Denton, Maryland

The regularly scheduled meeting of the County Commissioners of Caroline County, Maryland, convened at 9:30 AM in the Commissioners Hearing Room, Courthouse.

Margaret R. Myers, President

John S. LeGates, Vice President

John W. Cole, Member

Charles C. Cawley, County Administrator

Approval of the minutes was deferred until the next regular meeting. Vouchers #41553 - #41622 were approved for payment.

On the individual motions indicated, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Myers signed the following purchase orders:

Circuit Court Judge Owen Wise discussed with the Commissioners his recent memo recommending that the court employees under his direct supervision be taken into the County merit system. Now is the time to discuss this, he said, given his retirement plans for next January, the unknown amount of time it may take for his replacement to be appointed by the Governor, and his successor’s personnel preferences. The matter seems to be handled differently in each county, he said, but typically judges retain the authority to hire and fire their law clerk, which is a temporary, contractual one-year position, and their secretary. He has spoken to his employees, and they all wish to be taken into the system. Ms. Davison will look into pertinent attorney general opinions and report back. Mr. Cawley said whatever is decided should be reflected in the new personnel manual, which IGS has begun work on.

The Commissioners approved the County portion of the first 1998 semi-annual investment report to the state as presented by Dorsey Wooters, County treasurer. The balance of the report will be presented after Mr. Wooters returns from vacation.

The Commissioners approved by unanimous consent President Myers’ signature on an electronic banking form authorizing the County treasurer to enter into an Automated Clearing House agreement with Mercantile Safe Deposit and Trust, as requested by Dorsey Wooters, pending finalization of the language of the authorization.

Allan Gorsuch, superintendent of schools, accompanied by Albert Turner and Dane Coleman, members of the Board of Education, discussed the lease-purchase financing of the Board’s new administration building. Gorsuch said that the County and Board auditors are in agreement that the financing does not encumber County government, that it is not a County full faith and credit obligation. Mr. Cawley said there was no question that the transaction is legal, but that accountants and state law are at variance on whether it is County debt. Dr. Gorsuch noted that accountants can’t change state law or the Board of Education’s authority. Mr. Cawley said that the auditors have indicated that the audit will present the item as a capital lease in a long-term debt group. A remaining question in Mr. Cawley’s mind is whether bond rating agencies include or will include such transactions as a factor in their rating evaluations. Dr. Gorsuch said the Board of Education does not need County permission to do something that does not encumber the County, but that the Board has had a longstanding tradition that a project will not move forward unless the Board and the County are in accord, and he wants that to continue. The only project he can think of that might "take us down that path again" would be a needed warehouse facility. Mr. Cole said the school budget should be signed. Projects that may have a long range adverse impact on the County financial system need to be monitored, and the Board and County administration need to work in unison to assure that such impacts are avoided. Dr. Gorsuch agreed, but added that if Mr. Cawley’s concern about possible impact on the County’s bond rating materializes, the Board and the County should contest this with the rating agencies. President Myers stated that the Commissioners have had a very cooperative relationship with the Board of Education, but that she would like to see a meeting of the minds take place at the administrative level of both entities to further improve communications. On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed the FY 1999 Caroline County Board of Education Operating Budget as presented by the Board.

Dave Bramble, Soil Conservation district manager, and John Shepherd, SCD technician, updated the Commissioners on public drainage association activities. The District is still lobbying the state to resume funding for PDA’s (one staff position and 25% ditch maintenance costshare funding) but in the meantime, ditch maintenance activity and coordination have suffered . It was noted that the ditch associations do not have access to the County 25% maintenance costshare funds until the ditch has taxed its members the 75% match, and the funds have been deposited with the County treasurer. The problem of Long Marsh funding was discussed. President Myers feels this ditch should be a priority for re-viewing since although it feeds other ditches, only a handful of taxables contribute to its upkeep. Mr. Bramble said the ditch managers would have to request the re-viewing, and it would be a lengthy process. On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved the proposed reauthorization of unused FY 1997-98 County ditch maintenance funds to specified public drainage associations according to the standard formula, as recommended by the Caroline Soil Conservation District. The Commissioners received copies of the SCD report listing the associations receiving a portion of the FY 1998-99 County maintenance funding totalling $21,000, the amount received by each, and the length of the ditch.

Following presentation by Chuck Emerson, director of public works, the Commissioners unanimously approved the following pertaining to the new health and public service building, Sixth Street, Denton. He noted that the project contingency fund balance is adequate to address the change orders.

1. The proposed exterior sign;
2. The lettering on the building, with the understanding that the belt around the County seal is to be gold in color, not yellow;
3. Change Order #7 to Denton Development Venture LLC adding $19,476 to the project cost for insulation and replacement of bad roof decking (a negotiated amount);
4. Change Order #8 to Denton Development Venture LLC adding #3,795 to the project cost for furnishing and installing an exhaust fan, ductwork, and an exterior grill to accommodate adult day care program activities;
5. Lane Engineering will be improving the access road to the property at a cost of $4,500;

Mr. Emerson said that he is looking into a County-owned pay telephone in the new building and in the Courthouse. The phone revenue will be County property, and the lines will be rented.

On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously authorized President Myers to sign a letter again designating the Caroline County health department as the lead agency for the FY 1998-99 Infants and Toddlers program, as recommended by the Human Services Council and agreed to by the department.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Myers signed the FY 1998-99 Agreement for Distribution of Commodities and Funds for the Emergency Food Assistance Program with the Maryland Department of Human Resources, accepting $5,000 in grant funds on behalf of Saint Martin’s Barn, Ridgely.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Myers signed a Letter of Intent on behalf of Interfaith Housing Development Housing Corporation, Inc., authorizing participation in a grant application for additional state Service-Linked Housing funds from the Maryland Department of Human Resources, Community Services Administration.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved use of a digitized County seal by the Maryland Communications Center, which will, under the auspices of the state, develop an internet economic development page for each county, including county seals.

On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners reviewed and referred to the County Tourism Committee for review and recommendations the proposal for a County tourism plan submitted by Spectrum Communications.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously granted the annual request of the County Fair Board for $2,000 towards the cost of the 1998 County Fair to be held at the end of the month.

The Commissioners concurred with Mr. Cawley’s proposal to devote the August 25^th night meeting to 5-minute presentations by department heads to County Commissioner candidates, depending on the candidates’ availability.

Mr. Cole asked that Deputy Kille be contacted regarding his request to be on the agenda to present an 80/20 retirement proposal for sheriff’s department employees.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.

Leigh Sands