EASIEST PART OF THIS.
IT'S THE WHEN YOU LEAVE HERE AND GO HOME AND HAVE 10 PHONE CALLS.
I'VE ALREADY HAD THREE THIS MORNING BEFORE I CAME IN HERE.
BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU SIGN UP TO DO.
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THAT, DON'T DO THIS.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE MAD, THAT SOMEBODY'S GOING TO CRITICIZE YOU, DON'T DO THIS BECAUSE ALL YOU CAN DO IS DO THE BEST YOU CAN, AND YOU UNDERSTAND THAT EVERY DECISION YOU MAKE, YOU MAKE SOMEBODY MAD.
IN THIS COUNTY, YOU MAKE THEIR MOTHER MAD AND THEIR BROTHER MAD AND SISTER MAD.
OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, EVERYBODY'S MAD, BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU DO.
BUT AGAIN, WE HAVE A $76 MILLION BUDGET.
THIS IS A $76 MILLION COMPANY THAT WE'RE RUNNING UP HERE.
I DON'T KNOW THAT $15,000 A YEAR FOR THE PEOPLE THAT RUN THE COMPANY IS RIGHT.
BUT AGAIN, NONE OF US WERE GOING TO COME IN HERE AND SAY, I'M GOING TO RUN FOR THIS OFFICE, AND WE THINK WE SHOULD BE PAID THIS MUCH MONEY.
THAT'S NOT THE WAY THIS WORKS.
WE APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.
OBVIOUSLY, CAROLINE COUNTY IS FULL OF VOLUNTEER COMMISSIONS AND PEOPLE WHO GIVE THEIR TIME AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THIS, AND I'M SURE THERE WERE SOME TIMES WHEN YOU WERE GOING TO THIS MEETING, THEN YOU THOUGHT I COULD BE DOING SOMETHING ELSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> WE CAN GO UP TO BUT NOT MORE THAN THIS RECOMMENDATION.
BUT WAS A GOOD IN DEPTH THAT YOU ALL DID THAT, AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.
>> WE FEEL IT'S DEFENSIBLE TO ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WOULD SAY ANYTHING, AND I THINK TESTIMONY TO WHAT JEN GAVE US THE INFORMATION AND THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE MADE THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE JOB THAT YOU ALL DO.
IT WAS REAL EASY. THAT PART TOOK THE LEAST AMOUNT OF TIME IN OUR CONSIDERATION BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THE TIME COMMITMENT THAT YOU PUT INTO IT AND TIME AWAY FROM FAMILY AND JOBS.
>> [OVERLAPPING] YOU USE THE BULLOCKS TEST.
IF YOU GO INTO BULLOCKS AND SOMEBODY SAYS, WHY DID YOU COME UP WITH THIS NUMBER? YOU SAY, HERE'S WHY.
[00:40:02]
[OVERLAPPING] JUST SOUND LIKE A GOOD NUMBER, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I THINK, WE WERE LOOKING FOR IS A WAY TO SAY, WHY DID YOU DO THIS? WELL, HERE'S WHY. HERE'S WHAT WE CAME UP WITH.>> WE WOULD HUMBLY SUGGEST, I THINK ALL OF US THAT YOU NOT CONSIDER REDUCING IT.
WE FEEL THAT WHAT WE CAME UP WITH WAS AN EXTREMELY FAIR NUMBER ON BOTH SIDES COMMISSIONER AND COMMUNITY.
>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE A LEGISLATIVE SESSION, FIRST READING, AND INTRODUCTION TO LEGISLATIVE BILL 2025-014,
[Legislative Session: First Reading and Introduction]
WHICH IS ENACTMENT OF A NEW ARTICLE.WHICH ROOM AND NUMERAL WAS THAT? I'M SORRY.
>> FOURTEEN OF CHAPTER 166 TAXATION, CREATION OF A TAX CREDIT.
I WASN'T EVEN GOING TO TRY THAT, FOR ACTIVE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS.
MR. BARREL. I ACTUALLY NEED A MOTION TO GO IN A LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THE AYES HAVE IT.
>> A SUMMARY OF THIS PROPOSED BILL IT'S AN ACT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING A TAX CREDIT AGAINST THE CAROLINE COUNTY PROPERTY TAX FOR DWELLINGS OWNED AND OCCUPIED BY ACTIVE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS IN CAROLINE COUNTY, ESTABLISHING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH TAX CREDITS, AND GENERALLY DEALING WITH THE AMOUNT, TERMS, AND CONDITIONS OF THE TAX CREDIT.
BY ENACTMENT OF A NEW ARTICLE 14 OF CHAPTER 166 TAXATION OF THE CODE OF PUBLIC LOCAL LAWS OF CAROLINE COUNTY.
I CAN GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF THE BACKGROUND FOR THIS, IF I MAY.
>> THERE ARE PROVISIONS IN THE STATE LAW WHICH ALLOW FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO DEFINE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER, WHICH IS A TERM OF ART IN THE STATUTE.
THIS BOARD HAS ENTERTAINED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION OF A TAX CREDIT AGAINST THE PROPERTY TAX.
THIS IS A START. WHAT THIS DOES IS IT GOES THROUGH THE FACT THAT WE CURRENTLY DO SUPPORT THE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES THROUGH THE LENGTH OF SERVICE AWARD PROGRAM.
THAT FEDERAL LABOR STANDARDS ACT ALLOWS US TO PROVIDE STIPENDS FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS TO OFFSET THEIR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES, THAT THE PEOPLE THAT RESPOND THE MOST TO THE CALLS FOR SERVICE ARE USING UP THEIR TIME, BUT THEIR GASOLINE, THE WEAR AND TEAR ON THEIR VEHICLES, POTENTIALLY OTHER ARTICLES OF PROPERTY SO THAT THERE IS AMPLE PRECEDENT FOR THIS BILL AROUND THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
WE WOULD NOT BE THE PIONEER IN ESTABLISHING THIS.
THIS ORDINANCE AS DRAFTED, DOES NOT SPECIFY AN AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR THE TAX CREDIT.
THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE DECIDED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ANNUALLY BY RESOLUTION, WHICH BY DEFAULT COULD BE CONSIDERED THE BUDGET RESOLUTION EACH YEAR SO THAT THE COMMISSIONERS WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW THE OVERALL COUNTY BUDGET AT THE SAME TIME THAT THEY ARE DECIDING HOW MUCH OF A CREDIT TO GIVE.
THERE ARE VARIOUS WAYS THAT THIS CAN BE DONE.
FOR EXAMPLE, DORCHESTER COUNTY, IN THEIR ORDINANCE, IT'S A FLAT $500 PER YEAR FOR THE PROPERTY TAX CREDIT.
TODAY, WE'RE INTRODUCING THIS WITH A FIRST READING.
THE PROPOSED SCHEDULE WOULD BE TO ADVERTISE A NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING IN THIS SATURDAY'S STAR DEMOCRAT.
THE SECOND READING IN THE PUBLIC HEARING WOULD BE ON THE 25TH OF THIS MONTH, FOLLOWED BY ON DECEMBER 9, A THIRD READING WITH THE POTENTIAL TO AMEND OR ENACT IT.
IT'S EFFECTIVE DATE UNDER THIS PRESIDENT SCHEDULE WOULD BE JANUARY THE 24TH.
[00:45:04]
I THINK WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT LEGISLATION LIKE THIS, YOU ALWAYS LOOK AT WHAT YOU THINK THE DOWNFALLS ARE GOING TO BE AND WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE GOING TO BE.
I THINK ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT HAS BEEN ANTICIPATED IS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE OTHER GROUPS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE GOING TO COME IN AND ASK FOR PROPERTY TAX BREAKS, AND I THINK THAT LEGISLATION OR THE LAW THAT MR. BARREL JUST READ DELINEATES WHO THIS CREDIT CAN GO TO.
BUT I THINK IN ADDITION TO THAT, I WOULD SAY THAT IF WE HAVE ANOTHER GROUP WHO WANTS TO COME IN AND TELL US THAT THEY GO OUT AND PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE TO SAVE PROPERTY AND LIVES, I'M CERTAINLY HAPPY TO LISTEN TO THAT.
BUT I THINK THE SUPPORT OF THE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES OVER THE YEARS, I THINK, I'M COMFORTABLE IN SAYING THAT EVEN DURING THE LEAN YEARS WHEN WE WERE FLAT BUDGETING, WE DID FUND THE FIRE COMPANIES FOR WHAT THEY ASKED FOR.
THEY'VE EXPRESSED THAT APPRECIATION.
WE HAVE MADE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE LSAT PROGRAM.
I WILL SAY THAT THE AMOUNT OF THE CREDIT, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT IN THE COMING DAYS, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THAT AMOUNT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT A PROVISION, AND THIS WILL CERTAINLY BE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FINANCE DIRECTOR BECAUSE HE'S THE ONE THAT HAS TO COME UP WITH ALL THESE NUMBERS ABOUT WHAT CAPPING OR KNOWING WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO BE.
WHAT I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE IS EVERY YEAR A GROUP OF PEOPLE COMING IN AND SAYING, WELL, WHY CAN'T IT BE MORE? WHY CAN'T IT BE THIS? WHY CAN IT BE THAT? BECAUSE I THINK FROM A BUDGETARY STANDPOINT, WE GOT TOUGH TIMES COMING, GUYS.
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, WE GOT SOME SERIOUS TIMES COMING HERE.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS READ THE FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
SOME OF YOU WERE HERE WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT A SCHOOL AND A JAIL TO BUILD.
I WILL DO THIS, BUT I WANT TO CAUTION PEOPLE THAT IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE ON AN AFFORDABLE BASIS AND EVERYBODY SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT GOING IN.
IT'S NOT GOING TO BE IF THE NUMBER ISN'T AS HIGH AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO BE.
IT ISN'T BECAUSE WE DON'T APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO, AND IT ISN'T BECAUSE WE DON'T RESPECT THE JOBS YOU DO.
IT'S GOING TO BE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO WORK WITHIN BUDGETARY LIMITS.
BUT I'M CERTAINLY WILLING, AND I'M PROBABLY THE GUY THAT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS.
BUT I'M HAPPY TO DO THAT BECAUSE AS A FORMER FIREMAN, I DO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS INVOLVED.
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S NOT JUST THE GETTING ON A FIRE TRUCK, IT'S NOT JUST PULLING HOSE AND RESPONDING TO ACCIDENTS, IT'S WORKING TO RAISE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, AND GIVING YOUR TIME ON A SATURDAY AND GIVING YOUR TIME TO COOK CHICKEN, AND GIVING YOUR TIME TO HAVE GUN BASHES.
THAT'S TIME ALSO THAT IS GIVEN ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.
I WOULD PROBABLY SAY THAT IN SOME COMPANIES, THE AMOUNT OF TIME ACTUALLY ON FIRE SCENE OR ACCIDENT SCENE IS PROBABLY EQUAL TO THE FUND RAISING TIME.
THERE'S A LOT OF TIME THAT IS SPENT RAISING MONEY.
WE PUT THAT RESPONSIBILITY ON THE PEOPLE WHO GO OUT AND DEDICATE THEMSELVES.
I'M SURE YOU HAVE SOME NON FIRE COMPANY MEMBERS WHO WORK FOR FUND RAISERS.
PREDOMINANTLY, IT'S THE FIRE COMPANY MEMBERS.
ALL OF THAT COMES INTO MY THINKING HERE.
THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP BEFORE.
I DID MAKE A COMMITMENT TO SOME PEOPLE THAT I WOULD TRY TO SEE THIS THROUGH BEFORE THE END OF THIS TERM, AND I'M GIVING IT MY BEST SHOT.
AGAIN, BUDGETARY LIMITATIONS, PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT THAT'S MY POSITION ON THIS, SO I WILL BE IN FAVOR OF THIS. THANK YOU.
>> I ALSO DID MAKE A COMMITMENT TO TRY TO DO THE BEST SO WE CAN DO A PROPERTY TAX CREDIT.
THERE'S BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY.
YOU HAVE CONSTITUENTS THAT SAY, NO, YOU'RE GIVING AWAY FREE MONEY.
THEN YOU HAVE ALSO THE VOLUNTEERS THAT SAY WE'RE NOT GETTING ANYTHING OUT OF THIS, EXCEPT LOSAP, BACK THEN WHEN WE DO DECIDE TO COLLECT THAT.
