Category:garrett county commissioners
>Commissioners Earmark Another $700K For Board Of Education
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Apr. 28, 2011
After numerous budget review sessions, the Garrett County commissioners have agreed to appropriate an additional $700,000 to the Board of Education for Fiscal Year 2012, county administrator Monty Pagenhardt announced on Tuesday. These funds will be transferred from the county’s unrestricted/undesignated fund balance.
This newest earmark is in addition to the previously announced $1 million increase in FY ’12, compared to FY ’11. Pagenhardt noted that the $1.7 million proposed appropriation to the BOE would be the largest annual increase ever approved.
“The additional allocation of funds will assist the Board of Education with a projected residual shortfall of $1.365 million that has been determined,” he said.
The total proposed FY ’12 allocation to the BOE from the county is now $24,874,000. This is still below what the board had requested from the county – $28,687,825. Its FY ’11 BOE allocation was $23,174,000.
Pagenhardt said that although the BOE has not presented its comprehensive budget to the county, the commissioners project that the additional allocation – combined with cost savings from the board’s employee retirement incentive plan and supplementary public education funds secured in the 2011 Maryland General Assembly session – will reduce the BOE’s funding shortfall to $665,000.
He noted that county officials have worked to close its own $17 million funding shortfall, and reiterate to the BOE that all county departments have incurred budget cuts or have been flat funded in FY ’12. County capital projects have been repeatedly scrutinized and reprioritized, Pagenhardt said.
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>Garrett commissioners add $700,000 to schools budget
>Board of Education asked to develop long-term plan
For the Cumberland Times-News
The Cumberland Times-News Tue Apr 26, 2011, 11:29 PM EDT
OAKLAND — After numerous budget review sessions, the Garrett County commissioners have added $700,000 to the $1 million already allocated for the Board of Education for fiscal 2012.
The funds will be transferred from the county’s unrestricted/undesignated fund balance and will assist the board with a projected residual shortfall of $1.365 million.
The county commissioners have asked the Board of Education to develop a long-term financial plan that will allow Garrett County public schools to operate proficiently despite the loss of funds from changes to the state funding principles and a declining student enrollment, according to County Administrator Monty Pagenhardt.
Pagenhardt said that the commissioners are willing to work with the board in developing the plan. The county has not been presented with a comprehensive budget from the board, according to Pagenhardt. But county staff projects that the additional allocation combined with cost savings from the board’s employee retirement incentive plan and supplementary public education funds secured during the Maryland General Assembly session will reduce the funding shortfall to $665,000.
The county commissioners along with the county administrator and Department of Financial Services have worked to close a $17 million dollar funding shortfall and all county departments have incurred budget cuts or have been flat-funded in fiscal 2012. Capital projects have been repeatedly scrutinized and reprioritized.
Under county policy, the funds that were transferred must be restored within two years. The county commissioners anticipate a similar amount in new revenue for fiscal 2013 from the Synergics wind project located on Backbone Mountain.
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>GC Commissioners Review Proposed FY 2012 Budget
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Apr. 21, 2011
The Garrett County commissioners held two meetings, one in Oakland and one in Grantsville, on Tuesday to present their proposed fiscal year 2012 budget and receive public comment about the working document. About 50 people attended the Oakland event.
“We’re closing the gaps,” Commissioner Bob Gatto told the Oakland participants about the preliminary budget. “It’s important that you be here and take part because it is your money, your budget, and we want your input on our decisions.”
Commission chair Gregan Crawford said the budget was still in a very fluid process.
“Nothing is locked down as of yet,” he said.
County administrator Monty Pagenhardt went over some of the highlights of the proposed document. Garrett County Department of Financial Services estimates county revenue from various sources for FY ’12 will be about $71 million, compared to $85 million in FY ’11.
Expected revenue from real property tax in the new year is expected to be $43,687,494. Pagenhardt said this is a revenue increase of only $244,149, compared to FY ’11.
“This is the lowest increase in many years,” he said.
He noted that raising the current tax rate from $.99 to $1 per $100 of assessed value would garner the county only $507,000 more in the next fiscal year.
New sources of revenue include $1.7 million in personal property/ordinary business taxes collected from the Constellation Energy wind turbine project and $425,000 from a possible property sale – a parcel at land at the old GC Roads Department site in Oakland. Tax revenue from the Synergics wind turbine project will not be realized until FY ’13, Pagenhardt said.
“One of the things that the budget doesn’t reflect is the fact that the county, by policy, maintains a rainy day fund of about $3 million,” noted Commissioner Jim Raley. “Basically, by policy, it says 5 percent of your operating budget should be set aside in reserve.”
Expenditure increases in FY ’12 include an hourly salary increase of 4 percent for nonexempted Roads Department personnel. The union workers were to receive the raise in FY ’11, but they voting to delay that for one year because of the downturn in the county’s economic situation.
Nonunion county employees did not receive a pay raise in FY ’11 either. County officials are considering several options/cost scenarios to provide them with one in the coming year.
