BOCC Budget 3/17/03

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0968dfc3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Meeting Notes 12/3/02 6/30/03"><U><B>BOCC Meeting Notes 12/3/02 - 6/30/03</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Meeting Notes 12/3/02 6/30/03"><U><B>BOCC Meeting Notes 12/3/02 - 6/30/03</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=131 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0978dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336666" FACE="Arial" ><B>Welcome to the Web Site of Clare Whitbeck</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Welcome to the Web Site of Clare Whitbec"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id88.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 12/3/02"><U>BOCC 12/3/02</U></A>   |   <A 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came a proclamation upon the retirement of Paul Wible, Director of Emergency Preparedness.  It was noted that he is a Hollywood native.  </div> <div> Next came a proposal to amend the County Ordinances to allow a property tax credit to the surviving spouse of a fallen rescue worker.  Comm Mattingly said this was brought to the attention of the Tri County Council that the enabling legislation for this ordinance had been enacting last year.  Several jurisdictions have taken up the opportunity.  Comm Raley asked about the term “fallen rescue worker”, is there a definition?  Norris said it is an individual who dies while participating in a fire or rescue operation, unless the death is the result of gross misconduct or substance abuse.  Bobby Ball of Ridge said he thinks this ordinance is commendable.  Fortunately St. Mary’s County has only had one member pass in the line of duty.  Ball would like to have to law broadened to include deaths not in the line of duty.  Heart attacks are a leading cause of death among fire fighters.  No one is tracking this information.  We need to think about the others who are giving their time to the citizens of the County.  The public hearing was closed and the record will be kept open for 10 days.  Norris noted that written comments can be submitted to PO Box 653, Leonardtown, MD 20650.  </div> <div> <B>Next came youth and art month.  </B>  Two drama students from Chopticon brought their presentations to apply for a drama major in college.  A number of Chopticon Students are now working as professionals.  Jessica Duncan was first, and Katie Peak was the second student.  The BOCC gave them a proclamation in thanks.  Comm Mattingly congratulated the basketball team.  <B>Dr. Icenhower came to the table to present an update on the state of health in St. Mary’s County.  </B>Icenhower said he had two issues.  First is percolation tests.  They need to complete 1,400 tests.  Darrell Caldano is doing an excellent job.  All tests have been scheduled, and the schedule has been extended to the first of May.  The Health Department believes it can complete all 1,400 tests.  Applications were cut off by February 21.  They have had 45 additional applications after the cut off.  They will make every effort to clear the board.  The second item is the West Nile Virus.  The Health Department is expecting more cases this year.  There is no immunization for the West Nile Virus.  People have to protect themselves.  There will not be a collection of crows this year.  The Department knows West Nile Virus is here, so there is no point is conducting more tests.  The Department of Agriculture will be collecting mosquitos.  The question is whether to spray.  Homeowners can get together to do this.  The question is whether so spray.  People in Calvert County have said they don’t care what the mosquitos may carry, they don’t want the mosquitos.  The cost is about $50,000.   We may not know what to do.  They want to put down a larvacide.  The Health Department wants people to empty any container which contains water to prevent larvae from breeding.  He can order spray, but needs funding for it.  McKay wrinkled his brow and said it’s a difficult problem for us.  Wasn’t the problem concentrated in McIntosh Run?  Icenhower said State wide, the people who died were not where the dead crows were found.  Many people, he said, get minor systems.  We have no idea how many people have been exposed.  Those who were now have immunity.  Comm Mattingly asked about storm water management.  Those ponds are the perfect breeding ground.  Could we treat those ponds?  We are creating breeding grounds.  Icenhower said the Department of Agriculture is working with the Department of the Environment.  Maybe we should put some guppies in the pond.  The guppies are very effective.  Icenhower said his department is working on storm water ponds.  The ponds are wetlands for birds and fish and wildlife.  Jarboe asked where someone would get the mosquito fish.  Icenhower said the fish are probably one of the best and most effective ways of controlling mosquitos.  