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Garrett school transportation on board agenda

From Staff Reports

Cumberland Times-News

— OAKLAND — The Garrett County School Enrollment Committee will make a recommendation on the transportation study contracted by the board of education with School Bus Consultants at the June 10 school board meeting at 6:05 p.m. at the Central Office.

The 2013-14 Facility Study made a recommendation to consider moving students from the southern end of the county north.

The transportation study was completed following the facility study and Superintendent Janet Wilson appointed a committee to analyze the data and make recommendations to assist the school system in operating more efficiently.

After the board meeting, the committee’s presentation, along with the School Bus Consultants’ report, will be posted at www.garrettcountyschools.org. The board will accept public comments on the School Enrollment Committee report until noon on June 16. Comments can be submitted to areaenrollmentproposal@garrettcountyschools.org or by mail to Area Enrollment Proposal Committee, Garrett County Public Schools, Attention: Jane Wildesen, 40 S. Second St., Oakland, MD 21550.

The board will meet again June 16 at 5 p.m.

More here.

Garrett commission approves budget, tax rates

Elaine Blaisdell

Cumberland Times-News

— OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners unanimously approved both the $71,835,856 fiscal 2015 operating and capital budgets as well as the fiscal 2015 tax rates during their public meeting Tuesday. The real property tax is $0.9235 in Mountain Lake Park and $0.990 in all other areas. The tax rate includes the fire tax rates, special fire tax levy per $100 and the landfill bond tax.

“This should be a joyous day like we celebrated over the weekend with our graduates because in this instance government has contracted and has actually cut funds for the budget that keeps the tax rate at 99 cents and still covers the basic services provided by the people’s government and it also kept community schools open this year,” said Jim Raley, commissioner. “What we hope by keeping the tax rate the same is that investors once again look at buying and building in Garrett County’s wonderful areas.”

The budget will be reduced by more than $6.5 million when compared to fiscal 2014 ($71.8 million versus $78.3 million). The county lost more than $5 million in revenue, $3 million in real estate tax, $525,000 in income tax and $500,000 in recordation tax, according to Scott Weeks, director of financial services for the county.

Commissioner Gregan Crawford stressed that despite the reduction in the budget that the property tax rate was kept flat, there weren’t any cost of living adjustments in the budget and the rainy day fund, which makes up 5 percent of the budget, remained intact.

“Friends, I just want to say that this budget before us is one of the most difficult in my four years,” said Raley. “Not only does it involve having to say no to many agencies and people who I trust, but it also cuts into services performed at the governmental level.”

More here.

Garrett County faces bleak financial forecast

Elaine Blaisdell

Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — The Garrett County financial forecast for fiscal 2015 looks bleak due to the fact that the county is facing a total projected loss of $5.4 million, according to a news release.

A previous estimate of a $2.5 million projected loss of real property tax revenue has increased by $700,000, to $3.2 million, based on the revision of assessable base calculations, according to Monty Pagenhardt, county administrator. On Nov. 30, the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation produced valued assessable base calculations that confirmed the projected loss in real property tax revenue. This additional loss, coupled with the loss of $2.2 million in revenue for the Garrett County Public School System, equates to a total projected loss of $5.4 million.

The contraction of property tax revenue over the past three fiscal years equates to a loss of actual revenue of $2.8 million or 5.85 percent, according to a news release.

At this point there is nothing that can be done to alleviate the dire financial loss, according to Pagenhardt.

More here.

Garrett County schools retain carryover funds

Elaine BlaisdellCumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — The Garrett County Commission voted unanimously Monday to approve the county board of education’s request to retain $820,868 in carryover funds. The funds, which were from fiscal 2013, can be used as a one-time expense only for prioritized projects, according to commission chairman Robert Gatto.

Leaky roofs at both the former Dennett Road Elementary School and Southern High School are the No. 1 prioritized projects, according to Janet Wilson, county superintendent of schools. The board requested $315,000 for replacing a section of roof over the information technology department that the county and board share at the former school. The request also includes an $18,800 roof repair over the media center area at Southern High School where a hot asphalt treatment is needed immediately to repair it, according to Wilson. The repair will last two to three years.