“It is my opinion and desire to have all employees receive an equal adjustment – Board of Education, Garrett College, and county,” Pagenhardt said.
Another unavoidable expenditure will be a 7 percent increase in the health care plan for county employees.
Because of the new revenue from wind turbines, the commissioners are also considering allocating $1 million more to the Board of Education in FY ’12. In FY ’11, the board received $23,174,000 from the county. The BOE requested $28.7 million for FY ’12. The commissioners, however, are proposing an allocation of $24,174,000.
Because of declining enrollment, how the state calculates a county’s wealth, economic conditions, and other factors, the local Board of Education is facing about a $4 million shortfall in its FY ’12 budget. As a cost-saving measure, therefore, Dr. Wendell Teets, superintendent of schools, has proposed closing Kitzmiller and Bloomington elementary schools.
Several local residents at the Oakland meeting asked the commissioners to allocate more funding to the BOE so the two small community schools could remain open. Other residents asked the commissioners not to cut extracurricular activities at county schools.
The commissioners noted they have no authority over these issues. They can allocate funding to the BOE but cannot tell the board where or how the money has to be spent. It is entirely the BOE’s decision to close a school and discontinue athletic, musical, artistic, or other activities.
As the result of less revenue, allocations to most county departments and agencies have been reduced or are flat. Pagenhardt noted that funding requests earlier this year totaled more than $85 million.
In addition, capital project and outlay requests totaled nearly $5.8 million. The proposed allocation is $2 million. Small equipment requests are expected to be reduced from $762,729 to $440,849.
“We’ve gone through it and really scrubbed it,” Crawford said of the budget. “We’ve had excellent communication and cooperation with department heads.”
Additional cost-saving measures include the consolidation of the county’s 911 and sheriff’s dispatch offices; consolidation of the county, BOE, and Garrett College employee health plans; elimination of a paid student intern program; and discontinuation of funding for a Marcellus shale program educator.
Crawford said the commissioners anticipate another tight budget next year. Fiscal year 2012 begins on July 1.
“We do budget very conservatively, as always” he noted.
The commissioners’ next public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3, at 9 a.m.
Read the full article here. If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Garrett commissioners ask review of drilling regulations
>Anonymous Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Sun Apr 24, 2011, 08:31 PM EDT
— Editor’s note: This letter to Gov. Martin O’Malley was released to the Times-News for publication.
Dear Gov. O’Malley: With the completion of the 2011 session of the Maryland General Assembly and the failure to enact any legislation relating to Marcellus Shale drilling (HB411, HB852, SB422 or SB634), we are asking that you consider a review of Maryland’s regulatory and statutory framework by the nonprofit organization State Review of Oil & Natural Gas Environmental Regulations.
The Board of Garrett County Commissioners believes that the state of Maryland should be a model for other governmental jurisdictions in dealing with natural gas drilling and exploration regulations.
We also believe that such a review would show that Maryland’s current regulatory and statutory framework is already superior to our neighboring states.
If deficiencies would arise, it has already been demonstrated that the Maryland Department of the Environment has the required authority to enact regulations accordingly and in the best interest of the landowners, adjacent property owners and other interested parties.
As energy costs soar, we are all forced to pay increasingly higher fuel and electricity costs. We believe that it is incumbent upon us to move forward with the development of this energy supply in a responsible and accountable manner.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this request.
Gregan T. Crawford, chairman; Robert G. Gatto and James M. Raley, commissioners
The Board of Garrett County Commissioners
If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Garrett County's FY 2012 Draft Budget Is Online
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Support the Republican Newspaper! It’s only $9.95/year for the online edition! Mar. 24, 2011 County administrator Monty Pagenhardt announced yesterday that the Fiscal Year 2012 Garrett County government draft budget is now online. Interested persons can find this link at http://www.garrettcounty.org/Commissioners/budget12/2012Requested.pdf
The document outlines various revenue sources for the county totaling $69.2 million in the coming fiscal year. The county’s income this year is $84.9 million. Proposed expenditures in FY ’12 include $28.7 million for the Board of Education, compared to $24.3 million in FY 2011; $500,000 for the Garrett County Scholarship Program, which is the same as last year’s allocation; $19.9 million for the Roads Department, which would be $3.3 million more than last year; a $200,000 decrease for public safety; and a $1.8 million decrease for economic development.
The county commissioners will approve the new budget and set county tax rates shortly before the new fiscal year starts on July 1. Read the full article here.
If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
Commissioners Slate Public Mtg. For Next Thurs.
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Jan. 13, 2011
The Board of Garrett County Commissioners will hold its next public meeting on Thursday, Jan. 20, beginning at 4 p.m. in the St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church parish hall, located at the corner of Oak and Fourth streets in Oakland.
The event will start with a natural gas extraction presentation by the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Garrett County Department of Planning and Land Development.
Members of the local Marcellus Shale Advisory Committee will also be in attendance for this session.
“Interested persons are encouraged to attend to utilize this time to address questions to state and county officials, and public commentary will be welcome,” said county administrator Monty Pagenhardt.