Raley asked a question about citizens who call about decisions from the Health Department.  He said it’s not clear that citizens are being told about their rights to an appeal process.  Could you do an internal review and see if there is an appeal process.  He said he was very aware of the individual in question.  He pushed it as far as he could.  Icenhower said his policy is to get the thing to pass if it’s legally possible.  In her case we did that, but we do it in all cases.  </div> <div> <B>County Administrator time as next.  </B>Art Shepard came to the table to discuss the $27,704 grant for the New Horizons Summer Camp.  They have been able to request and receive additional funds.  If there are special needs in a regular camp they have staff to do one on one for including youth.  There is no county match for this program.  Public schools provide transportation for the children.  They have a $50,000 budget which includes fees.  It’s the same amount as last year.  There are inclusion services in regular camps, asked McKay, and he was told yes.  This Saturday is the High Hopes Awareness day event.  The vote was 5-0 to approve the grant.  </div> <div> A recording system for circuit court to replace the court reporter.  Judge Kaminetz said we have been hemorrhaging  money in court reporting funds.  This unit can do all four courtrooms.  It can be expanded at little cost.  Montgomery County has 30 court rooms that have gone to this system.  It works almost as well as a live court reporter.  Bill Tench, Court Administrator, was there to answer questions.  Tench said it will be a pleasure to handle this system.  The District Courts are using this system as well.  It’s a server and back up.  It runs on two tracks.  If one goes down, the other continues.  There is an uninterruptible power supply.  The system records all the audio.  They can use the existing audio wiring in the court room.  The system is automatic and runs all the time.  The clerk will operate the system, i.e. use the hot key to tag events.  If a witness is sworn, an interested party can find that witness.  Montgomery county has not had one technical glitch.  One can burn a cd if someone wants a copy of the record.  The record for juvenile proceedings can be sealed.  It has a lot of features.  Little special training will be required.  The system is scalable, one server can serve 4 courtrooms.  The cost is about $30,000.  The vote was 5 - 0.  Mattingly asked about archives.  Kaminetz said the record will be a cd instead of a stack of paper.  McKay thanked them for the savings.  He noted that Raley and Abrams need a table.  </div> <div> <B>The State’s Attorney came to ask for additional money for expert witnesses.  </B>The request is for $10,000.  This is a fund like the snow removal fund.  We can go for years and not need this money then break the bank with one trial.  Comm Raley said he will approve it, and he asked that the State’s Attorney not be so mean spirited when he makes a request.  The vote was 5 - 0.</div> <div> <B>Cynthia Brown brought a brant from alcohol and drug prevention.  </B>  She was requesting a budget amendment.  McKay asked if the  Freedom Fest could be fully funded by private donations.  Brown said they have always received private donations.  McKay said they do not want to lose the program.  Brown said she is making more presentations.  The vote was 5 - 0.</div> <div> <B>Randy Schultz brought a proposal for a policy on equal opportunity for persons with disabilities.  </B> McKay said he was surprised that this was not already in our policy.  This is a requirement from the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene.  McKay asked how many employees have a disability.  Schultz said they cannot ask employees, but they are encouraging employees to make their disabilities knows.  The vote was 5 - 0 (that was the second motion made by Comm Dement.  Schultz proposed a diversity of interest group to put together a long range plan to address the needs of those with disabilities.  The group will start this spring and bring suggestions to the table by the fall.  There were requests for exemptions from the hiring freeze.  Recs and Parks needs seasonal groundskeepers.  Comm Dement said he is familiar with the need for Recs and Parks.  Jarboe abstained from the vote which was 4 - 0.  Sheriff Zylak asks for the senior communications specialist is not in the ‘04 budget.  The Property Clerk position, said Lacer, should be filled. The senior (?) clerk is not in the ‘04 budget.  The senior coordinator is in the ‘04 budget and Lacer requests that it be filled.  The Senior Office Specialist is already recommended for approval.  Two of these three positions were recently vacated.  One is his HR person.  The three positions were approved - Staff Specialist, Senior Office Coordinator, and the Senior Office Specialist.  The vote was 5 - 0.  </div> <div> <B>Nest came Commissioner time.   </B>Comm Jarboe said he was glad to see the Christie McDonald problem get resolved.  Minnie Russell brought other items forward.  Jarboe would like to see the items that Sue Veith is working on.  Right now we have a policy that people must leave a name.  People are using someone else’s name.  It may be time to adopt a written complaint policy so the person must appear.  <B>According to Robin Guyther, </B>80% of the complaints on the livability code were vendetta complaints, said Jarboe  Comm Raley attended the concert at St. Mary’s College.  He wants to support the River Concerts.  Dement was hosting a 40 team softball tournament.  Comm Mattingly said he went to the art display at the Board of Education and congratulated the students.  The Breton Bay Water Restoration Meeting will be this Wednesday at Leonardtown Middle School.  McKay suggested getting auctioneer Raley to participate in fund raisers.  McKay talked about a public-private partnership.  Maryland Day will take place this Sunday at 1:00 PM.  Tuesday at 11:00 they will be at the St. Clements Island Museum.  Next is a tour of the Dept of Public works.  They will be a little late.  He got authorization for an executive session for personnel.  </div> <div>      </div> <div> The meeting began with Elaine Kramer showing a working version of the budget on Excel that would enable her to adjust changes.  The goal is to get the net impact in column g to zero.  Looking at the salaries, Kramer said they could do a 2% COLA effective April 1 instead of January 1 and save $125,000.  Or, they could save the same amount by doing a 1% COLA January 1.  Or, they could do a flat $500 increase in grades 1 - 7 at a cost of $210,000.  An adjustment to health insurance costs of $61,000 is the cost of retiree insurance because most retirees have the old kind of insurance.  It will cost 272,500 to restore 90% paid health benefits to active employees.  Retirees will get 80 % of health insurance paid by the County.  McKay proposed eliminating the $600 benefit credit for elected officials and appointed officials not on the scale as well as contract employees.  Everyone gets $600 for not using health insurance.  That would save $18,600.  McKay said he recommends 2% starting January 1 at an additional cost of $250,000 ($125,000 since a 1% is in the numbers).  McKay said he has a plan for paying for the 2% COLA and the health benefits.  He thinks we can make the employee costs up elsewhere in the budget.  At this point, says McKay we are $368,500 over budget.  Mattingly asked what the change in employees benefits does to a retiree.  Kramer said the County pays 90% of health costs.  The proposal would take retired employees to 80%.  McKay wants the new retirees to pay 80%.  </div> <div> Kramer explained other possible savings there would be $8,000 form community services (fireworks and grant match).  Reduce Lexington Park position by $75,000.  McKay said the intent is not to eliminate the Lexington Park Plan, but to roll it into EDC.  Kramer sounded dubious.  There is 126,830 in Lexington Park Plan.  If you save $75,000 that leaves $51,730 to reallocate into EDC.  McKay said they would then go to EDC and say find a way to work it out with this amount.  He continued by saying the department heads can figure it out.  The Circuit Court increase is to move from a step 1 to a step 8.  It involves additional responsibilities for people.  McKay said even with the $9,600, Circuit Court is a 2.6% increase.  Raley asked if there were maintenance contracts included in the technology.  Lacer said there is a one year warranty.  Raley noted that some people in the Circuit Court are going from 6 to 8 and now from 1 to 8.  They included the increase.  Then they removed 8,000 more from Community Services.  McKay said not from the Freedom Fest.  Raley said he would like to move the program, but he’s not sure there is a $75,000 savings.  Lacer said a position has been eliminated and the merger would create an opportunity to realign some functions.  But we need a budget mark.  He would prefer the $50,000 number at this stage until after the public hearing, recognizing the budget can be adjusted after the public hearing.  Raley said you want to save money by moving the Lexington Park program but have the Freedom Fest.  He said the way the Legislature is treating us, he doesn’t want to give them a reception.  He favors the volunteer reception.  He thinks one could cut $22,000 from the $39,000.  Jarboe said you are not going to cut the fire and rescue.  Raley said no, I am not.  McKay said he doesn’t think it’s a misappropriation of priorities.  We are all trying to serve the citizens.  He hopes not to cut services, but to cut the cost.  He hopes that EDC would absorb some reductions when the two are merged.  Raley thinks Leonardtown puts on the Veterans Day program.  He put up the costs for motels for some people to come.  