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The Honorable Board of License Commissioners met today with
the following present: Roy W. Crow, Scott D. Livie, and William W. Pickrum,
presiding.
T. Edward Robinson, County Administrator, was also in attendance.
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
W. Roger Williams, Treasurer, reported a balance of $5,882,605.00.
BAYSIDE PUBLIC LANDING
The Commissioners approved and signed a Contract by and between the County
and Deckelman's Pile Driving for the reconfiguration of boat slips at
Bayside Public Landing at a cost of $13,700.00. At the recommendation
of Jim Wright, County Engineer, the Commissioners approved to accept Irrevocable
Letter of Credit for the account of Deckelman's Pile Driving in the amount
of $14,700 to guarantee compliance to terms and conditions of contract.
BUDGET
At 2:25 p.m., the Commissioners held budget work sessions with Carter
Stanton, Public Works Director, Ed Spray, County Roads Superintendent,
Marty Holden, Waste Management Supervisor, Bob Merritt, Maintenance Supervisor,
Jim Wright, County Engineer/Purchasing Coordinator, Lee Ann Myers, Safety
Training Coordinator, Mauritz Stetson, Alcohol Beverage Inspector, Bob
Rust, Emergency Management Director, Sue Willits, Emergency Planning Coordinator,
Ken Smith, Emergency Communications Supervisor, and Stacy Gouldin, Chief
Paramedic.
T. Edward Robinson, County Administrator, and Pat Merritt, Budget and
Accounting Director, were also in attendance.
The budget work session adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
BUDGET
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Dr. Leland D. Spencer, Kent and Caroline Health Officer, appeared in order
to follow up the discussion that took place at the budget workshop March
9th during which concern was expressed that the Health Department's Fiscal
Year 2004 budget did not indicate any funding to address the Mental Health
Program's deficit. Pat Merritt, Director of Budget and Accounting, was
also present.
Dr. Spencer, referring to his letter to the Commissioners, dated March
17, 2004, in which he provided the history and background for said deficit,
stated that, in addition to Kent County, he was proposing to Queen Anne's
and Caroline Counties that each County commit to contributing $50,000
per year for the next three years to the Regional Mid-Shore Mental Health
Services (RMSMHS). He advised that information was received from the State
that he would not be permitted to hire any more staff on the State program
with the current $500,000 deficit of the RMSMHS.
Also, Dr. Spencer advised that unless the deficit is significantly diminished,
the patients who are currently assisted with mental health services would
have to be transferred to the private sector; there are no other mental
health programs on the Eastern Shore.
Dr. Spencer distributed copies of the RMSMHS' "Revenue and Expense Summary."
Dr. Spencer reported in his letter to the Commissioners that the RMSMHS
originally represented a merger in 1997 of the previous independently
operated public mental health clinics of Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's,
Talbot, and Dorchester Counties. The current merger includes Caroline,
Kent, and Queen Anne's Counties, with Caroline County acting as the lead
agency and administrative headquarters. He noted that Talbot and Dorchester
Counties withdrew from the mental health services; however, Talbot County
has expressed interest in rejoining. All staff are employees of the Caroline
County Health Department and represent a mixture of State merit and State
contractual positions.
Dr. Spencer explained that the RMSMHS program serves uninsured (about
5% of the total served), underinsured, Medicaid, and privately insured
individuals. In Kent County, the program employs about 10 full-time employees
and serves close to 500 patients per year. Prior to 1997, the Maryland
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene had subsidized local mental health
programs with grant funding to assure fiscal viability of these services.
Those funds were officially discontinued to the RMSMHS at the end of Fiscal
Year 2001 and were no longer available.
Responding to the Commissioners' questions, Dr. Spencer stated that, since
the end of Fiscal Year 2002, the program has continued to run a significant
deficit despite, according to Dr. Spencer, "aggressive and disciplined
fiscal management." As of January 2004, the program is currently running
a total deficit of $535,598. Dr. Spencer's projection for the deficit
at the end of Fiscal Year 2004 will be just over $500,000. He added that,
for the first time since 1997, given no deficit, he projected, although
he could not guarantee, that collections would meet or slightly exceed
expenses and, as a result, the program would be "budget neutral," with
the deficit stabilized.
He further noted that over the past two fiscal years, the three county
health departments have worked together to subsidize said program from
their respective budgets, but due to recent budget cut-backs at both the
County and State levels, financial resources are no longer available to
continue to service this debt.