“We maintain Dennett Road because we have some debt on it,” said Wilson. “That has turned out to be a huge community asset. The gym is used daily, the cafeteria is used a significant amount. One of the things we said, we will put the roof on that portion of the building because we maintain, we own it, we understand we are responsible for it.”

Dennett Road has a $140,214 construction debt that has eight years remaining.

Dennett Road and Kitzmiller elementary schools closed last year as a cost-cutting measure.

Another project high on the priority list is a $45,270 air conditioner replacement/repair at Yough Glades and Bradford elementary schools. Also high on the priority list is a $5,000 architectural study of Southern Middle School and its viability to potentially support elementary and middle school students.

During the meeting, one resident suggested looking at the salaries that make up 80 percent of the board’s budget. The board was able to save money through unemployment, insurance benefits, instructional supplies and materials, substitutes and salary savings.

“When I came aboard, I asked that all staff positions be held until I could review them,” said Wilson.

The fiscal 2013 budget planned for unemployment for about 35 staff members who were subject to reduction in force and that money wasn’t used, according to Wilson.

“I think that it’s very important that all of us are good stewards of taxpayers’ money,” said Wilson “I think it’s important that when we have extra money to let county government know.”

The board is again facing financial difficulties because of the state’s wealth formula. The commissioners met with Lillian Lowery, Maryland state superintendent of schools, in the spring and sent a letter to her asking her to look for short-term solutions. The wealth formula will be looked at in the fall of 2014 and won’t be included until 2016, and contingency plans need to be made in case it doesn’t come through, according to Wilson.

Sen. George Edwards has also sent a letter to Gov. Martin O’Malley asking for short-term and immediate solutions prior to the legislative session. Wilson worked on the letter with Edwards and included the fact that the county has lost nearly 20 percent of its state funding since 2009.

State funding is eroding because of the enrollment numbers, which have dropped, according to Raley. The school system is facing a potential $2.2 million loss in state funding, according to Wilson.

Several residents at the meeting indicated that they would leave the area or home school their children if things don’t improve with the school system. Some residents voiced concerns about overcrowding at Broadford Elementary and the commissioners agreed to visit the school in the future.

“I think it’s important that we have schools that attract people to the area,” said Charlotte Sebold, board member. “It’s very important that we all go out and tell people how great our county is.”

The letter also mentions the hurdle that the school system faces in the geography and topography of the county, 600 miles of county roads translate to 6,000 miles a day for bus services and high transportation costs.

“That’s a standard that sets Garrett County apart from most other jurisdictions,” said Wilson. “Moving down the road, if we again have to do a reduction in force and cause further building closures I can only anticipate transportation costs will increase.”

Jeff Connor of Fike, Conner & Associates CPAs urged everyone else to send a letter to O’Malley.

“We can’t keep doing this over and over. So we are going to have to go to the state level,” said Conner. “More school closings or school consolidations are just not palatable.”

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.

More here.

Commissioners Approve $73.1 Million Operating Budget For Fiscal Year 2014

Jun. 6, 2013

The Garrett County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a $73.1 million operating budget for fiscal year 2014. This figure does not include capital expenditures and debt service. Pdf file here.

The FY ’13 operating budget was $72.5 million, excluding capital expenses.

“Both operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2014 show that Garrett County chooses to operate within its means, just as a household or business would have to do in order to remain solvent,” Commissioner Gregan Crawford said.

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He added that the county is still able to meet its fiscal responsibilities and continues to deliver an acceptable level of services, which is prudent during this time of budgetary cuts.

The commissioners also voted unanimously to keep the real property tax rate at $.99 per $100 of assessed value for all areas of the county except Mountain Lake Park. Because of a tax differential agreement with the county, that town’s rate will be $.927. Both rates include a special fire tax levy of $.034 and a Garrett County Landfill bond tax of $.02.