Raley said if he had to choose between wellness day and keeping the 90% health benefit, wellness day goes.  Jarboe wants to keep Veteran’s Day and Flag Day.  They funded the Household Hazardous Waste days, CFC and oil recycling, street lighting, outsourcing repairs.  Jarboe suggested   McKay said see what happens if we keep the convenience centers open later.   Erichsen said there is a peak from 4 - 5:00. Will return with the rules and regulations.  The Board will see it.  Jarboe suggested substituting the roll offs and the lease.  Jarboe said we spent a lot of years without hazardous waste days.  We had our first hazardous waste days in the early 90's.  Erichsen noted the rolloffs are used for rubble.  If we could just get one it would help.  Mattingly said they would get some phone calls about the non public school transportation.  Raley said bringing the item to the table puts the blame on the BOCC.  Erichsen said our contract is with the employer, not the bus drivers.  McKay said he wanted to try to put it in there, but it doesn’t work.  McKay asked about the compactor, could it be cheaper in the CIP?  Kramer said it’s a 10 year property and the County Code doesn’t provide for equipment in the CIP and we use bond financing or limited revenues.  She thinks we should look for some exempt financing.  Finance the lease beginning Jan 1, said McKay.  Outsourcing repairs was discussed. Kramer talked about the history of outsourced repairs.  Mattingly said we would be better of getting a new tractor.  We have an equipment auction in the spring. He said we could eliminate some maintenance costs by leasing a new tractor.  DPWT has $339,000 outsourcing $$ already.  Erichsen said if you’re adding vehicles to the budget, you can lower the repairs.  See what you can purchase to lower the equipment repair budget.  Mattingly said he wants solutions - not problems.  The vehicle maintenance budget is 5% of the cost of equipment.  Erichsen said painting is important.  He will see if he can reduce repairs and lease purchase options and get back.   Mattingly said when equipment fails you lose the equipment and the personnel.  He wants to buy equipment rather than repair it.  Jarboe said 5% is not much.  His repairs are 10%.  There were discussions about communications equipment.  McKay noted that Animal Control wants a new position with overtime.  Take those out.  They want 12,000 for a caging system and 2,000 for fuel etc.  That’s $138.438 you can remove.  McKay noted that the Emergency Management Agency would be on the communications system.  Mattingly said it’s how you control the use of them.  Jarboe noted that they are not seeing the big bill because they don’t pay for it.  Mattingly said these guys go to meetings all over the State.  He said he thought these life pak conversions were the last two.  When questioned about communications equipment, people couldn’t see how they will use the new equipment, said Kramer.  Everyone is trying to figure out how to sue the equipment.  This discussion included why has overtime doubled.  Mattingly noted that the staffing level in Emergency Management is reasonable according to Mr. Schultz.  McKay asked and was told that the vehicle had been taken out.  McKay asked if the movement of people from the Sheriff’s Department resulted in savings.  Kramer said yes.  Kramer said the switch occurred in the year when we didn’t have INS and the US Marshalls and a Law Enforcement Supervisor has been eliminated.  Kramer said that virtually every vehicle was cut with the exception of the Sheriff’s Department and the ALS.  McKay said he rode in a County Vehicle with 160,000 miles on it and rides like it’s new.  Jarboe commented that he had to roll down the window to get out, but he’s used to that.  McKay said he is concerned about the $150,000 maintenance agreement.  Mattingly noted that the contract is for th e entire system.  McKay noted that service contracts are not as prevalent as they used to be.  Most companies have decided to pay as they go, at least for the first three years.  Kramer said they could talk to the departments, but she doesn’t think it would be good to go to pay as you go.   Mattingly said they guarantee in the contract a response time.  That’s the advantage.  Lacer noted that he thinks the Emergency Management Department’s growth is about over.  Mattingly said the old system would not allow one to talk from the Leonardtown fire house to Hayden’s Auto Supply.  McKay asked if that proposes to use outside Counsel as opposed to in house Counsel and Lacer said they have a budget for outside counsel.  That’s what McKay said he was looking out. McKay said the Ethics Commission should be able to use the County Attorney.  They went on to facilities management.  McKay said he would like to discuss personnel issues in this budget area.  Kramer had identified $50,000 to be removed.  McKay asked if they wanted to remove the security from the Governmental Center.  