To Mrs. Merritt's inquiry as to the deadline for receiving a commitment
from Kent County, Dr. Spencer responded that a commitment would be needed
by or before July 1, 2004.
Discussion ensued about the status of the State's commitment to mental
health in general Dr. Spencer reported that the County should not expect
any financial support from the State nor the federal government for mental
health services; there is State and federal financial support available
for addictions programs.
Commissioner Pickrum emphasized his opinion that it is unrealistic for
the State and federal governments to expect local governments to support
mental health services without their support.
Commissioner Livie recommended that Dr. Spencer conduct a comparative
analysis of the Maryland Health Plan with other mental health insurance
providers. Commissioner Livie suggested that the Maryland Health Plan
might provide the means for supporting the expenses of serving uninsured
patients. Dr. Spencer advised that he would communicate to Caroline and
Queen Anne's Counties that Kent County is supportive of making a financial
commitment to the RMSMHS in theory, but must first determine if and when
an amount and schedule of payment would be possible.
CHESAPEAKE AND DELAWARE CANAL (C & D CANAL)
WATER QUALITY MONITORING
Gail Owings, Director of Planning and Zoning, sent memorandum with attachment
of water quality data in the C & D Canal reported from the monitoring
station in Back Creek, east of the MD Route 213 Bridge at Chesapeake City.
She explained that there is an additional water quality monitoring station
located in the Elk River, southeast of the C & D Canal.
Mrs. Owings further indicated that both of these stations are fixed monthly
stations that collect data on dissolved oxygen, water temperature, salinity,
pH, and water clarity. Mrs. Owings provided a copy of map showing the
locations of all of the above.
CHESAPEAKE FIELDS INSTITUTE (CFI)
A copy of the 2003 "Annual Report" of CFI was received, dated December
2, 2003.
CHESAPEAKE MARINE CAREER TRADE SCHOOL (CMCTS)
Correspondence was received via electronic mail from Mike Thielke, Executive
Director , Chester Bridge Foundation, Inc.(CBF), providing a copy of a
proposed reconfiguration of CBF Board of Directors, and a list of names
of members of the Marine Advisory Board as follows: Art Willis, Ed Jurowski,
Jay Jacobs, Jeremy Dolan, John Sirna, John Wright, Jonathan Jones, Mark
Grahamer, Ralph Hall, Eick Miller, Robin Kurowski, and Ron Fithian.
A letter of support went forth to Congressman Gilchrest, Senators Mikulski
and Sarbanes requesting their support of the CBF's efforts in establishing
the CMTCS through the award of an Economic Development Initiative grant
or other appropriate funding source.
Also included are the following Current Project Initiatives for the CBF:
a Marine Trades Career School Initiative with adult and youth programs
projected; Small Business Incubator Initiative; and Affordable Housing
Initiative.
CHESTER RIVER CHORALE
Correspondence was received from Linda P. Parry, President, Chester River
Chorale, expressing the gratitude of the Chorale to the Kent County Arts
Council for its effort in making a grant in the amount of $300 available
to them. The grant represented the second part of their Community Arts
Development Grant for 2004 from the Maryland State Arts Council.
The Chester River Chorale is an organization of about 80 local citizens
who gather to bring a wide variety of music to the community. They are
now in their fifth consecutive season of giving Christmas concerts, spring
concerts, and summer "concerts in the park" free of charge to audiences
ranging from 200 to 400 people.
COMMUNITY CENTER
Correspondence was received from Delegate Mary Roe Walkup indicating that
the following legislative request has been scheduled for a hearing: House
Bill 1509 - Creation of a State Debt-Kent County-Recreation and Community
Complex. This hearing will be before the Appropriations Committee on March
25th at 1:00 p.m. This hearing was rescheduled for March 29th at 1:00
p.m.
DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES
Millington Service Area - Mayor Dennis Hager of Millington appeared
and informed the Commissioners that a bid-opening would take place later
in the day for the construction of a new water treatment plant in Millington.
Wayne Morris, Director of the Department of Water and Wastewater Services,
was also in attendance.
Mayor Hager indicated that there is a leak in the existent sewer lines
in the Town and that Mr. Morris would determine the location of the leak
utilizing a camera. The Mayor indicated that the second alternative, and
last resort, would be to "smoke the lines."