[00:50:03]
WE HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT TO LOSAP.WHEN THIS BOARD COME IN, WE DID COMMIT TO LOSAP SUBSTANTIALLY, AND IT'S STILL REAPING THE REWARDS THAT HADN'T REACHED ITS MATURITY LEVEL YET.
>> THAT WE TOOK AND PUT INTO FUND TO MAKE SURE THAT LOSAP WAS FUNDED?
>> THAT WAS THREE OR FOUR MONTHS INTO OFFICE?
>> WE COMMITTED TO THAT. IN STEPS BEING COMMITTED TO THE VOLUNTEERS.
I TOO WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CAP WITH THE RESTRAINTS WE DO HAVE TO SEE THAT LIMITED.
WHAT THAT NUMBER IS THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH.
ONE QUESTION I DO HAVE IS I KNOW THEY HAVE CERTAIN PROTOCOLS THEY HAVE TO MEET, BUT WILL THIS BE DONE BY LOSAP.
TO KELLY, WOULD SHE HANDLE THIS, DANNY? CAN YOU ANSWER THAT QUESTION? HOW WOULD THIS BE ADMINISTERED? I WAS UNDER UNDERSTANDING IT WOULD PROBABLY GO TO LOSAP AND HAVE TO MEET THE SAME HOURS.
THEY HAD TO MEET THEIR LOSAP ELIGIBILITY TO GET THIS TAX CREDIT?
>> AS FAR AS ELIGIBILITY AND WHAT'S CONSIDERED ACTIVE VERSE INACTIVE MEMBERS, I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT.
I CAN SPEAK TO THE PROCESS THAT EACH COMPANY WOULD BE SUBJECT TO.
IN THE BILL, THE COMPANY'S REQUIRED, AND AGAIN, MY UNDERSTANDING, THE SAME AS LOSAP, WHATEVER THAT WOULD BE, TO TURN IN AN ACTIVE ROSTER OF MEMBERS.
IF DENTON FIRE COMPANY HAD 20 MEMBERS, HERE'S THE LIST.
THAT'S PROVIDED TO KELLY, THE FIRE, AND EMS ASSOCIATION, AND THEN THE MEMBERS IN DENTON FIRE COMPANY AGAIN.
ANY FIRE COMPANY WILL APPLY AND GO ACCORDING TO THIS BILL, I NEED THREE ACTIVE YEARS.
THIS IS MY PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE, HERE'S MY APPLICATION TO YOU, FIRE AND EMS ASSOCIATION.
LOOK AT MY RECORDS, I SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT CREDIT IF ESTABLISHED.
THEY WILL THEN GO THROUGH THAT INFORMATION THAT'S SUBMITTED AND CHECK THAT THE MEMBER HAS BEEN ACTIVE FOR THE THREE YEARS THROUGH THAT SUBMITTED DATA, LIKE THEY GET WITH LOSAP.
>> YOU MEAN ACTIVE. YOU MEAN THE SERVICE HOURS?
>> MAY I SPEAK? BASICALLY, WHAT HAPPENS IS LOSAP PROGRAM IS ALSO RUN THROUGH THE [INAUDIBLE] TAX PROGRAM.
IN JANUARY, KELLY GETS A REPORT FROM ALL [INAUDIBLE] JANUARY 30? EVERY MEMBER HAS TO ACCUMULATE 50 POINTS IN SIX CATEGORIES.
KELLY WOULD GENERATE A LIST USUALLY IN FEBRUARY TO SEND TO THE STATE FOR THE STATE INCOME TAX PROGRAM.
AT THE SAME TIME, SHE CAN GENERATE A LIST TO SEND FINANCE TO THE TAX OFFICE TO LET THEM KNOW WHO ARE ACTIVE MEMBERS IN THE DEPARTMENT IN THE CAPITAL.
>> THE WAY THE BILL IS, IDENTIFIED, KELLY IS NOT THE ONE DOING THAT.
THE FIRE AND EMS ASSOCIATION IS IDENTIFIED AS THE RECIPIENT AND THE ONE WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING THAT LIST OF FINANCE, JUST TO CLARIFY.
>> THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT WHO IS CERTIFIED TO RECEIVE THE TAX CREDIT WOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THAT INFORMATION WOULD COME FROM THE FIRE COMPANIES.
BUT I ASSUME IT WOULD COME FROM YOUR LOSAP COORDINATOR WHO WOULD BE GATHERING THAT INFORMATION AND PROVIDING THAT TO KELLY.
>> I DON'T MEAN TO CONTRADICT OR BE AN ADVERSARIAL ABOUT THIS.
APPLICATION AND ANNUAL VERIFICATION.
EACH VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY SHALL CERTIFY UNDER OATH ACTIVE STATUS OF FIREFIGHTERS SEEKING TAX CREDIT, SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION TO THE CAROLINE COUNTY FIRE AND EMS ASSOCIATION, NO LATER THAN THE 15TH THEN IT GOES DOWN TO LIST TO BE SUBMITTED TO CAROLINE COUNTY EMS ASSOCIATION, SHALL ANNUALLY SUBMIT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE FOR INTERNAL VERIFICATION, A LIST OF INDIVIDUALS AND PROPERTIES ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE TAX CREDIT.
>> IT WOULD COME TO DSN FINANCE FOR VERIFICATION, BUT THAT FINAL LIST OF 109 MEMBERS, THE PROPERTY ID NUMBERS, AND VERIFYING THAT IT'S A PRINCIPAL RESIDENT THAT THEY HAVE THE THREE YEARS IN THE BILL IS IDENTIFIED AS FIRING ME A EMS ASSOCIATION.
I KNOW KELLY HAS A LOT OF WORK, BUT SHE'S DOING THIS ANYWAY IN THE SAME SENSE.
>> I THINK THAT WAS PART OF THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE [OVERLAPPING].
>> I THINK SHE'S COMFORTABLE DOING IT.
>> CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT MARK.
[00:55:02]
>> BEFORE WE HAVE ANY MORE HEARINGS, I JUST WANT TO, GET SOME THINGS OUT ON THE TABLE HERE. THAT'S ALL.
>> I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR KELLY.
I KNOW SHE CAME IN AND TALK AND SPOKE TO YOU BEFORE ABOUT LOSAP AND STUFF.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT ADDITIONAL WORKLOAD DISK WOULD PUT ON HER.
I DO KNOW THAT SHE DOES ALL THE LOSAP STUFF NOW.
IT WOULD SEEM REASONABLE TO ME THAT THAT'S WHAT YOU WOULD USE TO VERIFY THAT THE PERSON [OVERLAPPING].
NOW, HOW WE COORDINATE THAT TOGETHER WITH THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.
>> I'D BE WILLING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION.
>> I THINK THE BIG QUESTION FOR ME IS, AS A MEMBER, IF I FILL OUT THIS PAGE TO SAY I WANT THE TAX CREDIT, WHO DO I GIVE IT TO? DO I GIVE IT TO DES OR DO I GIVE IT TO THE FIRE MEAT EMS ASSOCIATION? I THINK THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION OF WHO'S GOING TO TAKE THOSE? GO THROUGH THE HOWEVER MANY THEY GET AND VERIFY IT OFF THAT LIST.
AGAIN, HOWEVER IT FALLS IS WHATEVER CAN BE WORKED OUT, BUT THE CURRENT LANGUAGE IN THE BILL DOES HAVE TO GO INTO THE FIRE.
>> BUT ONLY FINANCE CAN DETERMINE IF THAT'S THE PRIMARY RESIDENCE AND THEY ARE A PROPERTY OWNER BECAUSE YOU GOT TO BE A PROPERTY OWNER, CORRECT?
>> THAT IS DICTATED BY THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
OUR VERIFICATION AT FINANCE WOULD BE GOING ON THE STATE SYSTEM AND LOOKING TO VERIFY THAT INFORMATION TO THE POINT IS PUBLIC RECORD AND SOMETHING THAT I IMAGINE KELLY OR THE ASSOCIATION WOULD BE DOING.
I THINK AGAIN, THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION IS THE WORKLOAD OF RECEIVING PROBABLY 150 APPLICATIONS AND LOOKING UP 150 PROPERTIES.
>> STILL THERE'S 243 MEMBERS THAT MEET A YEAR OF SERVICE RIGHT NOW BUT ONLY 150 OF THOSE ARE PROPERTY OWNERS ESTIMATED.
>> I THINK THERE WAS 253 THAT WERE ELIGIBLE UNDER THE LAST LOSAP DATA.
THE INFORMATION THAT WAS SORTED THROUGH BY KELLY AND I BELIEVE THE ASSOCIATION WAS THERE WAS 109 PROPERTIES THAT ACTUALLY QUALIFIED.
AGAIN, YOU'D PROBABLY HAVE 109 PLUS APPLY.
>> THAT'S WHAT THE PROJECTED NUMBERS ARE BASED OFF THAT WE'VE HAD.
>> IT WAS WHAT, LIKE $250 LIKE 54,000 FOR $500 CREDIT?
>> REVENUE OF THE COUNTY WOULD BE FOREGOING.
>> FOR THE 250 [INAUDIBLE], YES.
>> THIS IS HOUSEHOLD, NOT PER NUMBER.
>> CORRECT. HUSBAND AND WIFE, BOTH ACTIVE MEMBERS, THEY'RE ONLY GOING TO GET AT ONE TIME FOR THE RESIDENT.
>> MY ONE CONCERN HERE IS THAT WE MAKE THIS AS ACCURATE AND AS EASY AS WE CAN FOR OUR FINANCE PEOPLE.
I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE LOSAP INFORMATION GATHERING PERIOD.
I THINK WE HAVE GOOD LOSAP PEOPLE IN EACH FIRE COMPANY WHO ARE VERY RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT THIS INFORMATION.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN THIS COMES TO OUR FINANCE PEOPLE THAT CONSISTS OF FOUR PEOPLE OR FIVE, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GO BACK AND HAVE TO DO A WHOLE BUNCH OF WORK TO DO THIS.
THIS CERTIFICATION HAS TO BE DONE AND HAS TO BE IN PLACE BEFORE IT GETS THERE.
HOW WE GET THERE WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT.
>> I TOTALLY AGREE AND HOWEVER THAT PROCESS IS, WHETHER IT'S, AGAIN, THE ASSOCIATION DOING THE REVIEW OR KELLY, THAT JUST HAS TO BE CLEANED UP IN THE LANGUAGE FOR THE PROCESS THAT IS ENVISIONED HERE.
>> JUST A QUICK THING ON QUEENS COUNTY SIDE, HOW YOU DO IT.
THE PROPERTY TAX FORM IS A SEPARATE TAX FORM THAT THE LOSAP COORDINATOR FOR EACH COMPANY, THEY'LL GET THEM.
THEY USUALLY FILL OUT THE INFORMATION, THE TAX PROPERTY ID, NUMBER AND ALL THAT STUFF ON THERE.
THE PRESIDENT SIGNS OFF, SO IT MAKES THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY RESPONSIBLE STATING THAT THAT PERSON OWNS THAT PROPERTY AND THAT'S A PRIMARY RESIDENCE.
THEN IT GOES BACK TO THE LOSAP COORDINATOR OF THE COUNTY.
THEY VERIFY THE 50 POINTS, AND THEN IT GOES ON TO FINANCE FOR THE TAX DEDUCTION ON THEIR REAL ESTATE TAX.
I DO HAVE A LITTLE ISSUE WITH THE ASSOCIATION, NOT THAT, THEY SHOULD BE INVOLVED, BUT BECAUSE IT'S APPOINTED OR ELECTED BOARD AND EACH YEAR IT CHANGES.
SOME POSITIONS GET FILLED SOME DON'T.
I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW I GUESS RELIANT IT WOULD BE EVERY YEAR TO HAVE BEEN REVIEWED THE TAX.
KELLY SHOULD BE THE ONE THAT DOES IT BECAUSE SHE ALREADY HAS THE INFORMATION IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM.
>> I SOMEWHAT I HAVE TO DISCUSS WITH HER.
>> I'LL END WITH THIS, COMMISSIONER BREEDING.
[01:00:04]
VOLUNTEERS THEMSELVES, I DON'T THINK THIS IS GOING TO WORK.I'M JUST GOING TO SAY 28,000 IS A SMALL INVESTMENT TO SEE IF IT WILL WORK.
I'M COMMITTED TO SEE IF IT'S GOING TO HELP WITH RETENTION.