If you move those two things, said McKay, you are still looking at a 5% increase over last year.  Facilities Mgt has implemented nextel phones so replace phones and pagers.  Raley questioned whether the 911 system had capacity for non emergency communications.  Mattingly noted there were channels where the Sheriff goes when he has a work group.  Sheriff Zylak said yes, but they can all be monitored by outsiders except the encrypted channel.  Lacer said that having the guards is consistent with the recommendations of the safety committee.   McKay suggested adding a security camera at the front door to the Sheriff’s cameras.  Comm Dement asked if there were security at Planning and Zoning.  Lacer said there is little.  Dement got a laugh when he noted that there should have been some incidences in P & Z.  Dement asked if it were cheaper to use cameras.  How can security really do anything, asked Dement.  A person can go up two or three levels and do something and the people on the first floor wouldn’t know it.  McKay asked Dement and got a no on removing the money.  Dement said leave it.  McKay asked Raley and he began asked about the $10,000.  Kramer said $25,000 of the money seems to not be needed.  Mattingly quipped that his retirement is based on paying that bill.  McKay said you should have let us know sooner.  McKay said there is a 10% increase over last year.  Kramer noted that we rely on technology and the training and maintenance is required to keep everything going.  All the County’s supplies are there.  McKay said we need to keep the Department Budgets under control.  Kramer said now IT is centralized although the Information Technology budget has grown.  McKay decided to more $10,000. instead of the potential $50,000.  Recs and Parks removed the $55,000 subsidy from the pool and restored $10,000 for the Teen Center.  He would reduce parks maintenance to pay for the Teen Center.  McKay complained that the Sheriff would get a 13% increase even with additional cuts.  Mattingly said just give him a number.  16,277 is a 7% increase.  If this trend continues to you have to look at alternative law enforcement.  We have a responsibility to the citizens of this County to keep costs from growing at a number beyond the increases in the citizen’s paychecks.  There is $750,000 in INS revenue for this year, Mattingly noted.  You should remove that from the total. $16,500,000 would be a 9.5% increase over last year.  We are facing some tough times, said Jarboe  We need to tuck money away and reallocate later.  The State message is not good.  They will nickel dime us on the County level and we will still see a $05 increase in the State property tax.  Staff recommended $17,500,000.  If you follow this cut and take a half million off, that’s a 12.7% increase said McKay. $16,500,000 is a 10% increase.  I just don’t know how you give that increase and hold these others back.  Sheriff Zylak said he would rather identify another the but himself.  He will be happy  to identify another $500,000.  Zylak said the citizens of St. Mary’s County get more policing for their extra $100 per citizen.  We have more officers in the schools, in hot spots program.  McKay asked if our crime rates are lower than Calvert.  Zylak said Part I crime is shrinking in the Tri County area.  Mattingly said this is only a recommended budget.  McKay said take it to $16,500,000.  Raley said he would do $16,500,000 if it weren’t for the vehicles.  We did nothing last year, but we have to do the vehicles.  McKay said $16,800,00 with the understanding that it includes vehicles. Jarboe said the people in the State House are having cruel times.  They are looking at brutal cuts. Raley favors taking out the Watermen’s Association oyster request.  McKay asked about reducing the Greenwell foundation.  Mattingly said it’s a great program and he doesn’t want to cut that.  They agreed to put in the 7<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> District Optimist club, and remove $20,000 from the watermen.  Jarboe said the Minority Business Alliance should be removed.  He doesn’t see funding the web site.  Why should we fund the Web site?  We’re not funding the Sons of the confederacy.  Mattingly and Raley disagreed.  Raley said keep everything flat except the watermen.  Raley said we are in agreement to do the Rescue Squad.  Raley asked about Marcey House.  McKay said you could flat fund them.  McKay said he would like to talk about the Board of Education.  That would be a 2% increase and he doesn’t think that’s enough.  He would like to raise the Board of Ed to 2.7% or 56,000,000.  It all goes back to Mr. Jarboe’s statement, said Mattingly.  Mr. (?) of the Board of Education said they have lost $500,000 from the Teachers’ Challenge.  A discussion about the next budget session was held.  Kramer doesn’t think there is a need for a work session.  </div> <div>   </div> </td> </tr></table></body>