Refinancing - The Commissioners approved and signed Resolution
(and other closing and loan documents) to issue the County's general obligation
installment bond in the aggregate principal amount of $957,000 designated
as the "County Commissioners of Kent County Wastewater System Improvement
Bond of 2004" for the public purpose of refinancing a portion of the costs
of the acquisition, construction, and capital costs of part of the County's
wastewater system, together with related costs of the bond issue and sale.
Piney Neck Service Area - The Commissioners approved and signed
Public Works Agreement by and between the County and Dr. and Mrs. Robert
Abel, Jr. for a sewer allocation located on Map 51, Parcel 210.
Spring Cove/Green Lane Service Area - The Commissioners approved
and signed Public Works Agreement by and between the County and Mr. &
Mrs. Bertram Peters for a sewer allocation located on Map 50, Parcel 73.
Tolchester Service Area - A workshop session about the Tolchester
Review Committee's recommendation on the Tolchester Growth Management
Plan was conducted by Gail Owings, Director of Planning and Zoning, Carla
Martin, Environmental Planner, Wayne Morris, Director of Water and Wastewater
Services.
Mrs. Owings reported the following "Conclusions and Recommendations" of
the Tolchester Review Committee:
- Without additional expense, the County may provide 10 additional allocations
which comply with the recommendations outlined in the letter from McCrone,
Inc. (engineering), dated December 17, 2004. If the County wishes to exceed
10 additional connections or to approve a connection that does not meet
the conditions, McCrone would need to reconstruct its computer model of
the entire wastewater collection system and evaluate the new scenarios.
The fee for the reconstruction of the computer model and evaluation of
three scenarios is approximately $3,500.00 if a college intern was employed
to reconstruct the model and input the data.
- To maximize the permitted allocations, make the most efficient use of
existing infrastructure, and limit disturbance to the forested area, these
10 additional allocations should be limited to the lots on Cumberland
Avenue and west toward the Chesapeake Bay. Extension into the wooded area
east of these lots should not occur until a nontidal wetlands delineation
is completed.
-The County should work with the Tolchester Community Association and
any other entity owning the roadways to develop a minimum road standard,
culvert standards, and maintenance agreements.
- The County, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Tolchester
Community should investigate methods to improve the existing drainage
ditches in the developed sections of the Community. If additional drainage
cannot be addressed through the existing drainage system, these entities
should work together to develop a plan to address the remaining drainage
issues.
- The Tolchester Community Association should develop standards for permitted
access clearing on its property.
- The County should amend the water and sewer plan by deleting the Tolchester
Growth Management Plan and adding a Tolchester Allocation Policy Section.
This allocation policy should state that an allocation will be granted
in the Tolchester Service Area only when the proposed lot is a minimum
of 10,000 square feet in size and is within the designated area.
For the record, in December 2003, the County Commissioners established
a Tolchester Growth Management Review Committee for the purpose of revising
the Tolchester Growth Management Plan which is included in the County's
Water and Sewer Plan.
The Committee's directive was to provide additional allocations beyond
the original 40 allocations originally authorized in order to accommodate
current needs and to allow appropriate controlled growth in Tolchester
Estates. The Committee was comprised of the following members: Wayne Morris,
Director of Water and Wastewater Services, Nancy Metcalf, Soil Conservation
District, Carla Martin, Community Planner, Gail Owings, Director of Planning
and Zoning, Marci Brown, member of the Planning Commission, Ed Birkmire,
Director of Environmental Health, and Susanne Hayman, County Attorney.
Tolchester Estates was developed and marketed in the late 1920's. Given
the rapid growth of this development over the decades following, Tolchester
was identified as an area with potential health problems due to failing
septic systems and a priority for the extension of public sewer.
In the early 1990's, Fairlee was considered a growth area and Tolchester
was not. In order to construct the new wastewater treatment plant without
encouraging unplanned growth, the County adopted a growth management strategy.
This strategy sought to limit growth in the Tolchester area by limiting
allocations to 40, limiting development to the developed areas of Tolchester,
maintaining the 10,000 square foot building area required by the Health
Department for private wells, and by avoiding extending sewer lines into
sensitive areas, such as riparian forest and nontidal wetlands.
The first request to use one of the additional 40 allocations occurred
in 1998 with a total of five allocations granted from 1996 to 2001. Ten
allocations were approved in 2002 and 18 in 2003.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pickrum that the recommendations made
by the Tolchester Growth Management Committee in its Report be implemented.