Commissioners Name Nominees For Board Of Ed
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Dec. 23, 2010
The Board of Garrett County Commissioners is in the process of nominating the Board of Education member-at-large that was created when Jim Raley was elected as county commissioner.
The commissioners received letters of interest from the following persons: Robert Quick, Bill Meagher, Gary Barlow, Josh Hinebaugh, Matthew Paugh, Darlena Grady, Pamela Livengood, Jodi Nichols, John Pucciano, Sadie Liller, Jerome Lynch, Ruth Hinebaugh Umbel, Cynthia Downton, Jack Riley, and Rodney Reckart.
The commissioners will review all the names on Dec. 28 and take action on the appointment on Jan. 4, according to county administrator Monty Pagenhardt.
The BOE’s next public meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 11.
Commissioners Present Legislative "Wish List" To Local Lawmakers
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Dec. 23, 2010
The Garrett County commissioners met with Sen. George Edwards and Del. Wendell Beitzel on Tuesday morning to discuss their “wish list” of legislative items for the upcoming General Assembly session, which begins on Jan. 12 in Annapolis.
County administrator Monty Pagenhardt noted that the county’s list this time was shorter than in past years.
“This year, we really don’t have a lot of issues, but there are a lot of important issues open for discussion,” he said.
The commissioners requested that Edwards and Beitzel introduce two “house cleaning” bills to amend codes pertaining to local issues. The first proposed piece of legislation would clarify language in the county’s delinquent property tax sale code and increase the tax sale auctioneers’ fee from $3 per property sold to $8 per property sold.
“This fee change for Garrett County would put us more inline with the fees of other counties and, at the same time, provide a benefit for the auctioneer, making his time more worthwhile,” explained Director Wendy Yoder, Department of Financial Services.
Currently, she noted, there are 13 counties that have fees higher than the standard rate of $3. Those fees range from $7.50 to $10.
The second proposed bill would enable the commissioners to amend the county’s Code of Ordinances regarding a vacancy on their board. Following the death or resignation of a commissioner, the Central Committee of that person’s political party would submit the name of replacement to the governor, who would then nominate/appoint that person to the board.
Pagenhardt noted that, currently, the county code states the replacement filling out the term must be from the same district. It does not mention party affiliation. The state code, however, requires that the replacement be from the same party.
“All we’re requesting is that the county code be amended to read as the same language as the state code,” he told Edwards and Beitzel.
"It's A New Day For GC Politics"; Commissioners Sworn In
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Dec. 16, 2010
Clerk of Garrett County Circuit Court Sondra Buckel swore in the new three-member county commissioners’ board at the courthouse on Tuesday morning. About 75 family members, friends, campaign supporters, and county personnel attended the ceremony and welcome reception that followed.
“It is a new day for Garrett County politics,” District 1 commissioner Gregan Crawford told the crowd. “It’s been a long time since three new commissioners have all been sworn it at the same time, and that’s an awesome amount of trust that you’ve placed in our hands. So I hope we live up to your expectations and exceed them.”
He said each of the commissioners recognizes his own strengths and weaknesses, and the board will have a good balance of those attributes.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be here,” said Bob Gatto, who won the District 2 commissioner’s seat as a write-in candidate. “I’m looking forward to the next four years of working with you and working for this county. Let’s make things happen in a positive way for everybody.”
He indicated the new commissioners will not always agree on issues, but they will work together for their constituents.
“We need to be open with our government; we need to be open with our decisions,” Gatto said. “We need to involve everyone who’s affected by those decisions, and work toward a common goal, and that is making Garrett County the pride of not only Maryland but also the nation.”
Prior to being sworn in, District 3 commissioner Jim Raley officially resigned from the Garrett County Board of Education. His term on the BOE would have expired in January 2012. Raley, a former middle school teacher, had served on that board since January 1997.
He noted his family was not able to attend the swearing-in because of the adverse weather.
“Each of you are now my family; you’re now my friends,” Raley told those attending the ceremony. “You’re the people that I’m going to be working for. I want you to make sure you let me know how I’m doing. I want you to let me know what I’m doing right. I want you to let me know what I’m doing wrong.”
He said the next four years will provide the commissioners with the true picture of what this new leadership team is about and able to accomplish.
“It won’t be easy; however, I think we’re up to the challenge,” Raley said. “We’ve spent a lot of time together; we’ve worked closely together. And I think, philosophically, we share many of the same attributes and goals.”
Commissioners Take Oath Of Office
The new Board of Garrett County Commissioners was sworn into office on Tuesday morning by Sondra Buckel, clerk of GC Circuit Court. Left to right are Gregan Crawford, District 1; Bob Gatto, District 2; Jim Raley, District 3; and Buckel. None of the men are incumbents. Crawford noted that it has been several years since an entirely new board of commissioners has been sworn in. Following a welcome reception, the new commissioners faced a full-day agenda, which included briefings from Garrett College and Board of Education officials. See story. Photo by John McEwen.
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