I WAS TOLD YESTERDAY IT'S NOT SO MUCH RETENTION, BUT IT'S A RECRUITING ISSUE, I KNOW YOU'RE SHAKING YOUR HEAD, DOUG, BUT LET'S PUT IT LIKE THIS, FROM NORTH TO SOUTH, THIS IS NOT A ONE SIZE FIT ALL COUNTY.
WE SEE IT ON STATE MANDATES, AND WE SEE IT ON EVERYTHING.
WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS DENTON MIGHT NOT HAVE A RECRUITING ISSUE, BUT GOLDSBORO OR FELLASBURG, OR SOMEBODY ELSE MIGHT HAVE A RECRUITING ISSUES, THAT'S WHAT I MEAN BY THAT.
EVERY COMPANY HAS THEIR OWN ISSUE, AND THEY'RE NOT ALL THE SAME.
I'M JUST GOING TO LEAVE IT TO THAT.
THAT'S WHAT I MEAN BY THAT. I WANT TO GIVE IT A SHOT
>> THE OTHER THING [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE'RE GOING TO SET EITHER ONE OF THEM.
>> THE OTHER THING WOULD BE THAT IN THE PAST, I KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME PROBLEMS WITH REPORTING THAT HAS BEEN DONE BY VARIOUS FIRE COMPANIES.
DANNY AND I'VE HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH, WELL, I'M STILL WAITING ON THIS COMPANY.
THESE REPORTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED, OR WE'RE GOING TO DO AWAY WITH THIS.
I'LL TELL YOU THAT RIGHT UP FRONT, BECAUSE THERE ARE OBLIGATIONS THAT ARE MADE HERE FOR US FROM A BUDGETARY STANDPOINT.
THERE'S GOING TO BE ADDITIONAL WORK FOR KELLY.
APPARENTLY, THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE MET BY EACH BY EVERY FIRE COMPANY THE FIRST TIME THE ONE THING THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE MY MIND ON THIS IS IF I FIND OUT WE'RE DOING THIS AND REPORTS AND INFORMATION THAT WE NEED ARE STILL NOT BEING SUBMITTED.
I WANT TO MAKE THAT AS CLEAR AS I CAN.
>> JUST TO ADD TO THAT, THERE IS LANGUAGE IN THE BILL THAT COVERS, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S E3, THE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY.
ESSENTIALLY, IF THEY'RE DELINQUENT AND REQUIRED STATE OR COUNTY REPORTING, THEY WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THEIR ASSOCIATED TAX CREDIT.
>> DOUG DID YOU WANT [OVERLAPPING].
>> JUST AS MUCH AS YOU GUYS WANT ACCOUNTABILITY, WE DO ALSO.
WE UNDERSTAND, THAT IT'S TAKING MONEY THAT WE COULD BE USING.
I DIDN'T MEAN TO SAY IT IS A RECRUITMENT AND A RETENTION THINGS [BACKGROUND].
A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK AT RECRUITMENT, BUT FOR EVERY 50 MEMBERS WE TAKE IN, MAYBE THREE OF THEM STAY AND THE RECRUITING TAKES A LOT OF MONEY.
IT'S THE RETENTION THAT WE NEED.
RUNNING A DEPARTMENT, I'M 43 YEARS OLD.
I'M ONE OF THE YOUNGEST ACTIVE MEMBERS THAT WE HAVE.
WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS RETAIN THE YOUNGER MEMBERS THAT WE'RE TAKING IN TO SO WHEN THEY'RE 45, 50, I HAVE 23 YEARS IN THE COMPANY.
WE WANT THOSE MEMBERS TO GET THAT TIME.
WHAT I SEE MOVING FORWARD IS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE LOSAP PRETTY MUCH GO AWAY BECAUSE NOBODY'S STAYING THAT LONG.
THIS NUMBER HERE IS GONE HERE, AND WHAT WE WANT TO TRY TO DO IS GET IT TO GO HERE OR THE MONEY THAT THE COUNTY HAS TO PUT INTO THE FIRE SERVICE IS GOING TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO [OVERLAPPING].
>> I THINK THIS IS A TANGIBLE THING TOO BECAUSE YOUNG PEOPLE THINK THEY'RE GOING TO LIVE FOREVER.
BUT TO SAY TO SOMEONE WHO'S 25 YEARS OLD, YOU'LL GET LOSAP WHEN YOU'RE 60, THEY'RE LIKE, WELL, THAT'S GREAT, BUT I'M 25.
BUT I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING ALSO THAT YOU CAN POINT TO AND SAY, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS TANGIBLE NOW.
ENCOURAGES HOMEOWNERSHIP THE WHOLE THING, BUT I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT AS WELL.
>> BUT WE DO WANT THE ACCOUNTABILITY AS WELL.
WE WANT TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO YOU AS WELL.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO JUST MAKE THIS UP TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY IT IS GOING TO BE BASED OFF OF THE LOSAP.
WHILE IT IS ADDITIONAL WORK, I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A CRAZY AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL WORK JUST VERIFICATION.
>> TO YOUR POINT THE LOSAP, THE $1.5 MILLION INVESTMENT THAT WE MADE EARLY ON IS TWOFOLD.
I THINK THE ACTUARIAL THAT THE ACCOUNTANTS
[01:05:01]
RAN ON THE FUND ASSUMED MORE INVOLVEMENT BASED OFF HISTORICAL DATA, AND TO YOUR POINT IT'S DROPPING BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN'T STAYING THAT LONG, AND THE STOCK MARKET'S DONE REALLY WELL.THE FUND HAS GROWN PROBABLY ALMOST TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULD PROBABLY CONSIDER TO START PULLING OUT OF IT AS OPPOSED TO DOING IT THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND, AS RIGHT NOW, LOSAP IS FUNDED OUT OF JUST GENERAL TAX REVENUE.
HOPEFULLY, WITH THAT INVESTMENT, WE PUT THE MONEY AWAY WHERE IT'LL NO LONGER HAVE TO COME OUT OF EACH YEARLY BUDGET.
>> OUR PLAN AT THE TIME WAS TO MAKE IT EVENTUALLY SELF FUNDING.
>> THAT'S ONE COMMON THEME SINCE I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE IS, I DON'T WANT TO OBLIGATE FUTURE GUYS THAT ARE SITTING HERE TO A DECISION THAT I MADE.
I DON'T THINK THAT WAS FAIR FOR PREVIOUS BOARDS TO HAVE DONE THAT TO THE THREE OF US, AND I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT DOWN THE ROAD, BECAUSE THERE'S NO REASON TO RUN FOR ELECTION.
THERE'S NO REASON TO BE HERE IF THE PATH IF THE ROAD IS ALREADY BUILT, AND YOU'RE JUST FOLLOWING IT, THEN YOU'RE JUST GETTING HIT WITH ALL THE SLINGS AND ARROWS WITH NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER.
>> I REMEMBER THAT RECOMMENDATION WAS SOMETHING THAT DANNY CAME UP WITH TO MAKE THAT FUND.
>> IT WAS AN UNFUNDED LIABILITY.
IT'S PROBABLY A BIG PART TO WHY OUR BOND RATING GOT INCREASED.
>> THE IDEAL WAS THAT AS WE WERE LOOKING AT LOSAP, THE THING THAT MADE IT DIFFICULT ON THE ENCUMBRANCE SIDE WAS THAT THEY WERE LOOKING AT SOMEONE WHO WAS 30-YEARS-OLD, WHERE THE AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF A MALE WAS INCREASING.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE PAYING THAT MONEY OUT FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME, THEORETICALLY.
THAT'S WHEN WE LOOKED AT THIS, BUT THE STRUCTURAL LIABILITY OF THAT WAS A LOT OF MONEY.
WE WEREN'T PUTTING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT IN, BUT THE LIABILITY ON THE BOOKS WAS TO THE POINT WHERE WE WANTED TO HAVE IT TO BE SELF-FUNDED.
I THINK, WE'RE CLOSE WE'RE GETTING THERE.
>> YEAH, TO BOTH OF YOUR POINTS.
WE STARTED OFF WITH THE ACTUARIAL WHEN WE WERE REQUIRED TO START PUBLISHING THAT OF, LIKE, A $4.5 MILLION NUMBER OVER THE YEARS WITH EXPERIENCE INTO THE ACTUARIAL, AND WHAT THEY'RE SEEING AND WHAT DOUG, AND EVERYBODY HERE IS STATING IS THAT NUMBER IS COMING DOWN BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT PROJECTING THAT THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO STAY THE 25 YEARS, AND MAKE IT TO THE AGE OF 60.
I BELIEVE THE LAST REPORT WE HAD WAS 2.7 MILLION.
THE FUND HAS DONE EXTREMELY WELL.
WE'RE JUST A HAIR OVER $2 MILLION FUNDED.
THE COMMISSIONER BREEDING'S POINT, THERE SHOULD BE A TIME WHERE THAT SEGUES, ALMOST LIKE OUR PENSION AND OPED, WHERE THOSE TWO NUMBERS GET REALLY CLOSE, AND WE QUIT HAVING TO MAKE GENERAL FUND CONTRIBUTIONS INTO THAT, AND WE CAN START FUNDING THAT BENEFIT JUST FROM APPRECIATION OF INTEREST IN THE MARKET.
[OVERLAPPING] I DO SEE THAT PROBABLY COMING DOWN AS THE YEARS GO ON.
>> I PUT MY FOOT IN MY MOUTH, WHICH I TRY NOT TO DO A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, AND I KNOW YOU SAW, BUT WHAT I WANT TO ELABORATE.
IT WAS A VERY INARTICULATE WAY, IF THAT'S EVEN A WORD, OF TRYING TO JUST EXPRESS STORIES THAT I HAD HEARD BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW.
I'M NOT THE KIND THAT'S GOING TO JUMP OUT OF BED AT ONE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING IN THE RAIN AND RUN OUT AND RESPOND TO AN ACCIDENT.
I GIVE YOU GUYS A LOT OF CREDIT FOR DOING THAT, REALLY? IT WAS JUST WHAT I WAS TRYING TO GET AT IS, NO MATTER WHAT WE DO, THE THREE OF US, TO TRY TO ENTICE PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER, IF THE ATMOSPHERE IS NOT A WELCOMING ONE.
YOU KNOW, WHAT I MEAN? WE'RE FIGHTING EACH OTHER IN THAT.
BELIEVE ME, SITTING UP HERE, I DWELLED ON THIS ALL WEEKEND.
I DWELL ON STUFF, NOT ANY DECISION THAT I HAVE TO MAKE HERE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SPENDING TAXPAYER DOLLARS OR FOREGOING REVENUE.
THEY CAN BOTH TELL YOU, I'M PRETTY TIGHT.
[LAUGHTER] I DON'T LIKE TO SPEND ANY MONEY, AND PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY ARE HURTING.
YOU GUYS HAVE ALL SEEN YOUR ASSESSMENTS GO UP, MY ASSESSMENTS HAVE GONE UP, ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY, WE'RE PROBABLY TAXING SOME ELDERLY PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOMES RIGHT OUT OF THEIR HOUSES WITH THE ASSESSMENTS GOING UP.
WHAT I SAID WAS NOT INTENDED TO DISPARAGE ANYBODY.
ESPECIALLY THE CAREER GUYS, BECAUSE THE CAREER GUYS EXPERTISE, AND TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IS INVALUABLE.
YOU CAN'T PUT A PRICE ON THAT IN THESE STATIONS.
[01:10:06]
THE GUYS WHO ARE STRICTLY VOLUNTEERING ARE GOING TO ALL THAT STUFF WITHOUT BEING COMPENSATED.THEY'RE NOT GETTING PAID, AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE TIME BECAUSE THEY'RE PROBABLY WORKING JOBS.
I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT EVERYBODY DOES.
IT WAS JUST AN ATTEMPT TO EXPRESS CONCERN THAT IF WE DO THIS, IS IT ACTUALLY ENOUGH? IS IT GOING TO ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING? I DON'T THINK IT'S ENOUGH. I REALLY DON'T.
$2,500 FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT YOU GUYS PUT INTO IT, IS NOT ENOUGH.
THERE SHOULD BE SOME LEVEL OF COMPENSATION.
BUT I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE MAKING THAT DECISION.
YOU COMPARE US TO QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY.
OUR BUDGET IS ABOUT 76 MILLION.
QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY HAS $130 MILLION IN THE BANK RIGHT NOW IN FUND BALANCE.
WE'VE GOT 40 MILLION, AND WE'VE GOT ABOUT 40 MILLION IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURES THAT WE'RE STARING DOWN THE BARREL OF.