Discussion on the motion was initiated by Bob Basener, Tracy Stone, and
Sue Brown, representing the Tolchester Community Association, who expressed
what they believed to be numerical discrepancies in the Tolchester Growth
Management Committee Report concerning allotments, the number of grinder
pumps, and the size of sewer lines, to which Commissioner Pickrum advised
that they obtain the answers to their questions directly from Mr. Morris.
There being no further discussion on the motion, it was seconded and passed
by the majority.
Commissioner Pickrum expressed the appreciation of the Board to the Committee
for all of their effort and for their well-written, thorough, clear and
concise Report. The moratorium on sewer allocations in the Tolchester
Service Area will expire on April 1, 2004.
The Commissioners approved and signed Public Works Agreement by and between
the County and Roy Hoagland for a sewer allocation located on Map 35D,
Parcel 301.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Memorandum was received from P.A.M. Schaller, Director of Economic Development,
which included the following notes: - updates about progress pertaining
to the mailings of the Kent County brochure with a cover letter to be
sent to boat owners and marinas, introducing them to the Chesapeake Marine
Trade Career School and Chesapeake Fields Institute, and inviting them
to consider establishing their businesses in the County; and - notice
that an application was received from the Department of Business and Economic
Development for funds to initiate a feasibility study on behalf of Chesapeake
Fields Institute.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Bob Rust, Emergency Management Director, reiterated the need to begin
planning for a new facility (approximately 8,000 sq. ft.) to house the
Emergency Management Department.
GALENA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.
Correspondence was received via electronic mail from Gregg Bird, Assistant
Chief, Galena Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., expressing his appreciation
for Commissioner Crow's participation in their drill for preparedness
as a Rapid Intervention Team. He also invited the Commissioners to participate
in the Propane Gas Emergency Training session at Galena's Firehouse on
April 28th.
GRASS MOWING
A bid opening was held at 2 p.m. on March 19, 2004 at the Public Works
Department. One bid was received. At the recommendation of Jim Wright,
County Engineer, the Commissioners approved to award contract to Brown's
Lawn Care Service, of Worton, for grass mowing and lawn care services
for the Kent County Court House throughout the 2004 calendar year.
HOTEL RENTAL TAX
Mayor Dennis Hager of Millington appeared and advised the Commissioners
that he understood and respected the purpose of the Hotel Rental Tax and
the commitment of the Commissioners to treat all of the County's Towns
uniformly. However he expressed his opinion that the Tax does not apply
to the circumstances of Millington: there are no hotels or motels in the
Town to tax.
Commissioner Pickrum suggested to Mayor Hager that he consider the future
potential of hotels and motels in Millington, to which Mayor Hager concurred,
but added that when said hotels and motels exist, the Town of Millington
would gladly pay the Hotel Rental Tax. He further noted the absence of
a "sunset clause" in the provisions of the Hotel Rental Tax which he considered
to be problematic. Commissioners Pickrum and Livie responded by stating
that they would review the Memorandum of Understanding which constitutes
the provisions of the Hotel Rental Tax and add a sunset clause.
LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE
A bid opening was held at 2:00 p.m. on March 19, 2004 at the Public Works
Department.
Two bids were received.
At the recommendation of Jim Wright, County Engineer, the Commissioners
approved to award contract to the low bidder as follows: Pardoe's Lawn
and Tree Service, of Chestertown, for the Court House, Library, and Detention
Center, and to Unity Landscape Design, of Kennedyville, for the County
Government Center at 400 High Street, for providing landscaping and maintenance
services throughout the 2004 calendar year.
LEGAL COUNSEL
At 1:10 p.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Livie, seconded by Commissioner
Pickrum and passed by the majority of the Board to go into executive session
with Susanne Hayman, County Attorney, for legal counsel in accordance
with State Government Article, Section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of
Maryland.
Commissioner Crow was not in attendance for the afternoon meeting.
Items of discussion included Quaker Neck Service Area and other legal
matters.
The executive session adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD
As presented by Anne Livie, LMB Director, the Commissioners approved and
Commissioner Pickrum signed Audit Requirement and Assurances Documents
as it relates to the Year 3 Youth Strategies Consolidated Grant Application.