Property tax revenue for FY ’14 is projected at $43.4 million. Because of a small increase in assessable property values, this is $114,714 more than the county garnered in FY ’13. In their budget document message, the commissioners called this increase “insignificant.”

“The three budgets that we’ve been directly involved in as the board of county commissioners have been quite a challenge,” said Commissioner Jim Raley. “In essence, all the new revenues to the county over the three years have been distributed primarily to backfill the loss of state revenues to the Board of Education and, this year, to the Health Department, both of whom provide vital services to our population.”

He said the county needed to grow its economy and population, work to retain its young people, and find ways to increase its revenue stream.

“It’s easy to say, ‘Just raise taxes and that will fix the problem,'” Raley said. “But when does it end – that vicious cycle of government reaching into the pockets of citizens who are just making it or businesses that are struggling to keep their doors open.”

Though it seems small, he indicated, a two or three cent tax increase greatly affects their bottom lines, resulting in homes being repossessed and businesses closing.

In addition to property taxes, the county’s other revenue sources include grants, various permit fees, and income taxes. The county’s Financial Services office projects that about $11.1 million will be garnered from income taxes in FY ’14, which is an increase of $1 million compared to FY ’13.

More here.

Garrett Co. Officials Review Proposed Fiscal Year 2014 Budget At Public Mtg.

May. 9, 2013

The Garrett County commissioners held a public meeting yesterday evening at Garrett College to review and receive comments on their proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget. About 175 people attended the nearly two-hour event.

County officials have been working on the budget for several months, and the commissioners will officially approve its final version on June 4.

Commission board chair Bob Gatto indicated that the real property tax would remain at the current rate of $.99 per $100 of assessed value for FY ’14. Based on that rate, Department of Financial Services director Wendy Yoder estimates the county’s revenue next fiscal year will be $78.3 million, which is $4.4 million less than in FY ’13.

Most of the county’s revenue is garnered from property taxes, particularly those at Deep Creek Lake. Yoder noted that beginning in January 2014, properties south of the Rt. 219 bridge at the lake will be reassessed.

“This area accounts for about 60 percent of the county’s overall assessable base,” Yoder said.

She indicated this could result in a 15 to 20 percent decline in lakefront property assessments, amounting to about $100,000 per property, in FY ’15. This could equate to an overall 6 percent decrease in county total gross assessable base.

“This decrease translates into a potential loss of $2.9 million in total property tax revenue for the county in Fiscal Year 2015,” Yoder said.

To compensate for the drop in revenue for FY ’14, most county departments can expect to receive the same amount of funding they did in FY ’13, while a few will receive less, in particularly the Roads Department.

County officials are proposing to decrease that department’s allocation by about $156,000. This includes a decrease for winter operations overtime. The department was allocated $490,953 for winter overtime in FY ’13. The proposed allocation for that line item in FY ’14 is $350,000.

Allocations for the Roads Department’s winter abrasive expenses, however, will be increased by $200,000. County administrator Monty Pagenhardt said the increase was for the purchase of additional salt.

The Sheriff’s Office is one of the few departments expected to receive an allocation increase. In FY ’13, the office received $2.8 million, compared to a proposed $3 million in FY ’14. The increase, in part, is the result a new plan to assign resource officers at Southern High School and the Northern High/Middle School Complex. Most of the funding will come from three-year grants.

The Detention Center will also receive increased funding. The proposed FY ’14 allocation is $1.89 million, compared to about $1.82 million in FY ’13. The extra money, in part, is to cover such items as training expenses and increases in medical care for inmates, according to Pagenhardt.

The county will allocate the same amount of funding to the Board of Education in FY ’14 as in FY ’13, $26 million.

“I’ve never seen our financial situation in such a state,” said Garrett County Education Association president Mike Pula, noting that the local public school system continues to see “devastating” funding cuts from Maryland.

He said his group recognizes the commissioners’ financial assistance. Pula noted, however, the “grim” statistics: three schools have been closed, salaries have been frozen, classroom sizes have increased, people have been laid off, and 90 positions have been lost through attrition.