WE JUST DON'T KNOW, I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO DO EVERYTHING THAT THEY CAN DO, BUT I'M TELLING YOU, IT'S APPLES AND ORANGES, AND THEIR TAX RATE IS $0.84.
WE'RE AT 98. THE STRUCTURE OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, AND THE WAY EACH COUNTY IS SO DIFFERENT I'S REALLY NOT FAIR.
THAT'S JUST WHAT I STRUGGLE WITH, BUT I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND, AND RECOGNIZE THE COMMITMENT.
I PERSONALLY WOULD RATHER NOT MAKE THIS DECISION.
BECAUSE IF I THINK WE'RE ON THE PATH TO 2,500.
I THINK, YOU GUYS WANT TO GET THERE.
HOW MUCH ARE WE TALKING ABOUT FOR GOING AT 2,500? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 350,000?
WHAT'S ONE PENNY ON THE PROPERTY TAX RIGHT NOW? TO OFFSET THAT?
>> ABOUT LOW 300 FOR THE ASSESSMENTS GOING UP.
>> ME PERSONALLY, I WOULD RATHER BE ON THE BALLOT, AND LET THE VOTERS VOTE TO DO IT AND DO THE FULL 2,500, AND JUST LET THEM MAKE THE DECISION, JUST GO AHEAD AND GET THERE.
BUT I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE SITTING IN THIS CHAIR SPENDING OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY, WHEN I KNOW THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE STRUGGLING.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A WAY THAT, THAT'S EVEN A POSSIBILITY TO SEND IT TO REFERENDUM AND JUST PUT IT ON THE BALLOT.
>> I'VE STARTED MY RESEARCH ON THAT.
THERE WAS NOTHING THAT I COULD FIND IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE THAT SAYS CODE COMMISSION COUNTIES HAVE THAT ABILITY.
I DID CHECK WITH THE WORCESTER COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND HIS EXPERIENCE WITH IT WAS HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING EITHER.
HE CHECKED WITH HIS BOARD OF ELECTIONS, AND THEY SAID, NON-COMMITTEDLY, SURE, YOU CAN PUT IT ON THERE.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW LEGAL IT IS, AND YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR IT.
>> THEY DIDN'T DO IT. I DON'T KNOW.
BUT THEY DIDN'T DO IT. I'M STILL LOOKING AT IT.
>> LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY.
>> LOGICALLY. IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT COULD BE DONE.
CHARTER COUNTIES DO IT ALL THE TIME, PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
BUT SEE, WE DON'T HAVE EXACTLY THAT SITUATION HERE.
>> I WOULD SUPPORT IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SENTIMENT OF THE COUNTY IS, IF THEY'RE WILLING TO PAY $0.99 AS OPPOSED TO 98, BECAUSE THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, ESPECIALLY THE WORST, BECAUSE THE NUMBER IS ONLY GOING TO GO UP.
AGAIN, I PERSONALLY DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE OBLIGATING FUTURE BOARDS, BUT IF WE PUT IT TO THE VOTERS, AND LET THE VOTERS DECIDE, I WOULD HAPPILY FUND IT, MAKE THE CUTS OR WHATEVER NECESSARY TO DO IT THAT WAY.
BUT THAT'S JUST WHAT MY THOUGHT IS ON IT.
>> YOU'VE NEVER SENT ANYTHING TO REFERENDUM.
>> YOU'RE SEEING THE SAME FISCAL PICTURE.
I THINK WE GOT STORM CLOUDS COMING.
THERE'S ANOTHER $1.5 MILLION DEFICIT PROJECTED IN THE STATE.
WE GOT HALF THE TEACHER PENSION LAST YEAR.
[01:15:01]
I KNOW THE OTHER HALF IS COMING WITHOUT A DOUBT.HOW MUCH IS THAT COMING OUR WAY? 400 GRAND?
>> I DO SEE THE STORM CLOUDS COMING, AND THAT'S WHY.
>> THEN THE LAST THING THEY WANT TO DO IS RAISE TAXES IN AN ELECTION YEAR, SO WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO IS THEY'RE GOING TO CALL IT COST CUTTING, AND THEY'RE GOING TO SHIFT IT TO US JUST LIKE THEY DID THE LAST TIME.
>> TRAVIS I DO. THAT'S WHY I MADE THE COMMENTS THAT I DID ABOUT DOING THIS WITHIN OUR BUDGETARY RESTRAINTS.
MY NUMBER THAT I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT ON THIS TO START IS $250.
BUT IS IT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD.[OVERLAPPING] IT'S NOT.
I THINK IF YOU PUT A NUMBER ON WHAT IT'S WORTH, I DON'T THINK WE COULD GET THERE.
THAT'S WHY I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE COLLABORATE, AND WORK WITH THE VOLUNTEERS.
BUT I THINK IT'S A START, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN SAY THAT THAT WE'VE LOOKED AT, AND I THINK, IT'S ONLY A START.
BUT AGAIN, I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION TO ANYBODY THAT WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THIS, AND NEXT YEAR, WE'LL GO TO 2,500. I WON'T DO THAT.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THAT.
WE'RE IN A POSITION WHERE WE CAN EITHER START WITH SOMETHING, AND MOVE FORWARD WITH IT FROM A BUDGETARY STANDPOINT OR DO NOTHING.
THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IS TO GET THIS PROCESS STARTED.
THERE HAS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY.
THERE'S GOT TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY.
I THINK WE'VE GOT ACCOUNTABILITY, AND I'M COMFORTABLE, AND CONFIDENT IN THE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT WE HAVE WITH OUR LOSAP PROGRAM.
I THINK THE COMPANIES HAVE REALLY COME MILES FROM WHERE THEY WERE.
WHEN I JOINED THE COMPANY IN 1981, AND LOSAP WAS INSTITUTED IN 1986.
WE'VE COME MILES WITH KEEPING TRACK OF INFORMATION FROM WHERE IT USED TO BE.
I'M WILLING TO GIVE IT A START.
THE NUMBER IS A BUDGETARY STANDPOINT, AND I NEED THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM, REPRESENTING THE FIRE COMPANIES ARE THE INTERESTED PEOPLE.
I KNOW PEOPLE WOULD BE HERE IF THEY COULD.
BUT I DO NOT WANT THIS TO BE THE BEGINNING OF A TO CREATE A MORE ADVERSARIAL ATMOSPHERE.
I DON'T THINK WE'VE GOT ONE NOW.
I DON'T. I DON'T THINK WE'VE GOT AN ADVERSARIAL ATMOSPHERE BETWEEN THE COMMISSIONERS, AND THE FIRE COMPANIES. I DON'T THINK WE DO.
I DON'T WANT TO CREATE ONE BY INTRODUCING THIS LEGISLATION AND HAVING IT BE, YOU GAVE US THAT, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH NEXT YEAR, WE WANT THIS.
>> THAT'S WHY I WOULD GO THE FULL AMOUNT.
IF STEWART'S LOOKING INTO THE REFERENDUM ALL THE YEAR.[OVERLAPPING] THAT WAY, IT AND I THINK THERE'S A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE.
I WOULD HOPE THAT THEY WOULD GET THAT THE VOTERS WOULD APPROVE IT.
BUT ULTIMATELY, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER PENNY ON THE PROPERTY TAXES HERE IS WHERE WE'RE HEADED RIGHT NOW.
THAT'S GOING TO PUT US AT $0.99.
THAT'S JUST WITHOUT ANY FURTHER STATE SHIFTS.
DORCHESTER HAD TO GO UP $0.03 LAST YEAR TO $1.03.
>> THE REFERENDUM IS AN INTERESTING IDEA, BUT I THINK WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO IS HOW MANY PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY EVEN REALIZE THAT THEY WERE VOLUNTEERS.
I'VE HEARD PEOPLE COME TO ME A LOT AND SAY, WOULD THEY GET PAID? I'M LIKE, NO, THEY DON'T. NO, THEY DON'T GET PAID.
I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT BUDGETARY DECISIONS AND TAX CREDIT DECISIONS ARE REALLY WHAT WE ARE ELECTED TO DO.
I THINK THAT THEY ARE DECISIONS THAT WE SHOULD MAKE.
IF WE CAN GO TO A REFERENDUM, I'LL THINK ABOUT THAT, BUT I THINK THESE ARE DECISIONS THAT THE THREE OF US ARE ELECTED TO MAKE.
I'M FINE WITH FOLLOWING THIS PATH.
MY RECOMMENDATION FROM A NUMBER STANDPOINT WOULD BE THE 250.
I'M FINE WITH COMING UP WITH SOME INCREMENTAL INCREASE, AND CAPPING IT AT A CERTAIN AMOUNT.
THAT'S WHAT I WOULD BE LOOKING TO DO.
IF WE FEEL WE CAN GO BEYOND THAT 250 FROM A BUDGETARY STANDPOINT, CERTAINLY HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT THAT.
SURE, THEY'RE HAPPY IF WE TALK ABOUT THAT.
BUT I JUST WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS THING GET STARTED.
[01:20:01]
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT IN THE PAST.BUT I DO NOT WANT THIS TO INADVERTENTLY CREATE AN ADVERSARIAL POSITION. I DON'T.
>> DIRECTION TO MOVE FORWARD, NEED A MOTION.
DO YOU EITHER ONE WANT TO AMEND ANYTHING AT THIS POINT? DO YOU WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE INTRODUCTION AND AMEND? NEXT, STEWART RUN THROUGH THE SCENARIOS.
YOU'RE BETTER VERSED AT THIS THAN I?
>> AT THE VERY LEAST, IF WE COULD, CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME CHECKING WITH KELLY, AND SOME THOUGHTS COMING FROM DANNY.
COME UP WITH AN AMENDED VERSION POSSIBLY TO SUBMIT TO YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION NEXT TIME.
>> I WOULD MOVE WE INTRODUCE LEGISLATIVE BILL 2025-014.
>> OKAY. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, THE AYES HAVE IT.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT READING.
THAT WOULD BE THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE THE NEXT TIME IT'S READ, AND IT CAN BE AMENDED THEN OR ANY TIME THEREAFTER DEPENDING ON WHATEVER CHANGES.
>> THE SECOND READING WOULD BE NOVEMBER 25 AT NINE O'CLOCK AT OUR NEXT REGULAR SCHEDULE?
> COULD I JUST CLARIFY ONE POINT.
UNDER D, WE HAVE AMOUNT OF CREDIT WHERE ESSENTIALLY REFERS TO SETTING THE ANNUAL AMOUNT THROUGH RESOLUTION, WHICH I IMAGINE WE WOULD IN THIS MODEL DO THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS.
COMMISSIONER REPORTER, TO YOUR POINT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE SOME LANGUAGE STARTING THAT AT 2:50 AND THEN MAYBE MAKING A CAP AT SOME NUMBER.
AGAIN, IT CAN BE AMENDED TO THAT, BUT CLEANING THAT LANGUAGE.
>> I WOULD KEEP THIS AS IT IS. AS IT.
[OVERLAPPING] BUT I'M JUST TRYING TO GIVE SOME INDICATION HERE OF WHAT I'M THINKING ABOUT.
>> WE'RE GOING TO READ THE SAME BILL NEXT TIME WITH NO AMENDMENTS TO IT?
>> I'M FINE WITH DOING IT THAT WAY.
>> WHAT WE COULD DO IS IF DANNY AND I COME UP WITH SOME ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE IS PUT IT OUT, SEND IT TO JEAN AS WELL.
IT COULD BE PUBLISHED AS AN AMENDED BILL.
>> BECAUSE I THOUGHT WHAT I HEARD WAS THAT YOU WANT TO ADJUST IT FROM THE ASSOCIATION TO DS TO DO THE VERIFICATION.
>> I'M SORRY, I THOUGHT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE AMOUNT, BUT I THINK EITHER ORDER.
>> NO AN AMENDMENT. JUST TO DIRECT THEM WHAT TO AMEND BEFORE THE NEXT REASON WHO'S RESPONSIBLE.
>> NO. I WOULD AGREE TO THAT TO THAT.
>> THAT WAS THAT ONE IN THE AMOUNT, WHETHER WE WANTED TO [OVERLAPPING]
>> SET IT IN OR LEAVE IT UP TO A BUDGET DISCUSSION CYCLE.
WE GOT TO FIGURE THAT OUT NEXT TIME.
>> YOU'RE STILL GOING TO LOOK INTO THE REFERENDUM IDEA.