LIBRARY
FISCAL YEAR 2005 BUDGET
As per the Commissioners' invitation, Gloria Urban, Director, Kent County
Library, Jerry Keiser, Assistant Director, and James A. Blake, President
of the Library's Board of Trustees, appeared in order to further discuss
correspondence that was sent jointly by Mr. Blake and Ms. Urban, dated
February 5, 2004. Other Board members in attendance were Dee Newnam, Pat
Gatto, Shirley Eklund, Eloise Johnson, and Donald Wierda.
Commissioner Crow initiated discussion by asking Ms. Urban how she explained
the salary raise given by the County to its employees, to which Ms. Urban
responded that the told her staff that the County took $1,000, applied
a figure of 70%, and pro-rated that amount to full- and part-time Library
employees to July 1, 2004.
Commissioner Crow requested Ms. Urban to clarify to Library employees
that the raise figure represents only a six month period, not a full year's
raise. Responding to the Commissioners' question, Ms. Urban explained
that the Library's increase in expenditures in FY'05 represents an attempt
to "catch up" on the Library's objective to spend more money towards the
purchase of books. She, as well as Mr. Blake, emphasized that the Library
exerts much effort to streamline its expenses with the focus of its expenditures
on providing services to the public.
Ms. Urban cited results of a State-wide survey conducted last fall regarding
the public's attitudes about their libraries, in which 92% of Kent County
residents rated the Library as either "A" or "B" and as an "essential"
service, right alongside education.
Commissioner Livie strongly encouraged the Library to consider setting
up a foundation, to which Ms. Urban stated that she has already been investigating
idea as a way to pay for the more expensive needs of the Library, such
as updating the Library's automation system and the maintenance needed
now for its 26-plus year old building.
Following discussion by the Board and Ms. Urban, both of whom shared their
dissatisfaction with the Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT), Commissioner
Livie suggested that the Library consider the option of a traditional
insurance carrier.
Ms. Urban and Mr. Keiser emphasized the provision by the Library to the
County of the internet service, SAILOR, and that the Library is building
more towers in order to provide broadband accessibility to the public,
enabling the public's use of lap top computers in the Library.
Discussion then turned to the cut in the State's funding of the Library,
a cut in the amount of $1,035. Ms. Urban summarized her appeal to the
Commissioners by reviewing the following: the main objective of the Library
is to increase its book budget, at least closer to the State's level and
the level of the Library's Eastern Shore peers; the Library is determined
to improve its insurance coverage by changing its carrier; the sources
of funding which the Library receives from grants restrict the use of
those funds, excluding operating expenses and salaries.
Commissioner Livie expressed his optimism about what he projected to be
a generous response by the public to the Library's fund-raising activities;
and further, that the County does not have the resources to fund the Library
as per Ms. Urban's request.
PERSONNEL
At 2:00 p.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Livie, seconded by Commissioner
Pickrum and passed by the majority of the Board to go into executive session
to discuss personnel matters in accordance with State Government Article,
Section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
The executive session adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
PROCLAMATION
Commissioner Pickrum read a proclamation received from the Office of Governor
Erhlich recognizing March 25, 2004 as "Maryland Day in the State of Maryland."
RECOGNITION
Commissioner Pickrum, speaking on behalf of the Board of Commissioners,
extended formal recognition and appreciation on behalf of the citizens
of Kent County to Mrs. Kathryn Pinder-Almen for her 33 years of service
to this community.
The Commissioners presented Mrs. Pinder-Almen with a framed Seal of Kent
County and plaque. Others in attendance for this recognition were Neal
Almen, Jack Canan, Housing and Community Development Coordinator, and
Judy Hickman, Secretary, Harold Coleman, Housing Specialist, and Robin
Spielman, Administrative Aide, all of Housing and Community Development.
SENIOR CENTER
As per the Commissioners' request at their March 16th meeting, Carl E.
Burke, Executive Director, Upper Shore Aging, Inc. (USA) appeared and,
along with Charlotte Coleman, Director of Fiscal Services, USA, reviewed
a spreadsheet which they provided presenting Year-to-Date and Projected
End-of-Year operating expenses for the Senior Center (The Amy Lynn Ferris
Adult Activity Center). Pat Merritt, Director of Budget and Accounting,
was also in attendance.