“The long and short of the budget story is: What you’ve done is not enough,” Pula said.

He indicated the BOE will continue to lose millions of dollars from the state and asked the commissioners for their help in maintaining high quality education.

“We’re in serious need of help, and there is just no where else to turn,” Pula said. “We need the board of commissioners to commit to making the school system in Garrett County its priority before anymore of it disappears.”

Commissioner Gatto indicated the commissioners would be meeting with school superintendent Dr. Janet Wilson and the BOE in June to discuss funding issues for FY ’15 and beyond.

“I spent 31 years in the public education system, so I know an awful lot about public schools and I know an awful lot about what teachers face,” Commissioner Jim Raley said. “I also spent 14 years on the school board, so I know an awful lot about the school board’s budget.”

He indicated the key to the county’s revenue woes and increasing its population. More here.republican_logo

Education to take lion’s share of Garrett budget

Despite being fully funded, board predicts a bleak forecast for next few years

Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News   The Cumberland Times-News       Thu May 09, 2013, 11:46 PM EDT

OAKLAND — The largest appropriation in Garrett County’s proposed fiscal 2014 budget is $32.3 million for public education, or 41 percent of the total Operating and Capital Budget for fiscal year 2014, according to Monty Pagenhardt, county administrator.
The county is proposing to allot $26.2 million to the board of education for fiscal 2014. The remainder of the public education funding goes to Garrett College, the Ruth Enlow Library and the Garrett County Scholarship Program.
“The board of education was informed in May of 2012 of this funding level,” said Pagenhardt. “The BOE budget for 2014 is fully funded.” The board was alloted $26 million for fiscal 2013.
Despite being fully funded for fiscal 2014, the board is predicting a bleak financial forecast for the next couple of years, according to a letter from the board to citizens.
Superintendent Janet Wilson, Pagenhardt and respective staff will attempt to develop cooperative points of interest regarding the budget and set up a meeting at a later date.
“County government has for some time reviewed current budgets along with five impending years, and this practice has proven to be a wise judgment, which is evident when comparing actual/final budgets to initial budget estimates,” said Pagenhardt in response to the board’s letter.
“County government and the Board of County Commissioners have made public education a priority for many years. Now, more than ever, open dialog and cooperation, to include the participation of the county administrator, superintendent of schools, and senior staff from both our organizations, is imperative.”
The real property tax rate for fiscal 2014 will be the same as 2013 at $0.9900, according to Pagenhardt.
During the public informational meeting Wednesday, the public questioned Adventure Sports Center International funding and asked questions that were under the authority of the elected board of education, according to Pagenhardt. Four elected board members were in attendance but didn’t speak or provide commentary, said Pagenhardt. Wilson was not in attendance.
The expenditure for ASCI debt repayment for fiscal 2014 is $100,000 to be paid out of hotel rental tax. In March of last year, the county took ownership of ASCI, paying $600,000 to secure the assignment of ASCI debts from Susquehanna Bank.
The fiscal 2014 budget is recommending $1.7 million for Deep Creek 2014 capital improvements to ASCI. The ASCI capital improvements are completely funded by grants.
Total budget for fiscal 2014 is $78.3 million, which is $4.4 million less than the fiscal 2013 budget of $82.7 million. Capital projects and outlay make up $2.6 million of the $4.4 million, according to Pagenhardt.
The fiscal 2014 budget includes $2.2 million from the unreserved/undesignated fund balance (reserves restricted for planned capital expenditures).
“No reserves are used for operating expenses,” said Pagenhardt.
Pagenhardt doesn’t expect changes to the fiscal 2014 budget for now.
“There will be amendments to fiscal year 2013 budget when we have actual revenue or expenditures,” said Pagenhardt. “Final adjustments to the fiscal year budget come with the audit.”
The county commissioners will approve the budget during the June 4 public meeting.
The budget, in its entirety, can be viewed at  www.garrettcounty.org.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.