>> BUT THANK YOU. THE INTENT WAS JUST TO GET THIS START.
WHATEVER AMOUNT WE CAN GET, WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING FORWARD WITH YOU GUYS ON THIS, AND WE UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT WE DON'T WANT TO BE CONTENTIOUS AT ALL, BUT IN THE FUTURE YEARS, HOPEFULLY THANKS GET BETTER.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT HOPEFULLY GROW, BUT WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE ALL IN THAT TYPE POSITION, TOO.
>> BE CAREFUL OUT THERE, DOUG.
>> MOTION TO CLOSE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION SO MOVED.
>> MOTION SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE AYES HAVE IT.
>> LET'S TAKE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS.
[01:29:23]
>> I'LL CALL THE MEETING BACK TO ORDER AND MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDAS.
ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, COMMENTS ABOUT ANY ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> I GUESS TJ FARMS IS GOOD WITH THE STATION.
>> I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WE HAD ONE DOWN THERE.
>> I WOULD IMAGINE. [LAUGHTER]
[01:30:02]
>> MARK'S HERE, IF YOU WANT TO ASK.
>> MARK, DID YOU TALK TO TJ FARMS ABOUT THE WEATHER STATION?
[Consent Agenda]
>> DOUG HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET BACK UP WITH HIM.
WHEN HE MET INITIALLY WITH HIM, HE WAS VERY OPEN TO PUTTING IT DOWN THERE.
THIS WEATHER STATION AS THEY PUT THE STATE [INAUDIBLE] THE WEATHER, THE WHOLE STATE OF MARYLAND, WE ACTUALLY HAD A WEATHER STATION AT OUR FELDBERG EMS STATION AND SO WE DECIDED SINCE WE HAVE A MESS IN THAT RIGHT THERE AT FELDBERG FIREHOUSE, IT WAS STUPID TO HAVE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE HAD TWO AREAS TO MONITOR WEATHER.
HE HAD TALKED TO, TRYING TO MOVE IT OUT IN THE COUNTY SO WE WOULD HAVE SOMEWHERE TO MONITOR WIND AND TEMPERATURES AND RAINFALL AND STUFF.
BUT HE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET BACK UP WITH IT SINCE THAT INITIAL MEETING, HE WAS VERY OPEN TO HAVING TO PUT ON THE BUILDING, ONLY THING WE HAVE TO MAKE FOR THEY HAVE THE INTERNET.
>> THIS IS JUST THE MOU TO PRESENT TO HIM TO SIGN?
>> I DIDN'T SEE A PLACE FOR HIM TO SIGN ON THAT MOU, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS STRANGE THAT I THOUGHT THE PROPERTY OWNER SHOULD PROBABLY HAVE A THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE IN AGREEMENT FOR THE COUNTY.
I THINK WE'VE ALREADY TALKED TO PUBLIC WORKS AND THE PEOPLE WERE GOING TO MOVE IT.
>> MOVING ON. CALL ME ON [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER]
>> IS IT MADE OF GOLD OR PLATINUM.
>> IT'S MADE OF BALLISTICS, AND BALLISTICS IS VERY EXPENSIVE.
>> THAT'S YOUR MAJOR CALLS OF THE PROJECT, IS BALLISTIC GLASS.
HE'S HE BEEN HERE TOOK PICTURES, HE DESIGNED THE SKETCH OFF OF THAT.
HE GAVE US PRICES FOR THE JAM AND WE'RE AFRAID THERE COULD BE SOME CHANGE ORDERS BECAUSE THE WEIGHT OF THE BALLISTIC DOOR IS MUCH MORE THAN THE EXISTING DOOR.
THERE COULD BE UNFORESEEN ISSUES WITH THE CURRENT JAM THAT IF HE GETS INTO IT, HE'S PULLING IT APART ANYWAY, AND GOING TO BE CLOSE TO THE COST OF JUST REPLACING WHAT'S THERE.
THE DOOR WILL FIT THAT JAM, AND THEN THAT JAM WILL HOLD THAT DOOR.
WE COULD END UP WITH SOME LONG TERM EFFECTS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE DOOR ON THE CURRENT JAM.
JUST TRYING TO AVOID ALL OF THAT.
>> THIS IS ALL NEW FRAME ON A NEW DOOR GUARANTEED.
IF WE'RE NOT REPLACING THE JAM HE'S NOT GOING TO GUARANTEE THE DOOR WON'T STICK OR THE WEIGHT OF THE DOOR WILL START TO CAUSE ISSUES.
>> COVINGTON MACHINE AND WELDING ROBIN RUNNERS GO FOR THAT ONE.
>> THAT'S OLD DENTON ROAD BRIDGE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE RODE THROUGH THERE RECENTLY AND IT'S GOT BARRELS ON THE ONE SIDE.
THERE ARE SOME MINOR STRUCTURAL ISSUES THAT JUST NEED TO BE FIXED.
>> IS THIS BRIG COMING OUT OF OUR BRIDGE FUND.
>> THAT WAS FOUND DURING THE LAST INSPECTION.
>> THEY'RE GOING TO CLEAN UP SOME THINGS AND FILL SOME VOIDS THAT ARE IN THE PILLARS.
LIKE I SAID, THAT THE RECOMMENDATION IS PUT THE BARRELS UP TO KEEP.
>> THIS IS OUT OF STATE STRUCTURES MONEY.
IS IT A MATCH? IS THERE ANY STATE MATCH? NO.
THIS IS OUT OF OUR CAPITAL RECOVER BRIDGE POCKET OF MONEY WE HAVE THAT'S EARMARKED SPECIFICALLY FOR BRIDGES.
THE QUICK CONVERSATION I HAD WITH BRIAN THE OTHER DAY, TO WHAT ROBIN WAS ALLUDING TO, THE 83,000 IS A NOT TO EXCEED.
THERE PROBABLY WILL BE SOME MOT THAT'S PULLED OUT OF THAT, THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'LL DO, THAT WILL DRIVE THAT NUMBER DOWN.
THE BRIDGE IS ON FOR APPLICATION TO THE POT OF MONEY THAT YOU ARE DISCUSSING FOR DESIGN AND REPLACEMENT, THAT WOULD BE 100%, BUT THE 83 THAT YOU SEE ON HERE WOULD BE OUT OF OUR CAPITAL RESERVE.
>> I THOUGHT THERE WERE STATE STRUCTURED DOLLARS AVAILABLE THAT WE WERE SITTING ON.
WE'VE HAD MONEY THAT WE'VE SAT ON FOR BRIDGES FOR A WHILE WAITING FOR [INAUDIBLE] SMITH THROUGH.
>> I KNOW THE BRIDGE INSPECTIONS ARE PAID FOR BY THE STATE.
[01:35:05]
THEY HAVE SOMEBODY COME IN AND COME IN AND DO THE INSPECTIONS ON THEM.BUT WITH THIS 100% FUNDING THAT'S AVAILABLE NOW, I THINK I'VE HAD THE CONVERSATION WITH DANNY AND BRIAN TO PUT A LITTLE PRESSURE ON THE BRIDGE INSPECTORS TO LET US KNOW.
WE CAN GET 100% FUNDING TO REPLACE THEM.
THERE'S NO NEED IN SPENDING 83 GRAND OF COUNTY MONEY TO BANDAID THEM ALONG.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? LET'S MAKE THAT A PRIORITY AND TRY TO GET THAT 100% FUNDING.
>> ROBIN, I THINK THERE'S FIVE BRIDGES OUTSIDE OF SMITHVILLE, A LOT OF WE ARE IN Q4, I BELIEVE ONE OF THEM WAS SIMILAR SITUATION LIKE THIS THAT BRIAN WENT BACK THAT WERE REALLY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER.
[OVERLAPPING] THE ROAD DOWN TO DO ONE. THAT ONE FAIL.
>> WE CAN FIX ONE BRIDGE TO GET YOU ONLY ANOTHER 100 YARDS.
YOU CROSS THAT BRIDGE A YEAR LATER DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
>> A LOT OF THAT STUFF HAS BEEN UPDATED IN THE PAST MONTH OR TWO AN APPLICATION AND TRY TO WORK THAT.
>> WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH GREG ROAD? WHERE DID WE EVER LEAVE THAT BRIDGE? BECAUSE IT'S IN PRETTY ROUGH SHAPE.
>> [INAUDIBLE] FOOT MAKE SHIFT RAIL.
>> THERE'S A MAKE SHIFT RAIL UP CURRENTLY.
WE WERE GOING TO LOOK INTO BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME OTHER CROSSINGS THAT ARE EVEN LARGER THAN THAT.
WE HAVE PIPES IN. THAT'S A DISCUSSION WE'VE HAD INTERNALLY OF PUTTING A PERMIT TO SEE IF WE CAN PUT PIPES IN THERE.
>> YOU'RE STILL WORKING ON THAT ONE IN?
>> THAT PROCESS TOOK LIKE, SIX MONTHS ON MORE FOR ROAD TOO FROM THE STATE.
>> THANK YOU. WITH THAT WE'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
WE HAVE THE CONTRACT FOR THE SALE OF DAY SPRINGS 1 AND 2.
[• Dayspring Contract for Sale Daysprings I & Daysprings II]
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ON THAT? NO. I'VE GOT IT IN DOCU SIGN.I CAN SIGN IT AS SOON AS I GET THE APPROVAL FROM YOU GUYS.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO DIRECT MYSELF TO SIGN THE CONTRACT FOR THE SALE OF DAY SPRINGS 1 AND 2.
>> MOTION TO SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE AYES HAVE IT.
[County Administrator’s Report]
I WANT TO DO IS INTRODUCE OUR NEW HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, SHANIS HOUSTON.YOU COULD COME UP IF YOU WANT. MAKE HER COME UP TO THE FRONT.
HAS IT BEEN TWO WEEKS? MAYBE TOMORROW?
>> TOMORROW, I THINK. THE FULL.
>> SHE HAS ALREADY MET, I THINK WITH ALL DIRECTORS, EXCEPT FOR TWO.
>> SHE'S MET TWO OF YOU, I THINK, AND I DON'T THINK YOU'VE MET COMMISSIONER BEATING YET.
>> NICE TO MEET. SORRY I HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO STOP IN.
>> BUT ANYWAY, WE REALLY APPRECIATE AND ARE WELCOMING YOU, I THINK, AS BEST WE CAN.
SHE SURVIVED A MEETING WITH ALL OF THE DIRECTORS, AND SHE HASN'T LEFT YET.
SHE'S MET WITH, LIKE I SAID, I THINK, ALMOST ALL THE DIRECTORS.
>> YES. I HAVE TWO LEFT TO MEET, AND I'M REALLY PLEASED TO BE HERE.
>> MADE HER SET THROUGH AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER].
COULD HAVE INTRODUCED HER IN THE BEGINNING.
I THOUGHT IT WAS A PRETTY RIVETING MEETING SO FAR.
I ACTUALLY ASKED THEM IN THE BACK I SAID, [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER].
>> I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR HER TO COME AT LEAST TO A MEETING THIS WEEK.
WE WERE ALL HERE AND OBSERVE OUR PROCESS BECAUSE I'M SURE WELL, I KNOW THAT SHE'LL HAVE AGENDA ITEMS ON IN THE FUTURE, SO IT'S A EDUCATIONAL PROCESS TO SEE HOW OUR MEETINGS GO.
THIS ONE'S A PRETTY SHORT ONE SO FAR.
>> GET TO FEELING WORK CHEAP AND WE DON'T LIKE TO SPEND MONEY.
>> NOT AT ALL. BUT THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> HELPING US OUT IN OUR HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.
>> YOU GOT ANYTHING ELSE, MADAM ADMINISTRATOR?
>> I DO. [LAUGHTER] I DON'T HAVE MY LAPTOP.
[01:40:04]
I WAS INFORMED BY JAMIE BEECHEY, OUR DIRECTOR OF RECREATION AND PARKS, THAT THE NOI APPLICATION HAS BEEN RELEASED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.THERE IS NOW A 20-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD THAT I THINK CLOSES ON DECEMBER 2ND, AND THEN THE NORTH COUNTY PROJECT WILL BE READY TO GO TO BID. THAT'S GOOD NEWS.
>> MIGHT SEE. DON'T MOVE FOR MY LIFETIME.
>> IT'S REALLY GREAT NEWS, SO WE'RE MOVING ON THAT.
I ALSO HAVE A EMAIL HERE THAT I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU ABOUT THE CLOCK TOWER WORK THAT'S BEEN GOING ON.