Mr. Burke pointed out that USA projected an operating shortfall by the
end of the current fiscal year $19,888 for the Senior Center. He explained,
as he presented at the March 16th Commissioners' meeting, that if USA,
Inc. uses Furnishings Campaign funds and a "rainy day" fund (both of which,
he noted, are the result of private donations intended for purposes other
than Senior Center operating expenses), USA, Inc. could continue to fully
operate the Senior Center through June 30, 2004 without any day-closures
and without any cuts in hours and wages for staff. He expressed USA's
reluctance to use privately donated funds to cover the Center's operations,
citing potential objections by the donors.
Mr. Burke continued to explain that the projected operating shortfall
is less than the figure he cited at the Commissioners' meeting because
"certain equipment and other expenses normally treated as Center operating
costs were allocated as permitted to either State grant that constructed
the building or to the Furnishings Campaign." Mr. Burke further noted
that the projected $19,888 operating shortfall does not directly justify
the Kent County allocation which he requested for FY 2005 for the Senior
Center. He explained that his budget request for the Center operations
for 2005 in the amount of $25,620, which is $5,732 more than the $19,888
figure for the current year, reflects the need to have additional local
support to offset anticipated cuts in federal Older Americans Act funding
that will result when the Maryland Department on Aging implements a new
funding allocation formula effective July 1, 2004.
Commissioner Livie encouraged Mr. Burke to make the investment of money
and/or personnel to research sources of grant funding from the private
sector, describing the effort as a good investment which would compound
itself.
Mr. Burke, responding to questions about specific budget items, was also
asked by Commissioner Pickrum as to whether or not he calculated his overhead
rate, to which Mr. Burke stated that he and Mrs. Coleman would do the
research and provide the information.
Responding to Commissioner Crow's question, Mr. Burke explained that USA's
"rainy day fund" represents money that was raised during the period when
the senior center was in its first location, and that there are no other
"rainy day funds."
After some discussion on the motion, a motion was made by Commissioner
Crow that USA, Inc. use the Senior Center's "rainy day fund", while keeping
the senior center open five days a week and maintaining its current staff
and staff schedules, and to utilize $4,500 of the County's contingency
fund, kept in reserve, as a last resort to cover operating expenses until
June 30, 2004; at that time Mr. Burke will meet with the Commissioners
and present a report of the operating expenditures of the Senior Center.
Commissioner Pickrum offered the assistance of the Board as a liaison
between USA and pertinent federal and/or State offices and agencies in
the attempt to find sources of funding.
SHERIFFS' OFFICE
Correspondence was received from Dean Kindig, resident of Fairlee on Bay
Shore Road, expressing complaint about what he believed to be the excessive
rate and speed of traffic through the corridor on Bay Shore Road between
Routes 298 and Tolchester. This letter was sent forth to the attention
of the Sheriffs' Office.
UPPER SHORE AGING, INC. (USA)
Correspondence was received via electronic mail from Carl E. Burke, Executive
Director, USA, Inc., with copy of a letter which he sent to (in District
37B) Delegates Adelaide C. Eckardt and Jeannie Haddaway; (in District
36) Richard A. Sossi, Michael D. Smigiel, Mary Roe Walkup, and (in District
38B) Norman H. Conway, requesting that they reject the Senate's restrictive
language in regard to Budget Bill legislation pertaining to the Maryland
Department of Aging's (MDoA) Older Americans Act funds.
Last week, the State Senate passed a Budget Bill legislation that included
"restrictive language" that would withhold $500,000 in administrative
funding for the MdoA unless the Department institutes a different funding
allocation formula that, according to Mr. Burke, would result in "exaggerated"
gains in funding for a handful of suburban counties, "considerable" funding
gains for other counties and "huge, harmful" funding cuts for Eastern
Shore counties and Baltimore City.
Mr. Burke explained that if similar legislation passes the House of Delegates,
AAA USA, Inc., serving Talbot, Caroline, and Kent counties will suffer
a loss of more than $50,000 in Older Americans Act funds on July 1, 2004.
He added that, given that said agency lost over $82,000 in State funds
last year, the impact, in Mr. Burke's opinion, would be devastating to
the Seniors residing in these counties.
There being no further business to claim their attention, the Board adjourned
to meet again on Tuesday, March 30, 2004.
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
Janice F. Fletcher
Executive Assistant
Approved: William W. Pickrum, President
Please contact Ileana Lindstrom or Janice Fletcher at (410)
778-7435 or by e-mail with
any questions or comments.
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