Garrett board of education warns of bleak times ahead

Garrett board of education warns of bleak times ahead

Between 2009 and 2014, state aid dropped $4.5 million

From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News   The Cumberland Times-News       Tue May 07, 2013, 11:15 PM EDT

CUMBERLAND — OAKLAND —  The Garrett County Board of Education posted an open letter to citizens on its website to alert them that the financial forecast for the next couple of years looks bleak.
The board adopted Superintendent Janet Wilson’s fiscal  2014 budget during a special meeting April 18. During that meeting, projections relating to the anticipated fiscal 2015 revenue and 2016 revenue shortfalls were shared.
Garrett County Public Schools receives more than 90 percent of its revenue from state and local sources.
State revenues have continued to decline in recent years as a result of the county’s increasing wealth and the school system’s declining enrollment.
Between fiscal years 2009 and 2014, revenues from state aid have declined by more than $4.5 million, while corresponding aid from county government has increased by $2.2 million.
Last year, Dennett Road and Kitzmiller elementary schools closed permanently because of a $2 million shortfall, and other programs were cut.
The decision was made to close the schools despite receiving $500,000 from the county commissioners.
Bloomington Elementary was closed in 2011.
“Last-minute funding offered by the Board of County Commissioners came with no promises of future funding which would have required the advisory group process, and the emotional turmoil that goes with the process, to be repeated the following year,” said the letter.
If reliable and sustainable streams of revenue cannot be identified and committed in a timely manner for fiscal 15 and beyond, the school system is required by state code to begin the advisory process to determine if school closures, consolidation and redistricting are necessary, according to the letter.
“This time, every school (all eight in the county) will be involved in the process requiring that the advisory meetings begin this summer,” said the letter.
The school board will obtain a facility study and the results will be given to the advisory committees.
The study will be conducted on Accident, Broad Ford, Crellin, Friendsville, Grants-ville, Route 40, Swan Meadow and Yough Glades Elementary schools.
The results of the study will help to ensure that the best decisions regarding any school closures, consolidation and redistricting are made for 2015 and for the future of the county schools. Decisions regarding closures, consolidation and redistricting for fiscal 2015 must be made by April 1, 2014.
In fiscal year 2015, the board anticipates that the state aid revenues will decline by an additional $1 million.
The board invited commissioners to discuss the future of the Garrett County Public School System on April 24, but the commissioners couldn’t attend because the meeting precludes the final approval of the county’s fiscal 2014 budget, which will be adopted at the June 4 public meeting.
“Public education is certainly a priority for the county and the identification of long-term financial planning has been and will continue to be a high priority,” said Monty Pagenhardt, county administrator. “Just as the public school system is experiencing a reduction of funding, all other county government core areas of public interest must be cognizant of the current economic times.”
The board has no revenue-generating authority and is squarely dependent on the commissioners’ commitment to providing an adequate operating budget, according to the letter.
The county is proposing to allot $26.2 million to public school system for fiscal 2014, according to Pagenhardt. The largest portion of the county’s fiscal 2013 budget allotted $26,023,714 to the board.
Without additional aid from the commissioners, the approximate fiscal 2015 budget gap for the board would be $1.7 million, according to the letter.
Projections indicate that in fiscal 2016, the school system faces an additional $450,000 deficit.
“The local share of the current county government’s budget does not represent an adequate amount to operate our school system and has not been adequate for some time,” states the letter.
The commissioners will conduct an informational budget meeting today at 7 p.m. at Garrett College auditorium.
“It is our hope that the fiscal 2014 budget discussion will include a promise of revenue that will secure the future of the school system in fiscal 2015,” said the letter. “Without guaranteed streams of funding and with the additional requirements of reform focusing on massive change at the classroom level, there will be consequences.”
The board needs a committed amount of revenue for 2015 and beyond in order to avert the need for school closure, consolidation and redistricting advisory meetings and to plan for instructional programs necessary for current reforms, according to the letter.
Wilson, Pagenhardt and respective staff will get together to develop cooperative points of interest regarding the budget and set up a meeting at a later date.
The letter can be read in its entirety at http://www. ga.k12.md.us/. The county budget can be viewed at www.garrettcounty.org.