WHEN I PARKED THIS MORNING, I GOT THE LAST SPOT BACK THERE AND SAW THE CONES THROWN IN THE GRASS. THAT'S FUNNY.
BUT THE UPDATE WE HAVE AS OF NOVEMBER 14TH LAST FRIDAY IS THE GLASS CLOCK FACES SHOWED UP TO OUR SHOP YESTERDAY, THERE WERE COMPLICATIONS.
THE GLASS SUPPLIER DID NOT CUT THE CENTER HOLES AT THE CORRECT DIAMETER IN THE CLOCK BASES FOR THE GEAR SHAFT TO PROPERLY FIT THROUGH.
THEY'VE GOT TWO OF THE CLOCK FACES WORKING, BUT THE OTHER TWO ARE NOT USABLE.
THE GLASS SHOP IS GOING TO BE EXPEDITING TWO NEW CLOCK BASES TO TRY TO FIX THE ERROR.
THEY SAID WE SHOULD EXPECT DELIVERY THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING.
IN THE MEANTIME, WE'RE GETTING THE CLOCK BASE NUMBERS INSTALLED ON THE USABLE CLOCK BASES, AND WE'LL BEGIN INSTALLMENT OF THE TWO ON HAND ONCE THEY'RE COMPLETE.
I GUESS THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A HOLD UP BECAUSE OF THE GLASS THERE, BUT MAKING PROGRESS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING OUR LITTLE PARKING LOT BACK.
>> EVERYTHING'S SEALED UP, WATER-TIGHT, LOOKS GOOD.
>> I DON'T EVEN KNOW. [OVERLAPPING] WHEN I READ THAT EMAIL, IT JUST [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER]
>> INTERESTINGLY THAT THEY HAD TWO OF THEM.
>> THAT'S WHAT I SAID, TWO OF THEM.
>> I DID WANT TO MENTION THAT I MET WITH TWO RESIDENTS FROM THE HANNAH HENRY WAY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BEFORE WE WENT DOWN SOUTH FOR THE JAIL SEMINAR.
I THINK THE PREVIOUS MEETING MS. SANDER PITTS HAD BEEN IN HERE TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS AND EXPRESS SOME LINGERING CONCERNS ABOUT DAY SPRINGS.
I'VE MET WITH HER, AND THEY WERE VERY INTERESTED IN THE SALE AND WHO THE NEW BUYER WOULD BE, AND WHAT THE BUYER'S PLANS ARE.
OF COURSE, AT THAT POINT, I COULDN'T DISCLOSE WHO THE BUYER IS, BUT I THINK NOW THAT THE CONTRACT IS GOING TO BE SIGNED, IT'S BEEN PUBLISHED, I CAN DO THAT.
I'LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW UP WITH THEM, BUT I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT I DID HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO THEM AFTER SHE CAME TO THE MEETING.
THEN THE LAST THING I HAVE IS DANNY WANTED SOME TIME TO TALK ABOUT A BUDGET ITEM.
THEN WE ALSO NEED TO DISCUSS THE HOLIDAY BONUS.
>> WOULD IT MAKE SENSE ONCE THIS CONTRACT GETS SIGNED WITH DAY SPRING? WOULD IT MAKE SENSE TO JUST SEND A GENERAL LETTER TO THE SURROUNDING, TO MS. PITTS, AND LET THEM KNOW? WOULD THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> WE'RE OBLIGATED TO SEND A NOTICE TO ALL THE TENANTS, BUT I THINK WE COULD SEND SOMETHING TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION ALSO, JUST TO LET THEM KNOW WHERE YOU ARE.
>> THAT MAKE SENSE? BECAUSE THEY HAVE COME IN AND BEEN INTERESTED.
THEY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED. I THINK IT WOULD MAKE GO.
IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO JUST LET THEM KNOW ANYTHING WE CAN.
>> THAT WAS SOME OF HER QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW, ONCE WE SELL THE PROPERTY, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITH THE RESIDENTS, HOW LONG WOULD THEY HAVE TO MOVE OUT, OR ALL OF THOSE THINGS, AND WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN GENERALLY THERE. I THINK THAT MAKES SENSE.
>> THE SIGNING OF THE CONTRACT SETS OFF A FLURRY OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HAPPEN NOW, NOTIFICATION TO TENANTS, AND I GUESS SOME FORM OF NOTIFICATION PROBABLY TO EAST COAST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE NOW HAPPENING.
ALSO, DOES DACD HAVE THE CONTRACT?
>>THEY'RE GOING TO GET IT TODAY.
>> TODAY, AFTER A SIGN.. THAT HAPPENS.
APPROVAL LETTERS OR APPROVAL OF LETTERS THAT WE HAVE TO SEND OUT TO INTERESTED PARTIES AND TENANTS HAS TO GO THROUGH THEM, TOO.
>> THEN THEY SHOULD RELEASE THE LIST OF ENTITIES THAT WOULD BE IN RECEIPT OF SOME OF THE APPROVED LETTERS.
TO YOUR POINT, YES, IT DOES START THE BOWL WITH A LOT OF.
>> LET'S KEEP THIS AS PRIORITY ONE. LET'S GET THIS DONE.
>> THERE SHOULD BE A TRUMPET SOUND AFTER YOU SIGN THAT.
>> YES, DONE. [LAUGHTER] LET'S GET THIS DONE.
[01:45:01]
ALL ELSE WITHIN REASON.[LAUGHTER] WHAT'S BEHIND THIS? GOT HIM?
>> JUST TAKE A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF YOUR TIME THIS MORNING.
I HAVE STACY WITH ME, WHO YOU ALL KNOW IS OUR COUNTY GRANT COORDINATOR.
>> MORE THAN JUST GRANTS. [LAUGHTER]
>> IN FRONT OF US TODAY, WE HAVE THE FY 26 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENERGY MODERNIZATION NON-COMPETITIVE FORMULA BLOCK GRANT.
THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT COMMISSIONER BREEDING SHARED THAT WE JUST HAVE STARTED GETTING LETTERS FROM THE STATE, FROM THE MARYLAND ENERGY ADMINISTRATION.
TO REALLY SUMMARIZE, THE STATE HAS STARTED THIS PROGRAM, ESSENTIALLY LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENERGY MODERNIZATION, WHERE THEY HAVE SET A FUNDING IN A NON-COMPETITIVE FORMULA-BASED WAY FOR COUNTIES TO PURSUE.
HOW DO THEY PUT IT ENERGY-EFFICIENT PRODUCTS THAT LEAD TO REDUCED ENERGY USAGE AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, INCREASED COST SAVINGS, ROBUST CLEAN ENERGY.
THE ONLY PART WE CARE ABOUT IS COST SAVINGS.
STACY AND I REVIEWED THIS, TALKED A LITTLE BIT, AND THEN HAD A MEETING WITH ROBIN AND KEVIN BROWN FROM FACILITIES ABOUT HOW COULD WE GO AFTER THIS NON-COMPETITIVE FUNDING IN THE MOST RESPONSIBLE, BUT COST BENEFIT WAY FOR THE COUNTY? OUT OF THAT CALL, KEVIN AND ROBIN HAD THE SUGGESTION TO REALLY FOCUS THE MONEY ON THE HAPS BUILDING.
THE HAPS IS ONE OF OUR LARGER FACILITIES THAT HAS SOME AGING INFRASTRUCTURE, SPECIFICALLY, WINDOWS AND HVAC UNITS THAT ARE AT THE BUILDING.
THE BUILDING ITSELF HAS 67 WINDOWS, AND HAS 14 ROOF-MOUNTED UNITS ON TOP, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE THE APPLICATION FOCUSED AROUND THAT WITH CONJUNCTION OF ROBIN AND KEVIN.
THE APPLICATION HAS TO BE FOR A MINIMUM OF $500,000, AND DEPENDING ON HOW MANY COUNTIES APPLY FOR THIS MONEY, WE COULD GET UP TO J SHY 1.2 MILLION.
WE'RE GOING TO SHOOT FOR THE SKY WITH THIS.
THE FIRST APPLICATION OR FIRST PIECE OF PAPERWORK THAT WE NEED TO DO IS A REAL SHORT PAGE.
I THINK IT'S THREE-PAGE JUSTIFICATION OF WHAT WE'RE WANTING TO DO AND HOW IT FITS THE NARRATIVE THAT THEY'VE PUT OUT.
BECAUSE OF THE TIMELINE, THE HOLIDAY WE WANTED TO GET THIS IN FRONT OF YOU REAL QUICK.
JUST MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S NOTHING THAT WE'RE MISSING, OR IT DOESN'T ALIGN WITH YOUR THREE VIEWS.
IF YOU'RE FINE WITH IT, WE WILL WORK WITH OUR TEAM AND STAFF TO GET AN APPLICATION IN.
THE STATE WILL REVIEW IT, AND THEN WE'LL GO THROUGH THIS AND WHAT THEY'RE CALLING OUT, LIKE A THREE-YEAR PHASE TO SPEND THIS MONEY, SO WE MIGHT DO WINDOWS FIRST, THEN HPC UNITS OR ANYTHING ELSE.
BUT AGAIN, DIDN'T WANT THIS TO BE A SURPRISE, DOES HAVE A BUDGET IMPACT AT SOME POINT BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE TO DO THIS DOWN THE ROAD, JUST WITH AGING INFRASTRUCTURE.
IF WE CAN GET IT THROUGH A NON-COMPETITIVE GRANT, I THINK I'M ALL FOR IT.
>> THERE'S NO MATCH MONEY, SO REALLY, WON'T THAT.
>> YES. WE COULD PROBABLY HAVE OUR MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT OF THAT CONSIDERED IN IT, SO IT SHOULD BE VERY MINIMAL.
>> IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE TO ME.
THANK YOU ALL FOR LOOKING INTO IT.
WHEN I GOT THE EMAIL, I WAS JUST LIKE, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS FITS, BUT I'M GLAD YOU GUYS LOOKED INTO IT AND FOUND A WAY TO MAKE IT FIT.
THAT'S GREAT. I CAN'T THINK OF ANYWHERE ELSE THAT WOULD TAKE PRIORITY OVER HAPS. GOOD.
>> YES. WE'RE TO THE POINT OF THE TIME WHERE WE NEED TO HAVE SOME DIRECTION ON HOLIDAY BONUS BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE TO WORK WITH HR TO SET UP AN ADDITIONAL PAY IF THAT IS WHERE THIS BOARD WOULD LIKE TO GO.
I BELIEVE I CIRCULATED OUT SOME FIGURES ON PAST YEARS AND WHERE THAT WAS.
JUST FOR FULL CLARITY, LAST YEAR WAS $1,100 FOR FULL-TIME MERIT.
THEN IF YOU WORKED UP TO SO MANY HOURS AND WE'RE PART-TIME, YOU COULD BE A RECIPIENT OF 50% OF THAT.
THAT COST THE COUNTY ABOUT $336,000 TO DO AT THAT LEVEL.
IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS OR DIRECTIONS THAT WE CAN ASSIST WITH TODAY.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY SENSE OF WHAT OUR PAYROLL PROJECTIONS ARE? I KNOW IN PREVIOUS YEARS WE'VE BEEN SHORT-STAFFED IN A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.
I THINK MARK IS A LITTLE SHORT, BUT HE MAKES UP FOR IT WITH THE OVERTIME BECAUSE HE'S GOT TO HAVE STAFFING.
BUT I KNOW HISTORICALLY, PUBLIC WORKS WAS UNDERSTAFFED.
ROBINS GOT THAT PRETTY WELL ADDRESSED.
OVERALL PAYROLL PROJECTION, ARE WE
[01:50:03]
UNDERSHOOTING THE TARGET IN THE BUDGET, ARE WE PRETTY MUCH RIGHT?>> WE'RE ALWAYS BUDGETING CONSERVATIVELY FOR ALL OF THOSE POSITIONS.
THEY'RE FUNDED IN THE BUDGET TO THE FULL LEVEL AT 12 MONTHS, WHICH, TO YOUR POINT, WE NEVER REALLY ARE.
THIS YEAR, WE ARE UNIQUELY SITUATED WHERE WE DON'T HAVE THE AMOUNT OF VACANCIES LIKE WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST.
SOME OF THEM GET HELD UP WITH OVERTIME OR OTHER PROJECTS THAT COME UP.
>> I THINK WE'RE A LITTLE CLOSER TO ACTUAL.
