KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S

PUBLIC HEARING - 4/10/2001

Code Home Rule Bill No. 5-2001

A Public Hearing was held on Tuesday, April 10, 2001, at 10:15 a.m. in the County Commissioners' Hearing Room, County Government Center, Chestertown, Maryland on Code Home Rule Bill No. 5-2001 which is: an Act to repeal and re-enact with amendments Section 33 -1, Appropriations, of Chapter 33, Fire Companies, of the Code of Public Local Laws of Kent County, Maryland, providing for an adjustment of the fractional amount to be appropriated for fire companies in order to coincide with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation change in the assessment of real property to its full cash value.

County Commissioners Ronald H. Fithian, Larry B. Beck and W. Michael Newnam were in attendance as well as Pat Merritt, Director, Budget and Accounting, Richard Powell, representing Galena Volunteer Fire Company, Norma Dempsey and John Krastel representing Kennedyville Volunteer Fire Company, Pat Morris representing Betterton Volunteer Fire Company, and members of the media.

Notice of the public hearing was read into the record by Commissioner Fithian.

The County Administrator gave a brief explanation of the law advising that the action was precipitated by the State changing the method in which property is assessed for taxation. This enactment makes the adjustment to the amount of funds appropriated to fire companies consistent with State tax assessment. Mr. Robinson noted that the fire company funding remains the same, however, the method for calculating the allocation has changed.

Richard Powell, Galena Volunteer Fire Company, inquired if there were other changes to the fire companies should be aware of. Commissioner Fithian advised that the only change was to the formula to calculate appropriations; no loss in revenue.

There were no other comments received on this proposed legislation.

The third reading of this proposed legislation will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2001 the next legislative day.

This hearing was taped for reference and adjourned at 10:22 a.m.