>> WE'RE CLOSER TO ACTUAL THIS YEAR.
I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE EXACTLY 100% IN THAT JUST BECAUSE OF PEOPLE BEING OFF, BUT IT WILL PROBABLY BE CLOSER THAN PAST YEAR.
>> THIS IS WHERE I'M AT. BECAUSE OF THE INVESTMENT THAT WE HAVE MADE IN OUR EMPLOYEES, YEAR OVER YEAR, MY UNDERSTANDING IS WHEN THIS WAS ESTABLISHED 10 OR SO YEARS AGO, THERE HADN'T BEEN CONSISTENT PAY INCREASES.
BUT WE'VE COMMITTED TO A MERIT INCREASE SYSTEM AND ALSO THE [INAUDIBLE].
BECAUSE OF THAT INVESTMENT AND BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT STAFFING LEVEL, I'M AT 550 BUCKS THIS YEAR.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT? WHERE ARE YOU GUYS?
>> AS FAR AS MR. PRED TALKS ABOUT COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEES, WE'VE CHANGED THE RETIREMENT.
WE HAVE CHANGED THE INSURANCE FOR RETIREES, WE'VE CHANGED THE INSURANCE ACROSS THE BOARD.
WE'VE INVESTED IN THEIR EMPLOYEES.
WE SAID. I THINK A 1,100, IT NEEDS TO COME DOWN.
I WAS THINKING AROUND 750 IS WHERE I WAS.
MOVING FORWARD, WE'VE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS, I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE BUDGETED FOR NOW, ON IF WE'RE GOING TO DO IT.
I THINK IT NEEDS TO COME DOWN FROM 1,100.
WE'VE BEEN VERY GRACIOUS OVER FOR THE THREE YEARS. I ACCEPT IT.
>> I'LL BE HONEST, I HAVEN'T HAD THAT MUCH TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT.
WHAT'S THE DEADLINE? WHEN DO WE NEED TO KNOW THIS? DON'T SAY NOW. [LAUGHTER]
>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE TYPICALLY PLAN THIS FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER BECAUSE, TO COMMISSIONER BART'S POINT, IT HAS NOT BEEN SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN BUILDING IN THE BUDGET.
IT'S REALLY BEEN A MID-NOVEMBER CONVERSATION.
WE HAVE TO CALL THE PAYROLL PROVIDER AND HAVE THEM SET UP AN ADDITIONAL PAY OUTSIDE OF OUR NORMAL EVERY OTHER BIWEEKLY TEMPO.
WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME DIRECTION TODAY SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE TIME TO PROPERLY SET UP THAT FILE AND PAY WITH PAYROLL.
I APOLOGIZE. TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT.
>> 550 WOULD BE WHAT? ABOUT 100 OR?
>> WE'RE CUTTING THAT IN HALF, ABOUT BUCK 80.
>> YOU SHOULD CUT IT IN A HALF.
>> SEVEN-FIFTY. THAT'S A LITTLE [INAUDIBLE].
>> IT'S MOST ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS.
>> WE TAKE A RECESS AND THINK ABOUT IT AND COME BACK.
>> I GUESS THAT WHAT TODAY, THE DATE-WISE.
I DO THINK UNFORTUNATELY, IF WE WAIT TIL THE 25TH NEXT WEEK WE'RE TOO CLOSE TO THE FIRST WEEK TO HAVE THEM SET UP.
>> I WOULD BE WILLING TO GO WITH THE 750.
I'M NOT SURE I WANT TO CUT IT IN HALF.
IF I GOT TO HAVE A NUMBER TODAY, THAT WOULD BE IT. I WISH I DID.
I WISH I PAID MORE ATTENTION TO THIS, BUT I'VE BEEN BUSY.
>> THE GROUP. [LAUGHTER] WELL, BUT AMOUNT LOADED.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY COME UP WITH THE 1,100 NUMBER.
IT ELUDES ME. BUT YOU'VE BEEN GIVING IT FOR YEARS.
>> YES, SIR. I BELIEVE WE GOT TO 1,000 PROBABLY TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO.
THEN THERE WAS SOME REQUEST BY FORMER ADMINISTRATION TO BUMP IT UP ANOTHER 100-11, AND IT STAYED THAT FOR A YEAR.
IT'S ALWAYS IN MY EXPERIENCE OF KATHLEEN COULD PROBABLY SPEAK FOR MORE YEARS.
I'VE BEEN HERE, IT'S BEEN FAIRLY HIGH $750,000 MOST OF THE TIME.
[01:55:03]
>> YOU'RE CUTTING IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT, BUT YOU'RE NOT.
>> WELL, BONUSES ARE TYPICALLY GEARED TOWARD OVERACHIEVERS AND PERFORMERS WITH MORE.
THAT'S THE CHALLENGE WITH GIVING BONUSES IN THE GOVERNMENT ROLE.
PRIVATE SECTOR BONUSES ARE BASED ON PERFORMANCE.
IT'S HARDER TO QUANTIFY THAT IN GOVERNMENT.
>> I THINK JUST TO LEAVE IT WITH [INAUDIBLE] MINDS.
WE SHOULD HAVE THIS CONVERSATION DURING THE BUDGET TIME.
I THINK WE WILL MAKE SURE WHEN WE START BUILDING THE BUDGET OUT THAT THIS IS PART OF THE LIST WHEN WE GET INTO THE MARCH AND APRIL TO BUILD THAT OUT.
>> THE OTHER THING IS STEVE, WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO RECRUIT STAFF, NOBODY IS LOOKING AT AND THEN ADDING IN $1,000 CHRISTMAS BONUS ON THE BACK END OF THE EQUATION, EITHER.
THEY LOOK AT WHAT THE SALARY IS TO COME IN.
I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE ROLLED INTO THE SALARY AND DONE AWAY WITH.
>> I DID. COMMISSIONER BREEDING HE'S HEARD FROM CONSTITUENTS ABOUT IT.
I'VE HEARD IT FROM PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR THE BOARD OF ED, WHERE THE BOARD OF ED DOESN'T GET ANYTHING.
YOU'RE LIKE, YOU GUYS GAVE YOUR PEOPLE SOMETHING, BUT THE BOARD OF ED DON'T GIVE ANYTHING, AND YOU HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER BREEDING HEARD FROM CONSTITUENTS, LIKE, WHY ARE YOU GIVEN BONUSES OUT? WE HEAR.
>> I THINK, AS COMMISSIONER BREEDING STATED, THE BONUS ALSO STARTED BECAUSE COUNTY EMPLOYEES WENT MANY YEARS WITHOUT PAY INCREASES, AND INCLUDING IN ONE OR TWO YEARS, MAYBE EVEN BEFORE COMMISSIONER PORTER WAS HERE, WE HAD SOME FURLOUGHS AND SOME LAYOFFS.
I THINK, JUST MY OPINION, WE'VE ADOPTED A NEW STEP INCREASE.
YOU'VE BEEN ON THE COST OF LIVING INCREASES.
>> I THINK WE MIGHT WANT TO SHIFT TOWARDS LOOKING AT THE STEP INCREASE, AND THOSE ARE THE INCENTIVES THAT WE'RE GIVING OUR EMPLOYEES EVERY YEAR AND NOT RELYING ON A NON-BUDGETED [OVERLAPPING].
>> EVERY YEAR, IT SEEMS LIKE I'M SITTING HERE, AND ABOUT THIS TIME, WE GET BLEAK FORECAST FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE ABOUT MORE STUFF THEY'RE GOING TO SHIFT ON US, AND THEN I'M SITTING HERE THINKING, OH, MY GOSH, I'VE GOT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET NEXT YEAR, AND THEN I GET HIT WITH 300,000, WHICH, A LOT OF EMPLOYEES DESERVE.
>> WE JUST PAID THE ROAD FOR STUBS STATION $250,000.
>> THAT YOU COULD PAVE. YOU HAVE A DIRT ROAD THAT'S REAL SHORT.
YOU COULD PAVE IT FOR $300,000.
>> I THINK THE BIG ISSUE IS YOU'VE MADE A STRONG COMMITMENT TO THE PAY SCALE AND THE STEP INCREASES [OVERLAPPING] INITIALLY WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT HOW TO PHASE THAT [OVERLAPPING].
>> IN THE HEALTH INSURANCE, WE HAVEN'T GONE UP ON THE EMPLOYER [OVERLAPPING] COST ON THE HEALTH INSURANCE.
>> BUT ALL THAT SIDE, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD ESTABLISH A LEVEL OF EXPECTATION AMONGST THE STAFF, TOO.
IT MAKES ME A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN WE'VE GIVEN A STAFF BONUS EVERY YEAR FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS TO JUST NOT DO IT WITHOUT ANY NOTICE AT CHRISTMAS TIME.
>> THAT'S WHY I WAS AT THE 550.
>> THAT'S WHERE MY GRINCH GOES AWAY.
[LAUGHTER] BUT WE DEFINITELY NEED TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION AND PLAN IT OUT IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.
>> BECAUSE IT'S SILL GOING TO BE LOOKED AT AS A CUT TO THE EMPLOYEES.
YOU CAN TELL THEM ALL THE THINGS WE'VE DONE, BUT IT'S STILL GOING TO BE LOOKED AT THAT THEY'RE GETTING LESS MONEY.
THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT THAT.
BUT I DO AGREE THAT THE BUDGETING IS A GOOD IDEA, SO WE KNOW THE NUMBER.
I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE SOME KIND OF A LITTLE GAP EVEN WITH THE PROJECTED PAY ROLL BECAUSE WE'RE NOT AT 100%.
>> CORRECT. THERE ARE ALWAYS BE [OVERLAPPING].
>> SOME GAP THERE, BUT I'M FINE WITH THE 750. SORRY.
>> IF I COULD, ONE LAST COMMENT ON THAT, I WAS TALKING TO SHANICE. I GUESS YESTERDAY.
>> WE HAVE ALSO HISTORICALLY CUT PHYSICAL CHECKS FOR THIS BONUS, WHICH CREATES AN EXTRA LAYER OF WORK AND PROCESSING.
SHE WOULD LIKE TO, AND I AGREE WITH HER. WE WOULD LIKE TO.
DO THE BONUS ELECTRONICALLY, BUT ALSO HAVE SOMETHING FOR ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES, A CARD, JUST LIKE WE DO WITH THE BONUS IF YOU'RE OKAY WITH THAT.
WE DON'T HAVE TO TRACK DOWN EMPLOYEES.
>> CAN WE TALK OFFLINE ABOUT THAT?
>> SURE. HOWEVER, ARE YOU GUYS GOOD WITH HOWEVER WE DECIDE TO DO THAT?
>> I THINK BEFORE THAT THERE WAS SOME PLAN FOR THE [OVERLAPPING] IT DIDN'T WORK.
>> THAT'S EXACTLY HOW IT STARTED.
>> WE CAN STILL ESTABLISH IF YOU WANT TO VISIT TO ALL DEPARTMENTS AND TO HAND DELIVER SOMETHING.
>> COUNTY COMMISSIONER OPEN DISCUSSION PERIOD. MR. BARTZ?
[County Commissioners Open Discussion Period]
[02:00:02]
>> I ATTENDED THE NWCP BANQUET.
I WAS THERE. IT WAS WELL ATTENDED.
I GOT TO TALK TO A FEW PEOPLE. CONSTITUENTS THERE.
I JUST RECEIVED A CALL, AND I THINK, COMMISSIONER BREEDING, WE GOT AN EMAIL ABOUT SOLAR SOLICITING AGAIN, AT THIS TIME TO RESIDENTS.
>> I DID HAVE A CALL [OVERLAPPING].
>> I JUST GOT A CALL FROM WHILE WE WERE IN THE MEETING.
I DIDN'T LISTEN TO IT, BUT I READ THE VOICEMAIL, WHERE THESE COMPANIES ARE COMING IN NOW SAYING THEY CAN GIVE TAX STIPENDS AND DIVIDENDS FOR THE TAP IN TO THE SOLAR PANELS.
THESE SOLAR COMPANIES ARE JUST POPPING UP SOLICITING AGAIN.
DO WE HAVE AN ORDINANCE ON SOLICITING ABOUT SOLAR?
>> I DRAFTED IT, BUT [OVERLAPPING].
THE DETAILS WEREN'T CLEAR, WASN'T WHEN SHE WORKED.
THE DETAILS WERE EVIDENTLY CLEAR TO ME, BUT IT SOUNDED LIKE ONE OF THE COMMUNITY-GRADE SOLAR ARRAYS WAS COMING ONLINE.
IN THE MEETING THAT WE HAD WITH ONE OF THE SOLAR COMPANIES EARLY ON, DIDN'T THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER THE GENERATED ELECTRICITY CLOSE TO THE ARRAY FIRST, A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF IT HAD TO GO TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE MUNICIPALITY NEAR WHERE IT WAS LOCATED.
I THINK WHAT'S HAPPENING IS COLBURN IS COMING ONLINE, AND RESIDENTS IN RIDGELY ON DELMARVA POWER ARE BEING SOLICITED TO SIGN ON.
>> NOW, WAS THAT FOR COLBURN, OR WAS THAT FOR [OVERLAPPING].
>> I DON'T EVEN KNOW, BUT MY WIFE WENT THROUGH THE OFFER, AND IN THE BODY OF THE LETTER, IT TALKS ABOUT THERE BEING NO FEES ATTACHED.
AS SHE READ FURTHER, THERE WAS A FEE ATTACHED, AND IT WAS A 20-YEAR COMMITMENT TO DO IT.
WE JUST SAID, NO, IT WAS SOMETHING WE WEREN'T GOING TO DO.
BUT I CONTACTED THE TOWN OF DENTON, AND THEY JUST SAID IT'S YOUR DECISION WHETHER TO DO IT OR NOT.
I DON'T KNOW THAT WE GOT A CALL, BUT WE GOT A LETTER FROM THEM.
>> THIS GUY'S IN HENDERSON, HE'S OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
HE'S UP IN HENDERSON RIGHT RIGHT OUTSIDE OF TOWN.
THERE'S NO COMMUNITY-GRADE PROJECT UP THERE.
I GUESS HE'S TALKING ABOUT THE ONE GOING UP AT CHERRYWOOD [OVERLAPPING] I KNOW, BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT THE GUY.
JUST THE ONE WE GOT [OVERLAPPING] EMAIL.
I'M TALKING ABOUT THE GUY WHO CALLED ME.
MR. LEE BOSCH, HE'S UP OFF OF [OVERLAPPING].
>> BUT IF HE'S ON A SHOP TANK, HE CAN [OVERLAPPING].
>> HE'S ON THE SHOP TANK. BUT ANYWAY HE'S ON SHOP TANK IS WHERE HE'S AT.
HE SAID, THIS GUY COME UP THERE AND JUST OFFERED TO GIVE HIM A TAX BREAK AND A STIPEND FOR TAPPING INTO THE LOCAL SOLAR GRID.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE PRAYING ON, HE'S AN OLDER RETIRED GENTLEMAN, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
I'LL CALL HIM BACK TO GET MORE DETAILS, BUT I'M JUST RELAYING THAT.
>> MAYBE WE SHOULD PURSUE THE SOLICITOR'S LICENSE.
THAT WAS MORE GEARED TOWARDS SOLAR DEVELOPMENT.
MAYBE WE NEED TO LOOK AT TAILORING IT NOW TOWARDS ACTUALLY THE SOLICITATION OF PEOPLE TO SIGN UP TO PURCHASE THE POWER.
>> THE POWER LINES THAT THE CHAIR WAS TAPPED INTO GO RIGHT THROUGH HIS PROPERTY.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE SAYING TAP INTO THAT LINE AND [OVERLAPPING] I DON'T KNOW.
>> I DON'T KNOW, THAT SOLAR IS NOT IT'S FOR SALE LOCALLY. I DON'T [OVERLAPPING].
>> ANYWAY, HE DID GET SOLICITED THIS MORNING.
I'LL CALL HIM BACK AND I'LL FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON.
>> I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO REVISIT.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF THE HOBBS ROAD SOLAR.
IF IT'S THE ONE, IT'LL ONLY GO TO BOARD OF ED, SO THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY [OVERLAPPING].
>> IT'S THE PRIVATE ONE ACROSS THE STREET.
>> THAT'S ALL I GOT [OVERLAPPING].
>> COUPLE OF THINGS. I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT WHAT THE DATE WAS, BUT WE HAD A MEETING WITH NEW ERA SOLAR REPRESENTATIVES, I THINK THAT WAS CHERRYWOOD.
[02:05:04]
MARK ATTENDED THE MEETING, IT WAS WITH OUR EMERGENCY PLANNER.WE TALKED ABOUT SOME PROGRAMS. YOU WILL COME UP, MARK TOO.
WE TALKED ABOUT SOME TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO I THINK TO SPONSOR, AND THEY WERE GOING TO REACH OUT TO THE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES.
ALSO, SOME LOGISTICAL THINGS AS FAR AS ACCESS TO THE SOLAR FARMS AND HOW THEY GET IN AND GET OUT.
I THOUGHT IT WAS A PRETTY GOOD MEETING.
THEY WERE PRETTY FORTHCOMING IN WHAT WE ASKED THEM TO DO, COME UP WITH EMERGENCY NUMBERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH TROY ABOUT KNOX BOXES.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN MAKE [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE TALKED ABOUT NOX BOXES TO [OVERLAPPING].
>> CAROLINE HAVING A STANDARDIZED KNOX BOX THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, WHICH IS VERY NICE.
IT WON'T MATTER WHICH FIRE DEPARTMENT WOULD RESPOND.
WE ASKED THEM FOR ANNUAL TRAINING FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS.
THEY WILL HAVE PEOPLE ON CALL, WHEN THEY HAVE INCIDENTS THERE, BUT IT MAY TAKE A WHILE FOR THEM TO GET THERE BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ON SITE.
THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO SUBMIT THEIR EMERGENCY PLAN TO US, I THINK THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, BECAUSE WE WANTED TO HAVE THAT IN PLACE BEFORE THE EVENT IS OPERATIONAL.
>> BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD MEETING.
I THOUGHT THEY WERE PRETTY RESPONSIVE.
FACEBOOK'S A WONDERFUL THING, BUT WE [OVERLAPPING].
>> GO TO TRY TO STAY OFF OF IT [OVERLAPPING].
>> I WAS SEEING SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE DENTON CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER.
LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT OUT TO PARENTS.
I REACHED OUT TO VERA TODD, THE DIRECTOR AND JUST GOT A FEEL FOR WHAT'S GOING ON, AND I THINK THEY'VE JUST RUN INTO SOME FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. ALL I TOLD HER WAS THAT WE WOULD LOOK INTO WHAT WE COULD DO AS FAR AS RESOURCES FOR HER TO LOOK AT.
I REACHED OUT TO STEVE WISE, AND STEVE GOT BACK IN TOUCH WITH ME YESTERDAY WITH A INFORMATION FROM A CHILDCARE GROUP STATEWIDE.
THEY HAD SOME SUGGESTIONS, SO I FORWARDED THE CONTACT INFORMATION TO HER TO REACH OUT TO THIS PERSON.
IT SEEMED LIKE THAT THERE WAS THE POSSIBILITY OF MAYBE SOME STATE SUBSIDIES THROUGH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
I TALKED TO HER ABOUT THAT YESTERDAY, SENT HER THAT CONTACT INFORMATION.
TALKED TO ROB AND KAY HALL THIS MORNING BEFORE OUR MEETING, SHE SAID THAT HUMAN SERVICES HAS [OVERLAPPING].
>> SHE'S ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR A HUMAN SERVICE.
NOT ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY WERE GOING TO HOPEFULLY FUND A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF OPERATIONS TO KEEP THEM GOING.
>> I CERTAINLY MADE IT CLEAR TO VERA THAT WE WEREN'T OFFERING ANY MONEY, BUT WE CAN HELP WITH WHATEVER RESOURCES [OVERLAPPING] IN TOUCH WITH.
THAT'S 120 FAMILIES THAT DEPEND ON THAT.
I THINK WITH THE CHANGES IN DAYCARE LAW THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THE BLUEPRINT IT'S AFFECTED A LOT OF THESE FACILITIES, BUT THAT FACILITY.
I THINK VERA SAID SHE HAD BEEN THERE 50 YEARS HERSELF.
IT'S BEEN THERE A LONG TIME, AND I THINK IT DOES SERVE AN IMPORTANT COMMUNITY SERVICE.
>> JUST TO JUMP IN. RISK OF PUTTING MY FOOT IN MY MOUTH AGAIN.
BUT I'VE HEARD THERE'S MORE TO IT THAN JUST BLUEPRINT.
BLUEPRINT MAY BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR, BUT IT'S PROBABLY LIKELY NOT BECAUSE MOST OF THE CHILDREN THAT ARE ENROLLED INTO PRE-K PROGRAMS, THEIR PARENTS WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO SEND THEM TO DEC OR DCDC.
ANYWAY, I THINK THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF ISSUE THERE, I'VE HEARD THAT CHILDREN HAVE TO BE POTTY TRAINED IN ORDER TO GO THERE AND SOME PARENTS MAYBE DON'T.
THEY MAY BE LIMITING THEIR ENROLLMENT POOL BY SOME OF THEIR REQUIREMENTS TO ACTUALLY ATTEND AS WELL.
THEY HAVEN'T RAISED THE FEES IN A WHILE.
>> I THINK THAT THAT IS A PROBLEM, AND WE SEE THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN, WHERE ORGANIZATIONS IN ATTEMPTS TO HELP FAMILIES WITH BUDGETS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT CONCEPT, BUT THE PROBLEM IS, YOU HAVE TO COLLECT ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY YOUR BILLS [LAUGHTER].
IF YOU DON'T, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO BE PUTTING YOURSELF,
[02:10:04]
PERPETUALLY IN A HOLE.SHE SHARED WITH ME SOME OF THE FINANCIAL THINGS THAT LOOK LIKE FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THEY'VE BEEN TOLD, HEY, WE BETTER DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE FEE STRUCTURE.
THE THE LAND THAT THE BUILDING IS CONSTRUCTED ON IS OWNED BY THE STATE.
THE BUILDING, ACCORDING TO WHAT I UNDERSTOOD, IS OWNED BY THE TOWN.
ANYBODY WHO WOULD WANT TO COME IN, FOR EXAMPLE, AND BUY THAT FACILITY WOULD HAVE TO WORK THROUGH THAT PROCESS.
WE ALL KNOW HOW EASY IT'S BEEN TO DEAL WITH THE STATE WITH THE LAND.
VERA HAS DEDICATED CERTAINLY HER LIFE TO THAT PLACE.
OVER THE YEARS, I THINK WE'VE EITHER HAD KIDS THAT HAVE GONE THERE OR [OVERLAPPING].
>> I WENT THERE. WE ACTUALLY ATTENDED.
>> IT IS IMPORTANT, BUT I THINK [OVERLAPPING].
>> DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL AT ALL? [LAUGHTER].
>> BUT ANYWAY, I TALKED WITH ROBIN THIS MORNING, AND STEVE I WANT TO I APPRECIATE STEVE FOLLOWING UP BECAUSE HE REACHED OUT TO HIS CONTACTS AT THE STATE LEVEL.
HE THOUGHT THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF MAYBE SOME HELP THROUGH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
ANYWAY, SHE HAS THAT INFORMATION IF SHE NEEDS HELP WITH FILLING OUT APPLICATIONS, BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE PAPERWORK INVOLVED IN IT.
I DON'T KNOW I KNOW ROBIN TOLD ME HUMAN SERVICES COUNSEL HAD OFFERED THAT ASSISTANCE AS WELL TO HELP WITH THE APPLICATION.
>> HELPING WITH THE APPLICATION PAPERWORK AND THINGS.
THAT'S GOOD. THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THAT.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK DURING OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? I DO NOT SEE ANYONE.
I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION UNDER MARYLAND OPEN MEETING'S ACT, GENERAL PROVISIONS, ARTICLE 3-SERIAL 5B1 TO DISCUSS A PERSONNEL MATTER INVOLVING THE EMPLOYMENT PERFORMANCE, COMPENSATION, OR SEPARATION OF ONE OR MORE COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS DISCUSSION IS TO
[Closed Session Closed Session under the Maryland Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Article §3-305(b)(1), to discuss a personnel matter involving the appointment, employment, performance, compensation, or separation of one or more county employees. The purpose of this discussion is to discuss personnel and receive advice from staff as appropriate.]
DISCUSS PERSONNEL AND RECEIVE ADVICE FROM STAFF AS APPROPRIATE.>> NEED A ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONER PORTER?
>> COMMISSIONER BREEDING. AYE.
>> TAKE A RECESS.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.